What kind of bird is a red-crowned crane? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Red-crowned cranes are birds that can be seen not only in Japan but also in the Korean Peninsula and China. The total number of birds in the world is said to be 3,050, but did you know that most of them are in Hokkaido?
What is a red-crowned crane? About basic status
The red-crowned crane is a bird classified in the genus Crane, family Crane, order Craniformes. The kanji word for it is Tancho, and the scientific name is Grus japonensis. Total length 102 – 147cm. Wingspan 64 – 67cm. Wingspan length 240cm. Weight 4 – 10.5kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | タンチョウ |
| English（英名） | Japanese crane Manchurian crane Red-crowned crane |
| scientific name(学名) | Grus japonensis |
| classification（分類） | Ave、 Gruiformes、Gruidae、Grus 鳥綱、ツル目、ツル科、ツル属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（全長） | 102 – 147cm |
| Weight（体重） | 4 – 10.5kg |
About habitat
Red-crowned cranes are distributed around Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and China. Depending on the region, they can be found and seen overwintering during the winter. The pair then returns in the spring.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The only wild crane that breeds in Japan. Red-crowned cranes have almost no feathers on the top of their heads, with exposed red skin and black feathers. In Japan, it is distributed mainly in the wetlands of eastern Hokkaido. Most individuals are gathered in Lake Kucharo, Sarobetsu Wetland, and the Tokachi River basin. In the summer, they disperse in wetlands to nest and raise their young, and in the winter, they migrate to areas near their villages and live in groups.
What is your personality like?
Red-crowned cranes are generally far from peaceful, and fights often occur between members. They fight surprisingly often considering they live in groups.
What does the ecology look like?
Red-crowned cranes are omnivores, subsisting on insects, crustaceans, and snails. The mode of reproduction is oviparous. They lay two eggs around spring, and the incubation period is one month, with the male and female taking turns incubating them. The lifespan is said to be about 25 years.
Are there any natural enemies?
Natural enemies of cranes include foxes, mustelids, and wild dogs.
Is the red-crowned crane an endangered species?
According to the Ministry of the Environment’s conservation status, the red-crowned crane is an endangered species. The current estimated population is around 3,000 birds, most of which live and work in Hokkaido, Japan. In Japan, hunting was prohibited by the Hokkaido Government in 1889, and it was designated as a no-hunting area in 1925. With the enactment of the Species Conservation Law in 1993, this species has been designated as a domestic rare wild animal and plant species and is now being fed. So you can see that it’s pretty well protected. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention.
Can cranes be kept as pets?
Red-crowned cranes are difficult to keep as pets. This is because, as mentioned above, it is an endangered species. Check out the site map on the zoo’s website or enter the zoo to enjoy it. It is designated as a special natural monument wild bird. Research is progressing in nature.
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