It Takes Two to Tango

They say it takes two to tango and never has this been more truly supported than while looking at Sarus Cranes court each other. While no doubt it is said that Sarus Cranes bond for life, this is something to be seen and appreciated. True bonding, they say, depends on compatibility, synchronicity and understanding of each other.

Dance, they say is fluid, sinuous, sensuous and art especially when both partners are in sync with each other. It is almost as if their minds are connected and they anticipate beforehand without speaking to the other what their partner has planned to do.

I have seen quite a few videos of ballet dancers dancing gracefully, their movements fluid like water flowing past, sinuous and synchronised, playfully flirtatious, teasing, advancing and retreating. But then, one might claim that when human beings dance, they do so with great skill, using their exceptional levels of cognition and intelligence to form intricate forms of movement that might in the minds of the viewer be termed artful and mesmerising!

I, on the other hand, believe that we human beings might as well have copied our dance forms from birds and animals! Birds and animals too can perform some of the most intricate steps in their courtship rituals. It was a fortunate moment for me to observe at leisure the complete sequence of the steps in the dance of a pair of Sarus Cranes at the Sultanpur National Park when I visited it yesterday.

While I have without doubt observed specific synchronicity the dance patterns of the Sarus Cranes, it was only yesterday that I was able to record each step in a long sequence of movements of their dancing. It all began with the pair foraging for food, which in turn lead to a grooming ritual. The grooming ritual then led to the male heading towards a mound of Earth, rather like a stage which was higher than the surface of the lake. The female followed suit. The pair preened once again and then launched into their dance steps. The male fluffed his feathers stretched his neck out and began calling out loudly. The female copied the male word for word, both in perfect timing, bobbed their heads in unison, a veritable duet that would give a pair of human singers a run for their money (talent)!

Let's get ready for the dance!

Follow me to the dance floor, check out for competition!

Let's do it, Dear, let them see what we can do!

Ok, now, let's get back to work, we need to prepare the nest!

Strangely enough, the cranes faced a trio of photographers on the left bank who had their lenses pointed towards the birds. It seemed at that moment as if the birds had deliberately mounted the mound of earth, and faced the photographers as if challenging them to a competition. 

I very strongly believe that while visiting the Sultanpur National Park, you will surely come across this pair, if not you might be able to listen to their swansong! The sculpture of a pair of Sarus Cranes serenading, that greets you at the very entrance to the National Park is very lifelike and an indication that the park will be remembered for hosting this rather most romantic of all couples, and the best dancers in the world!

Nature is a great teacher and Sarus Cranes further the good work that nature is trying to do.