whooping crane
Refers specifically to the North American bird Grus americana. A specialist term; in everyday contexts, it may be explained rather than used directly.
The whooping crane is designated as an endangered species.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
Compound of アメリカ (America) and 白鶴 (しろづる, white crane), literally 'American white crane'. The reading しろづる is a straightforward combination of 白 (しろ) and 鶴 (つる) with rendaku voicing.