Page 10 - Talk of Tequesta - November '24

Page 10, The Talk Of Tequesta

norTHern noTes

Living With Sandhill Cranes

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Sandhill cranes, with to feed wildlife. In fact,
their long legs, necks, and in 2002, the Florida Fish
distinctive gray plumage, and Wildlife Conservation
are a sight to behold. Commission made it illegal
Their striking appearance, to feed sandhill cranes
including the patch of red (Florida Fish and Wildlife
skin on their head, sets them Code 68A-4.00(3)). Why
apart as they stand almost was this done? Cranes can
4 feet tall. You may spot become aggressive when
them near preserves and fed by people. When they
wetlands, in parking lots, or are used to a free meal, they
even walking across roads, will continue to return and Look around and enjoy these beautiful birds interacting
seemingly oblivious to danger. They often travel in small demand it when it is not offered. Cranes returning to a yard with our Florida environment. Give them space if you
groups or pairs, sometimes with their young ones in tow, where they have been fed are prone to injury by cars as encounter them and be mindful of them crossing or walking
adding to their unique charm. they cross the street to get to the yard. They are also more in our roadways. Finally, please do not feed them for the
vulnerable to predation by dogs or cats, especially young good of the cranes and Florida’s delicate ecosystem. For
cranes. Occasionally, birds cause damage to property as a more information, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife
territorial defense behavior upon seeing their reflection in Conservation Commission website at www.myfwc.com.
cars or window screens. Pesticides in yards and urban areas NPDES tip: Safely use and dispose of pesticides. If all of
can also be of concern as they forage for food in the ground. the pesticide cannot be properly used, check with your solid
Feeding them can disrupt their natural foraging behavior, waste management authority to find out when and where to
making them more susceptible to these dangers. properly dispose of this type of hazardous waste.

nonprofiT news

Little Moir’s Food Shack And

Munyon’s Paw-Paw Debut ‘Jupiter

Two subspecies of sandhill crane live in Florida at Jungle Bird’ Specialty Cocktail
certain times of the year. The Florida sandhill crane (Grus
Canadensis pratensis), numbering 4,000 to 5,000, is a non-
every winter by 25,000 migratory greater sandhill cranes Supporting Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
migratory year-round breeding resident. They are joined

(Grus Canadensis tabida), the larger of the two subspecies,
that winter in Florida but nest in the Great Lakes region. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary The Jupiter Jungle Bird is available at Little Moir’s Food
Sandhill cranes mate for life and attract mates using an at Abramson & Schlaggar Shack from October through December. Busch Wildlife
elaborate dance. These cranes nest during late winter and early Reserve, a renowned Sanctuary will receive a $2 donation per each drink ordered
spring on mats of vegetation found in shallow water such as nonprofit dedicated to native throughout the three-month period – $1 from both Little
preserves or marshes. Sandhill chicks can leave the nest as wildlife conservation and Moir’s Food Shack and Munyon’s Paw-Paw.
early as eight hours after hatching and can swim if necessary. environmental education, is “We are thrilled to be partnering with Busch Wildlife to
In the wild, crane chicks follow their parents and peck food thrilled to partner with Little raise awareness and support for the incredible work they
from their beaks. By the time they are two to three months Moir’s Food Shack and do in protecting local wildlife and preserving our natural
old, they are independent Munyon’s Paw-Paw to raise environment,” said Little Moir’s Food Shack general
and can find food on their awareness and funds for the manager Mary Raboni.
own. They are doting and organization through the “At Little Moir’s Food Shack, we believe in giving
protective parents. One bird new “Jupiter Jungle Bird” back to the community that has supported us, and this
will watch out for the others specialty cocktail. collaboration allows us to align our passion for fresh,
while feeding. Juveniles stay The Jupiter Jungle Bird is not your average rum punch – sustainable ingredients with a cause that is close to our
with their parent from 9 to putting a 561-twist on the cocktail using the locally-owned hearts.”
10 months after hatching. Munyon’s Paw-Paw aperitif – then combining dark rum, To learn about Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, visit www.
Before juveniles are old pineapple juice, lime juice, and demerara syrup. buschwildlife.org. Nurture What’s Wild.
enough to breed, they may
travel and feed in flocks
called “bachelor flocks.” “Service is our number one priority”
They have been around
for a very long time. The first 561-743-0070
known sandhill crane fossil
was found in the Macasphalt
shell pit in Florida. It was www.palmspoolservices.com
estimated to be about 2.5
million years old. They are not endangered, but due to habitat
loss, their populations can be of concern in certain areas.
They are attracted to open areas in urban settings such as
golf courses, parks in subdivisions and undeveloped land in
commercial areas.
As omnivores, sandhill cranes play a crucial role in
Florida’s ecosystem. Their diet, which includes plants and
small animals like snails, frogs, worms, and grubs, provides
natural biological control for their grazing areas. This unique
pest control service they offer is one of the many reasons we
appreciate their presence in our environment. Sandhill cranes
spend most of the daylight hours in areas where food is most
abundant, generally walking several miles a day through dry Expires 12/15/24.
pastures, fields, wet meadows, or marshes in search for food,
eating as they go. State Licensed & Insured CPC #
People inadvertently put them in harm’s way when feeding Serving Palm Beach County 1457468 • LPG#30099
them, thinking they are being kind. It is never a good idea