Habitat
Blue Cranes are birds of the dry grassy uplands. They feed on seeds and snakes and spend little time in wetlands. They are altitudinal migrants, generally nesting in the lower grasslands and moving down to lower altitudes for winter. Many occupy agricultural areas.Of the 15 species of crane, the Blue Crane has the most restricted distribution of all.
Cultural
The Blue Crane is a bird very special to the amaXhosa, who call it indwe. When a man distinguished himself by deeds of valour, or any form of meritorious conduct, he was often decorated by a chief by being presented with the feathers of this bird. After a battle, the chief would organise a ceremony called ukundzabela – a ceremony for the heroes, at which feathers would be presented. Men so honoured – they wore the feathers sticking out of their hair – were known as men of ugaba - the implication being that if trouble arose, these men would reinstate peace and order.The Blue Crane is one of the species to which the ''Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds'' applies.
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