Red-crowned crane

, Austria , Taitō, Japan Adult red-crowned cranes are named for a patch of red bare skin on the crown, which becomes brighter during the mating season. Overall, they are snow white in color with black on the wing secondaries, which can appear almost like a black tail when the birds are standing, but the real tail feathers are actually white. Males are black on the cheeks, throat, and neck, while females are pearly gray in these spots. The bill is olive green to a greenish horn, the legs are slate to grayish black, and the iris is dark brown. Juveniles are a combination of white, partly tawny, cinnamon brown, and rusty or grayish. The neck collar is grayish to coffee brown, the secondaries are dull black and brown, and the crown and forehead are covered with gray and tawny feathers. The primaries are white, tipped with black, as are the upper primary coverts. The legs and bill are similar to those of adults but lighter in color. This species is among the largest and heaviest cranes, typically measuring about tall and in length (from bill to tail tip). Across the large wingspan, the red-crowned crane measures . Typical body weight can range from , with males being slightly larger and heavier than females and weight ranging higher just prior to migration. On average, it is the heaviest crane species, although both the sarus and wattled crane can grow taller and exceed this species in linear measurements. On average, adult males from Hokkaidō weighed around and adult females there averaged around , while a Russian study found males averaged and females averaged ; in some cases, females could outweigh their mates despite the males' slightly larger average body weight. Another study found the average weight of the species to be . The maximum known weight of the red-crowned crane is . Among standard measurements, the wing chord measures , the exposed culmen measures , tail length is , and the tarsus measures . ==Name==

The scientific name Grus japonensis matches the English common name Japanese crane, though its primary habitat is in mainland Northeastern Asia. The common name red-crowned crane is a direct translation of the Chinese names () and () and the Japanese () and (). Manchurian crane is used in older sources and refers to the center of the crane's habitat in Manchuria. In Korean, the bird is referred to by its native Korean name () as well as the Sino-Korean (; , lit. "crane"). ==Range and habitat==

In the spring and summer, the migratory populations of the red-crowned crane breed in Siberia (far eastern Russia), Northeast China and occasionally in north-eastern Mongolia In the wintering range, their habitat consists mainly of paddy fields, grassy tidal flats, and mudflats. In the flats, the birds feed on aquatic invertebrates, and, in cold, snowy conditions, the birds switch to mainly living on rice gleanings from the paddy fields. The cranes once lived on Japan's main island of Honshu, but a permanent population no longer survives there. ==Ecology and behaviour==

