Sandhill Cranes

Finding a Sandhill Crane

Characteristics

Sandhill cranes stand tall amongst the other local birds here in British Columbia. Sandhill cranes have a greyish body with some beige spotting, with some having a stronger rusty beige colour on the wings and body than others. Males and females both have a red path from the peak towards the eyes.

Habitat

Sandhill cranes are found throughout North America and beyond, and prefer open habitats. They can be found in open prairies, grasslands, and wetlands. Their preferred habitat can vary by region.

Typically, the cranes will choose to nest around marshes and bogs.

Locally, the Reifel Bird Sanctuary and Burnaby Lake Park are both great places to see these prehistoric-looking birds.

Diet

Sandhill cranes are omnivorous birds, which means they have a varied diet that includes both plant and animal matter. They are opportunistic feeders, so what’s on the menu will vary based on what’s available that time of year and where they are located.

• Grains: Sandhill cranes often feed on grains such as corn, wheat, barley, and rice, especially in agricultural areas where these crops are readily available.
• Insects: Insects make up a significant part of their diet, especially during the breeding season. They will eat various types of insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars.
• Small Invertebrates: Sandhill cranes may also consume small invertebrates like snails, worms, and crayfish.
• Aquatic Plants: In wetland areas, they feed on aquatic plants, including sedges, bulrushes, and pondweeds.
• Seeds: They consume a variety of seeds from both aquatic and terrestrial plants.
• Small Vertebrates: Occasionally, sandhill cranes will eat small vertebrates like frogs, salamanders, small fish, and even small mammals if they can catch them.

Breeding and Life Cycle

Sandhill cranes can begin breeding as early as 2 years old, but many don’t begin breeding until they are 7 years old. Once they find a mate they pair for life and remain with their mates year round. If one crane passes away, the remaining crane will seek a new one.

The cranes migrate to their breeding grounds each year, where they will perform dancing displays. These displays can include wing-flapping, bowing, and jumping. Some may even throw sticks or plants into the air.

Conservation

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), classifies sandhill cranes as “least concern”. In the past, there was some concern about the sandhill cranes, but their numbers have increased greatly since the 1970s. Today they are one of the most numerous cranes in the world.

Habitat degradation is still the biggest threat to the cranes, and localized species in Mississippi and Cuba are endangered.