Red-crowned Crane

Hello! I'm a Red-crowned Crane. You can always tell it's me by my snow-white feathers and my long, skinny legs, which are just perfect for wading in the water. The best part is the bright red patch on my head that looks like a little crown. I hatched from a speckled egg in a cozy nest my parents built from reeds. My first home was right in the middle of a big, beautiful wetland in a place called Hokkaido, Japan.

My mom and dad stay together forever, and they taught me everything I needed to know. We spent our days together looking for yummy things to eat. I loved searching for little fish, crunchy insects, and tasty wetland plants. The most exciting thing they taught me was how to dance! We cranes are famous for our dancing. We leap into the air, stretch our big wings wide, bow to each other, and sing out with loud, happy calls. We dance to find our lifelong partner, but sometimes we dance just because we feel joyful!

When winter comes to Hokkaido, everything gets covered in a thick blanket of white snow. All that snow can make it tricky to find food. A long time ago, around the year 1952, my ancestors were having a very hard time finding enough to eat. But then, some very kind people noticed they were hungry. These people started leaving out corn for the cranes to eat during the cold months. Because of their help, our families were able to survive the winter and grow strong.

Today, my family is still here, and people in Japan say that seeing me is a sign of good luck and a long, happy life. I am more than just a symbol, though. By living in the wetlands, I help keep them healthy for all the other animals that call this place home. I hope people will always protect our beautiful homes so we can keep on dancing for many, many years to come.