Quick Answer
Sandhill cranes are large migratory birds that visit backyards and fields to forage for food. Their diet consists primarily of grains, berries, seeds, insects, snails, worms, frogs, small reptiles, and small mammals. In backyards, sandhill cranes will eat grains like corn, wheat, sorghum, oats, and barley. They also eat berries and fruits like grapes, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and apples. Seeds from grasses, sedges, and agricultural crops are consumed as well. Sandhill cranes supplement their diet with protein sources like insects, worms, snails, small reptiles, frogs, and small rodents when available.
What Are Sandhill Cranes?
Sandhill cranes are large birds in the crane family, Gruidae. They are considered the most abundant species of crane in the world, with an estimated global population of over 650,000. There are six subspecies of sandhill crane, with some minor variations in size and coloration. The average height is 31-47 inches with a wingspan of 5-7 feet. Their plumage is mainly gray, with some reddish or brown coloring on the head, neck, and upper body. The feathers are highlighted by bright red skin on the crown and a bustle of decorative feathers on the lower back. Sandhill cranes are very social, foraging and migrating together in bonded pairs or family groups. They breed in wetland habitats across North America and migrate thousands of miles between their summer breeding grounds in the north and wintering grounds in the south.
Sandhill Crane Diet
Sandhill cranes are omnivorous, feeding on a diverse diet. Their diet changes depending on habitat and food availability. Here are some of the main items in a sandhill crane’s diet:
Grains
Grains make up a large part of the sandhill crane diet. They forage extensively on grains left over after harvest or that have fallen to the ground. Corn is a preferred grain, but they will also readily eat wheat, sorghum, oats, barley, and rye. Cranes use their long pointed bill to probe the ground and pick up individual grains. They swallow grains whole.
Berries and Fruits
Sandhill cranes enjoy eating berries and fruits. Cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and blackberries are favored when available. They also eat apples, cherries, figs, mulberries, and other fruits. Cranes grasp whole berries and fruits with their bill and swallow them.
Seeds
A variety of plant seeds are eaten by sandhill cranes, especially grass and sedge seeds. They use their bill to scoop up seeds from the ground or break off seed heads directly from plants. Common seeds include millet, Timothy grass, wheatgrass, foxtail, crabgrass, and smartweed. Cranes will also eat agricultural seeds like rice, sorghum, corn, and wheat.
Insects and Other Invertebrates
Sandhill cranes will eat insects, worms, snails, and other invertebrates to add protein to their diet. They stab bill into the ground to capture earthworms, grubs, beetles, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and other insects. Snails, crabs, crayfish, and freshwater mussels are also preyed upon when found. These become more important during breeding season to provide sufficient protein for egg production and chick growth.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Small amphibians and reptiles supplement the crane diet with protein and nutrients. Frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, lizards, snakes, and turtle hatchlings may be eaten if discovered by foraging cranes. Cranes grab prey with their bill and swallow items whole.
Small Mammals
Voles, mice, shrews, moles, rabbits, squirrels, and other small mammals are opportunistically eaten by sandhill cranes. They use their bil to stab and kill mammals. Larger prey is torn into pieces before swallowing. Mammals provide an excellent source of protein.
Fish
While not a primary food source, sandhill cranes will eat small fish on occasion. They capture fish swimming near the water’s edge or trapped in wetlands as they dry up. Fish may include minnows, shiners, suckers, sunfish, and trout that can be swallowed whole by cranes.
Foraging in Backyards
Sandhill cranes are attracted to backyards that provide good foraging opportunities. They mostly eat plant foods in backyards, including:
- Grains – Corn, wheat, sorghum, oats, rye
- Berries – Strawberries, grapes, blackberries
- Fruits – Apples, pears, peaches, cherries
- Seeds – Grass, sedge, agricultural seeds
Cranes forage by walking slowly across open spaces like lawns, pastures, or fields looking for food items. Their long bill is used to probe soil and lift out grains, berries, seeds, shoots, roots, and invertebrates. Food gets tossed back into the throat and swallowed whole. Cranes also sample fruits, berries, and vegetation directly from plants.
Backyards that provide supplemental grain sources will consistently attract foraging sandhill cranes. They readily feed on corn, wheat, sorghum, and other grains intentionally or unintentionally left out. Platform bird feeders stocked with various grains and seeds will also draw in cranes.
Fallen berries below fruiting trees and shrubs are a tempting food source for sandhill cranes. They consume dropped strawberries, grapes, apples and other fruits under trees. Cranes may shake vegetation to dislodge additional ripe berries and fruits to eat.
Stands of native grasses and sedges provide abundant seed heads for sandhill cranes. Grass seeds supplement their diet with protein for growth and reproduction. Cranes gravitate towards yards providing native vegetation.
Benefits of Sandhill Cranes in Your Yard
Having sandhill cranes forage in your yard provides some unique benefits:
- Natural insect control – Cranes eat many lawn and garden pests like grasshoppers, snails, beetles, and grubs as they probe for food.
- Weed reduction – Their constant foraging helps remove weed seeds and reduces growth.
- Soil aeration – Probing actions naturally till and mix the top layers of soil.
- Fertilization – Crane droppings help fertilize plants and grass.
- Interesting to watch – Sandhill cranes are exotic and entertaining visitors.
Potential Problems
While sandhill cranes provide benefits, they can also cause some problems in backyards:
- Crop damage – Cranes may damage gardens, flowerbeds, and agricultural plantings as they forage.
- Missing fruit – Ripe fruits and berries disappear quickly when cranes are around.
- Large droppings – Crane feces are moderately large and must be cleaned up.
- Damaged turf – Foraging on lawns can remove grass and leave behind holes.
- Safety issues – Large cranes pose some minor risk to people and pets if they feel threatened.
Discouraging Sandhill Cranes
To discourage sandhill cranes from frequenting your yard, try these tips:
- Remove food sources – Eliminate any intentional or unintentional grain feeding in your yard. Clean up fallen berries and fruit.
- Use deterrents – Install motion-activated sprinklers or noisemakers. Place realistic fake predators like coyotes or dogs.
- Add barriers – Erect temporary fencing or place string grids over desired areas.
- Alter habitat – Reduce open lawn areas and increase tall shrubs or trees to impede foraging.
- Scare tactics – Charge at cranes while yelling and waving arms any time they enter the yard.
Conclusion
Sandhill cranes are majestic visitors that forage extensively in backyards and fields. They consume a diverse diet but mostly eat plant foods like grains, berries, fruits, and seeds in yards. Their foraging provides benefits like insect control and soil aeration but can also damage gardens and turf. Sandhill cranes can be discouraged by removing food sources, adding deterrents, and altering habitat. With some minor management, sandhill cranes can be enjoyed as fascinating guests when they stop by your backyard.
