Grus Canadensis

I am a Florida Sandhill crane, one of 6 sub-species in North America. We are the oldest still-living species of birds as proven by fossils of over 6 million years old found in Nebraska. I stand 4 to 5 feet high, weigh about 11 lbs. and my wings span about 6 to 7 feet. My unfeathered red crown and lores (that's the area between my eyes and my bill )  become brighter when I am stressed so stay away from me when my head shines like a beacon! I have gray feathers but you often see my back and wings a rusty brown because I love to smear mud on my feathers to repel parasites. Iron oxides in the mud give me that brownish coat.

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