Icarus
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
Born: 1985 (exact date is unknown) Arrival Date: September 26, 2012, from Knoxville Zoo in Knoxville, TN
Thor is an old bird who was born in 1985. As an animal born in captivity, he is not releasable. He once lived in the care of the Knoxville Zoo on a permanent loan from the International Crane Foundation. When the tiger exhibit expanded, their sandhill cranes needed a new home.
Sandhill cranes are the oldest bird species in North America, dating back to the Pleistocene. They are also one of the few animals you can understand very clearly through body language. These cranes communicate through body postures and dancing, so if you take the time to learn their language, you will see what they say to one another.
Thor is visible to the public in our Native Animal Exhibit. He can be viewed during our Wild Wonders: A Close Encounter with Native Animals tour every Friday and Saturday.