Do Sandhill Cranes Mate For Life?

Sandhill cranes are fascinating birds known for their long migrations and long-term pair bonding. Many sandhill cranes mate for life, but there are a few exceptions. Plus, not all pairings are truly monogamous.

Pairs of sandhill cranes are considered socially monogamous, meaning that paired birds form long-term bonds and share the responsibility of caring for their young. Occasionally, mating and egg fertilization outside the mating pair will occur.

Most pair formations last until the loss of a mate. Divorce does occur in pairs, however, with loss of nests or inability to reproduce. Breeding seems to strengthen pair bonds, which makes evolutionary sense. Crane would rather stay with a mate who produces strong, successful foals.

Throughout this article, we will discuss sandhill crane mating and pair formation in more detail. Read on to discover more!

Sandhill cranes are classified as monogamous and form long-term bonds with mates

Why do sandhill cranes mate for life?

The Sandhill Crane may be a lifelong mate to ensure success for generations to come. Crane foals run around for a few hours after hatching, following their parents to forage. They also live with their parents for 9 to 10 months and join their fall migration.

Both parents are united in providing a greater safety net for their children. Newly hatched foals are prone to running around outside the nest.

In addition, since they have been in a family unit for a long time, it is easier for both parents to share the responsibility of caring and protecting the children.

Breeding a Pair of Sandhill Cranes

How Do Sandhill Cranes Attract Mates?

Sandhill crane pairing usually occurs during spring migration. Males perform courtship dances to attract the attention of females. Once bonded into a pair, separation is unlikely unless one of the mates dies.

We discuss courtship and pairing in more detail below.

courtship behavior

As mentioned earlier, males perform courtship dances to attract females’ attention. Eight courtship displays occurred between potential or bonding pairs. Three of these displays occurred only between pairs of adults, including non-aggressive calling, tolling, and copulation. These help strengthen pair bonds and ensure reproduction.

The other five shows were performed by all sandhill cranes, paired or not. Three of them are for attention. They include horizontal head pumps, vertical throws, and vertical wing extensions. Males typically use wing extension to attract females’ attention, while both females use horizontal head pressure. Vertical throwing is thought to precede courtship dances.

Dances make up the last two courtship performances. It includes bow and vertical jump. Once the male has attracted the female’s attention, both partners begin a courtship dance. It’s worth noting, however, that dancing also occurs outside of courtship. Sandhill cranes dance year-round, sometimes joining whole flocks.

Sandhill cranes performing courtship dance

to form

Sandhill Cranes form pairs as early as 2 to 3 years of age. However, most cranes do not mate and begin serial nesting until they are 5 or 6 years old. By 8 years of age, almost all birds will pair.

A bonded pair usually stays together for life. Adult sandhill cranes rarely separate unless the nest is lost or breeding is unsuccessful. Most pairs remain together after losing a nest.

Juvenile Sandhill Cranes (before age 5 or 6), which begin to engage in courtship behavior and nesting, will occasionally separate and search for new partners. However, separation for no apparent reason is extremely rare in mature adults.

Sandhill cranes display and dance in pairs

How many times do sandhill cranes mate a year?

Sandhill Cranes mate and produce a clutch only once a year. If the first brood is unsuccessful, and it’s still early in the breeding season, a pair will re-nest and try to raise another brood.

Due to time constraints, Sandhill Cranes does not produce more than one successful clutch in a year. Crane foals stay with their parents for 9 to 10 months and then follow them to their winter migration sites.

Family of Sandhill Cranes, Chick Caught Between Parents

What Happens When a Sandhill Crane’s Mate Dies?

When a sandhill crane mate dies, the surviving cranes seek out new mates. If the loss occurs early enough in the breeding season, cranes may form new pairs and breed in the same season. If the loss occurs later in the year, surviving mates may not pair again until spring migration — when most new pairs are formed.

Do sandhill cranes grieve the loss of a mate?

Little is known about whether sandhill cranes mourn the loss of a mate. However, it is not impossible for them to mourn. Studies have shown that mates mourn and perform rituals when they lose their cubs. We also know that other bird species, including other species of cranes, mourn the death of a mate.

A pair of sandhill cranes mating in a nest

Do female sandhill cranes mate with each other?

Female Sandhill Cranes do not mate with each other or form pair bonds. However, two females may engage in courtship displays with each other, perhaps in preparation for finding a mate. More research needs to be done in this area.