Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

Gathering at their Midwestern staging grounds in numbers up to half a million strong, spring-time flocks of stately Sandhill Cranes are an awe-inspiring sight. These partial migrants enthrall birdwatchers with their unique calls and dancing displays.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Sandhill Crane is a tall, long-legged bird with a distinctive gray body and red forehead patch. Its long neck, slender black bill, and bushy tail are key identifying features. Adults typically have pale cheeks and a white chin.

These birds have the unusual habit of covering their bills in mud while preening, which often stains their plumage to a reddish-brown shade.

Juveniles lack a red forehead and have a more brownish-gray plumage. There's little difference between males and females, though males are slightly larger on average.

Size

Length

80cm to 122cm

Wingspan

180cm to 210cm

Weight

2.5kg to 6.8kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey

Secondary Colour

Red Brown

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Sandhill Crane can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Sandhill Crane can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Sandhill Crane is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Sandhill Cranes inhabit a wide range of open habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas. They breed across northern North America, from Alaska to the Great Lakes region.

During winter, they migrate to the southern United States and Mexico. Some populations are resident in Florida and Cuba. In the US, large concentrations can be seen in Nebraska during spring migration.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Sandhill Crane. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons