About
The Red-crowned Crane is one of the rarest and most elegant birds in the world, revered in East Asian cultures as a symbol of luck, longevity, and fidelity. Standing nearly 160 cm tall, these magnificent birds are known for their elaborate courtship dances: a synchronized performance of leaps, bows, and unison calls that has inspired artists and poets for millennia.
Conservation Status
Endangered
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan
220–250 cm
Length
150–158 cm
Weight
7–10.5 kg
Ecology
Habitat
Freshwater wetlands, marshes, river deltas, rice paddies in winter
Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, grains, rice
Distribution
East Asia — Japan (Hokkaido), NE China, Korea, SE Russia