Blue Cranes are found only in southern Africa, primarily in the southern and eastern parts of the country, ranging from the southern and eastern Mpumalanga Highveld through the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape.
Where can I find a Blue Crane?
Blue cranes are found throughout southern Africa, including South Africa, with an apparently isolated population in Namibia. These cranes live in open grasslands and semi-deserts, but they also visit man-made pastures and agricultural fields.
How many blue cranes do we still have in South Africa?
The Blue Crane is a near-endemic to South Africa, with a small isolated population of 60-80 birds found around Namibia’s Etosha Pans and a few isolated birds in South Africa.
What makes the Blue Crane famous?
South Africa’s national bird is the blue crane. It is small in comparison to other cranes, with a large head, a thick neck, and long wing feathers known as tertials that trail behind it and can be mistaken for tail feathers. It has erect head feathers when it is excited or aggressive.
How old are blue cranes?
In groups, there is a strict hierarchy, with larger adult males dominating. They share a range with three other crane species. Blue cranes live for about 15 years in the wild, but can live for 20 to 30 years in captivity.
