Dance Like the Cranes! More about crane courtship dances: In early spring, while whooping cranes are still on the wintering grounds, pairs whoop and do a showy dance as part of courtship. A crane wanting to bond or mate with another bird struts around and shows off its beautiful plumage (feathers). It continues to use "body language" to try to get the other bird's attention. It ruffles its feathers, growls, tosses its head, and even stomps its feet! If the other crane is interested, it will mimic (copy) the first crane's movements. Together, they make a sequence of loud calls (whoops!) that lasts for 15 to 40 seconds. (Click here to hear the whoops.) This helps the two birds bond and release tension. Next, as they prepare to mate, they exuberantly leap, bow, bob and weave, flap, run around, and throw sticks in the air. During this dance, a crane can leap six to eight feet in the air! But this isn't all just for show. The dancing actually affects cranes' biology. It stimulates body chemicals called hormones, which get the birds ready to create new life. Journaling Questions Do you think that dancing is a behavior that is learned or instinctive? Explain your thinking. How do you think these types of dance-like movements help cranes of different ages survive? < Back to Dance Like Cranes!   Facebook Pinterest Twitter © 1997 – 2019 Journey North. All rights reserved.