Exploring the threatened existence of grey crested cranes in the face of climatic changes

By Laurine Jepchirchir

The grey crested crane which is also called the queen of the marsh (low-lying wetlands with grassy vegetation) is an endangered species of bird native to Africa.

They are usually denoted with grey feathers and a golden crown on their heads, their distinctive honking, spectacular dances which involves head bobbing and wing fluttering making them unique among the other five types of cranes in Africa.

Their stunning ‘crown’ that gives these birds their name is interestingly an adaptation because it allows these birds to blend with the tall grasses making them invisible for predators.

They are also a national symbol of beauty and serenity in the Ugandan flag. In addition, they act as animals to some Kalenjin communities in the rift valley region making them a cultural value.

Their wide spread wings make them a sight to behold in the skies, their large numbers attracting tourists further. They have a lifespan of 30 years.

The grey cranes are also unique for their monogamous breeding behaviour, as they only have one mate in their entire life.

They breed during rainy seasons when the wetlands are less susceptible to predators. They will lay up-to two eggs with an incubation period of 28-31 days.

Even though these birds have a wide variety of benefits to offer, they are facing extinction due to harsh climatic changes, fueled by modern steaming factors like industrialization, deforestation,urbanisation and global warming.

A good example is urbanisation, entailing rural- urban migration to cities and towns, which eventually forces people to encroach vast areas of lands, in this case clearing forests and marshes.

Cutting down of trees is another factor that makes these birds suffer in the hands of humanity.

Crested cranes are called roosters meaning they spend their lifetime perching on trees, but if the trees are cut, they will have no other way of surviving away from their predators.

We could practise sustainable living that involves using resources in a much safer way, without compromising the same resources for future use.

It includes making sure we protect wetland areas that these birds love to breed, plant more vegetation,use safer renewable sources of energy to prevent industrialization that is usually coupled with dumping raw waste in swampy areas. which eventually affects the cranes.

If we have more forested areas and reduce pollution of our environment, then these birds will exist freely within us, with their many social to economic benefits, we will continue mutuallybenefiting from them as much as they benefit from us.

But only if we fight to prevent climate change from wiping them away from the face of the earth, due to human activities and environmental changes.

Laurine Jepchirchir is a fourth year student at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton, Kapsabet taking Journalism and Mass Communication. She can be reached via: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.