Outdoor Ontario
Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Dinusaur on March 28, 2021, 02:52:55 PM
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The mating dance of Sandhill Cranes is a spectacular event to watch. I happened to witness one yesterday; however, the way the event unfolded it forced me to think that yesterday's display was all about threatening posture towards me than a mating dance. Here's how the story went - read on.
On my way to Long Point I saw a pair of Sandhill Crane in a field by the side of a road; there were no other cranes around. I stopped by to take a photo or two. As I came out of my car, one of the cranes, presumably the male, turned towards me and started flashing its wings jumping up and down as if it was waiting for the photographer to arrive before starting the 'mating' dance. The crane even uprooted remnant of previous crop (second photo) and threw it up in the air (last photo). This sudden start of its dance led me to believe that this was part of a threat posture rather than mating dance; the crane didn't like my presence albeit the distance of 30 meters or so. Anyway, it was very entertaining to watch. Eventually the pair walked away further into the field. Port Rowan, Ontario. March 27, 2021.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51078791423_3d4cbc9089_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kPEa8D)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51010294250_bac7b5e8a1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHB6iU)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51078792588_27c7ed4e09_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kPEatJ)
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Love the last pic the most!! What a fantastic story.
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Very interesting behavior!
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They lek...so this was likely 2 fellas doing their thing...were they vocal?
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Very cool capture regardless....I don't see them often but when I do it's always a thrill.