Sandhill Cranes

The Sandhill Crane is a large wading bird standing up to 4 feet tall with a wingspan of 5 to 6 feet. The feathers on its body are gray, but its cheeks, chin and throat are white. It has a distinctive red crown and a long dark bill.

Sandhill Cranes have a bushy "bustle" made up of long, drooping feather that covers its tail. It is a gangly bird with a long neck and thin, dark legs. The sexes look alike but the immature birds have a reddish-brown tint to the feathers on the upper part of their body.

The Sandhill Crane spends the breeding season in Alaska, Siberia, and across parts of Canada. They are a migratory bird spending the winters across the southern region of the United States. Wet meadows and grasslands surrounded by pines and fir trees are their preferred habitat during mating season. During the winter they will settle in open prairies, fields, and river valleys. Sandhill Crane will choose a habitat that gives them a clear view of their surroundings.

The Sandhill Crane has an elaborate mating ritual. They paint themselves with mud and their elongated feathers on their rump fluff up to form a bustle. Paired birds spread their wings and leap into the air while vocalizing in what is called "unison calling." This passionate duet is a coordinated effort and quite lengthy.

The female usually lays 2 eggs but it is rare for more than one to survive to adulthood. The nest is made of a mound of emergent vegetation. Both parents care for the young (commonly referred to as a colt) until it is able to feed itself. It will remain with it parents for up to ten months. They learn the migration route from their parents on their first trip south.

Sandhill Cranes are omnivores, eating both plant matter and small prey. They will eat young plants and tubers, as well as grains, mice, snakes, insects and worms.

The Sandhill Crane's call is similar to the rolling notes of a trumpet.

Most Sandhill Cranes migrate. The route is not instinctive but passed from one generation to the next. They follow roughly same path every year. It is estimated that 80 percent of the migrating Sandhill Cranes use a 75 mile stretch along the Platte River in Nebraska as a rest spot during their spring migration.

1. Sandhill Cranes can live up to 20 years in the wild but captive birds have been known to live twice that long.
2. Sandhill Cranes rarely start breeding until they are 2 to 7 years old.
3. Before the mating dance, the Sandhill Cranes preen. They add a layer of mud to their feathers and fluff up their bustle.
4. Mated pairs of Sandhill Cranes stay together throughout the year and migrate as a family unit. The young separated from their parents before their first winter cannot migrate. They don't know the route.
5. Observing the annual Sandhill Crane migration has become a popular tourist attraction in Central Nebraska.
6. The Sandhill Crane is the most abundant crane in the world.

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars

The Nikon Monarch Binoculars

The waterproof, fog-free Nikon binoculars are perfect for outdoor use. Bright, beautifully defined images are delivered by superior quality, multilayer coated lense.O-ring seals and nitrogen gas provide added resistance to the effects of changes in climate, while the durable design and rubber armoring ensure reliable performance and a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. Worry-free viewing of the great outdoors.