Blue Crane

Facts

IUCN VULNERABLE (VU)

Facts about this animal

The Blue Crane is a silvery bluish-grey crane with extremely long dangling tertials (wing feathers), nearly touching the ground. This tertials are often mistaken for tail feathers. It has a fully feathered head, which does not have patches of red skin as most other crane species. It is a relatively small crane, with a height of about 117 cm and a weight of 5.1 kg. The crown, forehead, lores and anterior cheeks are very light grey, sometimes almost white. The Posterior cheeks, ear coverts and nape are dark ashy grey, with feathers loose and lengthened ("cobra-like" profile). The feathers of the lower foreneck are elongated and pointed, the neck is bluish grey. Both upper and under parts are bluish grey. The wings are grey or bluish grey, blackish near the tip and the tail is blackish to black. The legs and feet are also grey or black. There is no marked sexual dimorphism.

Did you know?
that the blue crane is South Africa's national bird and appears on their 5c coin? There were also several South African postage stamps diplaying the blue crane.

Factsheet
Class	AVES
Order	GRUIFORMES
Suborder	GRUES
Family	GRUIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Grus paradisea
Name (English)	Blue Crane
Name (French)	Grue bleue, Grue de paradis
Name (German)	Paradieskranich
Name (Spanish)	Grulla azul, Grulla de paraíso
Local names	Afrikaans: Veldpou
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Appendix II (as Grus paradisea) Included in AEWA

Photo Copyright by
Vladimír Motyčka

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Southern Africa
Habitat	Short, dry, natural grasslands, pastures, cropland and fallow fields, only occasionally using wetlands
Wild population	Approx. over 25,580 individuals (2007) (Red List IUCN 2011)
Zoo population	163 reported to ISIS (2006)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 17 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Dellex

Why do zoos keep this animal

The cranes are regarded as a threatened taxon which are key indicator species. The Blue Crane is a good species in particular to build capacity and expertise for application in the breeding of the more endangered Wattled Crane and others. Furthermore, the Blue Crane, South Africa's national bird, is one of the three crane species found in South Africa and it is therefore an important educational exhibit bird. It is also a striking crane and makes for an imposing exhibit.

How this animal should be kept

During the breeding season, adult blue cranes must be kept in pairs to prevent aggression mortality. During the winter half year keeping in larger groups may be possible. Subadults up to three years may be kept in bachelor groups.

An outdoor enclosure or aviary of at least 150 m² for each pair is required. Ideally, the enclosure should include grass-covered soil planted with sedge grasses and a few low bushes or trees. A shallow pool is advisable for enrichment. Aviaries must be at least 3 m high and should be flight netted to prevent escape and contact with wild birds. Pinioning should be avoided as this may result in decreased reproductive capability. In cold and temperate climates a frost-free indoor enclosure of at least 10 m², where a minimal temperature of 10°C is maintained is necessary. Blue cranes should be fed a formulated crane diet, or a balanced diet may be designed using plant material and grain mixes to which a moderate amount of minced meat, insects or small vertebrates such as fish, mice, or day-old chicks have been added.

For extensive husbandry and breeding guidelines see Cranes: Their Biology, Husbandry, and Conservation at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/gee/cranbook/cranebook.htm