Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds that are found throughout the world. There are 15 different species of cranes that live on every continent except Antarctica and South America. In North America, there are two species of cranes that are sometimes spotted in Pennsylvania – the sandhill crane and the whooping crane.
Sandhill Cranes in Pennsylvania
Sandhill cranes are the most common species of crane found in Pennsylvania. They are large, gray-bodied birds that stand about 4 feet tall and have a wingspan of up to 7 feet. Their feathers are mostly gray, with some red coloring on the forehead, crown and nape. Sandhill cranes have long, dark, pointed bills and long, dark legs. They are loud birds, known for their rattling, trumpeting calls.
Sandhill cranes live in open wetland areas, including marshes, wet meadows, river valleys, and agricultural fields. They build nests out of plant material on the ground near water. Sandhill cranes are omnivorous, feeding on insects, snails, worms, amphibians, seeds, berries, and grains. They often probe in shallow water or mud to find food.
Most sandhill cranes that are spotted in Pennsylvania are migratory birds that breed in northern parts of North America during the summer, including Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. states. In the fall, they migrate south and may stopover or winter in Pennsylvania before continuing further south. However, in recent decades small breeding populations of sandhill cranes have also become established in northwestern and northcentral Pennsylvania. These resident cranes nest and raise chicks during the summer in Pennsylvania.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, sandhill cranes are now “fairly common” throughout Pennsylvania between mid-March and late November. The highest densities occur along major river systems, such as the Susquehanna River, during spring and fall migrations. Hotspots for sighting sandhill cranes include Pymatuning Reservoir near the Ohio border, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area near Lancaster, and the Heinz National Wildlife Refuge near Philadelphia.
Whooping Cranes in Pennsylvania
Whooping cranes are much rarer than sandhill cranes in Pennsylvania. This endangered crane species stands about 5 feet tall, with bright white plumage and black wingtips. Their calls are described as a loud, trumpeting whoop. Whooping cranes suffered severe population declines in the 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss. By 1941, only 21 whooping cranes existed in the wild.
Through conservation efforts, today there are about 800 whooping cranes across North America, but only about 500 of those are in the lone self-sustaining wild population that nests in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada and winters on the Texas Gulf Coast. The others are in captive breeding programs or reintroduced populations that rely on human assistance for survival.
In Pennsylvania, whooping crane sightings are very rare and occur when individual cranes separate from the migrating flock between Canada and Texas. They may join sandhill cranes during migration stopovers or while overwintering. Most sightings of whooping cranes in Pennsylvania occur between October and January.
There are a handful of documented whooping crane sightings in Pennsylvania over the past decade. In fall 2022, two whooping cranes were spotted at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, in a flock of sandhill cranes. Another whooping crane was observed near Valley Forge National Historical Park in November 2021. Individual whooping cranes were also verified in Venango County in 2020, Adams County in 2019, and York County in 2011.
These rare whooping crane sightings likely represent lost individuals that broke off from the main migrating flock between the nesting and wintering grounds. They may stay in Pennsylvania for a few weeks or months before either rejoining the flock or succumbing to starvation, predation, or collision with man-made structures.
Other Crane Species in Pennsylvania
Two other crane species have been spotted on very rare occasions in Pennsylvania:
- Eurasian crane – A migratory Old World crane species. One individual was documented in York County in November 2020 associating with sandhill cranes.
- Common crane – Another Eurasian crane. A single common crane was seen in northeastern Pennsylvania in April 2021.
Both of these are considered accidental vagrant species that very rarely stray to North America from their normal ranges in Europe and Asia. These two Eurasian crane species do not have established populations in North America.
Crane Population Trends in Pennsylvania
The sandhill crane population has been increasing in Pennsylvania and many other states over the past few decades. The reasons include:
- Protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act starting in 1918, which reduced hunting pressure.
- Habitat improvement projects providing more nesting and feeding grounds.
- Adaptability to human-altered environments, including crop fields.
- Milder winters enabling more cranes to overwinter further north.
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data shows sandhill cranes increased by 12.6% per year in Pennsylvania from 1966 to 2019. The statewide population is now estimated at over 4,000 birds.
In contrast, whooping cranes remain extremely rare and endangered in Pennsylvania. Ongoing conservation programs aim to establish new wild breeding populations, but this species still has a tenuous foothold. Any whooping cranes seen in Pennsylvania are migrating stragglers, not part of an established population.
| Species | Conservation Status | Population Trend in PA |
|---|---|---|
| Sandhill crane | Least concern | Increasing |
| Whooping crane | Endangered | No breeding population, occasional stray migrants |
Best Places to See Cranes in Pennsylvania
The top hotspots in Pennsylvania to spot migrating and wintering sandhill cranes, and occasionally whooping cranes, include:
- Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area – A large wetland complex near Lancaster, PA. Hundreds of sandhill cranes stop here during migration.
- Pymatuning Reservoir – A large reservoir bordering Ohio, with adjacent wetlands. One of the best places to see sandhill cranes in northwestern PA.
- John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge – A wildlife refuge in Philadelphia. Sandhill cranes forage in the wetlands and fields.
- Presque Isle State Park – A migratory stopover site on Lake Erie in Erie, PA. Sandhill cranes rest here during migration.
These areas provide ideal crane habitat with shallow wetlands, meadows, and agricultural fields. Look for cranes in open environments rather than forested areas. Bring binoculars for better viewing.
Crane Conservation in Pennsylvania
Several conservation measures are in place to protect cranes and their habitats in Pennsylvania:
- State and national laws prohibiting crane hunting or trapping. Strict penalties for harming whooping cranes.
- Designation of Important Bird Areas by Audubon Pennsylvania where cranes congregate.
- Management of state game lands and wildlife areas to preserve wetlands and grasslands.
- Public education programs teaching people to give cranes sufficient space and not disturb them.
- Monitoring programs tracking crane populations and distribution in the state.
With these ongoing efforts, sandhill crane populations should remain stable or continue increasing in Pennsylvania. Restoring Pennsylvania’s wetlands and grasslands is vital to provide migrating and wintering habitat for both sandhill and whooping cranes.
Conclusion
In summary, sandhill cranes are regular migrants and winter visitors to Pennsylvania, while whooping cranes are rare stragglers. Sandhill crane numbers are growing thanks to wetland conservation and legal protections. Prime areas to see cranes are large wetland habitats like Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Pymatuning Reservoir. Crane conservation remains a priority in the state to preserve these iconic birds.
