Sandhill Crane: Bird Finder for January 21

Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis

Several times a year, Sandhill Cranes are observed in Connecticut, often while they are flying past. This week one has been feeding in a cornfield in Stonington. 

What it looks like: Standing at about four feet tall, Sandhill Cranes are very large, tall birds with long necks. Overall, their color is a slate grey with a rusty wash on the upperparts. Their head is small with a pale cheek and a patch of red skin on the crown. The tail is somewhat distinctive being short and covered with drooping feathers. Their loud, rattling bugle call can be heard over two miles away, and once heard, is quite distinctive.

Where to find it: A single Sandhill Crane has been seen off and on for the past week in a cornfield in Stonington, not far from the Rhode Island border. Driving east on Route 184 in Stonington, look for Wheeler Road on the right. The cornfields are about one half mile down the road. The crane has been seen mostly in the southernmost field.

Thursday update: Reports from the Connecticut Ornithological Society say that the crane has been moving about a bit. Here’s what one observer sent out:

“Stonington, Lambert’s Cove/St Mary’s Cemetery (Rte 1) — At 5:00 PM the Sandhill Crane was on the ice behind all the waterfowl. It walked to the bare ground at the base of the railroad tracks and was there in the dark when I left.  Two trains came by and it didn’t budge.  Seen with two other birders but the light was poor by then and so are the photos but the photos are recognizable.  The bird could not be found in the cornfields at 4:25 and was not seen on the cove at 4:40. I left and returned and there it was.”

How to find it: If present, this bird is unmistakable. Scan the back of the cornfields with a good pair of binos or a spotting scope. This bird will stand out from any Canada Geese that may be present. And if it’s there, other birders are likely to be watching it as well. 

What if the bird is not there? Check the cornfields for other wintering birds such as Horned Larks, Savanah Sparrows, or even Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks and other raptors on nearby perches.

Conservation Status: The IUCN lists the Sandhill Crane as Least Concern.

This week’s Bird Finder was written by Milan Bull, left, Connecticut Audubon Society’s senior director of science and conservation. Bird Finder’s editor is Tom Andersen.

Crane photo by Dick Daniels, Carolinabirds.org.