Wattled Crane

What Is the Wattled Crane?

The Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) is a large, threatened species of crane found in wetlands and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa.[reference:11]It was first formally described by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 under the binomial name Ardea carunculata.[reference:12]The specific epithet is from the Latin caruncula, meaning "a small piece of flesh", referring to the distinctive fleshy wattles that hang from its throat.[reference:13]

The species was formerly placed in its own genus, Bugeranus, but a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2010 found it to be a sister species to a clade containing the blue crane and the demoiselle crane, leading to its reclassification within the genus Grus by some authorities.[reference:14]

Standing up to 175 centimetres tall, the Wattled Crane is the largest crane in Africa and the second tallest crane species in the world, surpassed only by the Sarus Crane of Asia.[reference:15]Despite its impressive size, this magnificent bird is among the rarest of Africa's crane species, with a global population of only 6,000 to 6,300 mature individuals.[reference:16]

How to Identify a Wattled Crane

The Wattled Crane is one of Africa's most distinctive and easily recognisable birds. Here are its key identifying features:

• Size: Africa's largest crane, standing 150-175 cm (4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 9 in) tall.[reference:17]
• Neck: Long, gleaming white neck – the only African crane with an entirely white neck.[reference:18]
• Wattles: Conspicuous feathered flaps of skin hanging from the chin – the defining feature that gives the species its name.[reference:19][reference:20]
• Face: Red skin on the face.[reference:21]
• Crown: Grey feathered crown.[reference:22]
• Body plumage: Various shades of grey, with a blackish breast and back.[reference:23]
• Eyes: Orange.[reference:24]
• Bill: Pale brown with red extending onto the top.[reference:25]
• Legs: Black.[reference:26]

Juvenile vs Adult

Juveniles have tawny body plumage, lack the bare red skin on the face, and have less prominent wattles.[reference:27][reference:28]Downy chicks are pale buff on the head and neck, becoming dark brown on the lower neck, back, wings, and thighs.[reference:29]

Distinguishing from Other Cranes

The Wattled Crane can be distinguished from other African cranes by its large size, the pure white neck, and the conspicuous fleshy wattles hanging from the chin. The Grey Crowned Crane is smaller, has a golden crown of feathers, and lacks the white neck and wattles. The Blue Crane is smaller, more uniformly blue-grey, and lacks the distinctive white neck.

Behavior & Social Life

Wattled Cranes are resident in larger wetlands, where they breed in pairs, although flocks of up to 1,000 may gather after breeding.[reference:30]They are locally nomadic in smaller perennial wetlands in alpine grasslands.[reference:31]

Social Behavior

• Pair bonding: Wattled Cranes are monogamous and mate for life.[reference:32]
• Flocks: Outside the breeding season, they may gather in large flocks, sometimes numbering hundreds of individuals.[reference:33]
• Territoriality: Pairs defend breeding territories in wetlands.

Vocalization

Although mostly silent, the Wattled Crane has a distinctive, rapid, screechy "Koorok-kreek" call.[reference:34]The guard call is a sharp, single call expressing alarm, while the unison call is a duet performed by a pair to strengthen their bond and protect their territory.[reference:35]

Habitat & Distribution

The Wattled Crane is found in a variety of wetland and grassland habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, with three main populations.[reference:36]

Key habitat types include:

• Wetlands: Making up around 76% of the habitats occupied by these cranes, particularly sedge and grass wetlands along river bank floodplains.[reference:37]
• Grasslands: Making up around 10% of their habitat use.[reference:38]
• Seasonal floodplains: Important for breeding.[reference:39]
• Montane grasslands: In Ethiopia, they inhabit high-altitude wetlands at elevations from 2,134 to 3,900 metres.[reference:40]

Distribution: The Wattled Crane occurs in eleven sub-Saharan countries.[reference:41]Key populations are found in:

• Zambia: The largest population, with approximately 4,500 individuals, primarily on the Kafue Flats.[reference:42][reference:43]
• Botswana: Approximately 1,200-1,300 individuals, with the Okavango Delta being a major stronghold.[reference:44][reference:45]
• Ethiopia: An isolated population of about 200 individuals in the highlands.[reference:46]
• Tanzania: Approximately 200 individuals.[reference:47]
• Democratic Republic of Congo: Probably around 500 individuals.[reference:48]
• Mozambique: 300-400 individuals.[reference:49]
• South Africa: 300-360 individuals.[reference:50]

Tanzania Distribution

In Tanzania, the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar Site is the only reliable habitat for the Wattled Crane.[reference:51]This Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA TZ017) supports approximately 200 individuals.[reference:52][reference:53]The species is found discontinuously through southern Tanzania, apparently absent from Kenya and northern Tanzania.[reference:54]

Wattled Crane in Tanzania

The Wattled Crane is one of Tanzania's rarest and most spectacular birds. Here are the best locations to see it:

