Sandhill Crane: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Cranes, Flamingos and Herons · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. Paired sandhill cranes call together in a tight duet called unison calling. The female gives two calls for each one from the male.
2. Each year, up to 450,000 lesser sandhill cranes stop over in Nebraska's Platte River Valley on their migration.
3. Sandhill cranes soar like hawks and eagles. Riding thermals, they can stay aloft for many hours with only occasional wing flaps.
4. The oldest certain sandhill crane fossil is 2.5 million years old, far older than the first known fossils of most living bird species.
5. When attacked from the air, sandhill cranes protect themselves and their chicks by leaping up and kicking.

The quiz

1. What do mated sandhill cranes do in "unison calling"?

• Dance in a circle
• Sing a synchronized duet (correct)
• Fly in a V shape
• Bow to each other

Mated pairs call in a synchronized and complex duet.

2. How many lesser sandhill cranes stop in the Platte River Valley each year?

• Up to 450,000 (correct)
• About 4,500
• About 45,000
• Around 4

Up to 450,000 lesser sandhill cranes stop there every year.

3. How do sandhill cranes stay aloft for hours with little effort?

• They flap non-stop
• They follow ships
• They ride thermals (correct)
• They glide down mountains

Using thermals for lift, they stay aloft for hours with only occasional flapping.

4. How old is the oldest unequivocal sandhill crane fossil?

• 250 years
• 25,000 years
• 25 million years
• 2.5 million years (correct)

The oldest unequivocal fossil is 2.5 million years old.

5. How do sandhill cranes defend against aerial predators?

• By jumping and kicking (correct)
• By hiding in reeds
• By screaming at night
• By diving underwater

They leap up and kick to protect themselves and their chicks from attackers in the air.

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