Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival takes flight

Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival is this weekend at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. In honor of our long-legged, long-necked guests with the rattling call, here’s a close-up look at the lesser sandhill crane.

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge

For those interested in re-connecting with the natural world, the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge offers several opportunities to catch a glimpse of some of the most impressive winged species in the country.

The Pixley refuge is a winter home to the majestic sandhill cranes, which begin arriving in September from northern nesting grounds. By January, their numbers may peak at around 6,000 birds.

WHOOP, THERE IT ISN'T

Whooping cranes are North America's tallest bird, but their numbers are being cut short at a dramatic pace, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The species — which nearly went extinct in the 1940s but has since bounced back to 539 birds — died at about twice the normal rate last year and will suffer an overall population drop, raising concerns about whether it can continue its comeback. Scientists aren't sure what exactly caused the sudden decline, but habitat loss and diseases like West Nile Virus are some of the biggest threats facing whooping cranes. (Source: AP)

Death rate spikes among migrating whooping cranes

By MARIA SUDEKUM FISHER (AP)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The world's only naturally migrating whooping cranes, and the species' best chance for survival, died at about twice their normal rate last year and will likely see an overall drop in their numbers, a worrying sign for the once near-extinct bird that has been making a comeback.

Sexy Moonbird LED Lamp Is Hand-Carved, Eco-Friendly

We all need a lamp that was designed after a bird!!

Include Crane conservation in patriotism lessons

By Cyril Mugyenyi - The Crane is one of the most important birds in Uganda. It is not only beautiful but also deeply entrenched in the Ugandan society. It is a national bird for Uganda as seen on the country’s flag, currency and Coat of Arms. The national football team, the Cranes, is named after it and it is a totem for some clans of Ankole region. That is why the Crane is a kingly bird. It is a time teller and indicator of environmental health especially of wetlands. It is a tourist attraction of economic value. The Crane Bank is named after it. It appears on the flag of the Police Force.

Cranes’ resurgence is a sign of environment’s health

The featured creatures at the annual Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival cooperated nicely this past weekend as they filled Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge and the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ agricultural fields.

Veteran photographer returns with new exhibit

The experienced photographer will present 80 photos from two collections, “Sapa doi moi” (New Sapa) and "Seu dau do" (Red-crowned Crane).

Wildlife Documentary Filmed in Korea’s Demilitarized Zone

The film follows the many creatures in the zone, including the long-fanged water deer and there have even been sightings of bears and tigers. Sadly, no lions. The narrative follows the migration pattern of the red-crowned crane and fish through the Han River. The feature isn’t officially titled at the moment, but is leaning towards World’s Weirdest Wildlife Sanctuary.

Creamer’s Field art workshops advance Sandhill Crane Festival

FAIRBANKS — Yes, that strange chock-chocking-like sound coming from the sky can mean only one thing — the cranes are back and heading for Creamer’s Field.

Farmers, cranes seek peaceful coexistence

Sandhill cranes can cause an inordinate amount of damage in newly planted cornfields.

Sanctuary In the Marsh

Of the world's 15 species of crane, six live in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, a 210,000-hectare wetland in China. Consisting of many small lakes, swamps and sprawling meadows, the wetland is the most intact, pristine and vast marsh in the north. The wetland is an ideal habitat for many species and a resting place for many cross-border migrating birds. Some 290 bird species and other wildlife call it home.

Some animals have lived there since Toronto Zoo opened in 1974

MARG, the demoiselle crane. The very first animal who came to the zoo.

Age: 38, considered "late middle age" for the species.

Arrived from: Zurich, Switzerland

Personality: A nervous bird, Marg and her partner, Homer, live in a private pen in the Eurasia paddock. "She probably laughs a lot at people," curator of birds Tom Mason says with a chuckle. "She's in a nice quiet area of the zoo, so she's probably seen things even we haven't seen."

Favourite foods: The pair is fed a pellet diet. But they get insects, fruit and seed for behavioural enrichment. "They pick away at crickets, eat mealworms and even small mice if you give them some," Mason says. "The treats usually disappear before the basic food, the same as any animal."

Anecdote: "Her most famous story is that she was 27 years old before she had her first baby," says Mason, noting that isn't all that old for a crane. "Some have been known to breed at 80 years of age."

World-famous Burns Bog at risk

Burns Bog, or what’s left of it, is a most unusual ecological feature which attracts world-wide attention by botanists; it is the largest domed peat bog in North America.

Topeka Zoo welcomes grey-crowned crane chicks

Topeka (WIBW)- The Topeka Zoological Park is celebrating some new arrivals.