Have you ever had an unexpected visitor knock on your door? Well, for Autumn Cochella from Florida, her surprise guest turned out to be a charming sandhill crane named Carl. This incredible bird and his squawking family have become Cochella’s friendly companions, even learning to communicate with her in their own unique way.
It all started when Carl discovered a plentiful buffet of seeds on Cochella’s property. He made himself quite comfortable and soon became a regular visitor. But what sets Carl apart from other birds is his impressive ability to knock on Cochella’s door using his beak. It seems that when food is scarce, Carl isn’t afraid to ask for a meal from his human friend.
Through a Ring cam, Cochella and Carl engage in daily conversations, with the bird inviting her to join him outdoors. This heartwarming bond between a human and a crane showcases the incredible connections that can be formed between humans and animals.
Cochella’s neighborhood is surrounded by a beautiful lake teeming with wildlife. In such seasons when natural food sources are scarce, residents like Cochella often lend a helping hand by providing seeds for the birds. While most birds come and go, Carl has won over Cochella’s heart with his charismatic and friendly demeanor.
@healthyish.autumn Carl showed up for wine-down wednesday soaking wet & a lil drunk already😆🌧️🥰. #carlthecrane #sandhillcrane #naturelover #animalsdoingthings #animalsdoingfunnythings #funnyvideo #funnyvideos #makemelaugh #floridaproblems #funnyanimals #viralanimalsoftiktok #animalsoftiktok #exoticpets #funnybirds #lakelife #lakelifebestlife #onlyinflorida #thedodo #fyp #viralanimals #sandhillcranes #birdlover #birdlovers #fypシ #fypage #viralanimals #babysandhillcranes #sandhillcranes #floridawildlife ♬ original sound – Carl the Crane
The first time Cochella realized that Carl knew his name was a magical moment. She called out to him from her bedroom window, “Hey Carl!” and he immediately ran to her front door. From that moment on, Cochella knew they were friends for life.
Not only does Carl enjoy the generous feeding grounds in Cochella’s yard, but he also enjoys using his exceptional talent of knocking on her glass door to get her attention. Sometimes, he knocks persistently, startling both Cochella and her family. They even worry that Carl’s enthusiastic knocks might break the glass door someday.
Despite his demanding nature, Carl’s love for Cochella’s yard is unwavering. He prefers hanging out there with his “wife” Carla and their two adorable children, Carl Jr. and Kevin. However, tragedy struck in May 2023 when Kevin’s twin, Kyle, fell victim to a hit and run accident. This heartbreaking loss has deeply affected Cochella, who is still grieving.
@healthyish.autumn How polite was Carl today tho??🫶🏼🥰. . . #carlthecrane #sandhillcrane #naturelover #animalsdoingthings #animalsdoingfunnythings #funnyvideo #funnyvideos #makemelaugh #floridaproblems #funnyanimals #viralanimalsoftiktok #animalsoftiktok #exoticpets #funnybirds #lakelife #lakelifebestlife #onlyinflorida #thedodo #fyp #viralanimals #sandhillcranes #birdlover #birdlovers #fypシ #fypage #babysandhillcranes #sandhillcranes #floridawildlife #ringcamera #ringcam #ringdoorbell ♬ original sound – Carl the Crane
To ensure the safety of the cranes, Cochella has erected a crane crossing sign on the road and even accompanies them as they cross the street. She goes above and beyond, showing her love and care for these feathered friends. In fact, she recently bought them a kiddie pool to cool off in during the hot summer days.
Junior, Carl’s eldest son, has his own home across the lake but still visits Cochella frequently. He has learned from his father’s example and has a much gentler approach when knocking on the door. Junior taps gently and patiently waits for Cochella to appear, showcasing his good manners.
Despite the occasional demanding behavior from Carl and the challenges they have faced, Cochella deeply cherishes the bond she has formed with this unique bird family. They have become more than just visitors; they are her fun and special friends.
Cochella’s love for Carl and his family has inspired her to create an online store where people can purchase Carl merchandise, such as tops, mugs, and mousepads. Additionally, she uses her platform to remind people to slow down for wildlife, emphasizing the importance of respecting and protecting these creatures.
The incredible friendship between Autumn Cochella and the charming crane Carl is a reminder of the unbreakable bond that can form between humans and animals. Their story serves as a heartwarming example of the connection we can have with the natural world around us. So, let’s share this beautiful story and encourage others to slow down and appreciate wildlife!
If you enjoyed reading about Carl and his adventures, we think you’ll also love the story of five potty-mouthed parrots!
Source: https://highlighthestory.com/friendly-crane-builds-friendship-with-homeowner/
