Sandhill cranes are large, stately birds that live in wetlands and grasslands across North America. Their loud, rattling calls and dancing courtship displays make them a joy to observe in the wild. While sandhill cranes used to be rare, their populations have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. As a result, more and more people are interested in attracting sandhill cranes to their properties. This guide will provide tips on how to make your land an attractive habitat for sandhill cranes.
What are sandhill cranes?
Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) are large, long-legged, long-necked birds in the crane family. Adults stand about 3 to 5 feet tall, with a wingspan of 5 to 7 feet. Their feathers are gray overall, with some red on the forehead. Juveniles are browner in color. These birds are very social and mate for life. Sandhill cranes make loud, rattling bugle calls that can carry for miles. They are famous for their elaborate courtship dances, where pairs bow, leap, run, and toss grass and sticks.
There are six subspecies of sandhill crane, differentiated mainly by their size and breeding range:
- Lesser sandhill crane – Smallest subspecies, around 3 feet tall. Breeds in the high arctic regions of Canada and Alaska.
- Canadian sandhill crane – About 4 feet tall. Nest in central Canada and the Great Lakes region.
- Greater sandhill crane – The most common crane in the lower 48 states at 4.5-5 feet tall. Breeds across the northern U.S. and Canada.
- Mississippi sandhill crane – About 4 feet tall. Endangered subspecies found only in Mississippi.
- Florida sandhill crane – About 4 feet tall. Found in Florida and southern Georgia.
- Cuban sandhill crane – The largest at about 5 feet tall. Only found in Cuba.
The sandhill crane’s natural habitat is open wetlands, marshes, meadows, agricultural fields, and grasslands. They avoid dense forest. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, tubers, insects, rodents, and other small animals. Cranes probe the ground for food while walking steadily with precision.
Sandhill crane populations
At one time, sandhill cranes were close to extinction due to hunting and habitat loss. But conservation measures and legal protections have allowed their numbers to rebound significantly. The current stable population is estimated at over 600,000 cranes across North America. They are now considered a wildlife conservation success story.
The Greater sandhill crane is the most abundant subspecies, with over 500,000 individuals. The Lesser sandhill crane population is estimated at 60,000-80,000 birds. Other subspecies have much smaller populations, including around 5,000 Florida sandhill cranes and only about 150 Mississippi sandhill cranes remaining.
Sandhill cranes migrate south for the winter. Different populations either converge in the southwestern U.S. or along the Gulf Coast. Cranes return to their northern breeding habitats starting in February and March.
Habitat Needs
To attract sandhill cranes, you need to provide suitable habitat. There are several key components to sandhill crane habitat:
Wetlands
Sandhill cranes need access to shallow wetlands, marshes, ponds, wet meadows, and flooded agricultural fields. These wetlands provide safe roosting sites at night where the cranes can stand in shallow water safe from predators. Ideal roosting wetlands are 20 acres or larger with good visibility.
Grasslands
During the day, sandhill cranes forage in grasslands, pastures, native prairies, and agricultural fields of cereal grains. Shorter grasslands and croplands provide habitat for foraging on seeds, berries, and small animals.
Solitude
Cranes prefer relatively isolated areas away from human disturbance. Providing habitat away from high traffic roads, housing developments, and other infrastructure will make the area more attractive to sandhill cranes.
Food and water
Having reliable food and water sources nearby allows sandhill cranes to prosper. They need access to berries, seeds, grains, tubers, frogs, snakes, insects, and small mammals. Maintaining naturally vegetated wetlands and grasslands will provide food. Also consider planting wildlife food plots. Fresh water for drinking is also key.
| Habitat Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Wetlands for roosting | Shallow marshes, ponds, wet meadows >20 acres |
| Grasslands for foraging | Pastures, prairies, fields with short vegetation |
| Isolation from disturbance | Away from roads, development, noise |
| Food sources | Berries, seeds, grains, insects, small animals |
| Fresh water | For drinking and bathing |
Attracting Techniques
If your property has potential but currently lacks ideal wetland or grassland habitat, there are restoration techniques you can implement to create attractive sandhill crane habitat:
Wetland restoration
– Convert cropland to wetland by plugging drainage ditches and breaking tile lines. Allow seasonal flooding.
– Build shallow impoundments for roosting pools. Cranes prefer wide open water visibility.
– Plant native wetland vegetation like bulrushes, willows, sedges, cattails, and aquatic plants.
Grassland restoration
– Convert row crop fields to pasture or native prairie by planting native grasses and wildflowers. Avoid dense stands of shrubs.
