Parental acceptance of lost or abandoned chicks from sandhill crane pairs is very rare because cranes fiercely defend their territories. However, adoptions can happen. Recently, FWC biologists observed a sandhill crane pair feeding three chicks, one of which is much younger than the other two. Biologists suspect the youngest chick was adopted by the adults. Help FWC biologists monitor suburban sandhill cranes. If you see a color-banded sandhill crane, please report it to: _cranes@myfwc.com. Include: band color information, location, time and if possible, a photo.

Two adult sandhill cranes with three young chicks.