Sand-Hill Crane Family
Filed under Bird Sightings, SandHill Crane by
Sand-hill cranes are quite plentifully in central Florida. They can be found in large flocks in large fields foraging for food.
During breeding the become very protective of the young chicks. The young Sand-Hill cranes are brown and they start out so tiny. It is amazing to watch the family together. Most of the times there are three per family. Mom, Dad and one chick. I have seen two chicks in a family but only once.
This is yet another bird who’s population is threatened by habitat loss. Local building of houses and shopping centers has taken most of this bird’s habitat. In the southeast United States their numbers are dwindling. The Mississippi Sand-Hill Crane National Wild life Refuge was established in 1975 to safeguard the endangered Mississippi Sand Hill crane and it’s unique environment.
I happened to be lucky enough to be visited by a family of 3 one day.
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Comments on Sand-Hill Crane Family »
Great pictures! You are so lucky to have been visited by such a beautiful threesome. I wonder if the first buy was scoping out the scene before he led some of the rest of the flock over. What are they feeding on? Did you put something out there? Thanks
John
They were feeding on some wid bird seed that we scatter across the yard for the doves. The first one had made several visits before bringing all of them. On another occasion I walked out my front door to find two Mallard Ducks standing right at my door!