Sandhill Cranes are my absolute favorite bird. I have lived in the countryside for most of my life, surrounded by agriculture fields. Sitting on my porch I will watch the cranes as they spend a lot of their time in the fields, grazing for food or taking a rest. I’ve also spotted a mated pair with their two colts. How amazing is that!

These cranes must be doing something right to be the oldest living bird species! Let’s get to know these ancient birds together, illustrated by some amazing photos from local photographers Paul Birtwhistle and Cam Mannino. I found facts about these birds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, All About Birds.

Identifying These Big Birds

Sandhill Cranes are Michigan’s tallest bird with a long neck and long legs. They stand about five feet tall and have a wingspan measuring an impressive six to seven feet. These birds can be identified by not only their large size and the distinctive red cap on the top of their heads. Only the adults have the red cap. Immature cranes are a bit smaller in size with more of a rusty crown and rusty plumage compared to the adults. The younglings, called colts, hatch from their eggs as small cinnamon brown puff balls. When flying, look for the straight neck, compared to the S-shaped neck of Great Blue Herons in flight.

Sandhill Cranes also have a very distinct trumpeting call that can be heard up to 2.5 miles away! So, if you can’t see them, you’ll know they are around when you hear their hoarse bugle in the distance. I really enjoy seeing them out in the field almost every morning when we’re gearing up for the day at Watershed Ridge Park. They will call out to each other as well, and it’s been such a unique sound to kick off my day.

Where Do They Live?

A pair of Sandhill Cranes were feeding out in the fields at Stony Creek Ravine Nature Park one day when the crew and I were out scanning for invasive plants. We spooked the cranes a bit and they flew over the hill a short distance. Even though it was a brief sighting, it was amazing to see them up close in one of their favorite habitats.

I know I mentioned earlier that I have observed these birds in agriculture fields, but that is mostly during their non-breeding season. During breeding season they’re more often in open wetland habitats that are surrounded by shrubs or trees. Their nests reside in marshes, bogs, wet meadows, prairies, and other damp or wet freshwater habitats. Within these open habitats, the breeding birds stay towards the edges of the wetland, more protected from predators, while the non-breeding birds are often found in more open grassy sites or fields. 

What Do They Eat?

Sandhill Cranes are omnivores, feeding on land or in shallow marshes on the plants that grow within the water. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and grains. They also can eat berries, tubers, small vertebrates, and invertebrates. Small pieces of lead that were used for fishing sinkers, and still used in some bird shot, can cause lead poisoning when cranes mistake them for food.

Breeding

Sandhill Cranes are monogamous, mating for life. Their nests are located in small, isolated wetlands and built from cattails, sedges, burr reed, bulrushes, or grasses. The larger material is placed as the foundation of the nest, usually by the female. Then twigs or stems are placed to form a cup-shaped hollow lining in the center of the nest. The nests can vary around 30-40 inches across and 4-6 inches high. Depending on where the Sandhill Cranes build their nets, most prefer areas in standing water, but some do nest on dry ground. 

They only have one brood of chicks per year with 1 to 3 eggs. Generally, only one chick tends to survive to fledging. Their eggs are a pale brownish yellow, with irregular brown or gray markings.

Find Sandhill Cranes Nearby!

Bear Creek Nature Park, Lost Lake Nature Park, or Draper Twin Lakes Park are some of our parks that have potential to view their nesting habits and nests. There is open water and wetlands at these parks that Sandhill Cranes may choose to build their nests. I have never observed their breeding habits as they are very isolated creatures, however Paul Birtwhistle has. He was at the right spot, at the right moment and witnessed the hatching of eggs at Stony Creek Metropark this spring. I don’t know about you, but that is a once in a lifetime experience that I would never forget.

These our Michigan birds are in the eastern population and are not endangered, but their population numbers are low due to their habitat being altered or destroyed. Their numbers are slowly increasing, and we have healthy populations here in Michigan. Most of our cranes migrate in large groups south to Florida for the winter, and their migration is an amazing site. Here in Michigan you can check out CraneFest near Battle Creek, or Haehnle Sanctuary near Jackson to see large groups gather in October and November before they head south.

So if you are out on the trails, lounging in your backyard, or on the bird walks on Wednesday mornings, keep an eye (or ear!) out for these magnificent creatures. They are very beautiful to observe, but remember to observe from a distance.

Source of facts:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/lifehistory