Anthropoides virgo (12) is separated from the others and among the other species 3 relatively tight groups are present: (A) G. japonensis, G. americana, G. vpio, G. antigone and G. rubicunda (5-9); (B) G. leucogeranus and Bugeranus (10, 11); and (C) Balearica (14, 15).
Anthropoides is on the average closer to the Grus cluster than to the other species.
Anthropoides is closer to Grus than to Bugeranus and Balearica is distant from all other slecies.
Anthropoides, and Bugeranus range between 0 and 6 immunological distance units (IDU), whereas the two species of Balearica are an average of 10 IDU from the other species.
The close rela- tionship among Grus, Anthropoides, and Buge- ranus is more obvious when we compare their genetic distances (Nei's [1978] D ranged 0.00- 0.12) to those of other nonpasserines.
Although the morphological features of the Anthropoides species and the larger Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) are dramatically different, studies of their behavior and DNA indicate a close relationship between them (Archibald 1976a, 1976b; Krajewski 1989; Krajewski and Fetzner 1994).
The voices of the Anthropoides cranes are low and raspy, and those of the Grus species high-pitched and extremely loud.
In the Anthropoides and Wattled Cranes, the male and female assume distinct postures during the unison call.
Wild Animal Park: wattled cranes Bugeranus carunculatus and demoiselle cranes in Heart of Africa; demoiselle cranes also in Nairobi Village; West African crowned cranes Balearica pavonina pavonina in African Aviary; blue cranes Anthropoides paradisea, white-naped cranes Grus vipio, East African crowned cranes Balearica regulorum gibbericeps, and sarus cranes in Field Exhibits.
During a dance, the cranes will pick up sticks, grass, feathers, or whatever small objects are near, tossing them up into the air with their bills.
The dance of the demoiselle crane Anthropoides virgo has even been described as an avian ballet.
The Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, a species which is largely endemic to South Africa, is listed in the recently published Eskom Red Data Book as Vulnerable.
BirdLife South Africa and the Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation are thanked for their financial support, and Mazda Wildlife Fund for the use of their vehicle.
Allan D.G. Aspects of the biology and conservation status of the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, and the Ludwig’s Neotis ludwigii and Stanley’s N.
They stand about 90 cm tall, weigh between 2000- 3000 g and have a wingspan of 150-170 cm.
The Demoiselle Crane and the Anthropoides paradisea are the only cranes with an entirely feathered head, with no red skin showing.
They are uniformly gray, except for a fl head and neck and have distinctive, secondary fl tipped white ear tufts extending from behind the eye to the upper nape.
Ramsar Sites Database(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
The site forms a very important wintering area for waterbirds, (notably Anatidae), and a breeding area for several species, notably Dendrocygna javanica, and a staging area for certain cranes (Grus grus and Anthropoides virgo) and shorebirds.
clypeata, 4,690 Aythya ferina, 53 Anthropoides virgo, 150 Porphyrio porphyrio and 7,510 Fulica atra, along with fewer numbers of Tachybaptus ruficollis, Tadorna tadorna, Marmaronetta angustirostris, Netta rufina, Aythya fuligula, Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Himantopus himantopus and Numenius arquata.
The site is a large water storage reservoir situated behind a barrage on the Indus River.
Even the areas of grassland habitat that have remained in a near-natural state are declining steadily in area and quality.
The present state of fragmentation, together with anthropogenic changes planned for the coming years may lead to the extinction or near-extinction of some larger animal species, such as the blue crane (Anthropoides paradisea) (Allan 1992).
Because it is one of the best areas for farming in South Africa, large tracts of land have already been converted to agriculture, mainly for corn production.