Diet . Red-crowned cranes have a highly omnivorous diet, though the dietary preferences have not been fully studied. They eat rice, parsley, carrots, corn, redbuds, heath berries, acorns, buckwheat, grasses and a variety of water plants such as reeds. The animal matter in their diet consists of fish, including carp and goldfish, amphibians, especially salamanders, snails, crabs, dragonflies, other insects, small reptiles, shrimp, small birds and rodents. They seem to prefer a carnivorous diet, although rice is now essential to survival for wintering birds in Japan and grass seeds are another important food source. While all cranes are omnivorous, per Johnsgard, the two most common crane species today (the sandhill and common cranes) are among the most herbivorous species while the two rarest species (the red-crowned and whooping cranes) are perhaps the most carnivorous species. In Hokkaido, fish such as Tribolodon, Pungitius, Sculpin and flatfish was major prey of adults, while chicks mostly feed on various insects. In Zhalong Nature Reserve, small fish less than , such as common carps, pond loach, and Chinese sleeper was mainly taken as well as aquatic invertebreas like pond snails, dragonflies, water beetles and large amount of plant matter. Elsewhere, mudflat crabs are locally important food source in Yellow River Delta. They typically forage by keeping their heads close to the ground, jabbing their beaks into mud when they encounter something edible. When capturing fish or other slippery prey, they strike rapidly by extending their necks outward, a feeding style similar to that of the heron. Although animal prey can be swallowed whole, red-crowned cranes more often tear up large prey by grasping with their beaks and shaking it vigorously, eating pieces as they fall apart. Most foraging occurs in wet grasslands, cultivated fields, shallow rivers, or on the shores of lakes. Breeding The red-crowned crane is monogamous and long-lived, with stable pair-bonding both within and between years, and believed to mate for life. The breeding maturity is thought to be reached at 3–4 years of age. All mating and egg-laying are largely restricted to April and early May. A red-crowned crane pair duets in various situations, helping to establish the formation and maintenance of the pair bond, as well as territorial advertisement and agonistic signaling. Both males and females may start a duet with the production of a start call, but the main part of the duet always began with a long male call. The pair moves rhythmically until they are standing close, throwing their heads back and letting out a fluting call in unison, often triggering other pairs to start duetting, as well. As it occurs year-round, the social implications of dancing are complex in meaning. However, dancing behavior is generally thought to show excitement in the species. Also, the performance of duet displays increased the probability of staying in a favorable area, supporting the hypothesis that duet displays function as a signal of joint resource defense in the flock. Nesting territories range from and are often the same year after year. Most nesting territories are characterized by flat terrain, access to wetland habitat, and tall grasses. Nest sites are selected by females, but built by both sexes and are frequently in a small clearing made by the cranes, either on wet ground or shallow water over waters no more than deep. Sometimes, nests are built on the frozen surface of water, as frigid temperatures may persist well into nesting season. Nest building takes about a week. By early fall, about 95 days after hatching, the young are fledged and are assured fliers by migration time. Although they can fly well, crane young remain together with their parents for around 9 months. The average adult lifespan is around 30 to 40 years, with some specimens living to 75 years of age in captivity. It is one of the longest-living species of bird. Interspecies interactions Red-crowned cranes have no natural predators within their wintering grounds, with their large size and height of roughly helping to deter most potential predators. As a result, red-crowned cranes are often indifferent to the presence of other birds or small raptors, with harriers, falcons, owls, and some buzzards being allowed to hunt small prey near a crane nest without any aggression from either party. However, birds more likely to be egg or nest predators, such as corvids, certain buzzards, and various eagles, are treated aggressively and are threatened until they leave the crane's territory. Mammalian carnivores that may pose a danger to chicks, such as Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), Asian badgers (Meles leucurus), common raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes viverrinus), and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), are attacked immediately, with the parent cranes attempting to jab them in the flanks until the predators leave the vicinity. However, these predators are generally not dangerous to chicks in the presence of adults, and are quickly chased away by the parent cranes without difficulty. Even larger canids, such as gray wolves (Canis lupus) and large dog breeds, can be repelled by aggressive crane pairs. Occasionally, losses at the nest occur to some of the above predators, with introduced American minks on Hokkaidō being one of the most successful predators of eggs and chicks. Additionally, unwary subadult and adult cranes may be ambushed and killed by red foxes in Japan and leopard cats in South Korea. However, this is quite rare, especially with adults, as these birds can easily fly away or defend themselves using their sharp beaks. In cases where interactions turn aggressive between white-naped and red-crowned cranes, red-crowned cranes are dominant due to their considerably larger size. As reported by researchers trying to band or examine the cranes or their nests, this species is considered mildly hazardous, and is prone to quickly responding aggressively to being approached or handled by humans. Red-crowned cranes are able to inflict painful injuries using their feet and their dagger-like beaks. ==Status==

