The Sandhill Crane

Location: Fort Center Trails
Date: Feb 14

© Juan C Aguero (juanKa)

Sandhill Crane, Close Up

© Juan C Aguero (juanKa)

The Florida sandhill crane (G. c. pratensis)

Two subspecies of sandhill crane occur in Florida. The Florida sandhill crane (G. c. pratensis), numbering 4,000 to 5,000, is a non-migratory year-round breeding resident. They are joined every winter by 25,000 migratory greater sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida), the larger of the two subspecies. The greater sandhill crane winters in Florida but nests in the Great Lakes region. Sandhill cranes nest during late winter and spring on mats of vegetation about two feet in diameter and in shallow water. Two eggs are normally laid. Cranes are monogamous breeders. Within 24 hours of hatching, the young are capable of following their parents away from the nest. Together, they forage for seeds and roots, crop plants such as corn and peanuts, insects, snakes, frogs and occasionally young birds or small mammals.

Photos by Juan C Aguero (juanKa)
Fisheating Creek WMA, Glades County, Fl