CRANE MIGRATION:Was outside this afternoon, catching up on late winter chores and I heard a sound like a raspy woodpecker. Looked up and saw a long thin line of migrating birds. they were cranes, estimated about 100 to 150 of them, ran inside and found my camera, got one picture as they fly fast. Assume them to be Sandhills heading for their winter home in Texas. they were flying south-west. Some research indicates , they have an anatomical peculiarity, the windpipe is long (about 5 ft.) and is coiled within the hollowed keel of the breast bone somewhat like a french horn. Thus allowing for the loud long distant calls. Note the broad view and the closeup view, cranes fly with neck outstretched.
1 comment:
Wow. I never knew they flew by us. I visited a sanctuary in north west Indiana that has thousands of Sandhills stopping there each spring and fall. When they slow down to land, they look a lot like a slow moving balloon parachute. Also saw one in Alaska on the shore there. Amazing birds.
Post a Comment