The Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes are big birds that can reach four-feet tall.  They can be seen across North America at various times during the year.  There are six subspecies: three migratory and three non-migratory. The three non-migratory reside in Florida, Mississippi and Cuba year-round.  All subspecies are hard to distinguish as they all look very similar.  Sandhills Cranes are easy to spot as they are usually in some type of open habitat.

Sandhill Crane 

Sandhill Crane 

This Sandhill Crane is laying on her nest.  These birds produce one to three eggs (usually two), which take about one month to hatch.  After only eight hours, the new chicks can walk and swim.

This pair of sandhill cranes and their little chick were so cute to watch.  They breed for life and take care of their young for up to ten months, even flying with them in migration.  About 80 percent of cranes migrate each year.

 

Foraging for Food

Look at those long legs!

The Sandhill Crane is the 2nd largest Crane in North America.  It is slightly smaller than the Whooping Crane who stands about 5-feet tall.  Whooping Cranes are difficult to find as they are considered an endangered species.  Adult Whooping Cranes have an all-white body, black wing tips (that show when in flight), a reddish crown, and reddish on part of the face.

Beautiful Sandhill Crane in flight.  Their wingspan can reach to over six feet. The rare Whooping Crane can reach up to seven feet.

I hope you enjoy watching these big birds as much as I do.

Happy Birding!

Nesting

March was the month for nesting!  Around town, I saw several pretty cool bird nests as I was out and about.

 

The White-breasted Nuthatch are quite the quick bird.  I enjoyed watching this little guy go in and out of his nest.  They like to eat the seeds of acorns and other larger sized nuts.

 

White-breasted Nuthatch and the tiny little nest in the tree

 

 

 

 

White-breasted Nuthatch

 

The Great Blue Heron is the largest of all Herons. I've seen quite a few in Oregon over the last several months, but it wasn't until this month that I learned these beautiful birds nest high in trees.  I guess it only makes sense!

 

Great Blue Heron in their nest in the trees



Great Blue Heron with lunch

Could this Anna's Hummingbird be any cuter in her teeny, tiny, nest?  

Anna's Hummingbird in her nest

 

Another treat was the Great Horned Owls sitting high in the tree in their nest with their young.  Unfortunately I couldn't get any closer because of the property owners fencing, but I would have liked to!  These protective birds are known to attack humans if you get too close to their nest, so it was actually good that I didn't cross the fence! 

 

Great Horned Owls with their "cat-like" ears are one of the most common owls in North America and one of the largest. They also are amazing hunters.  They eat rabbits, skunks, and other small to medium sized animals.  They are also known to eat large birds such as Canadian geese, ducks, and herons.  They are most active at night.

 



Great Horned Owl 



Great Horned Owl with the baby peeking through the branches

 And finally the grand-daddy of all, the Bald Eagle nest. Watching these magnificent birds flying in and out of their massive nest is a sight to be seen.

  

Eagles return to the same nest for years, and add more to it every year.
This nest is about 7 years old.

 

Last look at the eggs before taking off

 

Taking off

 

Heading back

 

 

Enjoying the top of the world!