What states do sandhill cranes live in?

Sandhill cranes are large birds found throughout North America. They are known for their loud, rattling calls and distinctive dancing displays. Sandhill cranes live in open wetlands, fields, and grasslands across the continent.

Range and Distribution

There are six subspecies of sandhill crane, each with a different range and distribution across North America:

• Greater sandhill crane: Breeds across the northern U.S. and Canada, winters in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico.
• Lesser sandhill crane: Breeds in tundra regions of Alaska and northwestern Canada, winters in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.
• Canadian sandhill crane: Breeds in the aspen parklands of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, winters mainly in Texas and New Mexico.
• Mississippi sandhill crane: A non-migratory subspecies found only along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
• Florida sandhill crane: A non-migratory subspecies found in Florida and southern Georgia.
• Cuban sandhill crane: A non-migratory subspecies found only in Cuba.

The greater, lesser, and Canadian sandhill crane subspecies undertake lengthy seasonal migrations between their breeding and wintering grounds. The three non-migratory subspecies remain year-round in their localized ranges.

Breeding Range

During the spring and summer breeding season, sandhill cranes nest in the following states and provinces:

The greater sandhill crane nests across wide swaths of northern North America. The lesser sandhill crane breeds in the far northern tundra regions. The Canadian sandhill crane nests in the interior aspen parklands. The tiny Mississippi sandhill crane population breeds only in Jackson County, Mississippi. And the Florida sandhill crane nests in suitable wetlands across central and north Florida.

Wintering Range

During winter, sandhill cranes migrate south and occupy the following states:

The Central Flyway from Alberta to Texas hosts massive congregations of wintering sandhill cranes, predominantly greater and lesser subspecies. Good numbers also winter along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to California. A few greater sandhill cranes spend the winter as far east as Virginia and Florida.

Breeding Habitat

Sandhill cranes nest in shallow wetlands across their breeding range. They prefer landscapes with a mix of wet meadows, freshwater marshes, wet prairies, pond margins, and grassy fields.

Shallow, open water areas with good shoreline visibility provide feeding habitat and predator protection. Nearby uplands are used for nesting, loafing, and brood-rearing.

Sandhill cranes often nest along rivers, lakeshores, marshes, and wetlands embedded in agricultural lands. Nesting wetlands may be quite small, sometimes just a few acres in size.

Nest Sites

Sandhill crane nests are situated in shallow water or on the wet ground near water. Nests are constructed from plant material and measure 1-2 feet in diameter. Ideal nest sites have dense, emergent vegetation and provide seclusion from disturbance.

However, sandhill cranes may also nest in more open sites like bare mudflats if wetland vegetation is limited. Nesting territories are aggressively defended from other cranes and potential predators.

Foraging Habits

Sandhill cranes are omnivorous and forage on a wide variety of plant and animal foods. Common foods include:

• Seeds and grains
• Berries
• Tubers
• Roots
• Insects
• Worms
• Snails
• Reptiles
• Amphibians
• Small rodents

Sandhill cranes probe muddy wetlands and fields with their long bills in search of energy-rich foods. Pairs and families forage together, protecting their young while improving foraging success.

Wintering Habitat

Winter habitats used by sandhill cranes are quite similar to their breeding territories. Sandhill cranes congregate in large numbers at certain staging and wintering sites, attracted by ideal combinations of shallow wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields.

Some major wintering regions include:

• Central Valley of California
• Rio Grande River Valley of New Mexico
• Coastal prairies of Texas
• High plains of eastern New Mexico and northwest Texas
• Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska
• San Luis Valley of Colorado

These areas provide abundant food resources on wetlands, grasslands and harvested grain fields to sustain cranes through the winter. Shallow roost sites with good visibility offer protection from predators.

Top Wintering States

The states that host the highest wintering sandhill crane populations are:

1. Texas: About 650,000 sandhill cranes winter at various sites
2. New Mexico: Around 300,000 cranes winter along the middle Rio Grande Valley
3. California: The Central Valley supports over 25,000 wintering sandhill cranes
4. Oklahoma: Up to 170,000 cranes winter in the panhandle region
5. Louisiana: 80,000-100,000 cranes in southwest Louisiana

Other significant wintering states include Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Arizona. Smaller numbers reach southeastern states like Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Conservation Status

Sandhill crane populations declined substantially during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Habitat loss through wetland drainage and unregulated hunting caused numbers to fall dangerously low.

Conservation measures were implemented in the 1920s to protect important breeding and migration sites. Sandhill crane hunting was also regulated, allowing populations to gradually recover.

Thanks to wetland protection and management programs, sandhill crane numbers have rebounded remarkably. Current populations of the various subspecies are stable or increasing across most of their range.

The overall sandhill crane population in North America is estimated between 500,000 to 700,000 birds. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

However some localized populations remain endangered, like the small Mississippi sandhill crane in coastal Mississippi. Ongoing conservation efforts are aimed at bolstering their numbers and protecting vital habitats.

Population Trends

Sandhill crane festivals, tours, and education programs cultivate public interest in protecting cranes and wetland habitats. Responsible birdwatching brings tourist dollars to rural areas.

Private conservation groups also purchase lands and conservation easements to safeguard key wetlands, benefiting cranes and many other species.

Conclusion

Sandhill cranes occur widely across North America, breeding in northern wetlands and grasslands and migrating south to winter. Six subspecies inhabit different geographic ranges.

The greater sandhill crane has made a dramatic population recovery and is now abundant. The Mississippi and Cuban sandhill crane remain endangered but conservation efforts continue for their survival.

Sandhill cranes are prized for their beauty and fascinating behaviors. Protecting wetlands across the U.S. and Canada is vital to ensure the future of these magnificent birds.