Bird

Blue Crane Sightings

Grus paradisea

VulnerablePrey speciesSeen in 1 park

Want to know where and when to find Blue Crane right now? opspoor tracks live, verified sightings across South Africa's parks.

About the Blue Crane

The blue crane is a tall, elegant crane endemic to southern Africa and the national bird of South Africa. It has pale blue-grey plumage, a long neck, long legs, a black-and-white head and distinctive long, flowing black feathers hanging from the head and neck. It is primarily associated with open grassland, agricultural landscapes and highveld habitats and feeds on seeds, grasses, insects and other small food items. Blue cranes are generally social outside the breeding season and may form large flocks.

How to identify the Blue Crane

Tall, elegant crane with a predominantly slate-grey body, white crown and face, black neck and a long white-and-black tail. Long dark legs and distinctive elongated wing feathers give it a graceful appearance.

Did you know?

The Blue Crane is South Africa’s national bird and is strongly associated with the country’s grasslands and agricultural landscapes.

Also known as: Paradise Crane, Stanley Crane, Bloukraanvoël, South African Blue Crane

Parks where you can see the Blue Crane

Recent Blue Crane sightings

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Planning a South Africa safari? opspoor tracks real, verified wildlife sightings like these across the country's parks — logged by people on the ground, not guesswork. It all works with zero signal, too, so a dead zone deep in the bush never costs you a sighting.

Blue Crane Sightings in South Africa | opspoor