ORLANDO, Fla. – Sandhill cranes may not trade chocolates or roses, but the tall, gray birds are among Florida’s most devoted romantics, forming long-term pair bonds that often last for life. As Valentine’s Day arrives, the species is will soon enter its annual season of courtship — a time marked by elaborate dances, unison calls and the unmistakable sight of cranes traveling in pairs, according to the Brevard Zoo.
Two subspecies of the bird live in Florida: the non-migratory Florida sandhill crane, a year‑round resident, and the greater sandhill crane, which winters in the state before nesting farther north. Both are known for strong pair bonds, with males and females working together through every stage of breeding.
Courtship begins with a performance worthy of a holiday romance. Cranes leap, bow, flap their wings and call in unison — a duet that helps solidify their partnership. Once bonded, the pair builds a nest together in open wetland areas, often in shallow water.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sandhill cranes nest during late winter and spring.
Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about a month, and the chicks, called colts, are capable of following their parents within 24 hours of hatching.
Sandhill cranes at Orlando Wetlands in 2023. (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
And according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the partnership continues long after the nest is built. Adults raise their young for months, foraging as a family and defending their territory. Florida’s resident cranes are typically seen in pairs or small groups, a reflection of their monogamous nature and long-lived bonds. Some cranes can live 20 years or more, spending much of that time with the same mate.
Around 10 months old, juveniles are able to leave their parents and bonding between pairs begins at two years old.
Sandhill cranes at Orlando Wetlands in 2023. (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
While their courtship displays may draw attention from curious onlookers, wildlife officials and conservation groups urge residents to give cranes space, especially during nesting season. Habitat loss remains a threat to the species, which relies on wetlands, prairies and open spaces to breed and forage.
Sandhill cranes at Orlando Wetlands in 2023. (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Still, for many Floridians, spotting a pair of sandhill cranes strolling through a neighborhood or calling overhead has become a familiar sign of the season — and a reminder that some of nature’s strongest partnerships don’t need a holiday to endure.
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Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.