I have a wildlife zoo-Chapter 592 : The Immortal Aura of the Red-Crowned Crane

"True to being a red-crowned crane! So beautiful."

"This beauty could definitely compete with the green peafowl!"

"We have so many rare and mystical animals in China, all with an ethereal quality."

"I once saw a red-crowned crane flying in a reserve, it was really shocking!"

Fang Ye chanted leisurely, "Bow its head as if fearing the cinnabar might fall, spread its wings as if suspecting the white snow might disappear, these are verses Bai Juyi wrote in praise of the red-crowned crane. Its body soars above the water's edge, indifferent and graceful; among birds, none but the red-crowned crane is a gentleman."

"The director is really cultured! If it were me, all I could say would be 'beautiful' / 'laughing till I cry'"

"I'm different, I would say it's really beautiful!"

Fang Ye smiled and began to explain, "There is a saying that cranes have three lengths, a long neck, long legs, and a long beak.

Plus its pure white plumage like snow, and a graceful figure, it gives off an air of immortal Taoist charm.

It's not difficult to understand why the ancients loved them so much, leaving behind traces of cranes in many poems and pieces of art, and many stories are connected with immortals."

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There is a story in "Sequel to Search for the Gods," written by Tao Yuanming,

about a man named Ding Lingwei who studied the Dao on Lingxu Mountain for over a thousand years and wanted to go home to have a look. He transformed into a beautiful red-crowned crane and flew down the mountain, landing on the ornamental column at the city gate of his hometown.

Looking around, he found that there were no people he knew anymore.

At that moment, a child with a slingshot prepared to shoot him, and the immortal crane took off, singing, 'There's a bird, there's a bird, Ding Lingwei, away from home for a thousand years, only now to return. The city walls remain, but the people do not, why not study immortality amid these numerous graves?' and then he flew away.

Can you see how the ancients yearned for seeking immortality and Dao, a carefree detachment, and a healthy long life?

No matter how long a common person lives, after a hundred years, they're just a pile of bones in a grave; but practicing Dao and seeking immortality could transcend the mundane society and find leisure and freedom between heaven and earth.

Red-crowned cranes also live a long time, able to live to 60-80 years, much longer than typical birds, almost as long as humans.

So this kind of sentimental longing for immortals and longevity is entrusted to birds like the red-crowned crane, with their ethereal quality and long lives, calling them 'immortal cranes.' It is said that when they ascend to immortality, they ride upon red-crowned cranes.

Beyond that, the call of the red-crowned crane is very pleasant! When they fly across the sky, their loud crane calls reverberate through the land. Sometimes people don't see the immortal cranes but can hear their calls.

Heming Mountain in Sichuan is named for the crane calls left behind by the immortal cranes' flights, and it's also the legendary place where Zhang Daoling, the founder of Taoism, practiced until he became an immortal. So the crane and Taoism share a profound connection."

Netizens listened to Fang Ye's stories and admired the beautiful red-crowned cranes, feeling something marvelous.

It seemed as if they resonated with the ancients from a thousand years ago, sharing their emotions at seeing a crane fly over the mountains and their exhilarating cries.

Fang Ye cleared his throat, then made a crooning sound, "Doo-loo-loo-loo-loo-loo~~"

The red-crowned crane, its neck bent, was staring at the water as if looking in a mirror, seeming to indulge in its own reflection.

Hearing Fang Ye's call, it immediately stepped forward, raised its head, stretched its neck, and let out a proud and resounding call, "Oh~ oh-oh~"

"Oh~ oh~"

Soon after, a melodious and rhythmic crane call followed, echoing in response!

The cry of the red-crowned crane has a metallic musical quality.

"Wow, the red-crowned crane's call is so nice to listen to!"

"This call really is quite resounding!"

"Haha, the director's imitation is too funny!"

Fang Ye laughed and said, "That's just how red-crowned cranes are. If one calls out, the others will start calling as well.

Their calls are loud and related to their unique vocal organs. With long necks, the trachea is also long, about one meter. The end is curled into a ring, just like a brass instrument, producing a strong resonance when they sound."

After the red-crowned crane called, it lowered its head and gently pecked at the water.

Then it spread its wings slightly, letting the breeze rustle through its feathers and turned its head to preen.

As its head turned, the bright red crown appeared as if it had a beautiful ruby inlaid on top or as if it was heavily rouged, strikingly conspicuous.

A netizen couldn't help but ask, "Director, what's the relationship between the red color on the red-crowned crane's head and vermilion? Is it poisonous?"

"Right, every time I watch palace dramas, I'm curious about this!"

Fang Ye explained, "The red color on the red-crowned crane's head is indeed beautiful, but vermilion has nothing to do with red-crowned cranes!

There is a type of stone called arsenolite, a natural mineral of arsenic trioxide that appears red due to sulfur content, and when processed, it becomes arsenic. Ancient people liked to use metonyms, so vermilion was actually just a secretive term they used for the poison arsenic."

"The mystery that puzzled me for years has been solved!"

"I always thought it really was extracted from the head of a red-crowned crane! What a waste of the crane."

Fang Ye said, "Let me share a fun fact with everyone. The red color on the red-crowned crane's head is actually not the red of feathers, but the red of the skin! In other words, the red-crowned crane is actually bald!"

Red-crowned Crane: ?????

Is someone talking behind my back?

Lan Li zoomed in with the camera for a closer look, making it much clearer.

The neck of the red-crowned crane is black, and the back of the head is white, intertwined like the Yin-Yang Tai Chi Diagram.

The redbrown area on top of the head is noticeably lower than the surrounding area, covered in tiny bumps.

"Oh my, it's so bumpy it's making my skin crawl!"

"Shocked! Director, you've ruined the beautiful image of the red-crowned crane in my heart; I can't look at them the same way ever again!"

"Wuwuwu, I don't care, a fairy is a fairy! Even if they're bald, they're still fairies!"

"Ah, what's the big deal, it's just like having a bayberry on the head!"

"Damn it, I'm actually eating bayberries!! Why did you have to show me that now!"

Fang Ye laughed, "Actually, you'll get used to it. The color combination is still quite pretty!

The red crown of the red-crowned crane isn't there from birth. As chicks, they look just like ordinary little chickens with fluffy yellow-brown down all over, including on their heads.

After about two or three months, they start to shed their down, which is also the path of the strong.

Without a pretty red crown, it's hard to find a mate.

Then the feathers on their head fall out one by one, and by about 3 years old, the head is almost completely bald, revealing a redbrown color. By the age of 4, the feathers on the head are completely gone, and then they're ready for romance.

The red color on the head of a red-crowned crane is controlled by hormonal influences.

During the breeding season in spring, the red area is larger and the color more vibrant. Mood and health also affect the intensity of the red color on their heads! When sick, the red crown dulls. After a red-crowned crane dies, the red color gradually fades away."

"How fascinating!"