Tips for Bird Watching Sandhill Crains
Sandhill crains are majestic water birds that are of interest to many bird watchers. These birds are often found in freshwater wetlands. Bird watching sandhill crains can be a fun and rewarding experience. You may have these birds somewhere near you. Or, you may be able to view them during their migratory season. During the winter, these birds live in Mexico and the hot Southern United States. They fly to a variety of summer locations like Canada, Alaska and even Asia. If you’ve never seen one of these birds before but want to spot one in the wild, you should look through some bird identification books.
The sandhill crane has a length of approximately 37 inches and a wingspan of approximately 80 inches. These birds are big, with long necks and long legs. The bill is also long and pointed. Unlike herons, this crane keeps its neck straight and untucked, even during flight. The juvenile sandhill crane has a feathered crown and its plumage is gray with speckled cinnamon coloration. The adult crane has gray plumage, but sometimes also experiences cinnamon colored staining. The cheeks and chin are a shade of white, and there is no crown plumage as seen in the juvenile.
When searching for this bird, you should dress appropriately. Because the crane favors the wetlands, sturdy water boots are a must. You should definitely wear mosquito and tick repellant when bird watching in the wilderness. Binoculars are very important, because you might not be able to get too close without scaring away the birds. When you observe from a distance you are often able to watch the bird much longer. A digital camera with a good zoom and fast shutter speed is also a good thing to carry with you. You may also want to bring a notebook or tape recorder for taking down details. Some birders even have software on their home computer into which they enter all the details of each excursion and bird sighting.
If you live near a freshwater wetland, it is likely that birdwatching sandhill crains is something your local birding club may do on a regular basis. If you don’t already belong to a club, you should think about joining. Audubon Society clubs are located all over the U.S. and offer great opportunities for education, field trips, special events and socialization with other people who share your passion for bird watching.