What kind of bird is the Mane-naped Crane? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Mane-naped cranes are a type of bird that live in Siberia and China. They have a fairly large and strong appearance, but in fact they are a critically endangered species.
What is a The White-necked Crane? Basic Stats
The White-necked Crane is a bird that belongs to the Gruidae family. Its scientific name is Grus vipio, and its English name is White-necked Crane. Its total length is 120-150cm and its weight is 5-6kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | マナヅル |
| English（英名） | White-necked crane |
| scientific name(学名) | Grus vipio |
| classification（分類） | Aves、 Gruiformes、 Gruidae、Grus 鳥綱、ツル目、ツル科、ツル属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 120-150cm |
| Weight（体重） | 5-6kg |
Biological classification (taxonomy)
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界 Animalia |
| 門 | 脊索動物門 Chordata |
| 綱 | 鳥綱 Aves |
| 目 | ツル目 Gruiformes |
| 科 | ツル科 Gruidae |
| 属 | アネイゴネ属 Antigone |
| 種 | マナヅル Antigone vipio |
Habitat
White-naped cranes are found in Japan, northeastern Mongolia, the Amur River area in Russia, northeastern China, and the Korean Peninsula.
- Overview of Habitat
White-naped Cranes are migratory birds found throughout East Asia,
which change their habitat significantly depending on the season.
👉
Summer: Breeding in the north
Winter: Wintering in the south
This lifestyle follows this pattern.
- Breeding Grounds (Summer Habitat)
Main Breeding Areas
Northeastern China
Mongolia
Russian Far East (Amur River Basin, etc.)
Environmental Characteristics
Vast wetlands
Grasslands along rivers
Around lakes and ponds
Open areas with little human disturbance
👉 They prefer wetlands with good visibility, allowing them to quickly spot predators.
- Wintering Grounds (Winter Habitat)
Main Wintering Grounds
Southern China
Korean Peninsula
Japan (especially the Izumo Plain, Kagoshima Prefecture)
In Japan,
👉 Japan is known as a globally important wintering ground.
Environmental Characteristics
Rice paddies
Riverbeds
Wetlands
Tidal flats
*In Japan, artificial feeding areas are also used due to conservation efforts.
- Habitat in Japan
Areas Found in Japan
Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture (Izumi Plain)
One of the world’s largest wintering grounds for White-naped Cranes and Hooded Cranes
Rarely
Yamaguchi Prefecture
Shimane Prefecture
Various locations in Kyushu
👉 Arrives in Japan as a winter bird.
- Migration (Migratory Route)
Migrates between breeding grounds and wintering grounds every year
Travels several thousand kilometers
Uses rivers
lakes
wetlands
as stopovers during migration
👉 The entire migration route is important for survival.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
The white-naped crane is gray or dark gray all over its body, with white from the top of its head to the back of its neck and the base of its neck. The feathers covering its ear holes (ear feathers) are dark gray. Its legs are pink or dark red, and its coverts are bluish gray. White-naped cranes breed in northern Mongolia and other places, and fly to Japan as winter birds to spend the winter, so they are migratory birds. They live in marshes in river basins, and in their wintering areas, they prefer riverbanks, tidal flats, marshes, and farmland. They move in groups like small animals.
- Physical Characteristics (Very Easy to Identify)
Physical Characteristics
Body Length: Approximately 120-130cm
Wingspan: Approximately 220-250cm
Weight: 5-7kg
Appearance Features
White neck (hence the name)
Bare red skin on top of head
Gray body
Long, dark legs
👉 Slightly larger than the Hooded Crane, with a brighter appearance.
- Overall Appearance
Slow movements
Straight, dignified posture
Accommodates calmly even in a flock
👉 In Japan, they are strongly associated with “elegant and dignified cranes.”
- Personality
Basic Personality
Gentle
Wary, but not excessively so
Avoids unnecessary conflict
Sociality
Live in groups
Strong bond with mates
Typically spends time with the same partner year after year
👉 Family-oriented and stability-oriented.
