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 Sandhill
cranes (Grus canadensis) are long legged, long necked, gray,
heron-like birds with a patch of bald red skin on top of their head. Cranes
fly with necks outstretched like geese whereas, herons fly with necks
tucked in on their backs. For positive identification, look for
reddish skin on top of the crane's head.
Two subspecies of sandhill crane occur in Florida.
The Florida sandhill crane (G. c. pratensis) is a year-round breeding
resident. The greater sandhill crane (G. c. tabida)
is the larger of the two subspecies and winters in Florida but, nests
in the Great Lakes region. Sandhill cranes nest during late winter and
spring on mats of vegetation about two feet in diameter and in shallow
water. Two eggs are normally laid. Cranes are monogamous breeders.
Cranes are quite omnivorous feeding
on seeds, grain, berries, insects, earthworms, mice, small birds, snakes,
lizards, frogs, crayfish, but do not "fish" like herons.
Resident sandhill cranes are usually seen in very small groups or pairs.
In November and December, however, large flocks of northern cranes
move in, more than doubling the population in the state and then leave
during March and April. The sandhill crane is a close relative to
the nearly extinct whooping crane, which is being reintroduced into the
state. Young sandhills weigh about twelve pounds, males are larger
than females, but external markings are identical. Cranes live to
be older than most birds, some reaching 20 years old.
More Information
Berring Land Bridge
National Preserve in Alaska
Cranes in
Nebraska
Patuxent Wildlife Research
Center Crane information
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