Birds of a Feather: United for the Grey Crowned Crane

This evening in the avian city of Nakuru, we concluded a truly inspiring and historic conservation workshop convened by the International Crane Foundation (ICF). The workshop brought together Kenyan based organizations and corporates that proudly bear the Grey Crowned Crane in their logos, emblems, and institutional identities. Aptly themed “Birds of a Feather Fly Together,” the gathering reaffirmed a shared commitment to safeguarding one of Africa’s most iconic and threatened bird species.

The crane, an emblem of grace, resilience, and ecological balance, was central to our deliberations. Despite being one of the most recognized birds in the region and serving as the national bird of Uganda and Tanzania, as well as a proud symbol of the City of Nairobi, the University of Nairobi, and Makerere University, the Grey Crowned Crane remains listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This contrast between widespread symbolism and real conservation risk underscored a critical message: admiration alone is not enough and must be matched with intentional and sustained action.

For Friends of Ondiri Wetland, the Grey Crowned Crane was selected as our logo because it is a reliable indicator of a healthy wetland ecosystem. Its return marked the transformation of Ondiri from an ecologically degraded system into a restored and thriving landscape. Focused habitat restoration and regeneration efforts bore fruit in 2018 when the cranes returned. Today, we are proud to report seven breeding pairs, with additional sightings in Karai Wetland and at the KARI farm. These observations provide clear evidence that when habitats are restored, nature responds positively.

Globally, there are fifteen species of cranes, yet history reminds us that extinction is permanent. The Dodo was hunted to extinction by 1681, the Passenger Pigeon disappeared from North America in 1914 due to relentless exploitation, and in 2025 the Slender billed Curlew was declared extinct by the IUCN. These losses compel us to act decisively and responsibly. We must, and we will, secure the future of the crane species currently on the IUCN Red List within our lifetime.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Wanyoike Wamiti, PhD, East Africa Research and Monitoring Specialist and In Charge, Central Kenya, for his exemplary leadership in convening this workshop and uniting diverse stakeholders around a shared conservation agenda. The momentum generated here in Nakuru will extend well beyond this evening. We commit to strengthening collaboration, enhancing public awareness, and accelerating practical conservation actions on the ground in the years ahead.

The message is clear. Symbols must translate into stewardship. Admiration must lead to protection. Unity must result in lasting impact. Together, we can reverse the decline of the Grey Crowned Crane in Kenya and secure a future in which wetlands thrive and cranes continue to grace our skies.