12 Jan We Solved Another Puzzle | Jan 2016

We Solved Another Puzzle

Good news! We solved another puzzle.

If you’re an astute observer of birds, you may notice that something is missing in the above photo of a Sandhill Crane.

Legs.

Sandhill Cranes have long legs that extend behind them as they fly.

So what’s happening here?

It’s cold.

It’s really cold. The sunrise temperature was 13 F (-10 C) on the morning when I took this photo.

It was so cold that ice had formed on top of the water this bird stood in during the night. When morning came, the bird had to wiggle its legs free and then step up onto the ice before it could fly.

As you might imagine, after spending a night standing in ice cold water, this bird had cold toes.

But birds are smart.

Once in the air, the bird folded its legs, tucking them under its body feathers. That served to warm its toes and conserve body heat during its flight to a feeding area.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

By the way, gain a valuable idea and see a Sandhill Crane with legs at:

Wing Flaps and the Meaning of Flight

Why Silence

Birding Resources

The photo was taken at Bosque del Apache, near San Antonio, NM.

Find more info about this wildlife refuge: Friends of the Bosque del Apache

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation

You can help – Please share this blog with others.

Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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