Sandhill Crane

by Marty Fancy

Title

Sandhill Crane

Artist

Marty Fancy

Medium

Photograph

Description

The sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) is a species of large crane of North America and extreme northeastern Siberia. The common name of this bird references habitat like that at the Platte River, on the edge of Nebraska's Sandhills on the American Plains.

Adults are gray overall; during breeding, their plumage is usually much worn and stained, particular in the migratory populations, and looks nearly ochre. Sandhill cranes have red foreheads, white cheeks and long dark pointed bills. In flight, their long dark legs trail behind, and their long necks keep straight. Immature birds have reddish brown upperparts and gray underparts. The sexes look alike.

These cranes frequently give a loud trumpeting call that suggests a French-style "r" rolled in the throat, and they can be heard from a long distance. Mated pairs of cranes engage in "unison calling." The cranes stand close together, calling in a synchronized and complex duet. The female makes two calls for every one from the male.

Sandhill cranes fly south for the winter. In their wintering areas, they form flocks of over 10,000.

This one had just arrived in April to its breeding area at the Swaner EcoCenter (Nature Preserve) in Park City, Utah.

Uploaded

June 8th, 2014

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