It is that time of year! The majestic Sandhill Cranes visit Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in San Luis Valley, Colorado–and so do we. Thousands of cranes rest at the Refuge each spring in preparation for their flight to nesting grounds in northern US and Canada. What a sight!
What a surprise–American White Pelicans! Walking to a favorite local lake to see the waterfowl passing along our bird migration flyway. This was an unexpected delight. One of the largest birds in North America, it has a wing span of 9 to 10 feet, only outdone by the California Condor, endangered but making a comeback.
Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) are large, loud, and one of our most majestic birds. With a wingspan of almost seven feet, seeing flocks of thousands heading north each spring is a sight to behold! Come along as we visit Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Colorado to watch the birds flock, feed, and dance, all in preparation for their long journey north.
Living anywhere in North America, you will see birds in the Corvidae family: Crows, Ravens, Magpies, Nutcrackers, and Jays. They are bold, tend to be very noisy, and are the most intelligent birds in the world. Their intelligence actually surpasses that of many mammals. Research has shown that Corvids are capable of recalling specific past events, planning for the future, using cooperative problem-solving, and creating novel tools to solve problems. Maybe we should elect a few crows to Congress!
We know Jays in the USA because most are blue, but Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) wear no blue and are slightly smaller, about the size of a robin. Living in spruce/pine/fir forests, they blend in nicely. They are quieter than their cousins, but much more curious. Never hesitating to get close to humans, they may land on your head or hand. I had a unique experience hiking in the mountains near home at an elevation of 9,200 feet. Hi there!
