Cries of Courtship - Red-crowned Cranes

The red-crowned crane has a very special place in Japanese folklore as a symbol of long life and happiness. It has for thousands of years been portrayed in sculpture, crafts and especially painting. The charisma of the crane is not surprising in view of its size, elegant form and clear, contrasting colours -- white, black and red. The other reason for its special place is the fact that the cranes mate for life.

The appearance of the crane and its pair bonding behaviour combine to produce a visual spectacle almost unsurpassed in the natural world. There is an elaborate ritual of courtship gestures and cries which appeals to the same part of the human soul as classical ballet.

In Japan, these cranes were near extinction when, 40 years ago, a farmer in a northern village took pity on them during a particularly harsh winter and fed them from his own meager stock of corn. After some time, he won the confidence of the cranes. Now the population has increased and the cranes reward the farmer, the village and its visitors with their magnificent dancing display.