Crane, Stanley
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Description
Both male and female Stanley cranes are a uniform bluish grey on the head, neck and body and have a wingspan of 180-200 cm (78 inches). Loose feathers on the cheeks and upper nape of the neck give the head the distinctive “cobra” shape. Dark grey elongated secondary feathers with black tips on the wings almost reach the ground are often mistaken for tail feathers. Iris is dark brown. Males are typically larger than females. Juveniles are pale grey, and do not have the long secondaries.
Classification
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Gruidae
- Genus
- Anthropoides
- Species
- A. paradiseus
- Conservation Status
- Vulnerable
Key Facts
- Height
- 110-120 cm (47 inches)
- Weight
- 4900-5300 g (1.1 pound)
The IUCN Red List describes Anthropoides paradiseus as Vulnerable, with 17,000 mature individuals mostly in South Africa and Namibia. While they face numerous threats, the current population appears largely stable.
Social Life
Stanley cranes tend to be highly communal, occurring in flocks of up to 1,000. When breeding, bonded pairs become more solitary and territorial, avoiding other cranes while they nest.
Habitat and Range
Eastern and Southern South Africa, primarily in dry upland grasslands. Roosts and nests in wetlands. There are a few isolated populations in Namibia. Stanley (Blue) cranes are non-migratory. They are more terrestrial than most other crane species.
Diet
Stanley cranes are omnivores eating plant material, primarily grass seeds, insects (especially grasshoppers), fish, small reptiles, and small mammals. Usually forages on the ground.
Lifespan
About 30 years
Reproduction
Stanley cranes are monogamous, have a strong pair bond, and both parents care for the chicks.
Sexual Maturity: 3-5 years
Mating Season: Usually October through December. Nests are in grasslands near water. Nests are very minimal, and eggs are often laid on the ground.
Incubation: About 30-33 days.
No. of Young: Female lays 2 eggs. Chicks fledge at about 85 days.
- Information
-
Description
Both male and female Stanley cranes are a uniform bluish grey on the head, neck and body and have a wingspan of 180-200 cm (78 inches). Loose feathers on the cheeks and upper nape of the neck give the head the distinctive “cobra” shape. Dark grey elongated secondary feathers with black tips on the wings almost reach the ground are often mistaken for tail feathers. Iris is dark brown. Males are typically larger than females. Juveniles are pale grey, and do not have the long secondaries.
Classification
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Gruidae
- Genus
- Anthropoides
- Species
- A. paradiseus
- Conservation Status
- Vulnerable
Key Facts
- Height
- 110-120 cm (47 inches)
- Weight
- 4900-5300 g (1.1 pound)
- Conservation
The IUCN Red List describes Anthropoides paradiseus as Vulnerable, with 17,000 mature individuals mostly in South Africa and Namibia. While they face numerous threats, the current population appears largely stable.
- Lifestyle
Social Life
Stanley cranes tend to be highly communal, occurring in flocks of up to 1,000. When breeding, bonded pairs become more solitary and territorial, avoiding other cranes while they nest.Habitat and Range
Eastern and Southern South Africa, primarily in dry upland grasslands. Roosts and nests in wetlands. There are a few isolated populations in Namibia. Stanley (Blue) cranes are non-migratory. They are more terrestrial than most other crane species.Diet
Stanley cranes are omnivores eating plant material, primarily grass seeds, insects (especially grasshoppers), fish, small reptiles, and small mammals. Usually forages on the ground.Lifespan
About 30 yearsReproduction
Stanley cranes are monogamous, have a strong pair bond, and both parents care for the chicks.
Sexual Maturity: 3-5 years
Mating Season: Usually October through December. Nests are in grasslands near water. Nests are very minimal, and eggs are often laid on the ground.
Incubation: About 30-33 days.
No. of Young: Female lays 2 eggs. Chicks fledge at about 85 days.