SANDHILL CRANES
By Jeannie Marcure
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The bird that
we’ve chosen to profile this month is one of only two
crane species native to North America and is also one of
the largest birds found in our area. While the other
native crane, the Whooping Crane, is highly endangered,
the Sandhill is more abundant and is quite easy to
observe in the Flathead. This spring Bill and I were
fortunate enough to spot a pair with two babies while accompanying
a first grade class on a field trip to Smith Lake. What
a thrilling sight for a bus full of future birders!
Sandhills are tall, stately gray
birds measuring about 3 feet in height,
with a wingspan of 6 feet. Male and female
are similar in appearance except
for size. The male weighs nearly 12 pounds, while
the female is slightly smaller at approximately 9.5
pounds. Both have white cheeks, a large pointed
black beak and a bald red forehead that darkens in
color when the bird becomes stressed.
Although Sandhills are often confused with
Great Blue Herons, there are some major differences
that make identification fairly easy. In flight the
herons tuck their head back to their shoulders in an
“S” while cranes fly with their necks outstretched.
Also, cranes tend to fly with a rapid upstroke of
wings while herons fly at a slower, more deliberate
pace. Sandhills nest separately on the ground while
herons nest in large colonies called rookeries. Additionally,
herons have a low hoarse croak while
cranes have a loud trumpet-like call that can be
heard for over a mile. This amazing vocalization is
possible because the Sandhill’s trachea loops once
in the sternum instead of going directly to the lungs
like most birds.
The Sandhills in our area are migratory, arriving
in the Flathead from mid-April until early May.
A large percentage of the Sandhills from the Rocky
Mountain region winter at the Bosque del Apache
near Socorro, New Mexico. This 1300 mile trip is
handled easily by these large birds who travel nearly
350 miles per day, flying in V-formations at speeds
reaching 50 mph and often cruising at altitudes between
5000 and 12,000 feet (1 to 2.25 miles)!
Upon their arrival in the Flathead, Sandhills
seek out nesting territories near or close to wetlands,
shallow marshes and lakes, or wet meadows. Favorite
diet items include frogs, rodents, insects, bulbs,
seeds, berries and when available, waste grain. Sandhills
begin breeding at 7 years of age and mate with
only one partner for life. During breeding season
they engage in the famous courtship dance during
which the birds spread their wings and leap into the
air while calling. While watching this ritual dance,
you can identify the males and females by the beak
position since females hold their beaks horizontally
while calling and the males hold their beaks vertically.
We were once fortunate enough to observe a
dozen or more dancing cranes on a knoll
near Clark Drive at sunset. What a magical
experience!Large (5 feet in diameter) nests of plant
material are built in shallow water and
both parents incubate the 2 eggs which
are hatched in about 30 days. The babies
can walk immediately and for this reason are
called colts. These colts are covered with a rusty
brown down and during this time the parents preen
with mud and vegetation to take on a more rusty appearance
themselves and thus help camouflage the
babies. Although the colts can capture food at an
early age, they receive parental care and feeding
until they fledge in approximately 75 days. Sadly,
only one of the colts usually survives.
Although Sandhills are very territorial during
breeding season, they become more social in August
as they prepare for their fall migration. During
this time it is common to see groups of a dozen or
more birds feeding together on the recently harvested
grain fields. They also begin to roost together
in small groups and finally gather in large staging
area in preparation for the flight south. Colts will accompany
parents to the wintering area and this migration
group remains together at the wintering area.
The gatherings at the staging areas and wintering
areas offer some of the best opportunities for viewing Sandhill Cranes. Typically, the birds will feed on
agricultural fields during the day and fly back to a
shallow pond or lake at night. This evening fly-in is
an event not to be missed. Last February, at the
Bosque del Apache, we sat on the tailgate of our
pickup and watched and listened to an estimated
15,000 cranes fly overhead. Of course I managed to
click off a few pictures too!
Locally, at this time of year you should be
able to see groups of Sandhills feeding in the fields
near Clark Drive. Can you think of a better excuse
for a fall drive? Happy Birding!
Sources used to
prepare this article include:
www.michaganaudubon and
www.whozoo.org |
