The Unique Grey Crowned Crane of Uganda
The Unique Grey Crowned Crane of Uganda: After Uganda gained independence in 1962, Balearica regulorum was chosen as the country’s national bird. It is prominently shown on the flag. A bird of good omen, aesthetic value, faithfulness, and other attributes make the Grey Crowned Crane, a member of the Gruidae family of cranes, stand out as a charismatic bird species in Uganda. Even though the Unique Grey Crowned Crane is significant in terms of ecology, society, and culture, the International Union for Conservation of Naturre (IUCN) has identified and classified the species as endangered. In the event that significant mitigating measures are not implemented, the species might to go extinct.
Appearance
They are tall birds with long slender black legs, necks, and usually long bills with glowing bright red wattles. They resemble Herons and Egrets in body shape though with heavier bodies. These Cranes have interesting plumage of generally brown, gray, or white in colour with a black forehead and a yellowish chest, although African crowned cranes feature a striking gold brown of feathers on their crowns. Cranes have a large wingspan which measures between 180cm to 200 cm around two meters wide. Feathers have several colours, ranging from brick red to yellowish gray with white wings, the head crowned with golden feathers.
Breeding wetland sites for the Unique Grey Crowned Crane of Uganda
Wetlands cover about 13% of Uganda area. These wetlands include permanent swamps, swamp forests, and seasonal wetlands including those with impeded drainage. The wetland occurs throughout the country ranging from vast swamps to tiny patches which though not appearing on the topographical maps are very essential for crane breeding.
Distribution
The Grey Crowned Crane are birds in the Gruidae family of birds and are found scattered from South Africa in the south to Uganda and Kenya in the north. The Grey Crowned Crane’s range stretches from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Kenya to Southeastern South Africa. They are non-migratory birds but undertake variable local and seasonal movements and are most abundant in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
What makes the Grey Crowned Crane Stand out as a unique bird species in Uganda
· Because they practice monogamy and loyalty to one another, Grey Crowned Cranes are a symbol of fidelity. A lifelong emblem of unwavering love, devotedness, prosperity, and strong marital fidelity, a sarus couple is a match made in heaven.
· The different cultures of Ugandans are intricately entwined with the mythology of cranes. For instance, the Grey Crowned Crane holds tremendous cultural significance among some tribes in Uganda, such as the Bahinda clan and the Baganda, since it acts as a totem in both central and southwestern Uganda among which were some of the methods used in conserving African Wildlife.
· Many birds the tourism industry, Uganda’s largest source of foreign exchange revenues, includes cranes in a sizable portion of its total earnings. Furthermore, half of all bird species in Africa and 11% of all bird species worldwide are found in Uganda. According to the nation’s checklist, Uganda is home to about 1061 different kinds of birds.
· These birds are significant emblem species for the wellbeing of the environment. They are invaluable indicators of ecosystem health because they prefer pristine or less disturbed wetland environments.
· There is significant aesthetic value to the Grey Crowned Crane bird species. They are a captivating species because of their amazing dancing performances and stunning beauty.
· Due to its natural circadian rhythm, the Grey Crowned Crane can tell the time. It is said that the nighttime calls it makes correspond to the hour. As a result, by paying attention to the calls, one may accurately predict time.
· Cranes are revered as birds of good omen, many people from different countries in line with their cultures consider these cranes as a symbol of longevity, prosperity, good fortune, and luck. This is perceived in terms of positive change like peace, wisdom, messenger, healing power, and protection, among others. However, it is also believed that they tend to cast a bad spell if happen to hurt these birds.
Population
There was a belief that the Grey Crowned Crane was the most prevalent and populous crane in Africa. But in most of its range, it has been steadily declining over the long term. A decline of over 50% over the past three generations, or 45 years, was suggested by some evidence when this species was upgraded from list concern to vulnerable in the 2009 Red List update. However, the data was deemed inconsistent, and an overall decline of 30–49% was thought to be a more realistic estimate.
Overall estimates based on more comprehensive data revealed that the species’ global population had decreased by 50% in 19 years. If this data is extended to a 45-year period and an exponential trend is assumed, the computed rate of loss is predicted to be between 65 and 80%. Grey Crowned Cranes have been upgraded from Vulnerable to Endangered in the 2012 Red List update (birdlife International 2012) because to this dramatic fall and the fact that the problems underlying it have existed since the 1960s and show no signs of abating.
According to Pomeroy (1989), there were between 25000 and 35000 Grey Crowned Cranes in Uganda. However, recent estimates put that number closer to 13,000–20,000,000. (Beilfuss et al 2007 and Muheebwa, 2004). The population of the world is projected to be between 47,000 and 59,000 in 2005, down from an estimated 100,000 in 1985. This represents a fall of between 41 and 53%. Thus, over 28% of the world’s Grey Crowned Crane population is in Uganda.
Below are Uganda’s wetlands with significant Crane populations:
• Wakiso and Kampala: Lubigi swamp and Kabanyoro
• Bushenyi: Nkukuuru/Rwebicere/Kanura,Rwabafu, Orusindura, Kyobuceera,Kyambondo, Keitanjojo
• Kabale district: Rushebeya/Kanyabaha, Nangara/Kakariisa, Majugo, Nyamuriro, Bunyonyi
• Bugiri: Kibimba wetland and rice scheme
• Soroti and Pallisa: Lake Lemwa, Bisina, Opeta and L. Kyoga basin
• Butaleja: Doho Rice Scheme and Namatala
• Mityana: Lake Wamala wetlands
• Ntungamo: Omungenyi, Nyaceera
Although the above-mentioned wetlands are being protected purposely for environmental conservation, a lot is still desired especially in terms of monitoring and strict laws against human disturbances in terms of activities like grazing livestock in wetlands, settlement, farming, mining, fire, and urbanization, among others. All these come with side effects that generally affect birdlife habitat among others.