Hills and Skies

Jump! Dance!

A Million Cranes come to rest and feed, preparing for the next leg of the migration journey.  Along with these essential activities, another important event is taking place.  This stay in the Platte Valley acts as a giant mixer where numerous birds interact.  The juvenile cranes from the previous year will soon separate from their parents and begin to engage with one another, likely choosing a mate.

This interaction takes the form of Dancing.  The cranes jump into the air, posture, toss corn cobs, and call out to one another. Following these activities is one of the most fascinating aspects of this wondrous time along the Platte River.