Red-crowned crane Grus japonensis
A symbol of fidelity and long life.
The Red-crowned crane in a nutshell
- eats
- fish, rodents, invertebrates and grasses
- inhabits
- Japan, China, Korea and the Russian Far East
- excels at
- dancing
The crane is very important culturally in many East Asian countries. Because the bird forms a lifelong bond with a mate, it often symbolises fidelity and longevity. According to legends, cranes could live for a thousand years. For this reason, the crane is often depicted at weddings, as a sign of good luck and marital prosperity.
Dance of the crane
All cranes do some form of dance, but that of the Red-crowned crane is particularly elaborate. It consists of several parts, including jumps, bends, pirouettes and running with the wings outstretched. The cranes dance to attract a mate, mark their territory or establish social bonds. Dancing together is especially important for pairs that stay together for decades. Before starting a dance, both cranes call together, with the female singing at a slightly higher tone.
Dancing together
The poses of the crane have provided a great deal of inspiration for martial arts. Several styles and poses in forms including Tai Chi and Kung Fu are based on this dance. People sometimes try to imitate the dance of the crane. And you can try it for yourself when you visit the Red-crowned crane at the Ruin enclosure at ARTIS.
33 cranes
The Red-crowned crane is listed as vulnerable in Japan due to being hunted for its feathers, and the disappearance of its habitat. At its lowest point, there were only 33 cranes left in all of Japan. Thanks to supplementary feeding and the designation of protected areas, there are now more than 1,300 cranes on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Around 1,600 more live in China and Korea.