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Articles

Vol. 16 No. 4 (1985)

NOTES: UNUSUAL NEST SITE FOR GREATER SANDHILL CRANES IN COLORADO

Submitted
September 13, 2025
Published
October 1, 1985

Abstract

In Colorado, the Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) historically nested in high mountain parks (to 2896 m) over much of the western portion of the state (Sclater 1912, Bailey and Niedrach 1965). Currently it nests only in Jackson and Routt counties (Walkinshaw 1973, Bieniasz 1978, Ellis and Haskins 1982) in areas of open parkland with willow (Salix spp.) lined drainages and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) covered ridges. These parklands are surrounded by Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) with mixed Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) and Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa). All previous confirmed Greater Sandhill Crane nests (n = 104) in Colorado have been in water or very closely associated with water (Ellis and Haskins 1982). This note describes a nest located during 1982 in habitat not previously reported for Greater Sandhill Cranes in Colorado.

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