Sandhill Crane - Grus canadensis
Sandhill Crane in Flight, Closeup - Grus canadensis
General Description
A tall, long-necked, long-legged bird with a clump of feathers that droops over the rump; flies with neck and legs fully extended; adults are gray overall (may have brownish-red staining resulting from preening with muddy bill), with a whitish chin, cheek, and upper throat, and dull red skin on the crown and lores (lacking in immatures); immatures have a pale to tawny, feathered head and neck, and a gray body with brownish-red mottling; average length around 104 cm, wingspan 185 cm (NGS 1983).
Distribution
Montana Range
Migration
Bozeman migr.: 4/15-5/12 & Sep-Oct (Skaar 1969). Large flocks of migr. go thru NE MT mid-Apr. & late Sep-Oct (Davis 1961).
Habitat
Open grasslands and freshwater marshes. (Tacha, Nesbitt and Vohs 1992). In Bozeman area found along small, valley streams bordered by extensive moist meadows (Skaar 1969). In Rockies, associated with beaver impoundments (Johnsgard 1986).
Food Habits
Omnivorous. Feed on subsurface food items by probing with bills; glean seeds and other foods on the surface. Feed primarily on land or in shallow marshes with emergent vegetation. Foods vary widely depending on what is available. Cultivated grains, berries, invertebrates, some small mammals and reptiles. (Tacha, Nesbitt and Vohs 1992).
Reproductive Characteristics
Do not breed until they are 2 to 7 years old. Normally long-lived (up to 20 + years). Lay 2-egg clutches once a year but rarely raise more than one young to fledging. (Tacha, Nesbitt and Vohs 1992). Nesting from mid-May to mid-Jun (Davis 1961). Recently hatched young observed in Bozeman area 5/28-6/12 (Skaar 1969). In Rockies, will sometimes nest on beaver lodges (Johnsgard 1986).
Citations & Sources
- National Geographic Society. 1983. Field guide to the birds of North America. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C. 464 pp.