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Sand Hill Youngsters

Two new Sand Hill Cranes

 

From Cornell Ornithology Lab:

 

... some start breeding at two years of age, (some) may reach the age of seven before breeding. They mate for life—which can mean two decades or more—and stay with their mates year-round. Juveniles stick close by their parents for 9 or 10 months after hatching.

 

The earliest Sandhill Crane fossil, estimated to be 2.5 million years old, was unearthed in the Macasphalt Shell Pit in Florida.

 

Sandhill Crane chicks can leave the nest within 8 hours of hatching, and are even capable of swimming.

 

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Uploaded on April 8, 2015
Taken on April 5, 2015