The Red-Crowned Crane, Grus japonensis, is a regal and elegant bird. This crane has several amazing behaviors; one is their vocalization. A mated pair will engage in unison calling. This is a complex and extended series of coordinated calls. As you can see these cranes stand in a specific posture, usually with their heads back and beaks skyward during the display. The male always lifts up his wings over his back during the unison call while the female keeps her wings folded at her sides. Male Red-Crowned Cranes initiate the display and the female utters two calls for each male call.

Hokkaido, Japan

* 2007 National Wildlife Federation Finialist Image *