Photo: Ashok Khosla
Grus canadensis. SACR. Every winter, in the northern central valley of California, these birds grace our skies and fallow fields with their distinctive voice and large, elegant profile. And, just what is that bright red area behind their bill? It is skin. Otherwise, the bird is pale gray all over except for some rusty splotches on the wings and back. Juvenile birds lack the bright red on the face. In flight the neck is extended and the wings flap with an upward flick.
During winter they are often seen in and around flocks of Tundra Swan and geese, and can be told apart in flight by their long legs which extend past their relatively short tail. Swan and geese legs are shorter than their tails when viewing them in flight.
There is both a "Greater Sandhill" which is larger and more southern-breeding, and a "Lesser Sandhill" which breeds in the arctic.
My favorite thing about Sandhill Cranes is their voice. I find it very soothing and calming.
You can hear its voice as well as find out more about Sandhill Cranes by following the link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sandhill_crane/id
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