The    red-crowned    crane,    also    called    the    Manchurian crane   or   Japanese   crane   is   a   large   East   Asian   crane among   the   rarest   cranes   in   the   world.   It   is   known   as   a symbol of luck, longevity, immortality and fidelity. Adult   red-crowned   cranes   are   named   for   a   patch   of   red bare   skin   on   the   crown,   which   becomes   brighter   during mating season. In   the   spring   and   summer,   the   migratory   populations   of the   red-crowned   crane   breed   in   Siberia,   north-eastern China   and   occasionally   in   north-eastern   Mongolia.   The breeding   range   centres   in   Lake   Khanka,   on   the   border of   China   and   Russia.   Later,   in   the   autumn,   they   migrate in    flocks    to    the    Korean    Peninsula    and    east-central China   to   spend   the   winter.   In   addition   to   the   migratory populations,   a   resident   population   is   found   in   eastern Hokkaidō   in   Japan.   This   species   nests   in   wetlands   and   rivers.   Normally,   the   crane   lays   two   eggs,   with   only   one surviving.   In   the   wintering   range,   their   habitat   is   comprised   mainly   by   paddy   fields,   grassy   tidal   flats,   and mudflats   where   they   feed   on   aquatic   invertebrates   and,   in   cold,   snowy   conditions,   the   birds   switch   to   mainly living on rice gleanings from the paddy fields. A   red-crowned   crane   pair   duets   in   various   situations,   helping   to   establish   formation   and   maintenance   of   the   pair bond,   as   well   as   territorial   advertisement   and   agonistic   signalling.   To   strengthen   the   bond,   red-crowned   cranes engage   in   dual   honking   rituals   before   performing   a   dance.   The   pair   moves   rhythmically   until   they   are   standing close,   throwing   their   heads   back   and   letting   out   a   fluting   call   in   unison,   often   triggering   other   pairs   to   start duetting,   as   well.   As   it   is   occurs   year   around,   the   social   implications   of   dancing   are   complex   in   meaning. However, dancing behaviour is generally thought to show excitement in the species.

ELEGANT CRANES STRATHSPEY (S3x32)  Shun Inagaki  1- 8 All dance ½ Grand Chain, set & turn partners 2H  (3)(2)(1)  9-16 All   dance   Reflection   reels   of   3   (1s   in   &   up   to   start)   ending   with   1s dancing up to face 1 st  corner positions as 2s continue to 3 rd  place 17-24 1s   dance   ½   diagonal   reel   with   1 st    corners   &   pass   RSh   to   face   2 nd   corner   positions,   1s   dance   ½   reel   with   2 nd    corners   &   curve   R   to   1M between 2s, 1L between 3s 25-32 All Set+Link for 3 to (2)(1)(3), all chase clockwise ½ way to 3 1 2