Cranes (Gruidae)

Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) - HBW 3, p. 89

French: Grue du Japon German: Mandschurenkranich Spanish: Grulla Manchú
Other common names: Japanese/Manchurian Crane

Taxonomy: Ardea (Grus) Japonensis P. L. S. Müller, 1776, Japan.
Subspecies status formerly suggested for mainland and Japanese breeding populations, based on differences in vocalization patterns; some variation between these populations exists in morphology, coloration and egg size, but preliminary DNA analysis has shown no significant genetic distinction. Monotypic.

Distribution: Resident on Hokkaido, N Japan. Also breeds in NE China and adjacent extreme SE Russia. Winters in Korea and in and around Jiangsu, CE China.