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One of the many beautiful species of birds in Florida that are being forced out of their natural habitat by uncontrolled growth, destroying their nesting areas.
All these images were shot at full 300mm range so I would not scare her from the nest |
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Sandhill Cranes Florida sandhill cranes are long-legged, long-necked, gray, heron-like birds with a patch of bald, red skin on top of their heads.
Sandhill cranes fly with their necks outstretched with powerful, rhythmic wing beats.
Florida's sandhill cranes are a threatened species that are found in inland shallow freshwater marshes, prairies, pastures and farmlands. Sometimes they can be seen on lawns throughout Florida.
They are sensitive birds that do not adjust well to changed environments and high human populations.
Sandhill cranes are usually seen in small family groups or pairs. However, during the winter, Florida's sandhill crane population increases as cranes from northern states spend the winter in Florida. Sandhill cranes are omnivorous, meaning they eat a variety of plant and animal matter. Some of their favorite meal items include seeds, plant tubers, grains, berries, insects, earthworms, mice, snakes, lizards, frogs and crayfish. Unlike other wading birds, such as herons, sandhill cranes do not "fish."
The voice of the sandhill crane is one of the most distinctive bird sounds in Florida. This "call of the wild" has been described as a bugling or trumpeting sound, and can be heard for several miles.
Florida sandhill cranes stay with the same mate for several years and young sandhills stay with their parents until they are about 10 months old.
Like their endangered relatives the whooping cranes, sandhills live to be older than most birds. In fact, some sandhill cranes live up to 20 years. |
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Vocalizations:
Loud, rattling kar-r-r-o-o-o. With multiple variations.
Contact calls are low pitched and soft calls that allow the birds to keep in contact with each other even if they can't see each other in the deep grass or reeds. (Note: This is a soft call; you may need to turn up your computer speaker system.)
UnisonCall are produced by a pair of birds. This call, performed with the birds standing close to each other and in a synchronized duet, is a way of reinforcing the pair bond between a female and a male bird. It may also be used by a pair to threaten predators or other cranes.
Guard Calls are single loud vocalizations used to warn other cranes of danger or to threaten other cranes. These calls are sometimes echoed by the other member of the pair. You can hear this "echoing" in this sample audio clip |
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CLICK on the blue links above to hear the calls of the Cranes :) |
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Sign on a golf course to ask golfers to take care and so no harm to the bird and it's nest |
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Mother guards the nest, the male is nearby and brings food. He watches while Mother takes a break.Note the white egg in background on left. |
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In some areas of Florida ,ignorant people have actually tried to harm these birds, citing them a "nuisance" as they wander onto golf courses and gardens in search of food
They are endangered! |
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