The crane is a typical wading bird with three distinctive characteristics: a long neck, a long beak, and long legs.
It has a full body length of approximately 120 cm. The crane's body feathers are white, and the exposed part of its head is bright red. There are a few black feathers on its forehead and around the eyes, while the throat, cheeks, and neck are primarily dark brown.
The flying feathers of the crane are black and have curved extensions resembling a large open bow. However, the crane's tail feathers are shorter.
An adult crane is mostly white, with only a few black feathers on its neck and the rear end of its flight feathers. The top of the crane's head has a small patch of bare skin that is bright red. In ancient TV series, the term "crane red" often refers to a highly toxic substance, but in reality, this is merely a rumor as crane blood itself is not poisonous.
In ancient times, people often referred to the red crane as a symbol of the purity of arsenic trioxide, commonly known as arsenic. The feathers of young cranes are brownish-yellow, and the feathers of subadult cranes appear dull. The red color of the exposed part of the crane's head becomes more vibrant after the age of 2.
Whooping cranes primarily prefer roosting in plains, lakes, marshes, or nearby mudflats with open views. Normally, they live in pairs or small flocks, but during migration, they gather in large flocks. Cranes are diurnal animals and remain alert, so whether they are in motion or at rest, there is always a crane acting as a sentry to monitor the surroundings.
The crane's main food sources include fish, shrimp, mollusks, insects, tadpoles in shallow waters, as well as roots, leaves, foliage, or fruits of aquatic plants. Their diet varies with the seasons. Every year, cranes undergo two molts, with their summer feathers changing in spring and winter feathers changing in fall.
The crane's call is very loud and serves as an important signal for territorial communication and during the rutting season.
Every year, cranes migrate extensively, flying south for the winter in large flocks. However, in the Hokkaido region of Japan, cranes have become local resident birds and no longer migrate.
This is thought to be due to the large-scale feeding provided by the local people in winter, ensuring an abundant food source that eliminates the need for migration. During migration, cranes fly in a "V" formation, with the angle of the "V" typically around 110°.
In Chinese history, cranes are regarded as a premier bird of literature. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the crane symbolized loyalty and virtue, hence embroidered cranes on the uniform of high-ranking civil officials, which was considered an important symbol after the dragon and phoenix.
Additionally, the legendary crane is a symbol of longevity because it can live up to 50-60 years. It is often depicted together with pine trees, representing longevity.
In East Asia, the crane is seen as a symbol of longevity, happiness, good fortune, and fidelity. Cranes have been depicted in sculptures found in Yin and Shang dynasty tombs.
Cranes hold significant historical and cultural value and have long been associated with good luck, beauty, longevity, and loyalty. They have been symbols of people's aspirations for the present and the future.
However, in today's increasingly developed society, cranes are facing extinction due to human activities. Protecting cranes and the wetland environments they depend on should be a top priority for us to consider and pay attention to. After all, protecting them means protecting our own home and preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystem.
As society continues to progress and expand, the habitats of cranes and other wildlife are increasingly threatened. Wetlands, which serve as crucial feeding and nesting grounds for cranes, are being destroyed or degraded due to urbanization, agriculture, and pollution.
