Let's take a look at those Sandhill Cranes, in a distant shot across the scrubby pasture. They were certainly a long distance away, and I'm only using my phone camera, so they're not as clear as I'd like, but Sandhill Cranes in this area are fascinating in several ways.
This is a dist6ant shot; I've tried to crop those below to get a closer image. They are huge birds!
Sandhill Cranes are big birds, about the size of a Great Blue Heron, but fatter. They certainly have a similar wingspan, up to four feet..
They were unknown in this region 20 years ago, being largely a western bird, but they've appeared further and further east in recent years. They are now common in north-eastern Ontario and on Manitoulin Island - so common that farm interests are arguing for a hunting season.
The cranes feed on almost anything, from small invertebrates to grains and berries. We frequently see them on harvested corn or soybean fields.
Cranes mate for life and choose a mate based on their dancing displays, during which they leap into the air with wings outstretched and bob their heads.
Their call is an earie prehistoric bugle sound that carries a great distance. You often hear them overhead before you see them.
The cranes migrate in great flocks, heading to the southwest U.S. where they over-winter in flocks of thousands. Here they gather in small flocks like the one we saw, gradually coalescing into large flocks for migration. The Sandhill Crane is truly one of our most fascinating birds.
Thank you for all of these pictures! We've seen them once near Tombstone at Whitewater Draw Wildlife area so that is where they come. :)
ReplyDeleteThey snag their mates in a similar way we do - flaunting and dancing! haha
There are also some flocks in Florida for the winter!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular birds. Your photos give a good impression of them, though of course we'd always like them to come closer!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to see them.
ReplyDeleteI recall seeing them, here in Saskatchewan, on the fields after harvest when I was growing up. But, I haven't seen them in years - their call is definitely distinctive.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think our camera phones are better than the big digital ones. The photos are great!
Lovely pictures and thanks for all the information about them.
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