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FWC Highlights Crane Species, Ways For Public To Coexist

Marty Folk
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FWC's Flickr

Florida wildlife officials are highlighting sandhill cranes as well as better ways for the public to coexist with the threatened bird species.

Sandhill Cranes can be found all across Florida and South Georgia. It’s easy to spot this about four-foot tall, long-necked, long legged gray species with a patch of red skin on top of its head.

Credit Carol Lyn Parrish / FWC's Facebook
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FWC's Facebook

Usually found in freshwater marshes, prairies, and pastures, the cranes can also be seen wandering around people’s yards.

While their diet normally includes berries, insects, frogs, and even small birds, sandhill cranes are also partial to food from humans.

And, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it’s dangerous to feed them because the bird species can become aggressive and have even attacked kids.

So, the FWC encourages the public not to the feed the sandhill cranes, accept that lawns may be damaged as the cranes dig for food like insects, and properly cover windows and screens that can be attacked by cranes who see their own reflection.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.