- Behavioral Characteristics
Ground Behavior
Walking slowly while foraging
Pecking grass and soil with their beaks
Flight
Powerful, large flapping wings
Often flying in V formation
Calls
High-pitched, clear “kururu” call
Often calling to each other in pairs
- Diet (What do they eat?)
Omnivorous
Plant roots and shoots
Cereal crops (rice)
Insects
Small fish and amphibians
👉 Able to utilize both natural environments and farmland.
What is their ecology?
White-naped cranes live mainly on fish, insects, frogs, plant stems, leaves, and seeds. They are oviparous. They build nests in marshes made of sedges and reeds, and lay eggs every May. Males and females take turns incubating the eggs, and in captivity, they incubate them for one month. They reach sexual maturity in about 2-3 years. The lifespan of a white-naped crane is 45 years.
- Daily Rhythm
Activity
Diurnal
Daytime: Forage, move, and rest in groups
Night: Rest near water or open areas
👉 At night, they choose places with good visibility to avoid predators.
- Diet (What they eat)
Omnivorous (predominantly plant-based)
Plant roots and rhizomes
Grass shoots
Cereal crops (rice and wheat)
Insects
Earthworms
Small fish and amphibians
👉 They are characterized by their flexible diet, changing depending on the season and location.
- Foraging Behavior
Slow walking while pecking the ground with their beak
Stretching their neck to explore shallow waters
Often foraging simultaneously in groups
👉 Prioritizing safety over efficiency.
- Social Structure (Flocks and Families)
Basic Structure
Wintering Season: Large Flocks
Breeding Season: Pair-bonded Units
Pair-bonding Relationships
Monogamy
Very Strong Bonds
Typically Breed with the Same Partner Year After Year
👉 They have the strongest family bond among cranes.
- Breeding Habits
Breeding Season
Spring to Summer
Nest Building
Simple nests on the ground in marshes
Made from collected grasses and reeds
Egg Laying
Around 2 eggs
Both parents incubate (about 30 days)
Brooding
Chicks can walk immediately after hatching (precocial)
Strong parental protection
It takes about 2-3 months for them to be able to fly
👉 Often, only one chick reaches adulthood.
- Young Bird Growth and Family Behavior
Young birds migrate with their parents
Sometimes stay with their parents until the following year
Even within the flock, they behave as family units
👉 They have a long learning period for social skills.
- Migratory Biology (Very Important)
Long-distance migratory birds travel thousands of kilometers.
Fly in V formation.
Use wetlands and rivers as stopovers along the way.
👉 The entire migratory route is directly related to survival.
Do they have any natural enemies?
White-naped cranes have no significant natural enemies.
About White-naped Crane Chicks
This article provides a comprehensive overview of White-naped Crane chicks, from birth to growth, behavior, and relationship with their parents.
- Birth
Breeding Season: Spring to Early Summer
Nest: A simple nest made of grass gathered on the marshland ground
Number of Eggs: Approximately 2
Incubation Period: Approximately 30 days
Chicks immediately after hatching
Yellow-brown to brown down covering the entire body
Eyes are open
Able to walk immediately after hatching (precocial)
👉 A bird that can move independently from the moment it is born.
- Appearance (Chick-like Characteristics)
Fluffy down
Small body but very long legs
Lacks the white neck or red head of adult birds
Overall dull coloring (protective coloration)
👉 Camouflage coloring that blends in with the marshland
- Behavior and Personality
Behavior
Follow closely behind their parents
Imitate foraging near water or grasslands
Crouch and stay still when in danger
Personality
Curious but cautious
Acts in family units rather than in groups
👉 Learns by observing their parents’ behavior
- Relationship with Parents (Very Important)
Both parents always provide protection
When predators approach
Parents will threaten them
Chicks hide
Food
Eat what their parents dig up
(No regurgitation)
👉 Characterized by strong family behavior
- Growth Process
A few weeks after birth
Movement distance increases
Increased food variety
2-3 months after birth
Rapid physical growth
Full feather growth
Able to fly
After six months of age
Appears to be a juvenile
First migration with parents
- Characteristics of sibling relationships
Even if two chicks hatch,
Often only one chick survives
This is due to food shortages and differences in physical strength
👉 Survival strategies in harsh natural environments
- Natural Enemies and Hazards
Natural predators
Foxes
Hawks and eagles
Anthropogenic hazards
Wetland decline
Human access and disturbance
Livestock and agricultural machinery
👉 The chick stage has the highest mortality rate.
