Why Are Baby Sandhill Cranes Called Colts?

Bird Behavior, Cranes
Sandhill crane parent with two colts, Magee Marsh, 7 May 2026 (photo by Charity Kheshgi)

8 May 2026

Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) hatched a few weeks ago at Magee Marsh in northwestern Ohio. We found two colts following their parents on Thursday 7 May.

Sandhill colt watches its parent find food, Magee Marsh, 7 May 2026 (photo by Charity Kheshgi)

“Colts?” They’re called colts because they’re born with long, strong legs and able to walk within 24 hours of hatching.

Two sandhill crane colts following a parent, Magee Marsh, 7 May 2026 (photo by Charity Kheshgi)

Watch how one walks in this slow motion video from Jocelyn Anderson.

video embedded from Jocelyn Anderson Photography on YouTube

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