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Red-crowned Crane

Grus japonensis

Status: Endangered. The wetlands that this species rely upon for breeding grounds have rapidly been shrinking. Conservation efforts in Japan have yielded results in repopulation, however the natural population in China is still imperiled.

The red-crowned cranes' courtship dance of bowing and unfurling of the wings, is an iconic vision of snow-blanketed wilds of China and Japan. They dip and weave, leaping into the air and gracefully landing and an impromptu passionate choreography, white, black and just a touch of red, so stark and elegant against the winter backdrop in February and March. The birds are monogamous and mate for life with one partner. Because of this behavior, they are also seen as symbols of loyalty and devotion. When a crane is with their partner, they dance in a joyous display of aerial leaps and duet vocalizations.

Across Asia, the red-crowned crane is a symbol of luck, longevity, and peace. There are Taoist stories of mortals who attain immortality and are transformed into cranes, or carried off by cranes, and so in Chinese they are known as "fairy-crane" or "crane of the immortals".

 

References:
Rich, Motoko & Hida, Hikari. "These Revered Cranes Escaped Extinction. Can They Survive Without Humans?", New York Times, 2022.

Zhuo, Xinping (2018). Religious faith of the Chinese. Singapore.

Zhang, Lu. Painting: "The Daoist immortal He Xiangu on a celestial crane." Album of 18 Daoist Paintings (1464-1538), Shanghai Museum, Shanghai. https://www.granger.com/results.asp?image=0634442