After years of expert analysis and public internet polls, the Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis), whose snow white body has only a patch of red skin on its head, has won out as the only appropriate candidate for China's national bird.
The Red-crowned Crane, listed as Class I State Protected Wildlife Animal in China, that Chinese used to connect with beautiful myth and represents longevity in greetings, won an overwhelming 64.92% of the vote held on more than twenty websites across China from May to June 2004 attracting around 5 million netizens.
The selection conducted by the State Forestry Administration and China Wildlife Protection Association, was launched in 2003. Now State Forestry Administration has now submitted the results to the State Council for final approval. Link Photo
Update: The bird's other English name--Japanese crane-- sparks anti-Japanese sentiments among Chinese netizens.
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