Although this species remains abundant over much of its range, it faces widespread degradation of its historic breeding and feeding habitats. This has been caused by the alteration of habitats as intensive farming drains and dams wetlands and replaces grasslands with mono-cultures of crops and timber plantations. Despite this, the birds have adapted well to the intensified commercial agricultural practices and are often seen feeding in agricultural drylands throughout the year.
Poisoned Grey Crowned Crane
However, where cranes occur in large numbers in agricultural crops they are threatened by both accidental and deliberate poisoning, through the irresponsible application of agrichemicals. Where crop damage by cranes has been reported, incidents of shooting and intentional poisoning has increased.
As is the case with all large birds, power-lines pose a collision threat to young, inexperienced cranes as well as adult birds in misty low light conditions, while adult birds often get electrocuted on transformer boxes in attempting to roost on these structures. Grey Crowned Crane are very vulnerable to the removal / catching of young chicks from the wild prior to fledging, to be eaten, sold, or kept as pets. Many young chicks are also killed by domestic dogs.