Dancing Sandhill Cranes Of Bosque del Apache, New Mexico

I recently returned from a photo shoot to Bosque del Apache and was in awe at the abundance of Sandhill Cranes.

Having never seen them in Ohio (one of the many species on my state’s endangered list), I was truly amazed by this wading bird’s courtship dance.

The Sandhill Crane‘s dance includes jumping up to eight feet in the air, bowing to one another, wings spread outward or inward, and dance-like steps around each other.

Their dancing is an important part of their mating ritual during the spring, but they can be seen any time of year performing this graceful dance.

Sandhill Cranes are a monogamous bird having one brood a year with an average clutch size of two eggs. Breeding typically occurs during the months of April and May, with hatchlings approximately one month later. They are dependent on wetlands and typically roost in moist bottomlands or shallow water. During their breeding season they prefer to nest in large areas of bogs, shallow marshes, or wet meadows.

In North America there are six subspecies of Sandhill Cranes, three of which are migratory. Although Sandhill Cranes/subspecies have made a remarkable comeback since the first European settlers arrived, in some states the population is declining and has become a concern, or are on the threatened or endangered list. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects the Sandhill Crane and subspecies yet, unless prohibited by regulations, gives each state the authority to legalize hunting with proper permits. Last amended in 1998, the MBTA made it illegal to huntmigratory game birds with the aid of bait.Many states have legalized, or are proposing, the hunting of these beautiful wading birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains that the Sandhill Crane has reached high enough population numbers that, if hunted,won’t cause a dramatic decrease in the population.

Also of a concern, is the loss of habitat for the Sandhill Crane – bogs, savannah, wetlands, marshes, grasslands, etc. – as well as encroaching human population. If you would like to help restore or conserve their habitat you can make donations to your state’s Endangered Species or Wildlife Diversity funds. In Ohio, our state income tax form has a special checkoff program which allows you to donate a very small amount of your refund to theEndangered Species Special Account.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Important Information for Waterfowl and Sandhill Crane Hunters

Ohio Division of Wildlife – Life History Notes – Sandhill Crane

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Sharon Norman

Adventure seeking traveler; wildlife, landscape, waterscape, macro, portrait and pet photographer

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