Grey Crowned Crane

Primarily frequenting riverbanks, flooded grasslands, and marshes, the crowned crane's diet is shaped by its habitat. It consists of young shoots, amphibians, invertebrates, insects, and sedge seeds.

Crowned cranes have long hind toes that allow them to perch in trees—a rare behavior among cranes, observed in only two species. They also engage in mutual preening, a behavior that may help strengthen pair bonds even outside the breeding season.

Monogamous by nature, crowned cranes perform a 'courtship dance' during the breeding season, with both partners taking part. While pairs are highly territorial during nesting, interactions between individuals remain mostly neutral the rest of the time. These birds do not undertake true migrations.

Facing major threats, most notably habitat fragmentation and degradation, the crowned crane has experienced a rapid population decline since at least the mid-1980s. In addition to disturbance caused by human activities, eggs and chicks are also targeted for illegal trade.