Habitat requirements. Grey Crowned Cranes require a mixed wetland-grassland habitat, and are often found in wetlands, on riverbanks, around dams, in open savannas and in short to medium height grasslands adjacent to such sites (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1987; Urban 1988; ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1996; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. 2009). They are also often found foraging in agricultural land wherever available, in close proximity to the habitats listed here (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1992; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2000; Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001). They nest within or on the edges of permanent or temporary wetlands; but will also use well vegetated farm dams. They have adapted to habitat transformation, and in Uganda Olupot et al. (2009) recorded 47% of nests within wetlands that were only partly disturbed, 35% in wetlands that had been severely disturbed and only 18% in intact wetlands. In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 77% of nests were found in partially dammed wetlands, and 23% in natural wetlands (▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995). ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. (1998), however, found through their research in Mpumalanga, South Africa, that the cranes avoided wetlands with adjacent land uses that had a significant impact on the wetland. In eastern Uganda, Olupot (2014) found that nests were most often located towards the middle of wetlands, and were even occasionally found in rice fields. The nests themselves are found within tall ▇▇▇▇▇ wetland vegetation (e.g. Typha or Cyperus ▇▇▇▇ beds), concealed from terrestrial predators and screened from view (Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001; Olupot 2014). They are however, easily seen from the air and appear as bulls eyes within wetlands. The area around nests is trampled up to 20 metres in diameter, supposedly to reduce the chance of predation (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1973; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1992; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1998; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2002; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2003). They have also, on very rare occasions, been known to nest in trees (Steyn & ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ 1974; ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1977; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2003). Grey Crowned Cranes forage in short to medium height open grasslands, feeding on grass seeds, small toads and frogs, insects and other invertebrates (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; Frame 1982; Gichuki 2000; Muheebwa- Muhoozi 2001). ▇▇▇▇▇ et al. (2000) found many small stones within the stomach of an adult Grey Crowned Crane, most likely ingested to help break down the hard and fibrous plant material they feed on. They are, however, also frequently found foraging in agricultural lands, including pastures, irrigated areas, fallow fields, newly harvested cereal crops and newly planted cereal crop (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1992; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1998; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2000; Muheebwa 2001; Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001). They have also been known to eat the seed from ripening cereal crops (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1987). Soya beans, ground nuts, millet, potatoes and maize appear to be the crops of choice for cranes (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001). Their use of agricultural lands unfortunately often brings them into conflict with farmers as a result of both the actual and perceived damage caused to crops (Katondo 1996; Smallie 2000). The Grey Crowned ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ generalist foraging strategy though has resulted in them adapting to human settlement and they are therefore often seen in human-modified environments (▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1996; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995). This has even extended to Kampala’s main rubbish dump in Uganda, where a flock of up to 95 Grey Crowned Cranes has been feeding daily in recent years (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. 2012; Ndibaisa 2013). Grey Crowned Cranes roost primarily in tall trees in the vicinity of wetlands. Very often, and where available in the absence of indigenous tree species, Eucalyptus, wattle and pine trees whose high bare branches command a good view are used (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1964; ▇▇▇▇▇ 1996; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980). In Uganda, Grey Crowned Cranes most often roost in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ excelsa, Cupressun spp, Chlorophora excelsa and Ficus spp (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; Muheebwa 2001; Olupot 2014). Shanungu (pers. comm.) recorded roosting on the ground in wetlands or in Acacia trees in both the Kafue Flats and Liuwa Plains in Zambia, akin to Frame’s (1982) reports of cranes roosting in Acacia xanthophloea in the Serengeti National Park and in short grasslands in the Ngorogoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. Olupot (2014) also reported ground roosting sites in natural and man-made wetlands in Uganda. Grey Crowned Cranes will also roost on high voltage pylons making them vulnerable to electrocution (Muheebwa 2001; Ndibaisa 2013; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ pers. comm.). Although ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. (2013) and Olupot (2014) found Grey Crowned Cranes in eastern Uganda most often roosting with other cranes, they did occasionally find them roosting in mixed colonies with pelicans, egrets and other birds. The cranes leave their roosts between ▇▇▇▇ and an hour after ▇▇▇▇ and return around nightfall (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2001; Olupot 2014).
