Occurrence of Hooded Cranes Grus monacha in Akita Pref. Northern Honshu, Japan

Abstract

1) Hooded Cranes (Grus monacha Temminck) were observed in the vicinity of the Hachiro-gata and in Wakimoto, Oga city, Akita Pref. during December 1980 to February 1981. 2) A flock of six birds was first found on rice field of Wakami-machi, 19 December 1980. Two were seen at Hachirogata-machi, 13 January, two at Hitoichi, 17 January, four birds at Wakimoto, 30 January, and four at Wakami-machi, 30 January 1981 (Tables 1 and 2). We also saw a solitary bird in rice fields of Wakami-machi during 4 to 25 February 1981. 3) Its feces collected from rice field (by Mr. K. Tanba and Mr. T. Nishide) and analysed by Dr. T. Naito (Botanical Garden of Tohoku University, Sendai) contained many fragments and seeds of rice plant (Oryza sativa).