The population of red-crowned cranes is split into a migratory continental population in Korea, China, Mongolia and Russia (with all birds wintering in Korea and China), and a resident Japanese population in Hokkaidō. In 2020, winter counts recorded more than 3,800 red-crowned cranes (adults and immatures), including about 1,900 in Japan, more than 1,600 in Korea and about 350 in China. This indicates that there are around 2,300 adults overall. The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ran a program where U.S. zoos donated eggs which were flown to Russia and raised in the Khinganski Nature Reserve and released into the wild. This program sent 150 eggs between 1995 and 2005. The program has been put on hold to concentrate on different crane conservation programs in Russia, such as education and fire suppression. Several hundred red-crowned cranes are kept in zoos around the world. Assuredly, the international efforts of Russia, China, Japan, and Korea are needed to keep the species from extinction. The most pressing threat is habitat destruction, with a general lack of remaining pristine wetland habitats for the species to nest. In Japan, little proper nesting habitat remains and the local breeding population is close to the saturation point. and a first-class endangered species. == History ==

Research history The red-crowned crane is easily recognizable due to its large size and distinct coloring. Human knowledge about this species has accumulated over a long period. Local chronicles in China contain continuous records of it, and cranes were kept in captivity as pets from early times, particularly during the Tang Dynasties and Song Dynasties. Today, captive red-crowned cranes are kept for ornamental purposes in many locations. Since the 1980s, dedicated research on red-crowned cranes has been conducted, yielding significant insights into their distribution, breeding grounds, wintering habitats, ecology, behavior and migration patterns. Techniques for artificial breeding and artificial insemination are now well-established. Following environment studies and satellite tracking technology in the 1990s, the cranes migration routes have been clearly mapped. Conservation in history In the 19th century, the red-crowned crane was revered as the god of the wetland | 湿原の神 (サロルンカムイ, Sarurun Kamuy) by the Ainu people of Hokkaido. As a large wading bird occupying a high position in the wetland food chain, it served as a keystone species for wetland biodiversity. In the 1960s, human activities in Northeast China and the Far East led to habitat destruction for red-crowned cranes. Reclamation projects not only seized original habitats but also severed interconnected waterways. Compounding this, the Far East has experienced a pronounced trend toward aridification in recent years, causing severe reductions in wetland areas. Pollution introduced by human activities further threatened the cranes' survival. Moreover, land-clearing practices like slash-and-burn farming severely damaged nesting materials and cover, narrowing their distribution range. During the 1980s, economic development in East Asia created a specific demand for crane feathers and livers, making hunting inevitable. Although direct hunting has become rare in recent years due to conservation regulations, poisoning used to hunt other waterfowl has become a major cause of death for red-crowned cranes. Currently, the red-crowned crane is a Class I protected animal in China listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List, Japan designated the red-crowned crane and its breeding grounds as Natural Monuments in 1935. In 1952, the Kushiro Red-Crowned Cranes were designated as Special Natural Monuments. By 1967, red-crowned cranes across all regions of Japan were designated as Special Natural Monuments. In 1993, the species was further designated as a Rare Wild Animal and Plant Species. ==Culture==

