In the last issue of Sun Day, we discussed Canadian Geese, resident-geese in Sun City and throughout northern Illinois.
In this edition, we are focusing on Sandhill Cranes, which, in contrast, are migratory birds that have also made an impressive recovery from near extinction, though not as numerous as their feathered brethren, the geese.
Sandhill Cranes, in contrast to geese, are long-legged, taller birds. Sun City residents have noticed them in recent months in or near marshes, wetlands, or small ponds that are located throughout the community. To get more information about these beautiful birds, the Sun Day again turned to Cindi Jablonski, wildlife biologist as the McHenry County Conservation Area near Richmond at the Wisconsin-Illinois state line.
“Sandhill Cranes breed and nest in Illinois and spend their winters in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia,” she said. “Some of the ones that fly north from their wintering grounds will stop and stay in Illinois to breed, others will go on to nest in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and some will even go north into Canada.
They have their own incredible recovery story, she added. “There was a time when it was rare to see Sandhill Cranes in Illinois. In the 1930s, only two-dozen breeding pairs of them lived in Wisconsin. The crane population in the Upper Midwest is now between 65,000 and 95,000.
“Their diet consists of plant roots, grains, small vertebrates (mice and snakes), insects, and worms. You can often see them in grain fields after fall harvest to pick up any corn or soybeans left behind. They can be seen in marshes at night. They sleep standing up in the marsh. This is so they can hear a predator (usually a coyote or wolf), if it comes into the marsh by the sound of the water disturbance.”
Sandhill cranes generally lay two eggs in late spring in a large nest at the edge of a marsh, she added.
“Both parents help to raise he young, called colts,” said Jablonski. “The young will stay with both of the parents for about nine months.”
How were the cranes able to make such a comeback?
“One of the biggest reasons these birds have been able to rebound is because of the conservation and restoration of wetlands, marshes, and prairies. Their habitats have been restored for nesting and breeding. Another reason is their ability to adapt to human development. They have learned to live with people rather than avoid them.”
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