# Black Crowned Crane (*Balearica pavonina*) The Black Crowned Crane is a beautiful bird with a striking black crown and long legs. It loves to dance and can often be seen hopping around in wetlands and grasslands. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** African Crowned Crane ![Black Crowned Crane](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%B6%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BB%D1%8C_I.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rigelus, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%92%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%B6%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BB%D1%8C_I.jpg) ## Appearance The Black Crowned Crane has a mostly slate-grey to black body with striking white wing patches and a bright red gular sac. Its most distinctive feature is the stiff, golden bristly crown of feathers atop its head, making it truly regal. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Gruiformes - **Family:** Gruidae - **Genus:** Balearica ## Interesting facts - Cranes are famous for their amazing, energetic courtship dances! - Their ancient ancestors date back millions of years, making them living fossils! - They are one of only two crane species that can comfortably perch in trees! - Unlike most cranes, these birds prefer to wander locally rather than migrate far. ## Special abilities - **Display Dancer:** Black Crowned Cranes can perform elaborate leaps and bows, because it helps them attract a mate during courtship. - **Trumpet Voice:** Black Crowned Cranes have a long, coiled windpipe that helps them make loud, trumpeting calls across their habitat. - **Wetland Navigator:** Black Crowned Cranes can build floating nests on water plants, because it keeps their eggs safe from ground predators. - **Tree Percher:** Black Crowned Cranes can comfortably perch in trees, a rare ability among cranes that helps them rest safely. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-105 cm - **Wingspan:** 180-200 cm - **Weight:** 3-4 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-25 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-3 - **Incubation:** 28-31 days - **Migration Distance:** 800 km ## Diet & Feeding Omnivorous, they munch on plants, seeds, insects, and small animals found in wetlands and grasslands. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Seeds, Grains, Small fish, Amphibians, Worms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions can ambush cranes near water sources. - **Eats:** [Migratory Locust](https://www.snappit.app/explore/migratory-locust) (*Locusta migratoria*) — Cranes hunt and eat large insect swarms. - **Eaten by:** African Rock Python (*Python sebae*) — Large pythons prey on adult cranes. - **Eats:** Redbelly Tilapia (*Tilapia zillii*) — They catch small fish from shallow waters. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Crowned Crane? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black Crowned Crane? 90-105 cm ### What is Black Crowned Crane's wingspan? 180-200 cm ### How much does Black Crowned Crane weigh? 3-4 kg ### How long does Black Crowned Crane live? 20-25 years ### How fast can Black Crowned Crane move? 60 km/h ### What does Black Crowned Crane eat? Omnivorous, they munch on plants, seeds, insects, and small animals found in wetlands and grasslands. ### Where is Black Crowned Crane usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo - [International Crane Foundation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/international-crane-foundation) — Wisconsin, US · Zoo ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black Crowned Crane: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-crane)