Captured on video: Crazy crane tries to break through patio door
The author recounts a bizarre incident involving a sandhill crane repeatedly attacking their patio door while working from home. Initially mistaking the noise for a small bird, the author quickly realized it was a full-grown sandhill crane violently striking the glass with its beak and body. The crane’s persistent assault, lasting approximately 15 minutes, resulted in scratches on the door, broken wind chimes, and a mess of bird droppings smeared on the window.
The author expresses a mixture of alarm and disbelief during the encounter, describing vivid thoughts of the bird potentially breaking through the glass and engaging in a physical confrontation. Despite attempts to scare the bird away by yelling and knocking on the window, the crane remained undeterred, seemingly oblivious to the author’s presence. The incident was documented via video due to its unusual and dramatic nature.
Sandhill cranes are a common sight in the author's area, and a mated pair, along with their chick, lives near their home. The author and neighbors are familiar with the cranes' behavior, including their tendency to approach humans who offer food to smaller birds. The imposing size of their beaks typically encourages a cautious distance.
Seeking an explanation for the crane’s aggressive behavior, the author contacted Karen Cleveland, a wildlife biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. Cleveland attributed the behavior to reproductive instincts common among birds during this time of year. She explained that the crane likely perceived its reflection in the patio door as either a potential mate or an intruder challenging its territory. Cleveland suggested that the behavior would likely cease as the breeding season concludes or could be mitigated by blocking or disrupting the reflection.
Validating the biologist’s insights, the author concluded that the male crane was attempting to assert dominance over a perceived rival, its own reflection, in an effort to secure its territory for its family. The crane returned the following day for another session of banging and flapping before eventually leaving and reappearing with its mate and chick nearby. The author ultimately forgives the crane, interpreting its actions as a paternal effort to ensure the safety of its family. The article concludes with the author's personal reflection on the event, framing it as a humorous and memorable experience.
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