The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Wattled Crane
Afrikaans name: Lelkraanvoël
Above - Wattled Crane
Photo © Steven Herbert
Grus carunculata
The Wattled Crane is not a common species but when it is in an area you are sure to spot it. It is around 120 cm in length. They are normally seen on the ground where they forage in grassland or in the shallow water on the edge of a dam or vlei.
In South Africa they are found inland on grassland or vleis. They only occur in a band from the Eastern Cape, through KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga but they are not found near the coast.
They feed on a wide variety of foods including frogs, reptiles, insects and grain. They will also take small mammals if they can catch them.
It is unusual to see the Wattled Crane in bigger flocks. Most often you will find a pair or small flock.
Wattled Cranes may breed at any time during the year. The nest is a large heap of vegetation normally surrounded by water. Either one or two eggs are laid. Although two eggs are laid they only raise one chick.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 215 | Bugeranus carunculatus |
| 2nd | 215 | Bugeranus carunculatus |
| 3rd | 215 | Bugeranus carunculatus |
| 4th | 215 | Grus carunculatus |
| 5th | 207 | Grus carunculata |
| 6th | 207 | Bugeranus carunculata |
| 7th | 207 | Grus carunculata |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 215 | Wattled Crane |
| 2nd | 215 | Wattled Crane |
| 3rd | 215 | Wattled Crane |
| 4th | 215 | Wattled Crane |
| 5th | 207 | Wattled Crane |
| 6th | 207 | Wattled Crane |
| 7th | 207 | Wattled Crane |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 215 | Belkraan |
| 2nd | 215 | Lelkraan |
| 3rd | 215 | Lelkraan |
| 4th | 215 | Lelkraan |
| 5th | 207 | Lelkraanvoël |
| 6th | 207 | Lelkraanvoël |
| 7th | 207 | Lelkraanvoël |
References and further reading
Wild Issue 31 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 11Wild Issue 41 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 79
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 72
The Rare Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1985 - Page: 147
Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 124
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 152
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 89
Southern Africas Threatened Wildlife - Author: John Ledger - Published: 1990 - Page: 38
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 14
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: 183
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 186
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: 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
Rare Birds of the World - Author: Guy Mountford & Norman Arlott - Published: 1988 - Page: 109
Questions and Answers - Endangered Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: John Comrie-Greig - Published: 1992 - Page: 14
Newmans 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: 30
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 110
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 138
Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 58
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 26
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 632 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 48
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 Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 29
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 181
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 102
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: 181
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