Initially this guide displays common birds of all types that are flying right now in our area. Use the selectors below to view rare birds, view birds flying any time, restrict the output to a certain shape of bird, or search by name.
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 Photo: adult by Josip Loncaric  Photo: adult chasing immature by Mouser Williams  Photo: adults by J.N. Stuart |  Sandhill Crane, Florida CraneSACR (Grus canadensis)Family: Gruidae (Cranes and Rails) Size: 34 - 48 in (86 - 122 cm) Flies: Feb 01 - Apr 07 and Oct 01 - Dec 31 Morphology: slate gray birds with bulky bodies, slender necks, small head, long bills, and short tails with drooping feathers that look like a bustle; adults have pale checks and red skin on the crown; immatures lack the pale check and red crown Status: native; locally common Food source: insects, roots of aquatic plants; rodents, snails, frogs, lizards, snakes, nestling birds, berries, and seeds depending on the location and season Habitat: large freshwater marshes, prairie ponds, marshy tundra Sandhill Cranes can regularly be seen flying far over head during the fall migration. They are abundant at Bosque del Apache in winter where they forage in flocks in the open fields. Courtship for these cranes includes several different “dances”, consisting of leaping in the air with wings spread while calling. There are two versions designed to attract a mate and three others to strengthen and maintain the pair bond. Nests which consist of a mound of plant material are usually located in marshy areas or on the ground near water. Young leave the nest within a day of hatching but are tended by both parents until they are able to feed themselves. First flight is at about 70 days of age. However, the young will remain with their parents for some time, accompanying them during migration. Info Photos Distribution Frequency |