into an independent subfamily of the cranes arranges them zoologist the 95-105 cm big crown-crane one, that is called also "Pfauenkranich" because of its feather-bonnet on the rear-head. The 3 subtypes are spread about Africa's open, march-good moist-landscapes.
Nutrition There, they often meet to several hundred in order to look for smaller reptiles and insects, preferably locusts. In many places one therefore stops tame crown-cranes at farms and in gardens where they enjoy the protection of the human being as "useful" birds.
A special hunt-method of these cranes consists that they stamp powerfully with the feet of the ground and insects, who then intercept it skillfully when flying up, startle so.
Dance-behavior How also other crane-types, crown-cranes frequently jump around "dancing", especially frequently umtanzen itself verpaarte birds with what. But also larger groups execute the whole year over such rituals, that otherwise during the brood-period more frequently than runs out.
Reproduction The nest of the crown-cranes is an extensive construction from grass and similar material; it usually is at a protected place in the swamp, at which the vegetation was low-kicked by the birds previously. Occasionally, crown-cranes build its family its nest as single also in the flat crown of low trees.
The nest consists of 2-3 greenish or bluish ones, approximately 8×6 cm big eggs with white lime-coating.
Endangering The southern crown-crane (Balearica pavonina regulorum) is protected by the Washingtoner Artenschutzübereinkommen.
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