Photo: Rigelus / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black Crowned Crane
Balearica pavonina
Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) — Cranes & Rails of Africa.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) is a member of the Gruidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 3.6 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Gruidae Cranes
- Genus Balearica
- Species pavonina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 3.6 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Gruidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Crowned Crane is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Black Crowned Crane is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) is a member of the Gruidae family, within the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF ne, c, w.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 3.6 kg, with a wing length of about 54.3 cm and a tail of around 25.8 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Crowned Crane?
The Black Crowned Crane is a very large bird that weighs around 3.6 kg.
Where does the Black Crowned Crane live?
The Black Crowned Crane is found across Africa with a range covering AF ne, c, w, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Black Crowned Crane belong to?
The Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) belongs to the Gruidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Black Crowned Crane eat?
The Black Crowned Crane is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Black Crowned Crane migrate?
The Black Crowned Crane is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black Crowned Crane endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Black Crowned Crane make?
1 real field recording of the Black Crowned Crane — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black Crowned Crane's range?
The Black Crowned Crane has a mapped global range of about 3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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