Crane birds are large, long-legged and long-necked birds that are found throughout Florida. There are two main species of crane that live in Florida – the Florida sandhill crane and the Florida whooping crane.
Florida Sandhill Crane
The Florida sandhill crane is a large gray-bodied bird that can stand up to 4 feet tall and have a wingspan of 5 to 6 feet. These cranes live throughout the state of Florida in open prairies, marshes, and pine savannas. Sandhill cranes are non-migratory and remain in Florida year-round.
Some quick facts about the Florida sandhill crane:
- Scientific name: Antigone canadensis pratensis
- Average height: 3-4 ft tall
- Wingspan: 5-6 ft
- Weight: 4-6 lbs
- Lifespan: Up to 20 years in the wild
- Diet: Omnivorous – eats insects, snakes, frogs, plants, seeds
- Notable features: Red forehead, long dark pointed bill, long neck and legs
Sandhill cranes form lifelong pair bonds and defend permanent territories. They build nests of vegetation on the ground near water and usually lay two eggs each year. The grey-colored chicks hatch after about 30 days and can leave the nest within a day, but stay close to their parents for 10-11 months as they learn to forage and fly.
These birds are very vocal and make a loud trumpeting call that carries for long distances. They are social birds and often feed and migrate together in flocks. The Florida sandhill crane is classified as a species of Least Concern but populations declined in the 20th century due to habitat loss before rebounding more recently.
Habitat
Sandhill cranes inhabit open freshwater marshes, wet prairies, pine savannas and dry prairies across Florida. They prefer areas with shallow standing water for foraging interspersed with drier patches and clumps of brush or trees for nesting and loafing. Extensive wetlands along the St. Johns River basin, Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee River, and Paynes Prairie provide excellent sandhill crane habitat.
Range
The Florida sandhill crane is non-migratory and found year-round throughout the state of Florida. Their range extends from the panhandle through central Florida and down into the Everglades and Florida Keys. The also occur in southern Georgia and Alabama near the Florida border.
Population and Conservation Status
Florida sandhill crane populations declined in the early 20th century due to hunting, habitat loss, and drainage of wetlands for development. They were designated a threatened species by Florida in 1973. Conservation measures helped the population rebound to an estimated 4,000-5,000 breeding pairs by the 1990s. They were downlisted to a species of special concern in 1995 and their population remains stable.
Florida Whooping Crane
The Florida whooping crane is the rarest crane species in North America and one of the most endangered birds in the world. Unlike sandhill cranes, these are migratory and breed in Wisconsin before migrating in winter to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Quick facts about the Florida whooping crane:
- Scientific name: Grus americana
- Average height: 5 ft
- Wingspan: 7-8 ft
- Weight: 14-17 lbs
- Lifespan: Up to 24 years in the wild
- Diet: Omnivorous – eats insects, frogs, rodents, plants, berries
- Notable features: Red crown, white plumage with black wingtips
Whooping cranes are larger and mostly white except for black wing tips and a red crown. They also have a longer bill than sandhill cranes. These cranes were hunted to near extinction in the 1940s with only 21 birds remaining. Intensive conservation efforts boosted the global population to about 500 today.
Habitat
During winter in Florida, whooping cranes inhabit estuarine marshes, swamps, freshwater marshes, wet prairies, and pine savannas. They roost in shallow waters and feed in upland habitats. Prime habitat includes Paynes Prairie State Park, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge where most of Florida’s whooping cranes congregate in winter.
Range
Whooping cranes nest in Wisconsin and migrate south in winter to Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. About 100-120 whooping cranes now spend winter in Florida, mostly concentrated along the Gulf coast between St. Marks and Chassahowitzka.
Population and Conservation Status
After reaching a low of just 21 birds in 1941, whooping crane numbers have slowly rebounded through captive breeding programs and protections for their migration pathways and wintering grounds. There are now over 500 whooping cranes globally with about 20-25% of those wintering in Florida.
This species is still classified as Endangered at both state and federal levels. Conservation efforts now focus on increasing genetic diversity in the wild flock and maintaining suitable wetland habitat during migration and wintering. Collisions with power lines poses one of the largest remaining threats to the cranes in Florida.
Comparison of Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes
Florida sandhill cranes and whooping cranes overlap in the state and inhabit similar wetland habitats. But there are some key differences between the two crane species:
| Trait | Florida Sandhill Crane | Florida Whooping Crane |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 3-4 ft tall | Around 5 ft tall |
| Wingspan | 5-6 ft | 7-8 ft |
| Weight | 4-6 lbs | 14-17 lbs |
| Plumage | Mostly gray with some red on head | All white except for black wingtips and red crown |
| Range | Year-round in Florida | Winters in Florida, nests in Wisconsin |
| Population | 4,000-5,000 breeding pairs | Around 100 wintering in Florida |
| Conservation Status | Species of Special Concern | Endangered |
The two crane species can overlap in wetland habitats across Florida during winter. But the whooping crane is rarer, larger, migratory, and more distinctive in appearance than the sandhill crane. Ongoing conservation efforts for both species focus on protecting their wetland habitats and minimizing man-made threats to their survival.
