Sandhill Crane

These first cranes were seen in a wildlife preserve.   To me they did not seem as tall as the ones we have seen out in fields.  They can grow from 41 to 46 inches tall.  

They are a tall, graceful, heronlike bird with long legs, long neck, and a long slender body.  They have a "bustle" at  the tail.  It is created by longer decurved inner secondary coverts and tertials that extend over the tail.

They are pale gray overall, and have a bright red to rosy skin from midcrown to base of bill. They eyes are yellowish. 

They may run to takeoff, and fly with neck and feet extended.

They like grasslands in summer, and marshes, agricultural fields in winter.

They have a loud call.  The bird book says it is a mellow, rolling,and fairly low-pitched . Every time I have heard it they have been very noisy.