Blue crane

Appearance

The large head, long, slender neck and elongated, trailing tertials are diagnostic of this species.
Juvenile lacks the long inner tertials and is paler grey, especially on the head, which is almost white.

Habitat

Vleis, grassland, Karoo scrub and agricultural lands. Found in small groups or in pairs, but non-breeding birds gather in large flocks that sometimes contain several hundred birds.

Call

A loud, nasal 'kraaaank'.

Special

Blue crane is the national bird of South Africa