Wattled Crane

The Wattled Crane, Bugeranus carunculatus is a large bird found in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is monotypical for its genus.

At a height of up to 175 cm (nearly 6 feet), it is the largest crane in Africa and is the second tallest species of crane, after the Sarus Crane. The wingspan is 230-260 cm (90-102 in), the length is typically 120 cm (47 in) and weight is 6.4-7.9 kg (14-17.6 lbs) in females, 7.5-9 kg (16.5-20 lbs) in males. The back and wings are ashy gray. The feathered portion of the head is dark slaty gray above the eyes and on the crown, but is otherwise white, including the wattles, which are almost fully feathered and hang down from under the upper throat. The breast, primaries, secondaries, and tail coverts are black. The secondaries are long and nearly reach the ground. The upper breast and neck are white all the way to the face. The skin in front of the eye extending to the base of the beak and tip of the wattles is red and bare of feathers and covered by small round wart-like bumps. Wattled Cranes have long bills and black legs and toes. Males and females are virtually indistinguishable, although males tend to be slightly larger.

Juveniles have tawny body plumage, lack the bare skin on the face, and have less prominent wattles.

Range