The red-crowned crane is endemic to Northeast Asia, yet holds a prominent position throughout East Asian art history. In East Asia culture, the red-crowned crane carries the cultural significance of an "auspicious bird". The phoenix is considered the foremost auspicious bird, followed by the red-crowned crane and other birds, Depictions of the red-crowned crane as a bird imbued with Taoist ethereal qualities can be found in numerous Chinese and Japanese paintings, poetry crafts, and literature. China In China, the red-crowned crane is often featured in myths and legends. In Taoism, the red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity and immortality. In art and literature, immortals are often depicted riding on cranes. A mortal who attains immortality is similarly carried off by a crane. Reflecting this association, red-crowned cranes are called xiān hè (). The red-crowned crane is also a symbol of nobility. Depictions of the crane have been found in Shang dynasty and Zhou dynasty ceremonial bronzeware. A common theme in later Chinese art is the reclusive scholar who cultivates bamboo and keeps cranes. Some literati even reared cranes and trained them to dance to guqin music. Ancient Chinese texts refer to it by various names, not just 仙鹤: • 【Song】Wings of the Erya《尔雅翼》 (traditional chinese: 爾雅翼 pinyin: ěr yǎ yì | author: 罗愿, pinyin: luó yuàn) Chapter 13 卷十三 mentions: "鶴一起千里古謂之仙禽以其於物為壽" which means the crane soars a thousand miles; anciently called the immortal bird, For it is regarded as a symbol of longevity. The 仙禽 (pinyin: xiān qín) means "immortal bird" which describe cranes 鹤 (pinyin: hè). As known, red-crowned crane can live 50–60 years. • 【Ming】Guidelines and details of materia medica《本草纲木》(traditional chinese: 本草綱目 pinyin: běn cǎo gāng mù | author: 李时珍, pinyin: lǐ shí zhēn) In 57.1 《禽之一 鹤》, mentioned crane – 仙禽 also can be named as 胎禽 (traditional chinese: 胎禽 pinyin: tāi qín) which means fetal bird. The Ming and Qing dynasties endowed the red crowned crane with the cultural connotation of loyalty, uprightness and noble morality. red crowned crane is embroidered on the clothes of a civil servant. It is listed as an important symbol next only to the Loong and Fenghuang used by the royal family. Therefore, people also regard the crane as a symbol of a high official. The image of red crowned crane generally appears in Chinese cultural relics and works of art. File:银缧丝松鹤纹盖罐.jpg|Silver silk covered jar with pine crane pattern File:云鹤莲纹熏炉201803.jpg|Cloud crane lotus pattern fumigation oven File:松鹤纹铜镜HZM.jpg|Bronze mirror with pine and crane pattern File:南昌万寿宫内龟鹤齐龄铜塑.jpg|Bronze sculptures of tortoise and crane in Wanshou Palace of Nanchang File:清乾隆剔红放鹤图宝盒.jpg|The treasure box of the picture of picking red and releasing crane in Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty File:虚谷梅鹤图轴.png|Plums and crane, by Xu Gu. File:清早期 刺繡仙鶴補-Rank Badge with Crane MET DT4772.jpg|Rank badge with crane, early Qing dynasty, late 17th–early 18th century. Because of its importance in Chinese culture, the red-crowned crane was selected by the National Forestry Bureau of the People's Republic of China as a candidate for the title of national animal of China. This decision was deferred due to the red-crowned crane's Linnaean taxonomic name "Grus japonensis". Robert Kuok's Kerry/Kuok Group also uses the red-crowned crane as its logo for operations in Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, and overseas. Japan In Japan, this crane is known as the tanchōzuru and is said to live for 1,000 years. A pair of red-crowned cranes was used in the design for the Series D 1000-yen note (reverse side). In the Ainu language, the red-crowned crane is known as sarurun kamuy or "marsh kamuy". At Tsurui, they are one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan. Cranes are said to grant favours in return for acts of sacrifice, as in Tsuru no Ongaeshi ("crane's return of a favor"). Given its reputation, Jerry Huff, an American branding expert, recommended it as the international logo of Japan Airlines, after seeing a representation of it in a gallery of samurai crests. Huff wrote "I had faith that it was the perfect symbol for Japan Air Lines. I found that the crane myth was all positive—it mates for life (loyalty), and flies high for miles without tiring (strength)." File:100 views edo 102.jpg|One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 1857 Hiroshige. Until 19c there was a wintering site for the cranes in the paddy fields, which is now completely urbanized as a part of Tokyo metropolis. File:JAL Dreamliner tail (15062685180).jpg|The official logo of Japan Airlines features a red-crowned crane. File:Series D 1K Yen Bank of Japan note - back.jpg|A pair of red-crowned cranes on the reverse of the Series D 1000 yen note Korea . In Korea, the red-crowned crane is called durumi or hak and it is considered a symbol of longevity, purity, and peace. Korean seonbis regarded the bird as an icon of their constancy. The red-crowned crane is depicted on the South Korean 500 won coin and is the symbol of Incheon. == See also ==