Communal Wintering of a Sandhill Crane with Japanese Cranes in Hokkaido, Japan

• Published in: The Wilson bulletin (Wilson Ornithological Society) Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 250 - 260
• Main Author: Hiroyuki Masatomi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wilson Ornithological Society 01-09-1972
• Subjects: Aerial locomotion; Animal wings; Birds; Birds of prey; Colors; Corn; Food; Legs; Parents; Waterfowl
• ISSN: 0043-5643; 2162-5204

A young-of-the-year Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis probably canadensis) wintered with a "family" of Japanese Cranes (G. japonensis) consisting of a pair and two young, near Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. The group formed part of a wintering flock of the latter species. This is the second record of this species for Japan, the first for Hokkaido. The Sandhill and it's associated "family" of Japanese Cranes changed their feeding range twice or more during the winter, and correspondingly changed their roosting sites. In the spring, when the family broke down, the Sandhill associated with the two young. At times it danced lightly with them. Some behavioral associations between the family and the Sandhill or its relationship with others in the flock are given and discussed briefly. The attitude of the "family" and other cranes was generally indifferent to it. Therefore, the formation and maintenance of this association depended on the Sandhill's positive attachment to the "family" and the general tolerance of G. japonensis to smaller birds. But the actual process of attachment and time of arrival were not known.