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African
Crowned Crane
Balearica pavonina
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HABITAT
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Open
marshlands, grasslands, and swamps |
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DIET
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Grasses,
seeds, small animals including insects |
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LIFE SPAN
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Up
to 25 years in captivity; wild life span unknown |
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OTHER FACTS
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Crowned cranes, unlike other cranes, lack folds in their windpipes, making
their voice different from the others. They occasionally roost in
trees, a trait not seen in other cranes. Considered living fossils
of the crane family, they were able to survive the Ice Age in the savannas
of Africa.
These cranes are important to the wetlands they live in as grazers of vegetation
and as predators of small animals. Habitat destruction has been their
greatest threat. They are also east targets for egg collectors and
poachers because of their conspicuous plumage.
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