– Use controlled burns to maintain open structure. Burn on a 3-5 year rotation.
– In existing pastures, use grazing, mowing, or spot-herbicide application to minimize woody encroachment.
Reduce disturbance
– Site wetlands and grasslands away from roads and homes if possible.
– Limit access to habitat during breeding season when cranes are territorial.
– Post signs advising people to stay on trails and keep dogs leashed to minimize disturbance.
Provide food sources
– Maintain a mosaic of crops for foraging such as corn, wheat, sorghum, and soybeans. Flooded crop fields are prime feeding habitat.
– Leave grain unharvested in strips or plots.
– Plant food plots with natural crane foods like berries and tubers.
– Allow wetlands to regenerate naturally with aquatic plants and invertebrates.
Supply fresh water
– Use windmills, solar pumps, ram pumps or gravity flow systems to feed open water tanks, shallow impoundments, or marsh pools.
– Manage water levels with control structures and overflow spillways.
– Create bathing sites with shallow water and gradual muddy banks.
Limit predators
– Discourage mammalian and avian predators like coyotes, foxes, eagles, and owls through habitat design and access management.
– Maintain tall herbaceous wetland vegetation to provide hiding cover for chicks.
Regional Differences
Management strategies for attracting sandhill cranes may differ across their range:
Northern breeding grounds
In the arctic nesting areas, habitat focuses on wide open wetlands and wet tundra for nesting. Flooded sedge meadows and shallow ponds are prime habitat. Low disturbances are important. Reduce access by all-terrain vehicles.
Midwest migratory stopovers
Provide large, isolated wetlands for roosting. Nearby waste corn fields and crop stubble offer food sources as cranes bulk up for migration. Limit disturbance near roost sites.
Southeastern wintering grounds
Freshwater marshes, wet pine savannas, and farmlands are key. Supply crops such as peanuts, corn, and winter wheat. Manage marsh water levels for submerged aquatic plants. Control burning maintains open understory.
Southwestern wintering grounds
Rivers, marshes, and flooded fields along the Rio Grande and Pecos River are important habitat. Farmlands seeded with corn, alfalfa, sorghum, and wheat provide food. Limit human activities near roosting wetlands.
Legal Protections
Sandhill cranes are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This federal law prohibits harming or harassing cranes, their nests, or eggs. State wildlife agencies may also have additional regulations regarding cranes. Laws to be aware of:
- No hunting, killing, collecting eggs from wild crane nests.
- No possession of parts of wild cranes.
- Permits required for banding cranes.
- Fines and imprisonment for violations.
- Seasonal access restrictions near nesting areas.
- Requirements to prevent disease transmission from captive cranes.
- State permits to keep captive cranes.
Check with your state wildlife agency for any specific regulations in your area. Properly managing habitat for sandhill cranes requires complying with all applicable federal and state laws.
Observing Sandhill Cranes
One of the rewards of attracting sandhill cranes is the opportunity to observe and enjoy these magnificent birds. Here are some tips:
Best times to see sandhill cranes
Migrating and wintering cranes congregate in large flocks, making them easier to observe.
- Fall migration – Late October through November
- Wintering grounds – December through February
- Spring migration – March and April
Prime viewing locations
- Roosting wetlands – Observe morning fly outs and evening fly ins.
- Staging areas – Cranes rest and feed in large numbers.
- Feeding grounds – Watch cranes forage across fields.
- Courting grounds – See dancing displays.
Viewing tips
- Use binoculars or spotting scopes for best viewing.
- Wear camo or neutral earth tone clothing.
- Move slowly and stay quiet.
- Keep low profiles behind blinds or natural cover.
- Maintain proper distances to avoid flushing cranes.
Seeing and hearing sandhill cranes in the wild is an unforgettable experience. Their soothing rattling calls and graceful movements will bring joy. Respectful observation can inspire greater appreciation and conservation for these amazing birds.
Conclusion
Sandhill cranes are magnificent but vulnerable birds. By improving habitat on your land with wetlands, grasslands, food sources, and isolation from disturbance, you can attract these iconic species. Observe local sandhill crane populations to fine tune your habitat management plan. With some effort and commitment to conservation practices, anyone can convert their property into productive crane habitat. Enjoy the rewards of cranes bugling, dancing, nesting, and raising chicks on your land. The recovery of sandhill crane populations is a conservation success story, and you can contribute by creating habitat. With careful planning and management, sandhill cranes may come to rely on your property as ideal habitat during their annual migrations across North America for generations to come.
