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Which bird do you think is dominant? Why do the cranes behave like this? The group is setting up a "linear" pecking order. The most dominant bird can peck (bother) any bird in the group and never receives a peck from others in the group. The most submissive bird never pecks another bird, but can receive pecks from all others in the group. Usually, the birds don't go out of their way to attack. When a group has an established pecking order (by 50 to 100 days of age), it doesn't usually change. Each bird knows its place! Think: How do you think this instinctive behavior helps whoopers survive? Share your ideas with a partner before clicking ahead.