Blue Crane Importance in South Africa

 

What is a Blue Crane?

A blue crane is small in relation to other cranes and has a large head, a thick neck, and beautiful long wing feathers, called tertials, which trail behind it and can be mistaken for tail feathers. It has head feathers that can be erect when it is excited or being aggressive.

 

Is Blue Crane national symbol in South Africa?

BLUE CRANE(Anthropoides paradisia) is regarded as the National Bird in South Africa. It is quite common in the Karoo, but is also seen in the grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal and the Highveld, usually in pairs or small family parties.

 

Is the Blue Crane indigenous to South Africa?

Blue cranes are native to southern Africa, more than 99% of them living within South Africa. There is a small breeding population in and around the area of the Etosha Pan in northern Namibia. These birds breed at high elevations in dry grasslands where there is less chance of disturbance.

 

What is the national bird of South Africa?

Blue crane also known as (Anthropoides paradisia)

The blue crane is a light blue-grey, has a long neck supporting a rather bulbous head, long legs and elegant wing plumes which sweep to the ground. It eats seeds, insects and reptiles. Blue cranes lay their eggs in the bare veld, often close to water.

 

Which culture is the Blue Crane important to in South Africa?

In South Africa, the blue crane is culturally significant to the “Xhosa people”, who call it indwe (flag). Traditionally, when a man distinguished himself in battle or otherwise, he was often decorated by a chief with blue crane feathers in a ceremony called ukundzabela.

 

What does a Blue Crane represent in South Africa?

Also known as “Stanley Crane” and “Paradise Crane”, the Blue Cranes are a vulnerable crane species that are found in South Africa. These birds are symbolic of tenderness, sufficiency, and inner contemplation. Their spirit guides us to be gentle to others and ourselves and to be satisfied with what we have.

 

What does the crane symbolize in African culture?

Blue Cranes are beloved for their beauty and seen by some tribes as a symbol of bravery. One of these tribes, the Xhosa people, call the Blue Crane “Indwe.” Brave warriors are honored with Blue Crane feathers to display in their hair, and these warriors act to restore order when troubles arise

 

What are South Africa’s 5 National symbols?

The following are South Africa’s National symbols:

• National flower: King protea.
• National tree: Real yellowwood.
• National animal: Springbok.
• National fish: Galjoen.
• National bird: Blue crane.

 

What animal represents South Africa?

Springbuck/springbok known as (Antidorcas marsupialis).

This species has adapted to the dry, barren areas and open grass plains and is thus found especially in the Free State, North West province and in the Karoo up to the west coast. This species can be commonly found in the Free State.

 

What is South African national flower?

Giant or king protea, also known as (Protea cynaroides)

The name does not do justice to the greatly  beautiful flower-heads of this protea, which is the largest in the genus. A number of varieties in colour and leaf shapes are found, but the most beautiful is the pink coloured flower.

 

How many Blue Cranes are left in South Africa?

In South Africa, while it remains common in parts of its historic range, and between 10,000 and 20,000 birds remain, it began a sudden population decline from around 1980 and is now classified as critically endangered. In the last two decades, the Blue Crane has largely disappeared from the Eastern Cape, Lesotho, and Swaziland.