What is the National Bird of China? Know the Name

China is a country full of natural beauty, rich traditions and many amazing animals. One bird, in particular, holds a very special place in Chinese culture. It is known for its grace, beauty and the deep meanings it carries in art, stories and history. This bird is also respected as a symbol of peace, good luck and long life in China. Let’s learn more about it.

National Bird of China

The Red-Crowned Crane is the national bird of China. It is a tall, beautiful bird with a red spot on its head. This crane is known for its graceful dance, long life and is a symbol of peace and luck in Chinese culture. It lives in East Asia and is now an endangered species.

Where is it Found?

This crane is mostly found in East Asia. Some groups live in Japan all year, while others move between northern China, Russia, Mongolia and South Korea during different seasons. A few can also be seen in rural parts of Pakistan.

Why is it Called Red-Crowned?

The bird is called Red-Crowned because it has bright red skin on the top of its head, known as the crown. This red crown becomes even brighter during the mating season.

What Does It Look Like?

The Red Crowned Crane is a very tall bird:

• Height: 152-160 cm
• Body Length: 100-150 cm
• Wingspan: 220-250 cm
• Weight: 4.8-10.5 kg

Its body is white, the wings are mostly black, and the male has black cheeks, throat and neck, while females have gray in those areas. It has dark brown eyes, greyish black legs and an olive green beak.

Special Features

• It is one of the tallest crane species in the world.
• It is also one of the heaviest cranes, though others like the sarus and wattled cranes may grow taller.
• The crane is known for its graceful dancing, which helps in pair bonding.

Interesting Facts About Red-Crowned Crane

• The Red-Crowned Crane is a symbol of long life and immorality in Chinese Taoism.
• In the early 1900s, they were used for fashion in Japan.
• They sing to attract their partners and are known for their unique voice.
• Only around 2,000 of them live in the wild, and they are now endangered due to loss of habitat.
• They are often shown in Chinese stories, paintings and folklore.

Why was it Chosen as the National Bird of China?

In 2003, the government asked people to vote for a national bird. A large number of people chose the Red-Crowned Crane over other birds like the sparrow. Around 5 million people voted, and about 65% chose the crane.

After checking everything carefully, the Chinese government finally made the Red-Crowned Crane the official national bird in 2004.