Kathylee 3 Posted December 12, 2019 I am looking for assistance with identifying this bird. I took this photograph in April 2019 while driving around the area of Lake McConaughy in Nebraska. It was in a field with several Sandhill Cranes. I've searched through several websites and I am unable to determine specifically what this falls under. The legs are dark and the eyes appear dark in color. Thus far I've listed under Sandhill Crane, Antigone Canadensis, but nothing makes that stand out as a rarity, if it in fact is rare. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HamRHead 1,016 Posted December 12, 2019 Whatever the situation that's a cool looking bird! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akandula 1,216 Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) This looks like a leucistic crane to me. It has many white feathers and many normal gray feathers, typical of leucistic birds. Dilute birds usually have lighter leg/bill color and are paler overall. I would think that progressive graying cranes would have clear transitioning/a washed out look in the feathers, which I am not seeing in this bird. Whooping x Sandhill Crane hybrids would have different proportions, with larger bills and a less compact appearance. Overall, with the "clear-cut" gray and white feathers and completely normal bill/leg color and proportions, this appears to be a leucitic Sandhill Crane. Nice find. Edited December 13, 2019 by akandula 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 1,650 Posted December 13, 2019 13 hours ago, akandula said: This looks like a leucistic crane to me. It has many white feathers and many normal gray feathers, typical of leucistic birds. Dilute birds usually have lighter leg/bill color and are paler overall. I would think that progressive graying cranes would have clear transitioning/a washed out look in the feathers, which I am not seeing in this bird. Whooping x Sandhill Crane hybrids would have different proportions, with larger bills and a less compact appearance. Overall, with the "clear-cut" gray and white feathers and completely normal bill/leg color and proportions, this appears to be a leucitic Sandhill Crane. Nice find. I agree. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winter 28 Posted December 21, 2019 Beautiful photos (and Sandhill’s)! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
