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Egret/Crane migration - eastern US (1 Viewer)

Hamhed

Well-known member
During today's Christmas Bird Count in western North Carolina, we saw a distant flock of large, light-colored birds, flying in a "V" formation. In early morning overcast conditions, we were only able to see they had longish necks (we don't recall any crook in the neck) and held their legs out behind them and flew with fairly slow, shallow wingbeats. They were not geese or swans. These were much more slender birds. Lighting conditions and distance did not allow us to see any distinctive colors.
With about 25-30 seconds of view time, we were guessing that we were either looking at Great Egrets or Sandhill Cranes. It would be helpful to know if Great Egrets fly in such formations.

Thanks for any insight you may be able to offer -

Steve
 
Sound like cranes to me, too. Egrets tend to fly in irregular bunches, not in V-formation.
 
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Good deduction by you both! It was confirmed today that the birds were a flock of 19 Sandhill Cranes, seen by counters in another section. Completely unexpected and definitely bird of the day for us.
Thanks for your input -

Steve
 
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