One day at the end of April 2019, I was in garden, at the edge of the driveway, dead-heading the Blanketflower. I got up to stretch, and when I turned around, I am stunned to see 3 Sandhill cranes walking from the backyard, across the driveway. I stand stock-still and watch them “slowly turn and inch by inch, step by step….” cross the street and walk down to a neighbor’s yard.
The Florida Sandhill Crane is listed as State Designated – Threatened due to degradation or loss of habitat due to development. [https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/cranes/sandhill-crane/].
They are as tall as I am, well, adults are 2-1/2-4 feet tall and their wingspan can reach 6 feet-6 inches! Adults might only weigh 9-10 pounds, but they are quite formidable and regal looking. They have a red patch on their heads, white cheeks and long dark pointed bills. They frequently give a loud trumpeting call – I notice when the dog walkers pass by. [Listen to Sandhill Cranes]
Cranes are monogamous (breeding with one mate). Females lay two eggs and both male and female will incubate it (one brood a year). Once the egg hatches, the offspring will be ready to travel with its parents in 24 hours. About 10 months old, the juveniles will be ready to leave their parents. Sandhill cranes will eat a variety of food depending on availability, including berries, small mammals, insects, snails, reptiles and amphibians. You often see them with their bills to the ground, rooting around for seeds and other foods.
Predators include foxes, raccoons, coyotes, wolves and bobcats. Ravens, hawks owls and crows will feed on young cranes and eggs – not to mention American crocodiles and alligators.
Photo from Wikipedia
