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Mike from Port St Lucie Writes:

Charles,
Thank you for the info.
We (my wife and I) thought that they were Sandhill Cranes,
but the only pictures we could find of them had red crowns or caps.
Almost like berets. If they like lizards and frogs they'll have a feast here.
I hope they stick around. I also hope local motorists are careful
as my wife saw one strolling across the road.
Thanks again for the info.
Michael

Our Response to Michael's original INFO REQUEST:

Michael,

What you are seeing are our beloved Sandhill Cranes. These magnificent
birds are a very old species.

Facts:

• They mate for life
• They nest in Florida during late winter and early spring
• Nest: A shallow depression on the ground usually within a earthen dam and covered with grasses and very small twigs.
• Offspring: One or two eggs each year, eggs hatch in about 18 1/2 weeks (~50 days)
• Chicks: called "Colts" will stay with the parents for at least 9 months
• Fledges are sexually mature in 2 to 3 years
• Food: grasses, seeds, grubs and insects and sometimes small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs
• Lifespan: about 24 years in the wild

Thanks for visiting the Central Florida Bird Watchers web site.

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