We are home to a pair of wattled cranes here at Paignton Zoo. You can find them next to the spider monkeys.
The wattled crane is the largest and tallest crane species in Africa, standing up to 1.75 m (5.7 ft) tall. They are endemic to wetland areas in select countries of sub-Saharan Africa, such as Zambia, Botswana and Ethiopia.
Due to living in wetlands, the birds mainly feed on vegetation and insects, also sometimes eating frogs and snakes.
Interesting facts!
- Sensitive to habitat changes, making it a key indicator species for wetland health.
- The wattles on the cranes’ necks can change in size depending on the bird’s mood, often becoming more pronounced during courtship displays or when the crane is alarmed.
- Unlike some birds with wattles that are purely decorative, the wattles of wattled cranes are thought to play an active role in their social and behavioural interactions.
- Wattled cranes form strong, lifelong pair bonds and perform elaborate courtship dances.
- They build large floating nests in wetland vegetation that can be as big as 2 metres across!
Conservation
According to the IUCN Red List, the total wattled crane population size is estimated to be around 7,700 individuals, which makes them “Vulnerable”. Wetland degradation, human disturbance, and climate change are their biggest threats.
Conservation of wetland habitats on private lands and education programmes sponsored by private groups have been initiated, and our wattled crane pair are part of the European Studbook (ESB) for the species.