The blue crane is South Africa’s national bird. The “paradisea” in their species name, Grus paradisea, was apparently given to them in 1793 by the explorer, Anton August Heinrich Lichtenstein. They are still known in Dutch as paradijskraanvogels.

Blue cranes are found in grain fields and grasslands, or on the borders of wetlands. They feed on plants, insects and even small mammals, frogs or reptiles. They grow to 100 to 120 cm tall and can weigh up to 6 kg. They usually live in pairs and breed from October to March. Usually two eggs are laid, with the male incubating at night and the female during the day, while the male defends her and the nest. The incubation period is thirty days and the young begin to fend for themselves from the age of 3 to 5 months. They can walk within two days and even start swimming shortly after. They remain with their parents until the start of the next breeding season, when the parents chase them away.

Unfortunately, blue cranes are an endangered bird species, among other reasons due to urban development and agricultural activities that destroy their habitat and toxins used on crops. Many also fly into power lines, or become entangled in baling twine and wire fences, injuring or killing them. They sometimes even become victims of illegal trade, because there was a custom of keeping them in gardens as pet birds. This is completely illegal.

In the past two decades, they have virtually disappeared from the Eastern Cape, Lesotho and Eswatini, and it is estimated that their numbers have decreased by up to 90% in the Northern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West. Larger groups are still found in the east and south of the country.

This is a great pity, as these majestic birds are truly impressive and also because they are a national symbol. Through the years, they have been depicted on postage stamps and coins of the country. Efforts to protect them include legislation and enlisting the help of private landowners. Birdlife South Africa conducts research into the conservation of these birds and can be contacted with information about their well-being at www.birdlife.org.za.

Pretoria residents are spoiled for choice as we can see them up close in the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary. If you go for an early morning walk elsewhere in the country, you may be lucky enough to spot them foraging and hear their distinctive krrrrrrr clapping sounds. May this be a privilege that our posterity can enjoy too!

Photo: Melissa Whitecross/ www.birdlife.org.za