Species Spotlight: Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)

A pair of Sandhill Cranes Calling (image by Ruth Forsgren)

 by Ruth Forsgren

Personally, Sandhill Cranes announce the return of spring! Here in west-central Wisconsin, come about the third week of March we can expect to start seeing these large birds flying with their long necks stretched straight out or hear their trumpet-like bugle. The return of the cranes, for a birdwatcher is just the start of something good! The birds are returning; winter will have to give up its icy grip. 

Sandhill Cranes in flight (image by Ruth Forsgren)

There are six subspecies of Sandhill Cranes in North America, Wisconsin is the nesting grounds for the Greater Sandhill Crane. Historically, thanks to over-hunting and habitat loss the Sandhill Cranes became a rare sight in Wisconsin. In 1936, Franklin S Heniker of Madison reported to the first North American Wildlife Conference that there were an estimated 25 nesting pair of Sandhills in Wisconsin. In 2019 the Greater Sandhill Crane Sanctuary, in an interview with WI Public Radio reported that the population of Greater Sandhill Cranes numbered between 70,000 to 100,000 with approximately half of the population nesting in Wisconsin.

Sandhill Cranes are large birds. Wisconsin birds on average stand between four and five feet in height, have a wingspan of six to seven feet. They have long legs, neck and beak. Males and females look alike, both exhibit red on the front part of the head from the beak up and around the eyes.

Both males and female have
red on the head.
(image by Ruth forsgren) 

Their diets are varied depending upon what is available. They will eat insects, worms, plant tubers, frogs, and seeds among other things.

Staining feathers with mud
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

When they first return from their wintering grounds the cranes are slate grey in color but as they return to their nesting territories they begin to stain each feather with mud giving them the overall brown appearance. What a great way to disguise yourself, make yourself the color of your surroundings. As a birdwatcher I know there are many times I might not have noticed the cranes in a marsh if they hadn’t moved and drawn my attention to them.

Cranes all over the world are known for their elaborate courtship dances, Sandhills are no different. The pair will take turns bowing then leaping into the air with their wings held out to their sides, during the dance they are also calling to and circling one another. The unison courtship calls are loud (click here to listen) and can be heard for up to 2 miles on a calm morning. Once they have danced the nesting takes place. Both partners help build the nest in marshes, usually near open water in a grassy or reedy area. The nest consists of piles of available plant materials such as cattails, sedges or grasses. The finished nest can reach five feet across. The female will lay one or two eggs and in northern WI they will hatch about mid-May. The colts (baby cranes) are in my opinion one of those so ugly they are cute critters. The fuzzy, yellowish-brown colts are able to leave the nest within eight hours of hatching and can even swim.

Sandhill cranes with colts (image by Ruth Forsgern)

The family will stay together for nine to ten months. From Wisconsin, the young migrate south to Florida or southern Georgia with their parents. The family may even make the return flight together before the parents chase off the youngsters. Cranes will usually mate when they are between four and five years old. When they are forced out by the parents young cranes will form flocks of about 20 individuals and these are known as bachelor flocks. The bachelor flocks will hang out, feed and rest together but usually in fields away from the marsh nest sites.

In fall, before migration the cranes will stage. This means that they gather in huge flocks numbering into the thousands. It is quite an awesome sight and in Wisconsin there are a few areas known for these large gatherings. A few areas in Wisconsin where you can witness this spectacle are: Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, White River Marsh and Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

So as you visit marshy areas this spring keep your eyes peeled for movement among the reeds, you just might find a Sandhill Crane. 

Sandhill Cranes staging during migration, Platte River, NE. (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Sandhill Crane catching frogs  (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Sandhill Cranes at dawn, Nebraska  (image by Ruth Forsgren)