A Colony of Sandhill Cranes in Mississippi
Valentine JM and Noble RE. 1970. A Colony of Sandhill Cranes in Mississippi. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 34(4):761-768
The small isolated colony of Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) in south-eastern Mississippi was studied during 1963 through the spring of 1970. The important feeding and nesting habitats are boggy savannas and swamps. The total estimated population is between 38 and 40 birds. The egg-laying period was between April 4 and May 20. Thirty nests were found containing an average of 1.7 eggs per completed set. From a total of 51 eggs, 22 were collected for propagation purposes; 29 were left in the nests and 18 successfully hatched. Four nests were abandoned and none was destroyed by predation. The colony is endangered by pine plantations, drainage, an interstate highway, and increasing housing developments. The establishment of state, federal, or private refuges is recommended if the colony is to survive.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Valentine, Jacob; Noble, Robert
- Units
- GUIS
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Animals, Birds (Aves), Colonies (Birds), Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis), Gulf Islands National Seashore FL - MS, Jackson County MS, Nests & Nesting, Rare Species, Threatened & Endangered Species