Sandhill cranes are large, graceful birds known for their loud, trumpeting calls. They are found throughout North America and are a common sight in wetlands, fields, and marshes. Sandhill cranes are very social birds that live and migrate together in large flocks. But what exactly do you call a group of sandhill cranes? There are a few different terms used to describe a group of these birds.
A Herd of Cranes
One of the most commonly used terms for a group of sandhill cranes is a “herd.” This comes from the fact that they often feed and move together in large assemblages across grasslands and fields. When you see a large flock of dozens or hundreds of sandhill cranes feeding together, this can be referred to as a herd of cranes.
Here are some examples of using this term:
- A large herd of sandhill cranes landed in the wetland to roost for the night.
- We could hear the calls of the crane herd long before they came into view.
- The herd of cranes walked slowly through the field while foraging.
Calling a group of sandhill cranes a “herd” evokes the imagery of these large birds drifting and grazing together like herd animals. The term herd may also come from the Old English word “heord” which meant flock or multitude of animals.
A Sedge of Cranes
“Sedge” is another term used to describe a group of sandhill cranes. This comes from the old Germanic term “secg” which meant a flock of birds or crowd of people. A sedge refers to a flock that is particularly large and dense, with many birds packed closely together.
For example:
- A massive sedge of sandhill cranes circled overhead before landing.
- The sedge of cranes stood nestled together for warmth against the cold winds.
- We could barely make out individual birds within the tightly packed sedge.
Calling cranes a “sedge” evokes an image of the flock as one single, dense entity as opposed to individual birds. It emphasizes the size and crowded nature of a large sandhill crane flock.
A Congregation of Cranes
“Congregation” is a term that refers to a gathering of members of a particular group. This term implies the cranes have purposely assembled together into a flock. A congregation gives a sense of unity and community among the birds.
For example:
- Each autumn, an enormous congregation of sandhill cranes gathers at the nature preserve.
- The cacophony of calls could be heard long before the congregation of cranes landed by the lake.
- The orderly congregation of birds waited patiently to begin their migration south.
Describing sandhill cranes as a “congregation” conveys a sense of communal roosting and migration as part of their social behavior and instincts.
A Dance of Cranes
Sandhill cranes are known for their elaborate courtship dances. Males and females will “dance” together by hopping, bowing, jumping, and spreading their large wings. These beautiful and complex rituals are a key part of their social behavior.
That’s why another term used to describe a group of sandhill cranes is a “dance of cranes.” This refers to the flock moving together in a rhythmic, synchronized manner or the circular rotation of the group while in flight.
For example:
- We were lucky to come across a dance of sandhill cranes this morning, with pairs spinning and leaping gracefully.
- The dance of the cranes during their migration was a sight to behold.
- The cranes moved fluidly, as if in a choreographed dance across the wetlands.
Using the term “dance” highlights the inherent gracefulness and synchronized movements of a flock of sandhill cranes.
A Construction of Cranes
Sandhill cranes build large nests out of available vegetation, forming distinctive mound-like structures. These nests can sometimes be stacked closely together in wetland areas, forming a “construction” of many nests.
So a flock of nesting sandhill cranes can be referred to as a “construction of cranes.”
For example:
- The wetland was filled with a busy construction of nesting sandhill cranes.
- We could see the large construction of nests in the marsh, built by the sandhill cranes.
- The carefully built muddy construction was home to a family of cranes.
Using the term “construction” emphasizes the nest-building behavior of sandhill cranes and can refer specifically to a flock seen at breeding grounds.
A Siege of Cranes
The term “siege” refers to a large flock of birds that descend on an area en masse. When sandhill cranes congregate in very high densities to roost or feed, their massive numbers can seem to “besiege” the landscape.
Examples:
- The siege of sandhill cranes could be heard from miles away as they arrived at the river to roost.
- Farmers were used to the annual siege of cranes stripping their fields of grain each autumn.
- The wetland was besieged by an enormous siege of migrating cranes traveling south.
Using “siege” conveys the enormity of the flock and their dominance and “takeover” of the area. It creates vivid imagery of the cranes blanketing the land.
Describing Crane Flocks by Size
In addition to specialized terms like those above, sandhill crane flocks can also be described simply by referring to their size. Here are some common examples:
- A pair of sandhill cranes – for a breeding couple
- A trio of sandhill cranes – for 3 birds
- A handful of sandhill cranes – for a small flock of 5-10
- A flock of sandhill cranes – for a flock of 20-100 birds
- A cloud of sandhill cranes – a very large flock numbering hundreds or thousands
These types of descriptors are very straightforward but allow you to convey the general size of the crane group you are observing or describing. The context makes the amounts clear.
Conclusions
In summary, there are a variety of terms used to describe a group of sandhill cranes:
- Herd
- Sedge
- Congregation
- Dance
- Construction
- Siege
The most common is “herd,” but regional dialects and personal preference may lead to other imaginative terms. The key is choosing descriptive language that evokes the qualities of cranes within their natural habitat and flocking behavior. Whether they are feeding, flying, dancing, nesting or roosting, sandhill cranes are graceful and gregarious birds that flock together in breathtaking numbers.