Living Dinosaurs- Sandhill Cranes hold the record as the oldest Living bird species. If you laugh at "bird-watching", you haven't met the cranes, or heard their loud, resonating call. Imagine hearing hundreds all hollering at once-it sends shivers down your spine.
The Crane is the tallest bird in Michigan,standing 4 feet, with a wing-span of 6 feet. Their feathers are a "mousy" gray with white cheeks and the signature red forehead. Average life expectancy is 7 years, but potentially could live 20-30 years
When forming and maintaing pair bonds, they are "fancy dancers". They bow, bounce into the air, flap their wings and jump on their stiff legs.
To see these wonderful birds by the hundreds,visit the Phyllis Haehnle Memorial
Sanctuary
www.haehnlesanctuary.org, near Jackson, Michigan. Hundreds gather in October and early November prior to migration South in November.
There is even a vineyard named after them
SandhillCraneVineyards.com,that teams up with the village of Chelsea, Michigan,
chelseamich.com, to celebrate their presence.
At
www.deweylakemanor.com, Dewey Lake Manor B&B, we enjoy them on our lawn-it's great.
