Wildlife Wednesday – The Sandhill Crane

Happy Wildlife Wednesday from your Ohio Division of Wildlife! Look up in the air for today’s spotlight – the sandhill crane.
The sandhill crane is among the oldest living species of birds, dating back 2.5 million years. Today, it is an endangered species in Ohio.
Perhaps the most unique characteristic of the sandhill crane is its tendency to dance. Although an integral part of their courtship, they can be seen dancing any time of the year. The dance of the sandhill crane includes many quick steps around each other, wings half spread with an occasional leap into the air up to eight feet off the ground. Part of this ceremony includes bowing toward one another. Outside of its occurrence during courtship in the spring, researchers are unclear as to why this behavior continues throughout the year.
Information courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources