Some Facts about the Wattled Crane

Name: Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus)

Range:  Endemic resident, in 2 areas: Ethiopia, and central and southern Africa. In Ethiopia, usually only 1-3 individuals seen at a time but sometimes in flocks; population size unknown and no information since 1975. In Central and southern Africa locally abundant to rare, but declining, endangered or recently extinct in some areas.

Description: Easily distuigished from sympatric cranes by huge size and white neck, but at distance beware superficial resemblance to Wholly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus), which also has dark cap, white neck and dark wings and body. At closer range, Wattled Crane easily identified by grey wings, red face and throat wattles.

General Habitats: Inhabits very large open areas including wet grasslands, open marshes and river edges, usually above 2000m or below 1000m in non-breeding season.

Breeding Habits: Monogamous; each pair defends a territory c. 1km. sq. Pairs may not breed annually. In courtship bird sometimes spread wings, runs a little way, then jumps several metres straight up with wings spread and head held up and legs bent and dangling.

For more details: The Birds of Africa, Vol. II (Emil K. Urban; C. Hilary Fry & Stuart Keith; 1986). Copies of this book available in the resource center at NatureUganda offices, Kampala