Each day on their wintering grounds, the youngsters of the Class of 2014 learn important life skills as they fly, forage, dance and play. The most playful is #8-14, who entertains her cheery self by dancing—all the time! Cranes dance to communicate, express emotion, reinforce pair bonds, and just to have fun. Crane monitor Beverly Paulan says #8 dances to greet the day and to say good night. She dances in the pen and out, alone and with others. No wonder this joyful young crane has been dubbed “Tiny Dancer.” See #8-14 dance with her partners in play—first with a shell and next with a feather:

• Whooping Cranes in February