Our long dark legs make us tower
over many of our feathered cousins. With our long necks and beautiful red crown,
we are elegantly tall, just like models. When we choose to puff up our fine
feathers, we become beautiful ballerinas.
Once we find a potential partner,
our mating dance begins. We stretch out our wings, leap several times into the
air and then bow to each other. Numerous repetitions of these actions make an
elaborate ritual consistent with our refined nature. Sandhill cranes are
monogamous and we mate for life. In the folklore of many cultures, we represent
a happy marriage and since we live longer than most birds, we are also a symbol
of longevity. Our elegant posture and stance have been imitated in some martial
arts and modern dance moves.
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