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National Bird of China

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Introduction to National Bird of China

The Red-Crowned Crane is China's national bird. Grus japonensis is its scientific name. The Japanese crane is another name for it. It is a member of the Phylum Chordata, Aves class, Gruiformes order, Gruidae family, and Animalia kingdom. Mostly found throughout East Asia, with a few exceptions in other regions of the world. This type of crane, known as a Chinese crane, is extremely unusual around the globe. It is called red-crowned because it has red exposed skin on its crown that shines brighter than usual during mating season. Their wings are mostly black, while the rest of their bodies are pure white. The male species has black cheeks, throat, and neck. In these areas, the female species shine grey. The beak or bill has an olive green to greenish horn appearance. It has greyish black legs and a dark brown eye.


Features of the National Bird of China

The Red-Crowned Crane is the tallest species, standing 152 to 160 cm (4 ft 22 in to 5 ft 8 in). The Chinese crane's length ranges from 100.92 to 150 cm (3 ft 4 in–4 ft 11 in) (from mouth to tail tip). It has a wingspan of 220–250 cm (7 ft 3 in–8 ft 2 in). Its bodyweight ranges from 4.8 to 10.5 kg (11 to 23 lb), with males being much larger and heavier than females and weighing more just before migration. The figure given below shows about how they look like;


(Image Will be Updated Soon)


Despite being the heaviest, two species, sarus, and wattled crane may grow higher and travel in parallel and linear directions. According to Russian research, the average weight of a man is 10 kg (22 lb) and that of a female is 8.6 kg (19 lb), and females can outweigh their partners in some situations, despite the male's slightly greater average body mass. The weight of this species varies depending on the investigation. In this regard, another reliable source discovered that the species' average weight is 8.9 kg (20 lb).


Interesting Facts about Red-Crowned Crane Bird

The red-crowned crane is the most well-known and native bird of China. In captivity, the red-crowned crane has a lifespan of 25.5 years, according to standard measurements. Its lifetime in the wild is unknown. This species became popular for domestic use towards the beginning of the twentieth century. They are hunted in Japan for their beautiful plumage, which may be used to embellish hats and other fashion accessories. Mostly prevalent throughout Asia, particularly in China and rural Pakistan. However, in the majority of situations, these cranes are now banned.

It is said to be the world's heaviest crane species. The sexual encounter will last a lifetime. It, like other cranes, is well-known for its graceful dances that unite couples. They deposit two eggs during a breeding session, but only one normally survives to maturity. The parents both help to raise the young and vigorously guard the nests against potential predators. They are omnivorous in terms of diet. They forage on fish, insects, crabs, salamanders, frogs, tiny reptiles, small birds, seeds, rice, and a variety of other plants in rivers, rice paddies, and fields.

Red crown has two primary species that are less common and less populous over the world. One of the two groups resides in Japan and spends the entire year there. The second group breeds in northern China, Russia, and Mongolia and spends the winter in eastern China, North Korea, and South Korea. There are barely 2,000 of each species surviving in the wild, and they are considered endangered owing to habitat loss. It is used for home purposes in Pakistan. 

It sings different tunes to attract each other. They are immensely popular in various parts of Asia due to their singing ability. The Red-Crowned Crane bird is frequently portrayed in Chinese tales and folklore. It is a symbol of long life and immortality in Taoism,


The Reason Behind the National Bird of China with the Name Red-Crowned Crane

Every country has its own symbol, which might be an anthem, a uniform, a tree, a flower, an animal, or a flag. This country also has a national bird to signify its gardens, trade, and woodland inhabitants. Every national bird represents a set of values that a country upholds. Let us learn about China's national bird.

The bird Red-crowned Crane is used by the Chinese to connect with a lovely heritage that reflects durability and permanence in welcomes. Following public pressure, the State Forestry Administration and the China Wildlife Protection Association implemented a voting mechanism. The battle between the sparrow and the red-crowned crane was initiated in 2003. The China national bird received 64.92 percent of the vote in a survey conducted on more than twenty Chinese websites from May to June 2004, attracting about 5 million internet users.

After years of professional examination and popular polling, the Red-crowned Crane bird has been selected as the candidate for China's national bird. Every day in Heilongjiang The State Forestry Administration has now submitted the results to the State Council for final clearance, according to a news source in China's far north. Following final confirmation in 2003, the red-crowned crane was designated as China's official and national bird.

FAQs on National Bird of China

1. What is the national bird of China?

Ans: The Red-Crowned Crane is China's national bird, and it represents flight and beauty. In greetings, the Red-Crowned Crane is connected with longevity. A red-crowned crane is sometimes seen as a lucky emblem. The State Forestry Administration and the China Wildlife Protection Association began the selection process for China's national bird in 2003. The selection of China's national bird was based on public sentiment across the country as well as professional study. Red-crowned crane migratory populations nest in north-eastern China, Siberia (eastern Russia), and occasionally in north-eastern Mongolia throughout the summer and spring. Red-crowned cranes spend the winter in east-central China and the Korean peninsula. These birds build their nests in rivers, wetlands, and marshes. The red-crowned crane eats rice gleanings from paddy fields as well as aquatic invertebrates.

2. What are the food or eating habits of Red-Crowned Cranes?

Ans: In marshes, these omnivorous birds graze on a variety of invertebrates and small aquatic invertebrates, fish, frogs, rodents, reeds, grasses, heath berries, maize, and other plants. They migrate to paddy fields in the winter to graze on rice. The Japanese populace feeds on maize at artificial feeding stations throughout the winter. Crane pellets, mealworms, earthworms, crickets, and tiny fish are fed to controlled populations of cranes.