Crested Crane – Uganda’s National Pride

Uganda's Bird

The crested Crane is a friendly, gentle and peaceful bird and is a highly cerebrate pride for Uganda. As such, this beautiful bird features as the heart-piece of the country’s national flag. Depicted standing on one leg facing the flagpole, the bird is symbolic of a country that is not stationary, but moving ahead.

The Uganda flag carries the colors of Black, Yellow and Red that were adapted after attaining sovereignty in 1962. It is punishable by imprisonment if someone is discovered harming and killing the bird. There are legal implications if one is caught.

Cranes as a group are probably best known for their impressive and graceful courtship displays; the most famous of which, the dances of the crane, are imitated and adopted by many native people. Cranes pair for life and the strong pair bond necessary to maintain this partnership is initiated and continued by such dances.

The Flying Crested Crane

A flying Crane

Cranes are fine flyers but often prefer walking. There is a no more elegant sight among birds than a tall and stately crane walking with a deliberate and dignified gait. In flight, cranes have a characteristic wing action – a slow down stroke followed by a quick, flicking up stroke. The crowned crane has a crest of stiff golden feathers. Cranes have an extremely long trachea, or wind pipe, that is coiled in several convolutions of the trachea. These convolutions of the trachea most likely give added power and resonance to the voice, which can carry for distances of a mile or more.

Cranes bridge the gap between the marsh and dry land birds, nesting in marshes but occurring in open plains and cultivated fields.

Cranes use their powerful bills to dig in the ground and forage for bulbs and roots below the surface. The breeding cycle of many cranes like any other bird within the Gruiforme family begins with elaborate courtship rituals and displays.