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Description: East African crowned cranes (also called gray crowned cranes) get their name from a distinctive tuft of bristle-like golden feathers located on the top of the head. They are mostly gray, with white upper and under wing coverts and a black head. They have large white cheek patches with a small triangle of red near the top. The legs and bill are black, eyes are light gray, and have a scarlet throat lappet. Their bill is short in comparison with other cranes.
Similar Species: The black crowned crane is the only species easily confused with the East African crowned crane.
Size and Weight: Wingspan ranges from 6 to 7 feet across and weighs between 3000-4000g (6.6 – 8.8 lbs.). These birds tend to stand approximately 3 to 4 feet tall.
Diet: These cranes are omnivores and eat plants, seeds, grain, insects, frogs, worms, snakes, small fish and the eggs of aquatic animals. Stamping their large feet as they walk, they flush out insects that are quickly caught and eaten.
Habitat and Distribution: East African crowned cranes are found in the marshes, cultivated lands and grassy flatlands near rivers and lakes in eastern Congo, Uganda, and Kenya to central Tanzania.
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