Crane releases.
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Many keen eyed visitors will have noticed that there was a major shuffle up of our Crane exhibits this December. After many years of attempted coupling our Red crowned crane (or commonly called Japanese crane) were finally released into the Mrs.Noah's exhibit opposite the otter pool to a great sigh of relief from staff.
This remarkable pair have a large age difference. When they were first introduced to one another 2 years ago he was only 18 months, and she was a ripe old age of 3+. Still clothed in his grey juvenile plumage she took one look at him and promptly turned her back on his every move. Despite her indifference he has worked and worked at their relationship; trying to defend her where possible, bringing her gifts of feathers, clods of earth, and even once a mole! This spring his hormones finally kicked in and he developed his full white and black adult plumage. Best of all, his hormonally charged red scalp has really come on. Lo and behold, suddenly she was interested... For the first time she danced with him, and wow is that something to behold! Although she is still clearly the boss of him, these two are now stable enough for exhibit.
Despite their strengthened bond we were still nervous upon release. These two have never seen the public before and we were uncertain how they would react to random stimuli. Some birds for example are terrified of plastic bags, or push chairs, or vehicles. These two would need to listen to the otter talk on loud speaker every day! Thankfully as the time came, they were released from the box, had one almight shake, and preceeded to strut their stuff through the length of the exhibit, with him in front. Thumbs up indeed!
They are now definitely in the prime of life and at the right age to breed. Fingers crossed that these beautiful birds will give us all a stunning new display this breeding season, from bowing, through dancing, through gifting, breeding, nesting, hatching and rearing :)
