|
Dear
Journey North,
All but six of the 2007 chicks (now we'll call them juveniles)
are headed north! Trackers are on the road too, but it's early
to have many details. So this week, Eva and I will share
some
of
our
photos
and
stories
about these
young birds on the wintering grounds.
- Scroll down for my photos
and captions to learn things you didn't know about crane-kid
#709!
Sara Zimorski, Aviculturist, ICF
|
|
Dear
Journey North,
Since
I have been monitoring the older whooping cranes and helping
to raise this year's chicks, I can’t help but have
some favorites. One of the ultralight-led chicks, one in
particular
has gotten my attention more than the others. Male #706
is the second oldest bird of the ultralight class of 2007.
He is one of the most aggressive towards a costume, but I
also like
to refer to
him as "mommy’s little boy." Click on my
story to see why.
Eva Szyszkoski,
ICF Tracking Intern |
Click
for Eva's Story.
|
|
Sara
Tells Tidibits About #709!
|
| I love this picture
of #709 because of the mud on him. It came from another bird’s
feet! The birds were fighting and jump-raking and one of the birds clearly
contacted #9 and left these muddy streaks behind. |
 |
Do you see #709
standing tall and sort of posturing towards the other bird in the picture?
He's asserting dominance.
|
|
Do you
see how the bird on the left has backed down? It's head is down and
the bird is moving away, but he’s not happy about it. This bird
would still be showing the red patch (if it were older and had one),
and the feathers are sort of ruffled a bit
with one wing out. So #709 is "Top Crane" here!
|
|
|
