These Sandhill Cranes Have Adopted a Canada Gosling, and Birders Have Flocked to
Watch the Strange Family
In the wetlands of Madison, Wisconsin, an extraordinary avian family has drawn attention and curiosity: a pair of sandhill cranes is nurturing not only their own downy red colt but also a distinctly yellow Canada gosling. This rare cross-species adoption—only the third confirmed instance—illustrates the unpredictable and adaptive nature of wildlife in shared habitats. While similar adoptions have been documented in Michigan (2019) and Madison (2024), an earlier sighting in Alaska (2011) suggests the phenomenon may be more widespread than once believed.
Anne Lacy, director of eastern flyway programs at the International Crane Foundation, attributes the increasing frequency of such unusual pairings to the robust recovery of both sandhill crane and Canada goose populations in recent decades. These species, much like foxes and coyotes, have demonstrated remarkable adaptability, colonizing urban and suburban environments with ease. Geese, as grazers, thrive in manicured retention ponds and lawns, while cranes, as omnivores, seek out wetlands with greater habitat diversity. Suburban wetlands—where mowed lawns meet natural vegetation—offer ideal conditions for both, fostering ecological overlap and raising the likelihood of unexpected interactions.
The exact circumstances by which the gosling joined the crane family remain uncertain. Local photographers speculate that a Canada goose may have laid an egg in the cranes’ nest, or that the cranes, after losing their own nest to spring floods, commandeered a goose nest already containing an egg. Regardless of the mechanism, the result is the same: upon hatching, the gosling imprinted on its crane parents and now follows them as if it were their own. One photographer described the shock of seeing a bright yellow gosling emerge from beneath a crane’s wing instead of a crane colt. “It’s just hard for your brain to compute. It’s not supposed to be bright yellow,” she remarked, noting the tenderness with which the crane parent cared for the gosling.
The cranes have embraced their adopted offspring, providing food, shelter, and protection—even from the gosling’s biological parents. Onlookers have witnessed Canada geese attempting to reclaim the gosling, only to be repelled by the vigilant crane parents. “Dad was there with his mighty wings,” recounted Alan Ginsberg, a local photographer who observed several confrontations.
Michael Ward, an ornithologist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, explains that sandhill cranes are remarkably flexible in their parenting instincts, sometimes attempting to incubate inanimate objects that find their way into their nests. Once a chick hatches, hormonal changes drive the adults to nurture and protect it, regardless of species. However, significant differences in diet, behavior, and migration patterns pose challenges for the gosling. While cranes feed their young insects, worms, and small mammals, geese are adapted to forage independently on grasses. The gosling in this case consumes worms offered by its crane parents but is a stronger swimmer and clumsier on land than its adoptive siblings.
The gosling’s future remains uncertain. Cranes and geese migrate at different times and altitudes: cranes depart Wisconsin in October or November, flying at around 5,000 feet to the southeastern United States, while geese often remain in the Midwest or migrate at lower altitudes in September. If the gosling attempts to migrate with the cranes, it may face physiological challenges. Predation is another threat: raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and even snapping turtles pose risks, especially during early morning and evening foraging.
Previous cross-species adoptions have not ended well: the Michigan gosling died of unknown causes, while the Madison gosling from last year was killed by a dog. Despite these risks, local observers remain hopeful. The crane pair at this site has successfully raised multiple offspring in the past, and their experience may improve the chicks’ chances. Ward and Lacy both suggest the gosling could eventually rejoin its own species, incorporating itself into a gaggle of geese.
The resurgence of both sandhill cranes and Canada geese—from fewer than 20,000 cranes in 1979 to about 110,000 today, and from 1.26 million geese in 1970 to around seven million—underscores the success of conservation efforts. “Fifty years ago, neither species was around here,” Ward notes. “Conservation has brought both of these species back.”
For photographers, birders, and casual observers, the crane-goose family is a testament to nature’s unpredictability and resilience. As Ralph Russo reflects, “It reminds me of the pleasure of just being in nature and being surprised by what nature can do. It’s been wonderful and joyful and fascinating to witness.
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Imprinted
Meaning: To form a strong attachment or association, especially soon after birth (as seen in animal behavior). -
Ecological overlap
Meaning: The sharing of habitat or resources by different species, leading to increased interaction. -
Omnivores
Meaning: Animals that eat both plants and animals. -
Adaptability
Meaning: The ability to adjust to new conditions or environments. -
Fidelity (as in "nest site fidelity")
Meaning: Faithfulness to a particular location or habit. -
Hormonal priming
Meaning: The physiological preparation of an animal’s body to perform certain behaviors, often triggered by hormones. -
Cross-species adoption
Meaning: The act of one species raising the offspring of another. -
Predation
Meaning: The act of one animal preying on another for food. -
Conservation
Meaning: The protection and management of biodiversity and natural resources. -
Resilience
Meaning: The capacity to recover from difficulties or adapt to change.
In a pond in Madison, Wisconsin, people have seen something unusual—a pair of sandhill cranes raising a baby Canada goose alongside their own chick. This rare event, called cross-species adoption, has only been seen a few times before. Experts think it happens because cranes and geese now live closer together as both species have made a comeback and can adapt to living near people. No one is sure how the gosling ended up with the cranes, but once it hatched, it started following and learning from them. The cranes care for the gosling, but there are challenges, like differences in food and migration habits, and dangers from predators. In the past, other goslings raised by cranes did not survive, but people hope this one might. The story also shows how conservation has helped both cranes and geese return to the area, reminding us of nature’s surprises and resilience.
SOURCE- SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
WORDS COUNT- 550
FLESCH-KINCAID- 15.9
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