Stained Sandhill Crane

I have some shots of this bird, but none show the extent of the missing plumage around the head and neck like this shot, I can't believe how exposed the skin is. I originally thought it might have been banded on the neck and the band rubbed down the feathers and came off, but it doesn't look symmetrical enough.

Perfectly timed flight shot with the wings up, the bird headed parallel with the film plane . An interesting note I made about my 1D in low drive - continuous firing would get me a crane with the exact same wing position with each shot during it's flight pattern. To catch different motion in flight I had to switch to "high".

Nice shot of this unfortunate bird. In addition to Heather's comments regarding a neck band, I don't think the band would rub the feathers off its head.

Great shot Jimmy. love all the colors.

Hi Jimmy---this individual bird and a few others of the same smaller size and coloration have been recognized on the Platte River migration grounds in Nebraska as well as at Bosque. They are a smallish Lesser Sandhill Crane. Scientists (crane experts) are unsure of what has produced the coloration and the size variation of this particular bird. Researchers at the Platte have examined a similar bird and theorize that feather mites may have caused the feather problem. One sandhill of this size, shape and coloration was rehabbed at the Rowe Sanctuary on the Platte River and eventually given to the Omaha Zoo. "Mite" birds in this condition are not in good health and are under a lot of stress.

It's good to see this kind of post. Persons interested in more information might contact the Rowe Sanctuary http://www.rowesanctuary.org which very carefully monitors the three migratory subspecies of the Sandhill crane.

Jimmy
A nice flight shot of an interesting crane.

This bird looks like he needs to go on Extreme Makeover

An excellent flight shot and cool background.