Sandhill Crane
(Grus canadensis)
I used to live near the water where a pair of Sandhill Cranes returned each year. The pair would nest and have young. The two years I saw them, they had two young. The above photo was taken behind our condo early one morning. Having their nest in the backyard of a house across the street from me meant that they weren't bothered by humans.
Sandhill Cranes are so majestic. They are approximately 4 feet tall and have a wingspan of 7 feet. How much do they weight? Between 6 and 12 pounds. They mate for life and live approximately 20 years.
When they fly over, their legs are stretched out straight behind them, "singing" as they fly. Why the ""s? Well, the sound they make is loud and is said to be gutteral. They have this sound because their trachea is "curled around behind their breastbone like a trombone." They can fly 50 mph.
Cranes' feet are not webbed. Instead, they have one toe in the back with three out front. Their feet are tools in finding food as is their beak which is long so that they can dig in the mud.
So, how long have they been on Earth? Believe it or not, the first Sandhill Cranes lived here between 23 and 5.3 million years ago. This is when the Miocene era ended. Sandhill Cranes have survived since and are known to be graceful. How do you feel when you see them fly over?
They eat plants, seeds, berries, insects, worms, snakes and mice. they prefer feeding close to water. My family and I drove by a field where numerous Sandhill Cranes were feeding on the grain. What a sight it was!
One day while we were driving out of Governor Nelson State Park, a family of cranes came out of the grassy area and started walking. The car ahead of us drove off, which startled them. The shot just below to the left was taken at that time. There's nothing like respecting nature. We are already impeding on their land. The field across from the park has been turned into housing. Now this field is gone. How very sad.
We are very lucky to have such a beautiful bird in our midst.
Sandhill Cranes are so majestic. They are approximately 4 feet tall and have a wingspan of 7 feet. How much do they weight? Between 6 and 12 pounds. They mate for life and live approximately 20 years.
When they fly over, their legs are stretched out straight behind them, "singing" as they fly. Why the ""s? Well, the sound they make is loud and is said to be gutteral. They have this sound because their trachea is "curled around behind their breastbone like a trombone." They can fly 50 mph.
Cranes' feet are not webbed. Instead, they have one toe in the back with three out front. Their feet are tools in finding food as is their beak which is long so that they can dig in the mud.So, how long have they been on Earth? Believe it or not, the first Sandhill Cranes lived here between 23 and 5.3 million years ago. This is when the Miocene era ended. Sandhill Cranes have survived since and are known to be graceful. How do you feel when you see them fly over?
They eat plants, seeds, berries, insects, worms, snakes and mice. they prefer feeding close to water. My family and I drove by a field where numerous Sandhill Cranes were feeding on the grain. What a sight it was!
One day while we were driving out of Governor Nelson State Park, a family of cranes came out of the grassy area and started walking. The car ahead of us drove off, which startled them. The shot just below to the left was taken at that time. There's nothing like respecting nature. We are already impeding on their land. The field across from the park has been turned into housing. Now this field is gone. How very sad.
We are very lucky to have such a beautiful bird in our midst.
The next time you see a Sandhill Crane or two, stop and enjoy the sight. You will be so glad you did!Coming soon: learn about the snapping turtle.
Thank you for visiting.
Judy
References:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/500000-cranes-are-headed-nebraska-one-earths-greatest-migrations-180949816/
Kaufman, K. (1996). Lives of North
American Birds.
Wells, D. (2002). 100 Birds and How
They Got Their Names.
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