BIRDS

Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis

Family Gruidae (Cranes)

Size: 45"

Range: Throughout the United States

Habitat: Fields, shallow wetlands

The sandhill crane is a tall bird with long, strong legs, a long neck, and a long, straight bill. The long, thick, tertial feathers create the distinctive bustle on the rear of all cranes. The top of the head is covered by bare red skin. Plumage is gray overall but may become spotted with rust-colored stains caused by preening with a bill stained by iron-rich mud. In flocks, it grazes in fields, gleaning grains, insects, and small animals, and returns to protected wetland areas in the evening to roost. The voice of the sandhill crane is a throaty, penetrating trumpeting sound. Unlike herons, it flies in groups with its neck extended.

Track size: 5" wide x 4½" long

Description of Track: Feet are artiodactyl, with toe one to the rear and toes two, three, and four to the front. The front toes are robust and long, with the outer ones often spreading wide to the sides in an almost inverted T shape to support this huge bird. The rear toes are very small and raised on the foot, so usually they do not register in the track except for the claws. Other claws are short and blunt and may or may not register. The metatarsal pad is large and prominent. The common gait is a walk, and the track is similar to that of the whooping crane, which is slightly larger.