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Grus canadensis
Height: ~80 cm-1.2 m, 3-5 ft Weight: ~ 3-6.5 kg, 6.5-14 lbs Wingspan: ~5-6 ft. Population: ~650,000 The different sub-species of Sandhill Crane vary greatly in size and weight. Lesser Sandhills, who breed at more northern latitudes such as the arctic, are the smallest, weighing on average about 6-7 pounds and standing 3-3.5 feet tall. At the other end of the extreme, temperate-nesting Greater Sandhills are the largest sub-species and average 4.5-5 feet tall and 10-14 pounds. Body plumage is characterized by varying shades of gray. In many areas, wild Sandhills preen iron-rich mud into their feathers creating a deep rusty brown hue which lasts during spring and summer. As fall advances, these rusty feathers molt and the birds return to their grayish appearance. In some regions, however, iron-rich mud is absent and the birds appear grey all year. The forehead and crown are covered with reddish skin. Face, chin, upper throat, and nape are white to pale gray. Adults have a white cheek patch. Legs and toes are black. In general, males and females are virtually indistinguishable but within a breeding pair, males tend to be larger than females.
Sandhill Cranes are the most abundant of the world's cranes. They are widely (though intermittently) distributed throughout North America, extending into Cuba and far northeastern Siberia. The three migratory subspecies (Lesser, Greater and Canadian) are distributed across a broad breeding range in the northern U.S. and Canada as well as eastern Siberia, with wintering grounds in the southern United States and northern Mexico. The three non-migratory subspecies (Mississippi, Cuban, and Florida) have restricted ranges in the southern United States and Cuba. Sandhill Cranes are primarily birds of open fresh water wetlands, but the different subspecies utilize habitats that range from bogs, sedge meadows, and fens to open grasslands, pine savannas, and cultivated lands. Sandhill Cranes occur at their highest breeding density in habitats that contain open sedge meadows in wetlands that are adjacent to short vegetation in uplands. Mated pairs of cranes, including Sandhill Cranes, engage in unison calling, which is a complex and extended series of coordinated calls. While calling, cranes stand in an upright posture, usually with their heads thrown back and beaks skyward during the display. In Sandhill Cranes the female initiates the display and utters two, higher-pitched calls for each male call. While calling, the female raises her beak about 45 degrees above the horizontal while the male raises his bill to a vertical position. All cranes engage in dancing, which includes various behaviors such as bowing, jumping, running, stick or grass tossing, as well as wing flapping. Though it is commonly associated with courtship, dancing can occur at any age and season. Dancing is generally believed to be a normal part of motor development for cranes and thwarts aggression, relieves tension, and strengthens the pair bond. Nests of all Sandhill Cranes are usually low mounds built out of dominant vegetation in the nesting area. Typically nests are located in wetlands, but Sandhill Cranes will sometimes nest in uplands, especially in Cuba. Females usually lay two eggs and incubation (by both sexes) lasts 29-32 days. The male takes the primary role in defending the nest against possible danger. Chicks fledge (first flight) at 67-75 days.
I found this bird wondering along a wetland area, in a local park. It was with one other bird. Because of the mild winter we had in our State, these birds showed up a bit earlier then normal.
19 Comments
Thanks so much Cornel Apostol
Lovely bird!!
Amazing photos!
Thank you Mayra, and Satyen for your comments.
Super pics and information!
Fantastic!
Thank you PattyC. All I am trying to do is capture the beauty of nature as best as I am able.
Beautiful bird and pictures =)
Thank you Brandon, I find them beautiful, interesting, and at times even entertaining. I have watched and made some captures of them doing some rather crazy dancing. Perhaps in time I will post some of them.
Wonderful series of an amazingly beautiful bird! :-D
glad I could be of help Ceherzog
Thanks for that added info...they are much cooler in color when all "mudded-up"!
Thank you so much Anne Marie
Beautiful photos!
I added some notes I found from the international crane society about the rust colored plumage present on my spotting and captures. I have also provided a link to the international crane society that I find worth reading.
The bi colored Sandhill crane I have captured and spotted here, are very typical of the colors you will see here in Wisconsin. I have seen full grey birds, and some with a small bit of rust color, and have seen some that are almost fully rust color. I have been told it is due to diet, but have not confirmed that with any papers I have read. I would like to document the three different colors I have seen at one time with a photo at close range, if at all possible.
Amazing pictures Willie!
Thank you AliceLongMartin, I am glad you enjoyed my spotting and my series. I hope others enjoy it, and learn a bit more about this rather large migratory bird.
Wow! I have never seen a Sandhill Crane with all those orange tones in the feathers...is it an unusual morph?
Beautiful Series!