Watching Whoopers fight for a feeder, Lamar March 7th, 2021

 

This year we have spent more time watching whooping cranes then ever before. Most of this has been at Lamar, Texas. One of the big draws that attracts so many whooping cranes is the abundance of feeders. These feeders drop a mix of deer feed that the large birds cannot resist.

The feeders are on timers and it does not take long before the birds know when to go to a feeder. Added to this is a change in the juvenile whoopers behavior as some are reaching maturity and are pairing up. Several new pairs seem to have formed.

Driving down fourth street, we spotted a pair of whooping cranes near a feeder. These cranes took off and flew towards Blackjack Peninsula, where we have noticed a pair wading and fishing. Driving up eighth street we watched the mature dominant pair, that controls this territory, napping and so we continued on. The next part of our drive was then down twelfth street where we saw the usual rosette spoonbills, black belied whistling ducks, vultures, coopers hawk, and a hunting American kestrel.

Deciding to return to fourth street we saw that the pair had returned to the eastern most feeder and that they had their necks straight up. This usually means a challenge is taking place and to the west four whoopers had just landed at the feeder to the west.

The pair marched towards the other birds and then leapt into the air flying the short distance before landing among the other cranes.

Now usually the dominant male will make his threatening display and the other will take off, but this time they both squared up and calling to each other spread their wings and opened their beaks.

They stabbed at each other and then one leapt off the ground and before landing kicked at the one that had just arrived.

Both had their beaks open, and we could hear them squawking at each other. Several more leaps and thrusts took place before the pair, that had challenged the four, took off and flew back to the other feeder.

It was over and we had just witnessed a whooping crane fight! The whooping cranes will not be here much longer, and we have heard that the Florida flock has already returned to it breeding area in Wisconsin. If you ever see a pair of whooping cranes stretch their neck straight up stick around. You might get lucky!  Clear skies