Cranes: Gruidae
Red-crowned Crane (grus Japonensis): Species Accounts
Physical characteristics: Red-crowned cranes, or Japanese cranes, have white bodies and bare red skin on the top of the head. This crane is about 59 inches (150 centimeters) in height, 15.4 to 22 pounds (7 to 10 kilograms) in weight, and has a wingspan of between 86.6 and 98.4 inches (220 to 250 centimeters).
Geographic range: The red-crowned cranes are found in parts of China, Russia, Korea, and Japan.
Habitat: The red-crowned crane is a rather aquatic species among cranes. It inhabits both freshwater and saltwater wetlands and marshes as well as some rivers.
Diet: Red-crowned cranes eat a wide variety of items, including insects, fish, rodents, and plants.
Red-crowned crane males and females have elaborate courtship dances before mating. Males also display to other males to warn them away from their territory.
Behavior and reproduction: Red-crowned cranes are well-known for their elaborate courtship dances. Generally, the female lays two eggs during the breeding season. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks after they hatch. Eggs hatch after twenty-nine to thirty-four days. The young are able to fly after approximately ninety-five days.
Red-crowned cranes and people: Red-crowned cranes are considered sacred in many parts of its range in East Asia. They are associated with happy marriages, love, long life, and good luck. Red-crowned cranes have frequently appeared in East Asian poetry and art.
Conservation status: Red-crowned cranes are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. ∎
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Books:
del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal, eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 3, Hoatzin to Auks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, 1996.
Matthiessen, Peter. The Birds of Heaven: Travels with Cranes. New York: North Point Press, 2001.
Perrins, Christopher, ed. Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books, 2003.
Web sites:
"Cranes." Bird Families of the World, Cornell University. http://www.es.cornell.edu/winkler/botw/gruidae.html (accessed on April 5, 2004).
"Family Gruidae (Cranes)." Animal Diversity Web. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Gruidae.html#Gruidae (accessed on April 24, 2004).
"Gruidae (Cranes)." The Internet Bird Collection. http://www.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/familia.phtml?idFamilia=43 (accessed on April 24, 2004).
International Crane Foundation. http://www.savingcranes.org/ (accessed on July 12, 2004).
Additional topics
Animal Life ResourceBirdsCranes: Gruidae - Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Gray Crowned Crane (balearica Regulorum): Species Accounts, Sandhill Crane (grus Canadensis): Species Accounts - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, CRANES AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS