Love me? - mating behavior of African crowned cranes

Ranger Rick, March, 1994 by Gerry Bishop

With neck bent and break poked in the air, this African crowned crane poses for his mate. Then he blows up the red sac on his throat and calls, Ya-oooou-goo-LUNG! Ya-oooou-goo-LUNG! "Don't you think we're a perfect pair?" he seems to be asking. Right next to him, his mate puts on the same kind of show.

Crowned cranes have the same partners for their whole life. And they pose and call to reach other every day, all year long. It's the cranes' way of keeping close - almost like two teens on the telephone, saying sweet things to each other.