Paradise Cranes Grus paradisea, are South Africa’s national bird and are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list, with only around 25000 individuals left in the wild. This species is also less plentiful in UK aviculture, although there is a sustainable population between both zoos and private collections going forward.
Arguably the most elegant of the cranes, at 1-1.2 metres tall, it’s body is a bluish-grey, with a lighter cap on the top of their proportionately large head. The main feature is the long, flowing feathers that trail behind the bird almost appearing as a tail, however these feathers (called tertials) are actually situated at the base of their wings.
This species is monogamous, forming lifelong bonds with their partners, displayed by an elegant courtship dance during which both birds jump up and down and often fling various objects in the air. Sexual maturity is usually reached after 3-5 years and breeding commences with a standard clutch of 2 eggs being laid in a very minimalistic nest. Both parents will participate in the rearing of the chicks. In captivity these birds can live for 20-30 years, meaning that if a breeding pair is established, they can play a large role in the sustaining of this species in UK aviculture.
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