Thought I Saw A Bald Eagle

We had a fooler the other day.

What I thought was a Bald Eagle sitting on to tip of a Douglas Fir tree, a favorite spot for them to patrol the river, I was surprised that it was not an eagle at all.

When the bird took off for flight I saw the long, long legs stretched out as it drew powerful wings through the air to gain altitude. What I was looking at was a crane aka the Greater sandhill crane. They also like to hang around the river, but rather than wait for fish that are 10 to 20 lbs in size, they seek out the little one inch babies an eat as many of them as they can.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website says it as thus;

The Greater sandhill crane is Oregon’s tallest bird. This large majestic crane has a guttural gurgling or bugling call, and is easily noticed in flight by its profile, with long neck and head extending straight ahead and long legs trailing behind.

The Greater sandhill crane is distinguished by its red crown and white cheek patches, contrasting with with a light gray body. Fledged young resemble adults, but have a feathered forehead, a lighter tawny plumage, and lack the red crown and white cheek patches during their first fall. Fledged young have a squeaky cheap call often heard in flight during fall and winter. Adults look alike, although males are larger than females.

Cranes are a protected animal just like the Bald Eagle, but I surely don’t want them eating all the trout and salmon before the babies are able to grow up.