redcrowned

Redcrowned, sometimes written red-crowned or red crown, is an English descriptive term used for animals or objects that feature a red crown or cap on the head. In zoological common names, “red-crowned” signals this marking. Hyphenation is common, though some sources use “redcrowned” as a single word.

The best-known example is the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), also called the Japanese crane. This large East Asian crane breeds in parts of Russia’s Far East, northern China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula, and winters south of the region. It bears a distinctive red patch on its crown. The species is endangered in parts of its range due to habitat loss and water management, and conservation efforts exist in several countries. In Japanese and Korean culture, the crane is a symbol of longevity and good fortune.

Another widely recognized red-crowned species is the red-crowned parrot (Amazona viridigenalis), or red-crowned Amazon, native to Mexico and northern Central America. It has a red crown and forehead and has been introduced elsewhere; it faces threats from habitat loss and the pet trade and is listed under various conservation statuses in its native range.

The term can describe other species and objects with red crown markings. Because common names are inconsistent and not standardized across languages, scientists typically rely on scientific names to identify taxa precisely.