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Sandhill Crane

(Grus canadensis)

Four male sandhill cranes moved to the Detroit Zoo after being rescued and rehabilitated. One crane was found as a chick in 2002 with a wing problem that left him unable to live in the wild. Another crane was rescued in 2015 with an injured wing that resulted in a wing tip amputation, leaving him unable to fly. Two-Toe (arrived in 2021) and Macky (arrived in 2022) were rescued with severe beak injuries that meant they needed to re-learn how to eat. These close companions live apart from the other sandhill cranes and are thriving in their new home.

On Habitat

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Quick Facts

Habitat: American Grassland

Class: Birds

Conservation Status: Least concern

Size: 2 to 4 feet tall

Weight: 6 to 14 pounds

Median life expectancy: 20 to 24 years

Diet: Tubers, seeds and berries, insects, worms, snakes and mice