Grey Crowned Crane are non-migratory and gregarious birds, but when the breeding season arrives they separate and look for their partner, who will be the same throughout their lives.

There is no sexual dimorphism in these birds, but males are usually slightly larger than females. We can differentiate the sexes during the breeding season, when the male performs the courtship dance for the female. This dance includes bows, jumps and a sound involving the red gular sac.

Its feathers are gray, except for the wings, which are white, and a golden plume of feathers on its head, which give it its name. When the young are born, they have grayish plumage with pale tips.

Despite being one of the most abundant cranes in Africa, its population has decreased by 15% in the past two decades. They face degradation of their breeding range and are also persecuted by farmers. They see cranes as a threat to their crops. Cranes often invade them and feed on the young stems of corn plants.