Tens of thousands of sandhill cranes return to southern Arizona each fall, part of a migration that's been going on for thousands of years.

Sandhill cranes are thought to be the oldest living bird species on the planet and follow many of the same patterns each year.

The agriculture fields in Cochise County offer up the perfect place for sandhill cranes to find food, along with the water in the wetlands.

McNEAL, AZ — Black ribbons of sandhill cranes are taking to Arizona's southern skies again. High above, against gradients of morning light, they throng in wide arrows searching for breakfast.

The wintering birds arrived at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area a few weeks ago from their spring and summer residences. Sandhill cranes begin their long migration hundreds of miles north before s

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