The Sandhill Crane

Although Sandhill Cranes, Grus canadensis, breed primarily in Alaska, northern Canada, and in the Great Lakes, small, scattered breeding populations are also found in the northwestern United States, including northeastern Utah. A number of times over the past 5 years, I have seen them flying over my property on their way to wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico. On at least two occasions, they have landed on the ground just south of my house. It appears that something in the vegetation growing there was amenable to their diet. The diet is diverse, consisting of roots, tubers, seeds, grain, berries, small vertebrates, and invertebrates. The Sandhill is about 37 inches long with a wingspan of 80 inches. It has a dark bill with an unfeathered red crown. The gray plumage often becomes stained with rust or brown. Sandhill cranes are monogamous. Birds may breed after they reach three years of age, but pairs often do not successfully reproduce until they reach five or six years of age.

Taken in April, 2008. Nikon D-100, 500mm mirror lens. Looking southeast from my front porch toward the coal loading station.