Sandhill Crane Nest Camera
Greater Sandhill Cranes will return to the same general area every year to nest and typically build a nest in the same or similar spot. Nests are simple, mound-like platforms made of marsh plants, grasses and weeds piled on the ground in marshes or wet meadows. Sandhill Cranes in Colorado usually lay two eggs in late April or early May and incubate these eggs for about 30 days. Both crane parents will help in incubating the eggs and caring for the young once they hatch. When the eggs hatch, Sandhill Crane chicks are able to see, are covered in down feathers, and are able to walk within a few hours. After about a day, the chicks will leave the nest with their parents.
Learn more about Sandhill Crane nesting by checking out our Nesting FAQs! Watch our 2021 webinar: Everything You Want to Know About Greater Sandhill Crane Nesting.
Watch the Nest Camera Highlights to see all the excitement in short video clips!
The Crane Nest
In 2021, we watched Sandhill Crane pair Rocky and Athena successfully hatch one egg. In 2022, Rocky and Athena returned to their nesting area but nested just beyond the range of the Nest Camera. So in 2022, we followed a different Sandhill Crane pair, Fred and Wilma, as they successfully hatched one egg and raised that chick for several weeks. In 2023, we again witnessed the nesting saga of Rocky and Athena, who successfully produced two adorable chicks, Cinnamon and Sage, both of whom hatched on the same day. The family hung around the camera for several weeks before leaving the area.
This year, 4 cranes returned to the nest area on March 19th but were gone the next day. A few days later, an adult pair appeared on the scene, had territorial disputes with another pair, and engaged in nesting behaviors. Finally, this pair (Rocky and Athena) laid their first egg on April 15 at 2:04 pm and the second egg on April 18 at 6:46 am. Incubation is approximately 30 days so they are expected to hatch beginning on May 15.
Warning: This is a wild Sandhill Crane nest and anything can happen. While we hope the nest is successful and both eggs hatch, many things can happen to prevent this, including the eggs being infertile, predation of the eggs, chicks or adults, and natural disasters.
Disclaimer: We are livestreaming a wild bird nest and may experience technical problems. We cannot control problems related to mother nature, disrupted signals, etc. If you can’t play the video, try refreshing the webpage. Visit our Nest Camera Highlights page to see the best moments from this nest.
The live video feed was made possible through grants provided by the Yampa Valley Community Foundation and the WHILD fund. Internet access for live streaming is provided by Zirkel Wireless. Camera installation and setup were completed by Photon Syndicate. Updated equipment was possible because of generous individual donors. Thank you also to CCCC staff and volunteers for their tech support. Thank you to all our wonderful viewers without which this camera would not exist.
Richard R. Palmer, MD says
Nice “ZOOM out” expansive view about 10:20 AM and, after a holler from the Sitter about 10:44 AM, a Change of Shift about !0:47.
I haven’t the foggiest about Who is Who….
David Moulton says
At 06:05, 06:40 and 07:15 the crane on the nest raised its head, looked around for a minute or two, then lowered its head and tucked it back under its wing – all while continuing to incubate. Keeping those precious eggs nice and warm. Red-winged Blackbirds were providing the dawn chorus and a Mallard hen was foraging in the water nearby.
Nancy Merrill says
So far, both parents are doing a great job of incubating the eggs. Have you noticed how each parent snuggles down on the eggs when it is his or her turn to incubate? The crane is making sure his brood patch is situated over the eggs. A brood patch is a bare patch of skin near the belly of a bird that forms on birds who incubate their eggs. This patch generally forms during the nesting season and becomes covered in feathers the rest of the year. For cranes, both parents incubate, so both parents develop a brood patch on each side of the sternum. This is perfect for incubating the two eggs. This bare patch of skin, which has additional vessels to bring warm blood close to the surface of the skin, allows heat to transfer from the parent to the egg more efficiently than through feathers.
Susan M says
Thanks Nancy! So interesting. Nature is amazing.
Emily Lancaster says
Changing of the guard at 9:44am
Elizabeth says
1924-1926- Another “changing of the guard” occurred with one parent leaving the nest and the other taking over.
Elizabeth says
1631-Crane on nest (Athena?) stands over nest and starts calling. Another crane can be heard calling off camera.
1632-Rocky can be seen entering the frame from the upper left. He walks off camera.
1633-ish-Unison calling.
1634-Rocky walks back into the picture again and walks to the nest. Athena walks off nest and Rocky steps over nest. Both cranes adjust nest material. Rocky sits on nest and Athena walks off camera.
Warms my heart!
Joey Chadwick says
04/20/2024 at 10:12 and at 10:42 a.m. we can see two eggs. Does anyone know when she laid each egg?
Karen Whitney says
The first egg was laid on April 15 at 2:04 pm and the second egg on April 18 at 6:46 am. We have highlight videos up for both events (and much more!).
Richard R Palmer says
v
Barbara Hughes says
Nest exchange occurred at 05:59 this morning. Other cranes could be heard calling in the distance. Athena is now off to forage and, hopefully, get some rest.