hes been here for about 3 years. i want to feed him but i don't know what it eats. is there any way i could help him eat? i think he is going to die if we destroy the last of the forest area where we live.
Want to help? Don’t feed them, which draws them deeper into dangerous urban areas. And try to keep reflective surfaces covered. Following these tips could keep these majestic citizens a little safer. In 2002, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made it illegal to feed sandhill cranes. Why Is Feeding Cranes A Bad Idea? Cranes fed by humans can become aggressive toward people. In several instances, children have been attacked by cranes. Cranes fed by humans also have been known to damage window screens and do other property damage. This behavior is probably a response of the birds to seeing their reflection, bringing out a territorial defense behavior (scratching at windows or shiny automobiles). Cranes also are more likely to tangle in human garbage in areas populated by people. Cranes attracted to people's yards for feed are put at risk as they walk across roads. Many sandhill cranes are killed each year on Florida roads. Cranes are also more likely to crash into power lines in urban areas where such aerial hazards are concentrated. Attracting cranes to urban areas increases the threat of predation (especially to young cranes) by dogs or cats. Further, the cranes' diets, which normally are quite diverse, are disrupted when they eat one food item (such as corn), consistently. Heavy pesticide use in urban lawns also is of concern. Young sandhill cranes have died from pesticide poisoning. It's Never a Good Idea to Feed Wildlife People inadvertently put cranes in harms way when they attract these birds with feed. Florida sandhill cranes have an abundance of natural foods (insects and small animals) and they do not need handouts from humans. There are many reasons why cranes should not be intentionally fed by humans, so I hope this gives you a few you can communicate to these well-intentioned people. The bottom line message: For the good of the cranes, please do not feed them.
