Red-crowned crane

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Red-crowned crane
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Aves
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Gruidae
Genus: Grus
Binomial name
Grus japonensis

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), also called the Japanese crane or Manchurian crane, is a large crane. It is the second rarest crane in the world after the North American whooping crane.[1] In East Asia, it is known as a symbol of luck and fidelity.[1] At 55 inches high, the crane does not make easy prey, for all that it stands out in its natural habitat of marshes and swamps. When it matures, the red-crowned crane is snow white with a patch of red skin on its head.

Description[change | change source]

In the spring and summer, the red-crowned crane lives in Siberia, where their eggs hatch. Normally the crane lays two eggs, but usually only one chick survives.[1] Later, in the autumn, it migrates in flocks to Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and other countries in East Asia to spend the winter. All red-crowned cranes migrate, except for a flock that stays in Hokkaido, year long.[1]

Diet[change | change source]

The crane eats small amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, insects, and plants that grow in marshes and swamps.

References[change | change source]