Photo contributed by Wings Over Water Film Crew / Yellow warbler parents care for their chicks in a nest on the edge of a pond in the prairie wetland region.

The earliest bird-like fossil is estimated to be around 150 million years old. > The earliest sandhill crane fossil is estimated to be 2.5 million years old, making it a comparatively new species. The bird has windpipes so long that they coil in its sternum, helping contribute to its rich harmonics. > The distinct chuckling call of the sandhill is the product of its unique anatomy. If dance skills are deemed satisfactory, cranes mate for life.

Before mating, pairs leap, bow, twirl and stretch their wings wide. > Sandhill cranes are perhaps most famous for their courting dance. Stoke your flame for learning more about feathered friends with these fast facts. 'We're hoping teachers might consider adding this film to a field trip experience at the aquarium this fall.' 'It's really a spectacular film and has some rich educational resources,' says Thom Benson, Tennessee Aquarium communications manager. 8 to discuss ongoing conservation efforts and lead a public screening of the film. 'Wing Over Water' introduces viewers to the people working to protect these vital places, like National Audubon Society Chief Conservation Officer Marshall Johnson, for example, who will visit the aquarium the evening of Nov. Wetlands are critical to birds, but also people: They are home to more than half of all North American duck species they ensure safe drinking water for 50 million people their prairie grasses store vast amounts of carbon deep in their roots.Īccording to the Environmental Protection Agency, 22 states have now lost at least 50% of their original wetlands - largely the result of human activity, such as development and agriculture. Narrated by Oscar-nominated Michael Keaton, the film documents these birds in the wild, performing elaborate mating dances and rituals that strengthen the bonds between mated pairs, and includes slow-motion drone footage that follows the birds in flight.īut beyond the majesty of these species, the film brings into focus the threats facing their habitat. 'Wings Over Water,' now playing at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater through February, tells the life history not only of sandhills but also of mallard ducks and yellow warblers - three species that spend part of the year in Tennessee and the other part feeding, mating and raising young in wetlands across North America. And throughout the season, bird-lovers have ample opportunities to witness their local stopover.īut how do sandhills spend their summer months? Their migration is considered one of nature's most awesome displays. Every winter, the sandhill cranes arrive at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge - tens of thousands of them, chuckling, dancing and wearing red caps.

Wings Over Water by Wings for Wetlands