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Mississippi Sandhill Cranes - Their Unique Biology |
Cranes look superficially like herons and their relatives. Both are tall, thin, and have long legs, necks and beaks. Despite their appearance, though, cranes are not closely related to herons, and their biology and way of living is quite different.
Most commonly, the Great Blue Heron is compared to a crane. |
Cranes |
Herons |
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Fly with neck outstretched |
Fly with recurved neck |
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| Bare red crown |
Fully feathered head |
Loud, rattling
bugle call |
Croak call |
| Long-lived |
Short-lived |
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Monogamous |
Change Mates |
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Nest on ground,
solitary |
Nest in tree,
colonial |
| Lay 1-2 eggs |
Lay 4-7 eggs |
Parents take
chick to food |
Parents take
food to chick |
Young stay
with parents
10 months |
Parents desert
young after fledging
(?? months) |
Long subadult period
(3-8 years) |
Breed at 1-2 years |
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Nesting Habits
Cranes are territorial nesters.
Herons and egrets nest in rookeries with many other birds. |
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| Mouse over the photos below to learn more about a Year in the Life of a Crane. |
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Last updated:
January 2, 2008
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