Sandhill Crane

The Sandhill Crane is one of the most numerous crane species in the world, breeding across a broad swath of North America from the Arctic tundra to the northern United States, with some non-migratory populations in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Its plumage, though naturally gray, is often stained a rusty red-brown because the bird preens iron-oxide-rich mud into its feathers. Massive migratory staging gatherings, especially along the Platte River in Nebraska, are among the great spectacles of North American bird migration.

• Body feathers are grey overall but frequently show a rusty, oxidized-mud stain across the back and wings acquired through preening behavior, so found feathers can range from clean grey to distinctly rust-tinged.
• Tertial (inner secondary) feathers are notably elongated, curved, and drooping, forming the characteristic "bustle" that curls over the tail when the bird is standing - a classic crane feather feature.
• Flight feathers (primaries) are plain dark grey without barring.
• The bare red crown patch means no feathers occur on the top of the head, unlike the surrounding grey-feathered face and neck.
• Distinguish from the Whooping Crane by overall grey (rather than white) coloration and by lacking black wingtip feathers.

Adults are grey overall with a bare red crown patch, whitish cheeks, and elongated, drooping tertial plumes forming a bustle over the tail; the grey can appear rust-stained from mud-preening behavior, especially during the breeding season. Sexes look alike. Juveniles (colts) have a feathered, cinnamon-brown head lacking the bare red crown, which develops in the first year, along with a more uniformly brownish overall plumage that grades into adult grey. Molt occurs after breeding, with some individuals undergoing a flightless period during wing molt.

Sandhill Cranes breed across a wide range from Siberia and Arctic Canada through the northern United States, with additional non-migratory populations in Florida, Mississippi, and Cuba. Most populations are strongly migratory, wintering in the southern United States and northern Mexico, and gather in enormous numbers at key staging areas such as Nebraska's Platte River during spring migration.

This crane forages omnivorously on the ground, taking seeds, grains, tubers, and small invertebrates in wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields. It nests on the ground, typically in wetland vegetation, laying a small clutch attended by both parents. Its call is a loud, rolling, bugling rattle audible over long distances, produced with the help of an elongated windpipe that coils within the breastbone. Elaborate dancing displays involving leaping, wing-flapping, and bowing are used in courtship and social interaction throughout the year.