Hooded Crane
Grus monacha
A small, somber-colored crane of expansive agricultural fields and wetlands. Rare outside of its main wintering grounds in southern Japan, western Korea, and eastern China, where it gathers in small family units as well as massive flocks. Adults have dark gray bodies, a white head and neck, and a dark red forehead. Juveniles are similar but have a brown-tinged head and neck and a dark smudge on the forehead instead of a red patch.
Identification
It has a grey body. The top of the neck and head is white, except for a patch of bare red skin above the eye. It is one of the smallest cranes, but is still a fairly large bird, at 1 m (3.3 ft) long, a weight of 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) and a wingspan of 1.87 m (6.1 ft).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Grus monacha
- Authority
- Temminck, 1835
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Gruidae
- Genus
- Grus
Range and habitat
The hooded crane breeds in south-central and south-eastern Siberia. Breeding is also suspected to occur in Mongolia. Over 80% of its population winters at Izumi, southern Japan. There are also wintering grounds in South Korea and China. There are about 100 hooded cranes wintering in Chongming Dongtan, Shanghai every year. Dongtan Nature Reserve is the largest natural wintering site in the world. In December 2011, a hooded crane was seen overwintering at the Hiwassee Refuge in southeastern Tennessee, well outside its normal range. In February 2012, one was seen at Goose Pond in southern Indiana, and is suspected to be the same bird, which may have migrated to North America by following sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis). In March 2020, seven hooded cranes (Grus monacha) were seen in Siargao, Philippines where it was recorded as the first encounter of the species, since then, they are frequently migrating in the country, mainly on the wetlands in the southern regions.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
The estimated population of the species is 11,600 individuals. The major threats to its survival are wetland loss and degradation in its wintering grounds in China and South Korea as a result of reclamation for development and dam building. Conservation activities have been taken since 2008. Local universities, NGOs and communities are working together for a better and safer wintering location.[citation needed]<p>The hooded crane is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix I and II of CITES. A society, Grus monacha International Aid (白头鹤的故事), has been formed to find ways to protect the species.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Curl-crested Manucode
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A large, crow-sized bird of wooded habitats on the southeast islands. Black overall with blue iridescence on the shoulder, and purple on the flight feathers and tail. Note the distinctive, dorsally-flattened tail with folded tips and feathered bulge on the head. The only other manucode in range is Trumpet Manucode, but Curl-crested lacks the loose feathers around the neck. Similar size to Torresian Crow but Curl-crested has a dark eye. Song, a remarkable, descending series of hollow notes given while tilting backwards, then rolling its whole body up and over.
Snow Pigeon
Columba leuconota
Often seen swirling around rock faces and cliffs in high mountain passes, this highland pigeon usually occurs in pairs or medium-sized flocks. Unlike any other pigeon, with a dark gray head, white neck and underparts, and gray wings with broad brown bars towards the tip. Occasionally visits villages and fields, but skittish and generally less approachable than Hill Pigeon and Rock Pigeon.
Purple-breasted Sunbird
Nectarinia purpureiventris
Long, slim medium-sized sunbird. Breeding males show an array of beautiful iridescent colors in good light, and have a very long, thin tail year-round. Females have a dark face and pale throat. Generally uncommon in montane forest along the Albertine Rift. Most distinctive vocalization is a long, dry rattle, which is unlike the calls of most sunbirds. Fairly similar to Bronze Sunbird. Males are separated by their longer tail, and in breeding plumage by their purple tones. Females are separated by their more pointed tail and lack of a pale eyebrow.
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