An endangered species, locally common with some 6 000 birds in South Africa.
They are confined to the North and South East only.
Gregarious unless breeding with flocks numbering between 30 to 150 birds.
They like marshes, vleis, moist grassland and cultivated fields becoming tame when not molested.
Feeding on frogs, reptiles, insects and fallen grain.
They are often seen performing dancing displays in pairs or groups.
Roosting on the ground or in trees.
The call of these cranes is a highly characteristic two syllabled trumpet ma-hem, the second note being louder than the first and often given in flight.
During breeding they have a deep booming call.
Breeding takes place from December to February.
The nest is a large flattened mound of reeds, rushes and grass, well screened by vegetation in a marsh.
Two to three pale bluish chalky white eggs are laid.
Incubation is 29 to 31 days and they are fledglings for about four months remaining thereafter with parents for 10 months.
The Zulu name is uNohema and in Afrikaans die mahem named after its call.
