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Sunday, November 9: Franklin Park Zoo will open at noon due to the Boston Half Marathon taking place that morning. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you in the afternoon!

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Wattled Crane

Bugeranus carunculatus

  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane
  • wattled crane

About the Wattled Crane

conservation status: vulnerable

Geographic Range:

range map

Class: Aves  
Order: Gruifomes  
Family: Gruidae  
Genus: Bugeranus  
Species: carunculatus

The wattled crane is the largest African crane, growing up to 6-feet high and weighing an average of 14 pounds. Wattled cranes are territorial in mated pairs. They have very complex social behavior with body language playing an important role in communication and reproduction. The courtship displays of wattled cranes include leaping, dancing, and stick-throwing.