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Sources: International Single Species Action Plan, International Single Species Action Plan
Habitat requirements. Grey Crowned Cranes require a mixed wetland-grassland habitat, and are often found in wetlands, on riverbanks, around dams, in open savannas and in short to medium height grasslands adjacent to such sites (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1987; Urban 1988; ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1996; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. 2009). They are also often found foraging in agricultural land wherever available, in close proximity to the habitats listed here (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1992; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2000; Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001). They nest within or on the edges of permanent or temporary wetlands; but will also use well vegetated farm dams. They have adapted to habitat transformation, and in Uganda Olupot et al. (2009) recorded 47% of nests within wetlands that were only partly disturbed, 35% in wetlands that had been severely disturbed and only 18% in intact wetlands. In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 77% of nests were found in partially dammed wetlands, and 23% in natural wetlands (▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995). ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. (1998), however, found through their research in Mpumalanga, South Africa, that the cranes avoided wetlands with adjacent land uses that had a significant impact on the wetland. In eastern Uganda, Olupot (2014) found that nests were most often located towards the middle of wetlands, and were even occasionally found in rice fields. The nests themselves are found within tall ▇▇▇▇▇ wetland vegetation (e.g. Typha or Cyperus ▇▇▇▇ beds), concealed from terrestrial predators and screened from view (Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001; Olupot 2014). They are however, easily seen from the air and appear as bulls eyes within wetlands. The area around nests is trampled up to 20 metres in diameter, supposedly to reduce the chance of predation (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1973; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1992; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1998; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2002; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2003). They have also, on very rare occasions, been known to nest in trees (Steyn & ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ 1974; ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1977; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2003). Grey Crowned Cranes forage in short to medium height open grasslands, feeding on grass seeds, small toads and frogs, insects and other invertebrates (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; Frame 1982; Gichuki 2000; Muheebwa- Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001). ▇▇▇▇▇ et al. (2000) found many small stones within the stomach of an adult Grey Crowned Crane, most likely ingested to help break down the hard and fibrous plant material they feed on. They are, however, also frequently found foraging in agricultural lands, including pastures, irrigated areas, fallow fields, newly harvested cereal crops and newly planted cereal crop (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1992; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1998; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2000; Muheebwa 2001; Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001). They have also been known to eat the seed from ripening cereal crops (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1987). Soya beans, ground nuts, millet, potatoes and maize appear to be the crops of choice for cranes (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; Muheebwa-Muhoozi 2001). Their use of agricultural lands unfortunately often brings them into conflict with farmers as a result of both the actual and perceived damage caused to crops (Katondo 1996; Smallie 2000). The Grey Crowned ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ generalist foraging strategy though has resulted in them adapting to human settlement and they are therefore often seen in human-modified environments (▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1996; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1995). This has even extended to Kampala’s main rubbish dump in Uganda, where a flock of up to 95 Grey Crowned Cranes has been feeding daily in recent years (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. 2012; Ndibaisa 2013). Grey Crowned Cranes roost primarily in tall trees in the vicinity of wetlands. Very often, and where available in the absence of indigenous tree species, Eucalyptus, wattle and pine trees whose high bare branches command a good view are used (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1964; ▇▇▇▇▇ 1996; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980). In Uganda, Grey Crowned Cranes most often roost in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ excelsa, Cupressun spp, Chlorophora excelsa and Ficus spp (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; Muheebwa 2001; Olupot 2014). Shanungu (pers. comm.) recorded roosting on the ground in wetlands or in Acacia trees in both the Kafue Flats and Liuwa Plains in Zambia, akin to Frame’s (1982) reports of cranes roosting in Acacia xanthophloea in the Serengeti National Park and in short grasslands in the Ngorogoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. Olupot (2014) also reported ground roosting sites in natural and man-made wetlands in Uganda. Grey Crowned Cranes will also roost on high voltage pylons making them vulnerable to electrocution (Muheebwa 2001; Ndibaisa 2013; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ pers. comm.). Although ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al. (2013) and Olupot (2014) found Grey Crowned Cranes in eastern Uganda most often roosting with other cranes, they did occasionally find them roosting in mixed colonies with pelicans, egrets and other birds. The cranes leave their roosts between ▇▇▇▇ and an hour after ▇▇▇▇ and return around nightfall (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 1980; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2001; Olupot 2014).
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