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Taxonomically set apart from other large birds of the African plains, Crowned Cranes really stand out, not just for their appearance, but also their behavior. Their haunting, honking calls can be heard from a considerable distance away, and they have elaborate and frequent dance behaviors. It's almost like they are demanding to be noticed, like the dandies of 18th century France. They are synonymous with Africa for this reason, and even those who haven't been to the continent, know that this is their realm. It shocked me to discover that they are on the endangered list, having grown up seeing them everywhere. They can still be seen gathering in large numbers in their preferred breeding grounds, like the Amboseli swamps and other parts of the Rift Valley, but this is further confirmation that their habitat is threatened and must be protected.
