Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina)

This tall, long-legged, elegant and beautiful crane is found across a band of Africa from Ethiopia in the east, to Senegal in the west. It is mainly found in wetter habitats such as swamps or flooded grassland. The species is classified as Vulnerable and is thought to be facing a rapid population decline mainly due to habitat loss for drainage for agriculture and burning for clearance. It is also threatened by hunting and trapping for the pet trade.