The Endangered Birds of Florida

To begin: what is a Bird?

A Bird is a warm blooded, bipedal (two legs)

vertebrate (has a backbone) with feathers,

bills and wings and most can fly.

It lays eggs to reproduce and many theories have

it classified as a direct descendant of Dinosaurs,

dating back to the Jurassic period.

There are 2 Crane species in Florida,

the Whooping Crane and the Sandhill Crane.

Both are Endangered in Florida.

These 2 Cranes are the only ones in North America

and are most likely the oldest birds on Earth,

dating back possibly to over 6 million years.

The Whooping Crane in Florida is an experimental group.

There are 2 kinds of Sandhill Cranes in Florida,

resident and migratory.

Our snowbirds start returning about the end of October

and usually stay until Spring or around April.

Their numbers vary each year and when they are here it is wonderful.

They can be seen standing in the fields of nearly every road in our area.

Cranes normally have 2 chicks/babies,

but rarely do they both survive.

As with other great birds, they

care for their young together.

Both Crane species mate for life, however if their

mate dies or is killed, they will remate.

Crane lifespan averages about 20-24 years.

To learn more about each Crane,

please see their individual pages.

A final note:

There is a wonderful documentary on PBS,

if you are lucky enough to get to see it:

Crane Song

It details the travels of the Cranes

and has some unforgettable moments~

Places to learn more:

Audubon

Cranes on the Platte

Sandhills on the Platte

Whooping Cranes

Cornell

All about Birds: The Sandhill Crane

All about Birds: The Whooping Crane

Dr. Gary Krapu

Sandhill Cranes and the Platte River

Forest.org

A Tale of Sandhill Cranes

International Crane Foundation

Saving the Cranes

Species Sandhill

Whooping Crane Facts

National Geographic

Crane Cam - live during Migration - late February to April

Whooping Crane Profile

Nature Conservancy

Sandhill Cranes

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Spring Migration - Sandhill Cranes

Northern Prairie Wildlife Center

The Sandhill Cranes

Platte River

Whooping Cranes

Rowe Sanctuary

Sandhill Cranes

Southwest FWS

Whooping Crane Population Reaches Record

Southwest Florida Water Management

Sandhill Cranes

USFWS

General Information

Life History

Whooping Crane Facts

USGS-Patuxent

Whooping Crane Flock Status and News

Whooping Crane Biology, etc. - PDF Full Version Online

Walking with the Alligators

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