Sandhill cranes are large birds that migrate through Arizona each year on their way between their summer nesting grounds in the north and their wintering areas farther south. Determining how long sandhill cranes stay in Arizona during their annual migrations depends on the specific subspecies and population of crane. Overall, sandhill cranes may be found in parts of Arizona for anywhere from a few weeks up to 5 months out of the year.
Sandhill Crane Natural History
There are six subspecies of sandhill crane recognized in North America: the Greater, Lesser, Canadian, Mississippi, Florida, and Cuban sandhill cranes. Sandhill cranes are very large birds, with adults reaching heights over 4 feet tall with wingspans over 6 feet wide. Their feathers are mostly grey, with some bold red coloring on the forehead. Sandhill cranes eat a variety of plant and animal material, including seeds, berries, roots, frogs, snakes, worms, and insects.
Sandhill cranes nest in wetland areas across northern North America during the summer months. The different subspecies nest in specific regions, with Greater sandhill cranes in the far north and west, Canadian sandhill cranes in central Canada and Alaska, and Lesser sandhill cranes in the northwest. After nesting, sandhill cranes migrate south in large flocks to spend the winter in southern U.S. states like Arizona as well as parts of Mexico. The migration routes and wintering grounds used depend on the subspecies and population.
Peak Migration Through Arizona
In Arizona, sandhill cranes pass through during both their fall and spring migrations. The peak timing of sandhill crane migration through the state depends on the specific routes taken by different subspecies and populations.
Fall Migration
During the fall migration south, the first sandhill cranes begin arriving in Arizona in early September. This includes Greater and Canadian sandhill cranes coming south from breeding areas in Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. Numbers increase through September and peak in October and early November. Thousands of sandhill cranes may be present at major stopover sites like the Wilcox Playa and Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area during the fall peak.
Spring Migration
On their return north in spring, sandhill cranes pass back through Arizona starting in February. Spring migration peaks in March, when tens of thousands of sandhill cranes can be seen at favored stopover wetlands. Major concentrations occur at areas like the Willcox Playa and Sulphur Springs Valley. Numbers drop sharply by mid-April as most cranes have departed north.
Length of Stay in Arizona
The total time sandhill cranes spend in Arizona each year differs among the subspecies and populations:
Greater Sandhill Cranes
Most Greater sandhill cranes pass through quickly in migration, staying just days to weeks. However, some populations that nest in the western U.S., like in Oregon, California, Nevada, and Utah, migrate only as far south as Arizona and New Mexico for the winter. These cranes arrive by October and may stay in Arizona until February or March before migrating back north.
Lesser Sandhill Cranes
Lesser sandhill cranes follow a similar pattern to Greaters. Most are transient migrants passing through Arizona for a few weeks in spring and fall. But the Lesser sandhill cranes that nest in Oregon and California migrate south to spend the winter in Arizona and Mexico, arriving in October-November and staying 4-5 months until March.
Canadian Sandhill Cranes
Canadian sandhill cranes are strictly migrants through Arizona, generally stopping only for short durations in September-November during fall migration and again in February-April in spring. They spend the core winter months farther south in Mexico and Texas.
Other Subspecies
The Mississippi, Florida, and Cuban sandhill crane subspecies do not migrate as far as Arizona. The occasional vagrant sandhill crane seen outside of the normal migration period in Arizona is likely a wandering individual from one of these southern subspecies.
Key Sites to See Sandhill Cranes in Arizona
Some locations in Arizona stand out as important stopover spots where sandhill cranes concentrate during their migrations. These sites provide ideal roosting and foraging habitat for tens of thousands of cranes each year. Some of the best places to see sandhill cranes in Arizona include:
Willcox Playa
The Willcox Playa is a large ephemeral lake bed east of Willcox that fills with water in winter and provides excellent shallow roosting sites. Over 20,000 sandhill cranes stop here in early winter. Nearby farmlands provide abundant waste grain for foraging.
Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area
Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near Elfrida contains ponds, marshes, and farmlands that attract up to 40,000 sandhill cranes during winter. Hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes pass through this area each migration season.
Sulphur Springs Valley
The Sulphur Springs Valley south of Willcox provides important wetland habitat along the San Pedro River that sandhill cranes rely on during migration. Sites like the Bingham Cienega Natural Preserve host thousands of roosting cranes.
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
The Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge near Tucson offers protected wetlands for wintering sandhill cranes, including up to 4,000 cranes at its Lake 11 roost site. Many cranes forage in nearby corn fields.
Page Marsh
Page Marsh is a restored wetland area along the Verde River near Clarkdale that provides migrating sandhill cranes with shallow water roosting habitat and secluded foraging areas, attracting hundreds of cranes.
Threats Facing Sandhill Cranes in Arizona
Although sandhill crane populations remain healthy overall, the birds face a variety of threats during their time in Arizona, including:
– Habitat loss – Draining of wetlands and development reduces roosting and foraging areas.
– Disturbance – Human activity near roost sites can displace cranes.
– Collisions – Cranes are vulnerable to power line strikes and vehicle collisions.
– Drought – Lack of rainfall can dry up roosting wetlands.
– Predators – Coyotes, eagles, and other wildlife prey on young cranes and eggs.
– Disease – Salmonella and other diseases can occasionally kill cranes.
– Hunting – Limited sport hunting of sandhill cranes is allowed in parts of Arizona.
Continued protection and management of wetland habitats, minimizing disturbances, and maintaining suitable farmland foraging areas will be important for conservation of sandhill cranes migrating through Arizona.
Sandhill Crane Viewing Tips in Arizona
To successfully view sandhill cranes in Arizona, here are some useful viewing tips:
– Use binoculars or spotting scopes – Cranes can be seen from a distance but are best viewed through optics.
– Look in open wetland areas – Scan shallow marshes and lakes for roosting flocks.
– Listen for calls – Cranes have loud, rolling bugle calls that carry far.
– Check fields – Watch for cranes foraging in harvested grain fields near roosts.
– Time visits for dusk or dawn – Cranes are most active flying into and out of roosts during these times.
– Visit during peak migration – For most abundant cranes, visit during October or March.
– Be patient and still – Approaching roosts may flush cranes, so view from afar.
– Dress warm – Early mornings can be very cold during peak crane season.
Conclusion
In summary, sandhill cranes use Arizona as an important migration corridor and wintering ground. Different subspecies and populations of cranes pass through or remain in the state for varying lengths of time from just days or weeks up to 4-5 months for wintering birds. Prime viewing opportunities occur during the fall and spring migration peaks at favored wetland habitats like the Willcox Playa. Ongoing conservation efforts for cranes focus on protecting these key stopover sites to ensure that massive migrations of sandhill cranes continue sustaining in Arizona. With persistence and luck, observers may be rewarded with the spectacular sights and iconic sounds of thousands of sandhill cranes congregating in the wetlands of Arizona.
