Animal Guide

Wattled Crane

16 destinations · 12 states

Native Range: Central and eastern Africa

The wattled crane is a striking bird to watch from a distance, but its unusual facial details become much clearer up close. Long, slender legs support a tall body, while loose red wattles hang from the throat and give the bird its name. Those wattles are especially noticeable when the crane stretches its neck or calls. Look for the bird moving slowly through shallow water or grass, probing the ground for seeds, roots, insects, and other food. Wattled cranes can also make powerful calls that carry across wetlands, sometimes long before the bird comes into view. Pairs may stay close together, and a little patience can reveal gentle interactions between them, from synchronized walking to quiet preening. Native to wetlands and floodplains of sub-Saharan Africa, they are closely associated with water-rich habitats. At a zoo, the combination of their height, unusual throat wattles, and deliberate movements makes even a quiet moment at the exhibit worth a closer look.

Wattled Crane

Where to see Wattled Crane

16 destinations across 12 states

16 destinations

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, NY

Dallas Zoo

Dallas, TX

Fort Wayne Zoo

Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth, TX

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Glen Rose, TX

Franklin Park Zoo

Boston, MA

International Crane Foundation

Baraboo, WI

Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Jacksonville, FL

Louisville Zoo

Louisville, KY

NEW Zoo & Adventure Park

Green Bay, WI

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Escondido, CA

The Jackson Zoo

Jackson, MS

Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Tampa, FL

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States: 6
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