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.
Karen Whitney says
We believe that a coyote got the eggs last night. We are working on getting footage to share with you all. It is unclear whether the cranes will try to start over with a new nest. This is a tragic event that demonstrates how hard it is for these birds to raise their young successfully.
Kathy S says
Heartbreaking, did the adults survive?
Karen Whitney says
Yes, they have been in the area all day and looking like they want to rebuild. Time will tell!
Keith says
Nest abandoned at 11:00 May 1?
Susan M says
I’m watching this play out but I don’t understand. Are the eggs no longer viable and it’s apparent to the cranes?
Joan says
How long can the eggs be left unattended? The parent has been gone at least thirty minutes. Why was one of the eggs destroyed?
Emily Lancaster says
Changing of the guard 6:24am
Nancy Merrill says
Whenever the cranes switch places on the nest, the crane that is returning to the nest rolls the eggs. Rolling ensures even heating/temperature of the eggs. Not only does rolling distribute the heat evenly throughout the egg, but it prevents the egg membrane from sticking to the shell. The rotation also helps the embryos get enough albumen, the mixture of water and protein that makes up the “egg white” part of an embryo and provides nutrients to the developing chick. Thanks to Van Graham and Erin Gelling for this information about egg rolling. More about the eggs in a future comment.
Elizabeth says
0951 and 0953-a bird of prey of some sorts can be spotted flying through the shot. Maybe a lighter morph Red-tailed hawk or an Osprey? It’s difficult to tell on a screen. The crane on the nest does not react.
Linda says
Is that another crane nesting in the upper half?
Nancy Merrill says
Linda, A pair of Canada Geese are nesting in the upper half near the cranes.
Linda says
Thanks
Elizabeth says
I am enjoying being able to watch the Canadian Goose nest at the same time! I wonder if the geese can help the cranes keep their eggs safer (and vice versa) since they seem to have to contend with similar predators. It’s interesting that the cranes appear unbothered by the geese.
19:32:32- Crane heard calling off-camera. Crane on nest looks about but remains seated on nest.
20:23- Crane heard calling off-camera. Crane on nest stands over nest, preens, adjusts nest materials, rotates eggs (perhaps), and sits on nest again at 20:24:30.
20:25-Faintly hear a crane calling off-camera.
20:26:37-something small appears to run up to the nest and the crane’s bustle, and then runs away. Crane on nest picks head up to look after the creature, and is alert, but does not stand.
Nancy Merrill says
Athena and Rocky are being kept busy at night with encounters with various predators. It appears that they have a difficult time visually locating the predators in the dark. For example, check out the highlight video from 2021 when Athena couldn’t see the mink even when it was touching the eggs and her body as she stood up from the nest. A crane’s eyes are designed for clear vision in daylight, from early morning light to high noon and then on into the evening. But its pupil is not big enough for night vision. Thus, The crane has to rely on the motion and sounds of the predator to be able to locate the source of the disturbance. Its wings and beaks are great defense mechanisms against those predators.
Barry Kaplan says
Such brave cranes!!
There were at least three different nest defenses last night.
The first predators were the two raccoons Nancy mentioned at 22:21. It lasted a long time, with the raccoons circling around trying several times from different approaches. Rocky, who has been staying closer this year was also chasing the raccoons away. Not only did both cranes charge with spread wings, they also stabbed at them with their beaks. One try to get past Athena and Rocky led them closer to the two geese that are nesting nearby but the geese attacked and warded them off as well.
At 22:46:20 Athena rises and spreads her wings to ward off an off camera intruder.
An hour later, 23:47:46 Athena chases off what appears to be a mink.
Rocky and Athena didn’t get much sleep last night. It truly amazes me how difficult it is for them to have a successful nesting season and how valiant they are.
Nancy Merrill says
Tonight (4/26) around 22:21:45 predators ( raccoons?) approach the nest area.Athena rises in defensive posture. Rocky comes into view to help protect the nest. Even the geese get involved. They succeed in chasing off the predators. At 22:50:38 we can see many sets of eyes in the area on alert!
Barry Kaplan says
“duck duck goose” or “the night has a thousand eyes”
Barry Kaplan says
What an eventful day!
Another pair has been in the area for days. This afternoon they have frequently been calling and we were able to get briefly get them on camera at 15:56:41.
At 16:33:07 Rocky, who has been watchful, stands and at 16:33:49, flys out.
At 16:34:57 Rocky and Athena fly back in and head for the nest. Rocky resumes incubating. The other cranes can still be heard occasionally. Are they Wilma and Fred?
Nancy Merrill says
Our nest camera monitoring crew has noted that Rocky and Athena seem to be working together and engaging in real teamwork this nesting season – more so than what we have observed in past years. Perhaps it is because they have been a pair for longer time and the bond is stronger. They are definitely more experienced. One factor may be that the nest is much more exposed than in previous years. This increases the possibility of predators discovering the nest. The small, dry berm where the nest is located has been used as a travel land for coyotes and raccoons in past year. This pair can handle raccoons, but coyotes would be a real threat.
Susan M says
I noticed how exposed the nest is and have been surprised at the lack of comments regarding any nighttime visitors!
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.