Blue Crane

Afrikaans name: Bloukraanvoël

Blue Crane

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anthropoides paradiseus

This bird has the honour of being South Africa's national bird!

The Blue Crane is sometimes referred to as the Stanley or Paradise Crane.

It is over 1 metre tall and can have a wingspan of 2 metres.

The Blue Crane prefers grassland areas at higher altitude. During winter they move to lower altitudes. It is also found on farmlands but does not tolerate disturbances.

The Blue Crane feeds on grasses and sedges as well as insects.

These birds have an elaborate courtship routine with the pair circling eachother before the male starts jumping up and down and throwing things in the air. If he is successful he will attract a female and they will begin nesting in a few weeks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	216	Tetrapteryx paradisea
2nd	216	Tetrapteryx paradisea
3rd	216	Tetrapteryx paradisea
4th	216	Anthropoides paradisea
5th	208	Anthropoides paradisea
6th	208	Anthropoides paradisea
7th	206	Grus paradisea

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	216	Blue Crane
2nd	216	Blue Crane
3rd	216	Blue Crane
4th	216	Blue Crane
5th	208	Blue Crane
6th	208	Blue Crane
7th	206	Blue Crane

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	216	Bloukraan
2nd	216	Bloukraan
3rd	216	Bloukraan
4th	216	Bloukraan
5th	208	Bloukraanvoël
6th	208	Bloukraanvoël
7th	206	Bloukraanvoël

References and further reading

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

Wild Issue 1 - Author: - Published: 2007 - Page: 9

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 130

The Overberg Explorer - 2nd edition - Author: Ann & Mike Scott - Published: 2001 - Page: 45

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 34

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 14

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 89

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 11

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 110

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

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

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

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 187

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 152

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 146

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

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 114

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

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

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 31

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

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 132

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

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

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

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

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 74

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

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 73

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 29

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 102

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 180

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 102

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 180

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds