red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)  

The red-crowned crane is one of the rarest species of crane in the world, with a global population estimate of only 1700 - 2500 birds. They are native to eastern Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. These long-legged wading birds depend on wetlands and fields for their food, which includes fish, small mammals, amphibians, insects, seeds, and grains. They also prefer to nest in wetland areas.

The majority of red-crowned cranes are migratory, breeding in Siberia and Japan and spending the non-breeding season as far south as Korea. Their main threat is habitat loss due to human expansion. The wetlands they depend on are often plowed for farmland or otherwise damaged by roads or reed harvesting.

red-crowned cranes are a symbol of good fortune and longevity in east Asian countries. However, they depend on wetland preservation and continued protection to ensure that red-crowned cranes remain in the wild.

For more information about red-crowned cranes, please visit www.savingcranes.org.