Grey Crowned Crane

Afrikaans name: Mahem

Grey Crowned Crane

Photo © Steven Herbert

Balearica regulorum

The Grey Crowned Crane, often referred to as the Mahem in South Africa, is a really beautiful bird and I think that it is the best looking of the cranes found in South Africa. Male and female have a similar colouration.

These elegant birds have an elaborate courtship display. They dance and jump around as well as bow down.

They breed in wetland areas where it makes its nest among tall vegetation. The nest is large and up to 5 eggs may be laid.

These cranes eat a wide variety of foods including grain, seeds, insects, frogs, snakes and even fish if it can catch them.

Above - A crane resting

Photo © Steven Herbert

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	214	Balearica regulorum regulorum
2nd	214	Balearica regulorum
3rd	214	Balearica regulorum
4th	214	Balearica regulorum
5th	209	Balearica regulorum
6th	209	Balearica regulorum
7th	205	Balearica regulorum

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	214	Crowned Crane
2nd	214	Crowned Crane
3rd	214	Crowned Crane
4th	214	Crowned Crane
5th	209	Crowned Crane
6th	209	Crowned Crane
7th	205	Grey Crowned Crane

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	214	Mahem
2nd	214	Mahem
3rd	214	Mahem
4th	214	Mahem
5th	209	Mahem
6th	209	Mahem
7th	205	Mahem

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 72

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 88

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 134

Wild Issue 41 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 79

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 19

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 111

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 13

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 150

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 152

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 151

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 188

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 184

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 143

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 94

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 113

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 138

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 6

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 138

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 165

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 110

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 409

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 26

Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 31

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 36

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 75

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 632 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 48

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 53

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 144

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 4 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 16

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 30

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 101

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 181

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 181

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 101

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds