After Carl announced his presence by knocking on her door, a Florida woman gave into the charming father and his family of squawking squatters, who oftentimes nest on her front lawn.
Carl, a crane, made himself comfortable after discovering a buffet of seeds on Autumn Cochella’s property. And when there’s no food to nosh on, he’ll aggressively knock on her door with his beak – a talent he’s passed on to his children – asking for a meal.
Also using the Ring cam – about four times a day – the bird engages in conversations with Cochella, asking his human friend to join him outdoors.
Keep reading to learn more about Carl the crane and his startling abilities!
In a Florida neighborhood that surrounds a large lake bustling with wildlife, residents like Autumn Cochella often toss seeds to feed the birds.
Supporting these creatures with food is especially important in seasons when the landscape is changing, and natural food sources are scarce.
Many of the local birds will snack and dash but Carl is charismatic and friendly.
“The first time I realized that Carl knew his name, I was at the back of the house in my bedroom and I saw him walking from my backyard to the front,” Cochella told The Dodo. “I yelled out my bedroom window, ‘Hey Carl!’ and he ran to my front door! That’s when I knew we were friends.”
Carl, a sandhill crane, zoned in on the generous feeding grounds belonging to Cochella and is now a frequent patron of her yard.
But, when the grub is gone, the bossy bird bangs on her glass door with his beak to get her attention, often several times a day. Carl even uses the ring cam and has sassy conversations with Cochella while she’s out of the house!
“If the other birds eat up all of the morning seed before he gets to it, he knocks persistently,” Cochella said. “If we’re home, it scares the crap out of, us he’s so loud. I ask him through the ring cam to leave because I’m afraid he’s going to crack my glass door one of these days!”
Carl lives with his family across the street by the lake, but he prefers Coachella’s yard, his favorite place to hang out with his “wife” Carla, and their two-year-old kid, Carl Jr. (Junior), and Kevin, who was born in April 2023.
In May 2023, Kevin’s twin Kyle was was crossing the street and killed in a hit and run. The Raptor Center of Tampa tried to save the helpless little fledgling, but his injuries were too serious.
“I’m not ready to talk about this, please be sensitive w/ your comments. I’m grieving so hard,” Cochella writes in an emotional TikTok clip, that shows only three birds, instead of four. “We lost Kyle to a hit & run yesterday. Humans can be cruel & heartless…RIP Baby Kyle.”
Carl also sustained an unknown injury to his leg, but after being treated by the raptors center, he is fully recovered.
The loving woman has since erected a crane crossing sign on the road and can oftentimes be seen escorting the cranes as they cross the street. And after finding Kevin cooling off in a small bowl of water, she even bought them a kiddie pool!
“Watching them over the last few years has been amazing,” Cochella said.
Junior, who was kicked out of the nest when Kevin and Kyle were born this year, has a home on the other side of the lake but still visits Cochella. And learning from his father to knock on the door, Junior is far more polite, tapping gently and patiently waiting for his human friend to appear.
Despite his demanding behavior, Carl has an incredible personality and Cochella loves having him and his family as fun, unique friends.
Cochella runs an online store where people can buy Carl merchandise, like tops, mugs and mousepads. She’s also reminding people to “slow down for all wildlife!”
This world needs more people like Autumn Cochella. Many people might not realize the connection animals create with humans and if you gave it a try, you’ll find you have a special, unbreakable bond.
Please share this story and let’s remind others to slow down for wildlife!
If you enjoyed reading about Carl, we think you’ll also like the story of five potty-mouthed parrots!
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