Sandhill Cranes ( Antigone canadensis ).
STATS:
Length: 32.5to 53.5 in (80 to 136 cm)
Wingspan: to 78.7 in (200 cm)
Weight: 6 to 14 pounds (5.89 and 9.07 kg)
Life Span in the wild – 20 – 40 years
Cool map that shows Sandhill Crane distribution for months during the year.
Sandhill Crane Finder (savingcranes.org)
Sandhill Cranes returning to the Platte River to overnight.
There are 6 sub species if Sandhill Cranes. Greater, Lesser, Canadian, Mississippi, Florida, and Cuban. The Greater, Lesser, and Canadian Sandhill Cranes migrate from southern North America and Mexico to Canada, Alaska, and Siberia for the breeding / nesting period. The Mississippi, Florida, and Cuban Sandhill Cranes are year-round residents of their respective areas, and do not migrate.
The migrating Sandhill Cranes begin the year in warmer climates, in an area stretching from East Texas to Arizona and Southern California. During the migrating period, the majority of cranes consolidate from their wide spread wintering locations, into a narrow funnel going through Central Nebraska, along the Platte River. Some estimates reach 500,000 for Sandhill Cranes channeling through the stretch of Platte River, from North Platte to Grand Island. Here they rest in the river at night and feed in the surrounding fields during the day, building their strength and putting on pounds, before heading north and spreading out into northern North America. Some birds even go as far as Siberia.
Sandhill Cranes are white / gray in color. As the cranes mature a red crown appears. Juveniles do no have the a red crown.
During the spring, Sandhill Cranes stain their feather with mud. The staining covers the range of a few feathers to most of the bird appearing reddish brown. It’s speculated that the staining is done to serve as camouflage during nesting season.
Sandhill Cranes like to dance. Plie, Releve, Saute. A natural ballet. Sometimes a bird will grab a piece of grass or part of an old cornstalk, and toss it in the air, as part of their dance moves. Apparently, the birds dance during courtship, to relieve stress, when they’re excited, or just when they feel like dancing.