Each morning, the early risers of Nkumba Bukolwa, a charming village by the shores of Lake Victoria, are greeted by the enchanting sounds of a flock of Balearica (Bennett, 1834) soaring through the sky. The low plaintive bugling “maaah-hem” sound fills the sky where the flock passes in this village as they fly in a V-formation, (with the dominant male leading) towards the water an alarm that its around 7 am.
This particular flock only has 8 birds. And sun set at round 6 the “maaah-hem” sound is heard again when the worlds tallest flying birds, the Grey Crowned Cranes are crossing back from the water side to what is thought to be their home for the night.
The grey crowned crane, crested crane is a monogamous and highly social birds that form family groups. Like most African tribes, this particular bird performs a courtship dance to attract a mate. The dance typically starts with a series of honking calls, after which the cranes spread and flap their wings, accompanied by a rhythmic bobbing of their heads. They then jump into the air and bow to one another. The males also puff up their striking red gular sacs.
The gentle gait of this lovely bird is supported by large but slender black tall feet that lift approximately 3 to 4 kg of adult body weight covered with well-arranged feathers. The tail is short and fluffy with black upper coverts that turn dried straw-colored feathers. (A color that’s nestled between yellow and beige). When standing her white wing feathers calmy fall back and lay straight slight above the flutty tail.
This creates a stripe of white stripe between the grey feathers of the back and the belly on both sides on the abdomen. During flight the wing span of approximately 2meter stretches to colorfully shade the blue sky with black Primary feathers and dried straw-colored secondary feathers with snow white coverts. These usually propel them at speed of about 32 kilometers per hour and can reach about 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) in altitude.
A long neck covered in pearly grey feathers that extend from the nape to the base of the neck and the berry. The feathers elongate and point outward, forming an ornamental fringe. This long grey neck falls back to the same black, white, rusty brown and grey color over the rest of the body.
The head of a crested crane is small and has a velvet black forehead cap like in shape completed by a black and straight beak. A pair of round small eyes. This bird has white cheek patches with a reddish tint. The cheek patches are bare, except for black feathers at the base. beneath the chin of the grey crowned crane is a gular sac is a bright red hanging featherless inflatable throat pouch.
The grey crowned crane to complete its name has cluster of stiff, straw-like golden feathers that stand upright on the bird’s head this complete its full height of approximately 91 to 120cm tall.
With over 15 species of crane under the family Gruidae that are celebrated in different locations i.e. California, Mongolia, and Bhutan including Uganda in the Crane festival. 11 species of these are threatened (vulnerable) with 4 species of these are critically endangered (IUCN). This basically due to habitat loss, Poaching and climate
Uganda is endowed with 2 species of cranes, both of genus Balearicia. The grey crowned crane (Balearicia Regulorum) and the Black crowned crane (Balearicia Pavonina). Uganda is privileged to celebrate its national symbol, Balearica Regulorum, the grey-crowned crane (also known as the crested crane).
This tall, colorful bird with a golden crown, red throat pouch, and white wings has been Uganda’s symbol since 1893, the then governor of Uganda, Sir Frederick Jackson chose this bird as a symbol on the Union Jack. It was approved by His Majesty George V of England to be inserted on flags flown by the governor of Uganda. The crested crane continues to be Uganda’s National bird appearing in the Uganda National flag and Coat of arms.
Gibbericeps/ Ngaali/ Entuha – its beauty and humbleness can’t go unmentioned; it walks with grace and serenity as though the life of the country it symbolizes depends on its every step. This African bird predominately found in Uganda is known for its majestic appearance with a crown of golden, stiff feathers that resembles a crown, often symbolizing royalty or grandeur in cultural contexts.
Its ability to stand or rest on one foot gives while the other is folded beneath it feathers but pointing in front symbolizes that Uganda is moving forward and further more Uganda is governed by one government and one parliament. Additionally, All the country’s national sports teams are also nicknamed after the iconic bird
Today the population of this magnificent bird has greatly reduced to 1000 bird (Nature Uganda) and 13,000 birds (UWA) this decline has flagged red the grey crowned crane as an endangered species and has appeared on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) therefore requires mitigation measures to avoid its depletion. The bird is protected by law – it stipulates a life sentence and/or a fine of 20bn Ugandan shillings ($5m; £4m) for those found to have killed one.
Crane festivals celebrate cranes and raise awareness for their conservation. Let the festival amplify awareness to foster a shift in mindset and cultivating a positive attitude towards nature conservation. We can only protect what we cherish; we can only cherish what we comprehend, and we can only comprehend what we are educated
By Nakiboneka Winnie