Safari Methods

• Game drives near wetlands, floodplains, and grassland areas.
• Birdwatching – look for the large size, white neck, and distinctive wattles. The birds are often seen foraging in shallow water or walking through grasslands.
• Wildlife photography – the Wattled Crane's impressive size and striking appearance make it a spectacular photographic subject.
• Community-based conservation areas – the Malagarasi wetlands are managed with community involvement, and local guides can help locate these rare birds.[reference:57]

Best Time to See Them

Wattled Cranes are resident year-round in suitable habitat. The breeding season typically runs from October to June.[reference:58]The dry season (June to October) is generally best for wildlife viewing as birds congregate around remaining water sources. In the Malagarasi wetlands, monitoring by community conservation champions has recorded groups of up to 14 individuals in areas near rice paddies.[reference:59]

Diet & Feeding

The Wattled Crane is an omnivore with a diet that varies seasonally and by habitat.[reference:60]

Food Sources

• Tubers and rhizomes: The staple diet, especially the tubers of submerged sedges such as Pycreus nitidus and Cyperus articulatus in Tanzania.[reference:61][reference:62]
• Aquatic vegetation: Water lilies and other aquatic plants.[reference:63]
• Insects: Aquatic insects, grasshoppers, and beetles.[reference:64]
• Small vertebrates: Snails, fish, and frogs.[reference:65]
• Grain and grass seed: In agricultural areas, they may feed on grain and grass seed.[reference:66][reference:67]

Foraging Behavior

Wattled Cranes are specialised for digging up plant tubers in wetlands, using their long bills to excavate submerged sedge rhizomes.[reference:68][reference:69]They prefer wet habitats with short vegetation for foraging.[reference:70]In the Malagarasi wetlands of Tanzania, a study found that foraging birds fed mainly on the tubers of Pycreus nitidus and Cyperus articulatus, but notably did not feed on Eleocharis, which is a chief food plant in southern Africa.[reference:71]

Contrary to what some farmers believe, Wattled Cranes do not feed on rice but instead feed on grass seeds.[reference:72]

Breeding & Life Cycle

The Wattled Crane is monogamous, with individuals pairing for life and only replacing a mate in the event of death.[reference:73]

Nesting

• Breeding season: Usually runs from October to June, with birds preferring areas with elongated rainfall and abundant food resources.[reference:74][reference:75]
• Nest site: Sedge-dominated wetlands, often in marshy areas with standing water.[reference:76]
• Breeding age: They do not reach reproductive age until around 5 years old, with successful breeding possible from 7 years of age.[reference:77][reference:78]
• Clutch: Typically 1-2 eggs.
• Hatching rate: Low, with one study reporting a rate of only 37.5%.[reference:79]

Chicks

Both parents help raise the chick.[reference:80]Downy chicks are pale buff on the head and neck, becoming dark brown on the lower neck, back, wings, and thighs.[reference:81]The generation length for this species is 13 years.[reference:82]

Conservation Status

The Wattled Crane is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.[reference:83][reference:84]

Population: The global population is estimated at 6,000 to 6,300 mature individuals, with a decreasing trend.[reference:85]The total population is considered to be <9,600 individuals.[reference:86]

Justification: Although some population declines have been documented, there is limited and conflicting information on trends for this species, even in key areas. Until better data can be obtained, it is listed as Vulnerable since its population appears to have undergone a rapid decline which, with threats continuing or increasing, is projected to continue.[reference:87]

Threats:

• Habitat loss: Agricultural expansion, drainage and damming of wetlands, and conversion of grasslands.[reference:88][reference:89]
• Changing hydrology: Altered water cycles due to dams and water management practices.[reference:90]
• Invasive species: Encroachment of invasive plants in wetlands.[reference:91]
• Human disturbance: Disturbance at breeding sites.[reference:92]
• Fire: Uncontrolled fires in grasslands and wetlands.[reference:93]

Conservation: The species is listed on CITES Appendix II and is covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).[reference:94]In Tanzania, community-based conservation efforts are underway in the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar Site, engaging local farmers, fishermen, and livestock keepers in the conservation of the Wattled Crane and other threatened species.[reference:95]

Regional downlisting: In a remarkable conservation success, the Wattled Crane was downlisted from Critically Endangered to Endangered in South Africa in 2025.[reference:96]

Comparisons

The Wattled Crane is sometimes confused with other cranes. Here are the key differences:

Did You Know?

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Further Reading

• BirdLife International – Wattled Crane: IUCN Red List assessment, Vulnerable status, population 6,000-6,300, range 7,270,000 km².[reference:120]
• International Crane Foundation – Wattled Crane: Identification, range, diet, calls, threats, conservation.[reference:121]
• eBird – Wattled Crane: Identification, vocalisation, habitat, behavior.[reference:122]
• Wikipedia – Wattled Crane: Taxonomy, description, distribution, conservation.[reference:123]
• Animal Diversity Web – Bugeranus carunculatus: Geographic range, habitat, physical description.[reference:124]
• Nature Tanzania – Wattled Cranes of Malagarasi wetlands: Conservation efforts, community engagement, threats.[reference:125]
• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – Wattled Crane: Diet, social behavior, habitat.[reference:126]