Bird · GBIF taxon 2474944
Red-crowned Crane
Grus japonensisAlso known as Japanese Crane, Manchurian Crane
Red-crowned cranes perform intricate duet dances featuring synchronized leaps, head bobs, and unison bugling calls to solidify lifelong pair bonds. Revering snow-covered wetlands and river marshes across East Asia, they wade through shallow waters hunting aquatic prey. During winter, migratory populations gather in protected coastal bays and marshes while non-migratory groups remain in Hokkaido year-round.
MigratoryWetlandIconic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Small Fish
- Amphibians
- Aquatic Invertebrates
Predators
- Red Fox
- White-tailed Eagle
- Ussuri Brown Bear
ThreatsWetland loss, agricultural conversion, dam building, human disturbance
HabitatsFreshwater marshes, peatlands, river basins, coastal mudflats
Life span30–40 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderGruiformes
- FamilyGruidae
- GenusGrus
- SpeciesGrus japonensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of striking defensively with its sharp beak if cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by pure white plumage, black lower neck and wing edges, and a vivid red crown patch.
- Support conservation
- Remain on marked trails, stay inside observation hides, and never approach nesting or roosting grounds.
Responsible observation
- Viewing Distance: Keep a distance of at least 100 meters, using binoculars or telephoto lenses to avoid flushing birds.
- Sanctuary Etiquette: Visit designated feeding grounds or public hides in Hokkaido and Korea where viewing is safe and non-intrusive.
- Vocalization Cues: Listen for loud, bugling duet calls early in the morning during pair-bonding displays.
Co-occurring Species Spaceaero2 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Christoph Moning, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christoph Moning · cc-by
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