It's Cranemania around here!

[mobirdhunter]

That is so cool, Greg. Keep us updated on your boarders.

[Steve Hodges]

This is so interesting. Do you ever see the young one that has been kicked out of the family group again? If not, I wonder if the fly off in search of a mate?

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hodges

This is so interesting. Do you ever see the young one that has been kicked out of the family group again? If not, I wonder if the fly off in search of a mate?

The paired adult birds allowed last year’s young one to hang around for ~2 weeks after they migrated back together this Spring. But, once the adults were on the nest, that was it for Junior; we haven’t seen him since. You’re probably wondering correctly in that he’s out playing the field in search of his soulmate.

[Big D]

Are they sexually mature at one year of age? Canada Geese aren't

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by John Dallas

Are they sexually mature at one year of age? Canada Geese aren't

No.

According to the AI website ChatGPT:
"Sandhill Cranes typically reach sexual maturity at around two to seven years of age, with most individuals reaching maturity around two to three years old. However, they may not breed until they are older, usually when they are three to seven years old. Breeding readiness can also be influenced by factors such as habitat quality and population density."

The below pic was taken just moments ago:

[Wild Skies]

In just the past 13 days you can see the baby Sandhills are growing and have been well taken care of by their parents. Worms, night crawlers, grubs, baby grass snakes and a little whole kernal corn have been on the menu.

[mobirdhunter]

Nice!! I wish we had some to thin out our locust infestation.

[Wild Skies]

There’s been a steady rain for most of the day, the birds are drenched, but the show goes on . . .

[Wild Skies]

The adult pair of Sandhills have done a great job of nurturing their young colts and keeping them safe from the predators lurking in their world. The youngins are now about 3 1/2 months old, mostly feathered out and are nearing full size -- although one is about an inch or two taller than the other. In this pic they've been nibbling on some whole kernal corn, but their main diet that we've observed contains more protein such as grubs, worms, nightcrawlers, small snakes, insects and small animals like chipmunks, voles, mice and an occasional baby bunny rabbit.

[Wild Skies]

Our nesting pair of Sandhills have successfully brought their two offspring through this year's nesting season despite all the challenges, trials and tribulations lurking in their world throughout the Spring and Summer. As we have witnessed through the years, if they're lucky, one or maybe two colts, have about a 50:50 chance of survival and the opportunity of migrating South with their parents for the Winter. We also know that about mid-September is typically when the birds are looking to leave for their staging grounds and join up with hundreds of other Sandhills before migrating on to their big journey South to their Wintering grounds. We look forward to the return of the adult mated pair in the Spring and also for the young birds to return to strike it out on their own.

As you can see, their coloration has changed over the summer. The 1st pic below taken in mid-June they were a brownish fawn color. While the last pics, taken in mid-September they are now grayish silver color.