Black crowned-crane  (Balearica pavonina)

This beautiful stately bird, threatened by the loss of their wetland habitat, gets its name from its dark slaty-grey to black plumage (4), and the crown of stiff, golden feathers atop the head (5). Distinctive white feathers are at the leading edge of the wing and a small pouch of red skin hangs under the chin (4) (5). This is known as the gular sac, which is similar to a wattle, but can be inflated to enable the bird to emit a long sequence of low, booming calls (5). The legs and toes are black, and the long hind toe enables the black crowned-crane to grasp to perches (5). The black crowned-crane has bare cheek patches that are white and reddish (4). There are two black crowned-crane subspecies; in the West African crowned crane (Balearica pavonina pavonina) the lower half of the cheek patch is red, whereas in the Sudan crowned crane(Balearica pavonina ceciliae) the red extends to the upper half of the cheek patch (2) (5). Male black crowned-cranes are larger than females, and juveniles differ by having grey to brown plumage with a brown crown and nape (2).