Are White-naped Cranes Endangered?
White-naped cranes are designated as an endangered species (Red List). They are also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and international trade is strictly restricted. In Russia and China, where they breed, their habitats have become dry due to development and destruction, making them unable to adapt to the environment. In addition, they have been killed in accidents caused by power lines and have been over-hunted due to poaching, causing their population to plummet. In Japan, the Ministry of the Environment designated the Izumi Plain in Kagoshima Prefecture, where White-naped Cranes live, as a Special Natural Monument of Japan in 1952, and as a national nature reserve as the Izumi-Takao Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987.
🦩 International Assessment (IUCN Red List)
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List Assessment:
Vulnerable (VU)
→ This species is rated as being at “high risk of extinction in the future.”
👉 This assessment is based on the estimated global population of only a few thousand birds, which is declining.
🏞 Japan’s Assessment
The Ministry of the Environment’s Red List also lists this species as “Vulnerable (VU).”
This assessment reflects the limited population and habitat within Japan.
📉 Reasons for Decline (Why is it Endangered?)
The following are cited as the main causes:
✔ Habitat loss
Habitat loss due to development and reclamation of wetlands and grasslands
Drying of wetlands due to climate change, etc.
➡ It has been reported that nesting and feeding sites for White-naped Cranes are decreasing.
✔ Small Population
The global population is estimated at only a few thousand birds (approximately 7,000 to 1,000),
and its distribution is limited.
✔ Other Threats
Collisions with power lines, etc.
Anthropogenic impacts such as poaching
➡ Continued declines in areas where habitat conservation is insufficient.
🛡 Protection Measures and Legal Status
Listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
→ International trade is strictly restricted.
Law for the Conservation of Species (Japan)
→ Protected as an internationally endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties (Japan)
→ Cranes and their migration habitats are designated as special natural monuments.
These measures aim to curb population declines and promote recovery.
Can White-naped Cranes be kept as pets?
White-naped Cranes are migratory birds and tend not to settle, so it is extremely difficult to keep them as pets. As they are endangered, international trade is strictly restricted, making them difficult to obtain. At the zoo, you can see Hooded Cranes, Japanese Cranes, and Sandhill Cranes, so try visiting the site map on the website.
- Is it legal to keep them as pets?
🇯🇵 In Japan
Keeping them as pets is prohibited in principle.
White-naped cranes fall under the following categories:
Ministry of the Environment Red List: Endangered
Species Conservation Act
→ “Internationally Endangered Species”
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I
Special Natural Monument (Cranes, Migratory Area)
👉
✔ Capture, breeding, transfer, and sale are generally illegal.
✔ Exceptions are only made to facilities with strict government approval, such as
Zoos
Research Institutes
Protection and Breeding Programs
- Even if there were no laws, keeping them as pets would be nearly impossible.
① Extremely wild nature
Not tame
Highly wary
Extremely sensitive to stress
👉 A domestic environment will definitely damage their physical and mental health.
② Their range of activity is too wide.
They normally roam in wetlands, rice paddies, and vast grasslands.
They are migratory birds that fly long distances.
👉 Cages, gardens, and private facilities cannot satisfy their behavioral needs.
③ Their social and pair-bonding habits are unique.
Monogamy.
Strong pair bonds.
They live in family units.
👉 Being kept alone causes severe stress.
④ Diet and environmental management are too difficult.
In the wild, they forage for their own food.
Rhizomes.
Small animals.
Seasonal plants.
Artificial diets alone are insufficient.
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