Wattled Crane

Appearance

The adult animals can reach a body weight of up to 5 kilograms, which can vary depending on gender and habitat. The bird's plumage is almost uniformly greyish-blue, with the back of the head appearing significantly lighter. It should also be noted that the long tail and wing feathers are black, which is particularly visible when flying. The long legs are also black and enable the animal to move safely through tall grass or water to hunt for prey. Finally, the short but quite strong beak should be mentioned. It is pointed and curved downwards and has a pink coloration, which can intensify during the mating season.

Preferred habitat of the Blue Crane

Since the Blue Crane belongs to a highly endangered crane species, with only about 20,000 animals remaining, its distribution is correspondingly limited. They can mainly be found in South Africa, where they inhabit grass steppes, highland meadows and swamp areas. These birds are relatively undemanding as they eat almost anything available in their habitat. This includes plants and fruits as well as insects and small animals, as well as small mammals and reptiles. During the day, the bird walks through shallow meadows and looks out for suitable prey. Once it has spotted one, it pursues it and strikes at the right moment with its beak. It is not uncommon for the animals, which usually live in fixed partnerships, to go hunting together and drive the prey towards each other. When the Blue Crane fishes for amphibians or fish, it usually uses shallow pools where it can easily herd the animals together and then catch them from the water.