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Animal List |
Florida Sandhill Crane
(Grus Canadensis)
Order:
Gruiformes
Family: Gruidae
Genus:
Grus
Species: G. canadensis
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HABITAT AND RANGE:
They live in marshes and open country,
prairies, grain fields, tundra and
mountain meadows.
Breeds in Arctic from Alaska East to
Central Canada and South to Northeastern
California, Colorado, South Dakota and
Michigan. Migrates to South California,
Texas and South to Mexico. |
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Sandhill Cranes range from 40" - 48" in
height with a wingspan of 7 feet. The
adult is slate gray, sometimes with a
rusty appearance. The most notable
marking is it's red crown and forehead.
It can also be identified by it's "bustlelike"
rear. immature birds are all brown.
Unlike herons, cranes fly with their
necks extended. They can also be
distinguished in flight by their slow
downward wing beat, and quick flick,or
flap, of the upstroke. The oldest
Sandhill Crane is recorded at living 18
years and 6 months. |
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ADAPTATIONS:
A very gregarious bird year-round. In
the spring, during noting season, groups
have been observed leaping, hopping and
flapping their wings. Otherwise, they
look fairly calm and prefer walking. |
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DIET:
Sandhill Cranes are opportunists, eating
aquatic invertebrates, insects, worms,
small mammals, young birds and eggs,
seeds, grains, bulbs, berries, lichen
and aquatic plants. |
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REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: |
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STATUS IN WILD:
Due to draining of wetlands, their
numbers have declined. Several
subspecies are listed as endangered,
including the Mississippi Sandhill Crane
(Grus canadensis pulla) and the Florida
Sandhill Crane (G.c. pratensis). |
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