Taipei Zoo

For the first time in four years, Taipei Zoo has successfully bred a Red-crowned Crane chick, which hatched on April 20, 2026. Under the attentive care of its parents, the chick has grown rapidly and has now reached 60 days of age. From a tiny "chick-like" hatchling covered in brownish down just days after hatching, it has developed a long, sturdy neck and legs. Dark brown feathers are now appearing across its back, while white feathers have begun emerging on its belly and wings. As the chick continues to grow, its appearance changes noticeably from week to week. Visitors are invited to meet the young crane. By the time the summer holidays begin, its size and plumage will already look completely different!

Earlier this year (2026), Taipei Zoo discovered that the female Red-crowned Crane, KIKA, and the male, BIG, had laid another egg. After confirming that the egg was fertile, it was transferred to the Zoo's Avian Artificial Incubation Room for incubation. Two days before the expected hatching date, the egg was returned to KIKA so she could complete the incubation herself, and the chick successfully hatched on April 20, 2026. During its first few days, the chick was covered in light brown down resembling dried grass and stayed close to its mother KIKA. Whenever KIKA crouched down to rest, the chick would sometimes climb onto and hide on her back. Meanwhile, the father, BIG, remained highly vigilant. Whenever anyone approached, he would closely monitor the situation, drive intruders away, and call to KIKA as the pair gave loud warning calls together.

Under the devoted care of its parents, the crane chick has been growing at an astonishing rate. By early May, at around three weeks old, its body and neck had already become noticeably longer, while its long legs appeared sturdy and powerful. At nearly one month of age, its beak had also begun to lengthen, giving it the proportions of a miniature version of its parents. By then, it had already grown taller than the adults' legs, although it was still dressed in its brown downy "baby outfit." By late May, however, white down and feathers had begun replacing the fluff on its abdomen, the upper portions of its legs, and the inner wings, while its back had developed deep brown plumage, dramatically changing its appearance. Although the chick is only two months old, it is growing so quickly that every visit offers a chance to see a different look.

As the chick continues to grow, it has become much easier to spot in the exhibit. Visitors may even catch heartwarming moments of the young crane foraging alongside its mother, KIKA. Animal babies grow up faster than you might expect, so if you'd like to see this young crane while it still has its adorable yellowish-brown down, don't wait too long.