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The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Blue Crane

Afrikaans name: Bloukraanvoël

Blue Crane

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

EditionRoberts nrScientific name
1st216Tetrapteryx paradisea
2nd216Tetrapteryx paradisea
3rd216Tetrapteryx paradisea
4th216Anthropoides paradisea
5th208Anthropoides paradisea
6th208Anthropoides paradisea
7th206Grus paradisea

EditionRoberts nrEnglish name
1st216Blue Crane
2nd216Blue Crane
3rd216Blue Crane
4th216Blue Crane
5th208Blue Crane
6th208Blue Crane
7th206Blue Crane

EditionRoberts nrAfrikaans name
1st216Bloukraan
2nd216Bloukraan
3rd216Bloukraan
4th216Bloukraan
5th208Bloukraanvoël
6th208Bloukraanvoël
7th206Bloukraanvoël

References and further reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 184

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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