Birdwatch: the avian equivalent of a catwalk model, blue cranes are under threat
Numbers of the exquisitely graceful species are falling amid loss of food supply and habitat
TL;DR
- The blue crane is noted for its elegant appearance, slender body, curved neck, long legs, and elongated tail plumes.
- It is the national bird of South Africa and has the smallest global range of any of the 15 crane species.
- Blue crane numbers have decreased significantly in the past 50 years, with only 25,000 to 46,000 individuals remaining.
- Threats include habitat loss due to intensive farming, illegal poisoning, disturbance, and the climate crisis.
- The species faces a genuine risk of extinction if current trends continue.