Red-crowned Crane
Grue japonaise
Grus japonensis

Order: Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae

Food: This omnivorous bird has a varied diet: insects, aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, rodents, reeds or rushes, grass, corn, berries and other plant forms

Breeding: It nests and lays its eggs in spring and summer, once the male and female have reached the age of 2 ½. The couple incubates and protects 2 eggs for 29-34 days. Generally only one nestling survives. The youngsters fledge 75-95 days after hatching.

Life expectancy: In the wild, from 30 years; in captivity,  from 50 to 60 years.

Predators: Few predators, since the crane takes flight rapidly and defends itself with its sharp-edged beak. Human beings remain its major predator.

Status: Endangered, mainly because of the degradation of the wetlands and agricultural and industrial development.