Crane Behavior and Biology
Sandhill and whooping cranes share some common behaviors and biological traits including:
- Long-lived birds with lifespans over 20 years in the wild
- Form permanent pair bonds and defend territories year-round
- Nest on the ground near water and lay 1-3 eggs per clutch
- Both parents incubate eggs and raise young
- Young can leave nest within 24 hours but are dependent on parents for 10-11 months
- Omnivorous diet of insects, reptiles, plants, seeds, berries
- Very vocal with loud, trumpeting calls
- Gregarious and non-territorial during migration and wintering
- Perform elaborate dances to cement pair bonds and defend territories
Cranes are most active during dawn and dusk hours for feeding and socializing. They roost in shallow wetlands at night and rest in pooled water to stay cool during the hottest parts of the day. Family groups stay together until young fledge and disperse prior to next breeding season. Both parents are intensely protective of eggs and young against potential predators.
Migration
Sandhill cranes are non-migratory year-round residents in Florida. In contrast, whooping cranes make an arduous 2,500 mile migratory journey each fall and spring between Wisconsin and Florida. They fly in small groups of 2-5 birds, gaining altitude on thermal updrafts to travel 100-200 miles per day during migration. Stopover wetlands along the flight path provide critical resting and refueling sites. Their migration pathways are genetically programmed with migration routes passing down over generations.
Reproduction and Nesting
Cranes generally first breed at 2-5 years old. Breeding pairs engage in elaborate courtship rituals and dances to cement their lifelong pair bonds. Nests consist of mounds of wetland vegetation on the ground near water. The female usually lays 1-3 brown eggs over 1-2 days that hatch after an incubation period of 28-36 days. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and guarding against predators like foxes, eagles, and raccoons.
The grey-colored chicks are able to leave the nest soon after hatching but remain under their parents’ care until they fledge at 10-11 months old. Parents feed and protect the juveniles during this vulnerable period. Approximately 50% of crane chicks survive to fledge each year.
Where to See Cranes in Florida
Some top places to spot wild cranes in Florida include:
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park – Sandhill and occasional whooping cranes in wet prairie habitat
- Myakka River State Park – Hundreds of sandhill cranes along upper Myakka River
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge – Wintering ground for dozens of whooping cranes
- Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park – Foraging sandhill cranes in wet prairie
- Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge – Sandhill cranes and wintering whooping cranes
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary – Sandhill cranes year-round in wet pine flatwoods
Your best chance of sighting the rare whooping crane is along Florida’s Gulf coast at St. Marks NWR during the winter months of November through March.
Threats and Conservation
Sandhill and whooping crane numbers declined dramatically in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Major threats included:
- Hunting and poaching
- Habitat loss through wetland drainage
- Conversion of prairies to agriculture
- Droughts reducing breeding success
- Collisions with power lines
Protections were put in place in the 20th century to help crane populations recover including:
- Banning hunting of cranes
- Habitat protection through refuges and preserves
- Reintroducing captive-raised whooping cranes
- Power line modifications to minimize collisions
- Ecological burns to maintain open wetland habitats
With these efforts, sandhill cranes have rebounded significantly while whooping cranes remain endangered but slowly increasing. Ongoing management focuses on providing suitable habitat at refuges, minimizing disturbances, and avoiding collisions with man-made structures during migration.
Citizen Science
Birders and the general public can support crane conservation through citizen science projects including:
- Migration monitoring – Reporting sightings of tagged whooping cranes to track migration routes
- Nest monitoring – Checking known nests to track reproduction rates
- Roost counts – Counting cranes arriving at roost sites to estimate regional populations
- Habitat restoration – Volunteering to manage vegetation and hydrology at refuges
These citizen science efforts provide valuable data to help manage and conserve crane populations. Anyone can get involved by contacting local Audubon chapters and wildlife refuges.
Key Facts and Summary
To summarize key facts about Florida’s crane birds:
- Two crane species occur in Florida – resident sandhill cranes and migratory whooping cranes
- Sandhill cranes are grey-bodied, 3-4 feet tall and live year-round throughout the state
- Whooping cranes are bright white, 5 feet tall and winter along Florida’s Gulf Coast
- Both species inhabit freshwater wetlands and wet prairies
- Cranes form lifelong pair bonds, build nests near water, and are protective parents
- Populations declined last century but rebounded under protective laws
- Threats include habitat loss, collisions with power lines, drought
- Conservation efforts focus on protected habitats and reducing disturbances
Florida provides critical habitat for two iconic crane species. Sandhill and whooping cranes delight birders across the state with their huge size, loud calls, and graceful dances. Continued conservation and management of Florida’s wetlands will ensure future generations can enjoy these majestic birds.
Conclusion
The Florida sandhill crane and the Florida whooping crane are the two species of cranes found in the state. They inhabit freshwater wetlands and wet prairies, building nests and raising chicks each year. Both species declined sharply last century before protective laws and habitat conservation helped populations rebound. Sandhill cranes can now be readily seen across Florida while the rarer whooping crane winters along the Gulf coast. Seeing these huge, graceful birds is a special treat for any nature enthusiast visiting Florida. With continued conservation efforts focused on habitat protection and reducing disturbances, future generations will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Florida’s iconic cranes.
