<P> The blue crane (Grus paradisea), also known as the Stanley crane and the paradise crane, is the national bird of South Africa . The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN . </P> <P> The blue crane is a tall, ground - dwelling bird, but is fairly small by the standards of the crane family . It is 100--120 cm (3 ft 3 in--3 ft 11 in) tall, with a wingspan of 180--200 cm (5 ft 11 in--6 ft 7 in) and weighs 3.6--6.2 kg (7.9--13.7 lb). Among standard measurements, the wing chord measures 51.4--59 cm (20.2--23.2 in), the exposed culmen measures 8--10 cm (3.1--3.9 in) and the tarsus measures 20.5--25.2 cm (8.1--9.9 in). This crane is pale blue - gray in colour becoming darker on the upper head, neck and nape . From the crown to the lores, the plumage is distinctly lighter, sometimes whitish . The bill is ochre to greyish, with a pink tinge . The long wingtip feathers which trail to the ground . The primaries are black to slate grey, with dark coverts and blackish on the secondaries . Unlike most cranes, it has a relatively large head and a proportionately thin neck . Juveniles are similar but slightly lighter, with tawny coloration on the head, and no long wing plumes . </P> <P> Blue cranes are birds of the dry grassy uplands, usually the pastured grasses of hills, valleys, and plains with a few scattered trees . They prefer areas in the nesting season that have access to both upland and wetland areas, though they feed almost entirely in dry areas . They are altitudinal migrants, generally nesting in the lower grasslands of an elevation of around 1,300 to 2,000 m and moving down to lower altitudes for winter . Though historically found in areas of low human disturbance, the blue crane is currently thriving in the highly transformed agricultural areas of the Western Cape . This is the only portion of its range where the population is increasing, though they still face threats such as poisoning in the region . </P> <P> Of the 15 species of crane, the blue crane has the most restricted distribution of all . Even species with lower population numbers now (such as Siberian or whooping cranes) are found over a considerable range in their migratory movements . The blue crane is migratory, primarily altitudinal, but details are little known . </P>

Where is the blue crane found in south africa
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