Sandhills?

[fishface]

Are they about the same color as deer? There were two of them just N. of Big lake on 5, I think it was just N. of the Elk river, feeding in a field. Do you think they have a nest close by? I thought they were a pair of deer. Whoopers are white right? Anybody up here have a camera? I go by everyday I'll post if they are a reg. thing in the field, if someone does want to photo. them.

[Rivernut]

Yes, when they are younger they are deer color. Like bald eagles, as they age they turn color. In this case they will turn more of a grayish color.

[fishface]

Just went by around 7am. They're still there, in the same field. Somebody get a camera.

[ironman]

Wish I would've had a camera with me about three weeks ago. I was out walking this feild and I saw a pair of Sandhills...yup..rusty brown just like deer. They acted real nervous and flew off, I noticed some movement from where they took off from. Upon further inspection was a lone chick trying to stay as still as possible in the grass. Would have been an awesome picture of the little guy. I made a hasty retreat as I didn't want any predators in the area to spot him.

[bigyooper]

Mature birds are gray with white cheeks and a bare reddish forehead. Some of the mature birds’ plumage takes on a rusty color, which is caused by the iron stain picked up in the peat bogs and muskegs of their breeding ground.

just some FYI I dug up,

[Wallydog]

Summer plummage is rusty brown, just like a whitetail, it turns grey in the fall.

I've hunted them here in Idaho.

They look like falling lawn chairs whe you shoot one!

[fishface]

They are still there as of 7am Today. Maybe I'll try and get a pict with my little camera. It doesn't zoom in much but I'll give it a try. They look pre-historic.

[Rivernut]

The seasonal coloring is cool to know. I was told they turn grey when they mature.

[jonny_redhorse]

in regard to the "reddish" coloration of the sandhills...they aren't really "red" like born with red feathers...it's part of the "preening process" in a sandhills lifestyle...here's a quote from the"international crane foundation"...

"In many areas, wild Sandhills preen iron-rich mud into their feathers creating a deep rusty brown hue which lasts during spring and summer. As fall advances, these rusty feathers molt and the birds return to their grayish appearance. In some regions, however, iron-rich mud is absent and the birds appear grey all year"....

soooo...the reason for the reddish color of a good percentage of sandhills...sandhill trivia...jonny