Do coyotes eat sand hill cranes?

Coyotes are opportunistic predators and have been known to prey on young or injured sandhill cranes, but it's not a common occurrence.

Here's why:

* Size difference: Adult sandhill cranes are much larger than coyotes, making them a challenging prey for coyotes.

* Defense mechanisms: Sandhill cranes have strong beaks and can kick powerfully, which they use to defend themselves against predators.

* Social structure: Sandhill cranes are social birds and often travel in flocks, providing added protection.

While coyotes might try to hunt cranes, they are more likely to focus on smaller prey like rodents, rabbits, and insects. They might also scavenge on dead cranes, but this is not considered predation.

So, in short, coyotes may occasionally prey on young or injured sandhill cranes, but it's not a regular part of their diet.