GRUIFORMES of Africa
The order Gruiformes contains a considerable number of living and extinct bird families with little in common. In fact, birds have been placed in this order just because it was not clear where else to put them! The rails, cranes, and limpkin are related and are considered part of the true Guiformes. However, the Bustards are unrelated to these true Guiformes.
Cranes
Order Gruiformes Family Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds . Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. They are opportunistic feeders that change their diet according to the season and their own nutrient requirements. They eat a range of items from suitably sized small rodents, fish, amphibians, and insects, to grain, berries, and plants. During breeding season cranes are territorial, other times they are sociable and form groups.
Genus Anthropoides
Crane, Blue aka Stanley Crane Anthropoides paradisea Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Birds of Eden, South Africa 2) Dick - Birds of Eden, South Africa
3) Dick on road from Swellendam to De Hoop, South Africa
4) Dick - San Diego Zoo 5) Dick - National Zoo, Washington DC 6) Sandy Cole - Tenikwa, South Africa
Crane, Demoiselle Anthropoides virgo Found: Asia, Africa
Photographed by 1) Sandy Cole - Sylvan Heights 2) Sandy - Sylvan Heights 3) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights
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4, 5, 6, 7) Dick - Sylvan Heights 8) Dick - San Diego Zoo
Genus Balearica
Crane, Grey Crowned Balearica regulorum Found: Africa
There are two subspecies: the Crested Crane (regulorum regulorum gibbericeps) and the Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum regulorum).
4) Sandy Cole - Birds of Eden, South Africa 5) Dick - Jacksonville Zoo - Florida
Genus Bugeranus -1 species
Crane, Wattled Bugeranus carunculatus Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - National Zoo in Washington, DC 2) Dick - Jacksonville Zoo, Florida 3) Dick - Jacksonville Zoo
4) Charlie Westerinen - Okavango Delta in Botswana
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.