Blue Crane

Afrikaans name: Bloukraanvoël

Blue Crane

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anthropoides paradiseus

This bird has the honour of being South Africa's national bird!

The Blue Crane is sometimes referred to as the Stanley or Paradise Crane.

It is over 1 metre tall and can have a wingspan of 2 metres.

The Blue Crane prefers grassland areas at higher altitude. During winter they move to lower altitudes. It is also found on farmlands but does not tolerate disturbances.

The Blue Crane feeds on grasses and sedges as well as insects.

These birds have an elaborate courtship routine with the pair circling eachother before the male starts jumping up and down and throwing things in the air. If he is successful he will attract a female and they will begin nesting in a few weeks.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 72

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 130

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 34

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 89

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 14

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 11

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 110

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 150

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 152

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 184

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 152

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 187

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 146

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 409

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 138

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 138

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 110

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 31

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 31

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 74

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 26

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 632 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 48

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 102

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 29

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 73

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 53

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 102

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 180

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 180

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List of South African Birds