Blue Crane.

**TStone** · 19-06-2020, 10:02

**Ds J** · 19-06-2020, 10:10

Beautiful.

My dad always said that the blue crane's call is one of the surest signs of rain. Apparently, the bird flies high enough to be almost invisible to the naked eye, yet it's call is audible. And usually it rains three days later.

Can anyone verify that?

**Messor** · 19-06-2020, 10:18

They make a stupidly loud sound for a bird, but most of all during breeding season, when we have seen massive numbers coming together, they are all but rare.

I bet most forum members dont know what they sound like.

**Wild coast** · 19-06-2020, 10:18

Is this in the Free State?

We have some around the Caledonia area in the Western Cape, often in the company of sheep.

**TStone** · 19-06-2020, 10:27

Originally Posted by Ds J

Beautiful.

My dad always said that the blue crane's call is one of the surest signs of rain. Apparently, the bird flies high enough to be almost invisible to the naked eye, yet it's call is audible. And usually it rains three days later.

Can anyone verify that?

They make that sound often, especially when flying. If it rained every time I heard that sound, I'd be living in a swamp. So, no that is not true.

They make a stupidly loud sound for a bird, but most of all during breeding season, when we have seen massive numbers coming together, they are all but rare.

I bet most forum members dont know what they sound like.

Interestingly, many American hunters, on hearing the blue crane's call immediately go: "Sandhill crane". Apparently the calls of the two species of cranes, occurring on opposite sides of the earth, is virtually identical.

**TStone** · 19-06-2020, 10:28

Originally Posted by Wild coast

Is this in the Free State?

We have some around the Caledonia area in the Western Cape, often in the company of sheep.

Yes, Southern Free State.

**Pirate** · 19-06-2020, 11:22

Originally Posted by Messor

I bet most forum members dont know what they sound like.

Like prehistoric flying dinosaurs

**Raz313** · 19-06-2020, 11:24

Beautiful birds

Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk

**treeman** · 19-06-2020, 12:50

From when about 5 years old Cody has had to comment when he hears them, he just cannot get his head around their appearance versus their sound.
"buuuuT Dad, it's not fair they shouldn't sound like that", Its about 7 years now and he still can not help himself when he hears them, he said the sound looks like crow's or something like that.

Too me they sound so beautiful.

**Toxxyc** · 19-06-2020, 13:53

Originally Posted by Messor

I bet most forum members dont know what they sound like.

I pride myself on knowing a bit about our country's animals, but it struck me just now that you're spot on. I have no idea what our national bird sounds like.