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Cranes

A single whooping crane probes the shallow flats of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, quietly looking for blue crabs. With careful, deliberate movements, it searches the water for its favorite prey. Blue crabs are the number one preferred food for wintering Whooping Cranes here. Their strong bills are perfectly adapted for grasping and crushing these crustaceans. The health of the crab population is closely tied to the cranes’ success each winter. When crab numbers are high, cranes enter spring migration in strong condition. When crabs decline, the birds struggle to gain the energy they need. Freshwater inflows into the bays play a critical role in sustaining blue crab populations. Adequate freshwater keeps salinity levels balanced and supports productive estuary habitat. Protecting these water resources ensures both thriving crabs and a future for these iconic cranes. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Whooping Crane - Aransas NWR, TX
This Cattle Tyrant is far from home, surprising birders with a rare appearance in Corpus Christi, TX. He spends much of his time looking for insects in a very specific couple of blocks downtown. A favorite spot is the restaurant patio at Water Street Oyster Bar. This turned out to be a happy coincidence as we had dinner at this restaurant the night before. The food and atmosphere were fantastic if you are interested. The Cattle Tyrant is believed ship assisted, making it ineligible to count as an official Texas bird. We did add it to the life list all the same. Check eBird for the last location or check on Water, Chaparral and Lawrence Streets in downtown Corpus Christi. www.TheBirdBlogger.com - Michael Klotz
Whooping Crane - Aransas, TX
Sandhill Crane Colt - Piper Spit, BC There is not much else as cute as a baby crane. Mom and Dad were near-by picking through the Flag Iris roots for morsels for the little one. These parents have tried nesting near Piper Spit before, but were not successful in raising any young so this was a treat to see this little one doing so well. We are lucky here in Vancouver to be able to see many of these breeding pairs so close including a long time breeding pair at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com 2022
Sandhill Crane Colt - Piper Spit, BC
Sandhill Crane - Burnaby, BC We are very luck here in Vancouver to have multiple pairs of Sandhill Cranes that breed here regularly. There is a pair at Burnaby Lake that are often seen on Piper Spit and this day they were both hanging close to the boardwalk. Baby cranes are called colts and this pair have had a shot two years running but to no avail. There is hope to see this pair do as well as the very long lived pair at Reifel Bird Sanctuary who have multiple colts every year since as long as I can remember. The red patch on the forehead is striking even from a distance. That coupled with the grey/rust is the diagnostic tell for this fantastic crane. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Sandhill Crane - Burnaby, BC
Sandhill Crane - Meadow Lake, BC The Cariboo is the perfect place for Sandhill Cranes to raise their colts. There are plenty of pot hole lakes as well as grassland to hunt rodents and amphibians. The adult in the this picture was just outside of the Meadow Lake Guest Ranch with it's mate searching the field for food. There were several pairs of these birds calling which can be heard several miles away. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Sandhill Crane - Meadow Lake, BC
Reifel Bird Sanctuary is arguably the best birding location in Vancouver. Its crown jewels are the Sandhill Cranes that nest and successfully raise colts (baby cranes) there. In the fall there are many migrants that stop and use the ponds as a refueling station on the trip south to California and beyond. These birds are very protective when they are raising their babies, but in the later months will stride along the path and take grain from your hand. They are free to leave and sometimes do to scout the farmland for better pickings. This picture was taken while we have a thick layer of smoke blanketing the area and makes for a redder hue than normal. Grus canadensis Picture
Sandhill Crane - Delta, BC
Sandhill Crane - Piper Spit, BC I caught this stunning bird in the Golden hour taking off for the evening. Kinda like going to the store for an ice cream, that turns out if free that night and then finding out your crush is there too!! Fast forward two months and it turns out that this bird is a proud parent of a baby crane called a
Sandhill Crane - Piper Spit, BC
Sandhill Crane - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC We are lucky enough to have a world class bird sanctuary here in Metro Vancouver. The sanctuary is home to several birds that can be found here up close and personal. We have our very own Sandhill Cranes that nest here in the summer months, usually showing up with as many as 4 colts. These birds are quite tame and will even take the wheat feed out of your hand in the area where the ducks wait for food. Sandhill Cranes can be found in the southern United States in flocks of more than 1000 birds and is quite the spectacle. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Sandhill Crane - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC
Common Ostrich - Masai Mara, KE This was on safari in the northern most section of the Masai Mara. Here is the quintessential bird for all birders that are listers. The size and strength is what I noticed when we got close enough. There was a female close and another 6 or so birds in the rocky bushed area behind us. Cool fact, the smallest bird in the world will fit in the eye of this, the largest bird. Michael W Klotz 2015 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Grey Crowned Cranes - Enelarai, KE
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Sandhill Crane - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC
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