Sandhill Cranes are big birds, with long legs and necks, long pointed beaks, and wingspans which can be over six feet. Adults are grey with red crowns. Juveniles are gray, washed with brown.
During the breeding season, the grey plumage of the adults is often stained brown with mud. Here the male does a typical mating dance to win her over. A "bustle", which covers the short tail, is composed of long, drooping inner wing feathers. (Kissimmee, FL March, 2011)
NEW Photos 2016 Kissimmee FL
This year the pair of Adults have a couple of young ins of their own.
Baby sandhill cranes are called colts because of their long, strong, well-developed legs. A day after hatching, colts are already able to run after their parents. Although two eggs are usually laid, more often than not only one bird survives.
BUT these two are ready for action. The parents let me get about 12 feet away to take pictures freely as they grazed for food for the kids. Notice how they kind of sit on their knees while checking out their wings to be.
Like all youngsters they need their nap. these guys have been following Mom & Dad around 17th hole of a golf course. And yes they were chased off the greens by rude golfers. After a 3 minute nap its back in action.
Mar 1st, 2016
Click on the images to enlarge
Mar 30th, 2016
This colt has survived its first month and is now ready to learn to FLY !
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