Crane (Sandhill Crane)

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Sandhill Crane

Zoo Tek Phoenix

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Author: Genki

Keywords: real birds

Date Released: Nov 7 2009

Current gcSandhillCrane.ztd dated 20 August 2009

File Size: N/A

Compatibility: All Game Versions

Description: Part of Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane pack

The Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) is a large crane of North America and extreme northeastern Siberia. The common name of this bird references habitat like that at the Platte River, on the edge of Nebraska's Sandhills in the American midwest. This is the most important stopover area for the Lesser Sandhill Crane, Grus (canadensis) canadensis, with up to 450,000 of these birds migrating through annually.

Adults are gray overall; during breeding, the plumage is usually much worn and stained, particularly in the migratory populations, and looks nearly ochre. The sandhill crane has a red forehead, white cheeks and a long dark pointed bill. Its long dark legs trail behind in flight, and the long neck is kept straight in flight. Immature birds have reddish brown upperparts and gray underparts. The sexes look alike. Size varies among the different subspecies. This crane frequently gives a loud trumpeting call that suggests a French-style "r" rolled in the throat, and they can be heard from a long distance.

Mated pairs of cranes engage in "unison calling." The cranes stand close together, calling in a synchronized and complex duet. The female makes two calls for every single call of the male.

The only other large grayish-bodied bird of North America is the Great Blue Heron. This heron is of similar dimensions to the Sandhill Crane and is sometimes mistakenly called a crane, even though it is very different in plumage details and build. Like other herons, it flies with its neck tucked toward the body.

The sandhill crane's large wingspan, which is 6-8 feet when fully grown, makes this a very skilled soaring bird similar in style to hawks and eagles. Utilizing thermals to obtain lift, they can stay aloft for many hours, requiring only occasional flapping of their wings and consequently expending little energy. With migratory flocks containing hundreds of birds, they can create clear outlines of the normally invisible rising columns of air (thermals) that they ride.

Although it is rare, some Sandhill Cranes have been spotted devouring their young. If the mated pair recognizes a weakness in a young bird, they will eat it.[citation needed]

The Sandhill Crane flies south for the winter. In their wintering areas they form flocks of over 10,000 birds. One place to observe this is at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, 100 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Just before Thanksgiving every year there is a Sandhill Crane Festival there. Use a search engine and get the information and go to this natural wonder.

Source: Wikipedia

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Additional info:

gcSandhillCrane.ztd                  uca: 8B4B93F2 dated 20 August 2009

Also included in combined gcWhooping_and_Sandhill_Crane.ztd

Results From Configuration Checking:

8B4B93F2.uca date: Thu Aug 20 18:14:14 2009
No Errors or Warnings to show.
Animal Type: 8B4B93F2

Sandhill Crane

The Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) is a large crane of North America and
extreme northeastern Siberia. The common name of this bird references habitat
like that at the Platte River, on the edge of Nebraska's Sandhills in the
American midwest. This is the most important stopover area for the Lesser
Sandhill Crane, Grus (canadensis) canadensis, with up to 450,000 of these
birds migrating through annually.
    (plus 7 other paragraphs)

Animal Characteristics:

Habitat: Grassland; Location: North America
Minimum happiness needed for chance of breeding: 90.
Animal can swim in water terrain.

Exhibit Preferences:

Foliage:
Water Lily, Water Reed, Broadleaf Bush, Bald Cypress Tree (DD)
Horsetail (DD), Monkey Puzzle Tree (DD), Sea Anemone (MM), Barnacles (MM)
Beach Grass (MM), Brittle Sea Star (MM), Clam Bed (MM), Orange Cup Coral (MM)
Divercate Tree Coral (MM), Feather Duster Worm (MM), Fire Coral (MM)
Kelp (MM), Sea Lettuce (MM), Red Gorgonian (MM), Sargassum (MM)
Sand Dollar (MM), Sea Cucumber (MM), Sea Star (MM), Seaweed (MM)
Sea Grass (MM), Sea Sponge (MM), Stove Pipe Sponge (MM), Tube Worm (MM)
Purple Sea Urchin (MM)

Rocks:
Medium Aquatic Rock (DD), Small Ocean Floor Rock (MM)
Medium Coral Formation (MM), Large Ocean Floor Rock (MM)
Medium Ocean Floor Rock (MM), Large Coral Formation (MM), Iceberg (MM)
Isle Rock (MM)

Exhibit Construction:

Number of animals allowed per exhibit: 2-20 with 10 squares for each adult.

Exhibit size (for 2 adults): 20 grid squares

Terrain (for exhibit with 20 grid squares):
8 Fresh Water, 2 Sand, 2 Dirt, 1 Brown Stone, 7 Grass

Foliage (for exhibit with 20 grid squares):
1 grid square should contain foliage.
Foliage that would give the most happiness: Water Lily
Since this is a small plant, greatest happiness will occur
if the grid square contains 4 of this plant.

Rocks (for exhibit with 20 grid squares):
2 Small Ocean Floor Rock (MM), which is its most liked rock.

Elevation: Of the 20 squares, 1 nonadjacent squares should be elevated.