ORDER

Gruiformes (coots, cranes and rails)

FAMILY

Gruidae (cranes)

HABITAT AND RANGE

Six races of sandhill cranes exist: Mississippi, Cuban and Florida which are sedentary and Canadian, Lesser and Greater which are all migratory. They prefer shallow, open marshlands with tall marsh grasses. They nest in open grasslands. The exception is the Cuban race which sometimes inhabits dry, isolated and sometimes rocky and mountainous terrain. They can be found as far north as Canada and Alaska, along the western and southern coastal US and south to Mexico.

IDENTIFICATION

Sandhill cranes are brownish-gray heron-like birds with bald red skin on the forehead. Immature cranes have brown feathers and lack the red skin patch. Immature cranes have orange bills while adults have black, dagger-like bills. Their wingspan reaches 6-7 feet and can weigh between 7-11 lbs (depending on race); males are larger than females. Subspecies are identified by their size and geographical distribution.

DIET

Sandhill cranes are omnivorous and opportunistic. They use their long necks and beaks to forage for worms, frogs, salamanders, fish, small reptiles, aquatic plants, grasses, seeds, berries etc.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Sandhill cranes are known to have elaborate courtship rituals with five unique dances currently identified to be linked to courtship, bond forming and copulation. They are perennially monogamous. The nest is a mound of sticks and plants that can be 4-5 feet across. The pair raises one brood per year; incubation lasts 28-32 days and the young can fly after 65-90 days. 1-3 eggs are laid 2-3 days apart. Sexual maturity is reached around 3 years old; lifespan in the wild averages 7 years but the oldest crane ever recorded reached an age of 21.6 years.

NOTES

Flight speed is 25-35 mph. While flying, the sandhill crane utters a booming trumpet-like call that can be heard long after the bird has flown out of sight. This haunting, resonant “karooo karooo karooo” is produced in a unique windpipe, part of which is within a hollow in the breastbone. The crane probably gets its alternate name, the sandhill whooper, due to this.