Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis),
watercolor
About the illustration:
Commissioned by: Wisconsin Sea Grant, University of WisconsinMadison
About sandhill cranes:
Sandhill cranes are about three feet tall and have a wingspan of about six feet. Adult coloring is attained at two and a half years. Cranes can live to about 25 years old in the wild. They are omnivorous and eat a variety of things including seeds, berries, insects, rodents, and amphibians. They have a unique mating dance. There are only two species of cranes in the U.S., the whooping crane and the sandhill crane. Cranes are generally monogamous, mating for life. They are one of the oldest species of the living birds.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata (having a spinal chord)
Class: Aves (birds)
Order: Gruiformes ("crane-like" birds)
Family: Gruidae (cranes)
Genus: Grus
Species: G. canadensis
Read more about sandhill cranes:
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Sandhill Cranes
Seattle Audubon Society, Sandhill Crane