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Mississippi Sandhill
Crane Grus canadensis pulla, E. R.
Kalmbach
Sandhill Cranes were designated endangered in 1973 in Mississippi.
About 4 feet tall with a 6 ½ foot wingspan. Nests in open grasslands and wetland
edges, which when drained contributed to its decline. Forages in wetlands for frogs,
lizards, crayfish, worms and insects. Also eats roots, nuts, seeds and fruit on dry
land. Will defend itself viciously with its dagger like bill if needed. After
populations hovered less than 100 for decades, a captive breeding program was established
and small numbers were released in the 80s.
California
Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris obsoletus
Ernest Seton Thompson
Clapper Rail Nest
Eskimo Curlew Numenius
borealis, Louis Agassiz Fuertes
Once hunted by the millions during fall migration from
their Arctic breeding grounds to South America, they became rare by the end of the
Nineteenth Century. Certainly on the brink of extinction, sightings of Curlews
are still reported once or twice a year.
According to J.B. Gollop, T.W. Barry, and E.H. Iversen,
"Although its extinction has been treated as a foregone conclusion, this hasn't
happened yet." While widespread concern saved the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon,
Osprey, and Whooping Crane through the prohibition of DDT and management and
reintroduction programs, "…the Eskimo Curlew has failed to excite the
interest of the general public.", "…virtually no money has been spent to
study or protect this bird." and "Perhaps it is still not too late to
rescue the Eskimo Curlew from oblivion!"
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/curlew/intro.htm
Eskimo Curlew
Images
Western Snowy Plover Charadrius
alexandrinus nivosus
Archibald Thorburn
Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri, Archibald
Thorburn
Greenland White-tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla groenlandicus
Archibald Thorburn
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