Sandhill Crane

The sandhill crane is easy to identify with its black legs, gray feathers, white cheeks, and red crown. It nests in thick marsh vegetation such as pickerel weed and maidencane and often feeds in pastures and open woodlands. The sandhill crane eats a variety of plants and invertebrates. Its loud rattling call travels long distances. The sandhill crane is thought to mate for life. In China and Japan the crane is a symbol of long life, grace, and fidelity.