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Sunday, Feb. 9: Due to the forecasted snowstorm, both Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo will be closed. We hope you can join us on another day, and please travel safely!

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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

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.