Greater Sandhill Crane
Quick Facts
Latin Name: Grus canadensis tabida
Status: No special status
Population: Northern United States and southern Canada (summer). Southern U.S. (winter)
Diet: Seeds, berries, small vertebrates, and small invertebrates
Weight: 119.9–172.8 ounces
Length: 45-50 inches
About the Greater Sandhill Crane
Greater sandhill cranes have a loud, trumpeting call that results from their unusually long tracheas, lending their voice a deeper tone than many other birds.
Although the cranes are sexually mature after two years, they may be as old as seven before they first breed. This is not a problem since greater sandhill cranes can live pretty long in the wild – the oldest on record lived to be over 36 years old!
Greater sandhill cranes mate with one partner for life, choosing their mates based on energetic dancing displays. Females usually lay two eggs per mating season, but typically only one fledgling survives to adulthood. Nests are constructed from available vegetation in isolated wetlands. Family units migrate together with many other families, causing some flocks of greater sandhill cranes to approach the tens of thousands in number.
For more information: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and USDA Forest Service
Photography: Image #1 by Steve Betts, Image #2 by Ken Thomas.
How you can help this species
Help conserve America's forests.
Conservation PROJECTS WITH
Greater Sandhill Crane HABITATS
The Pacific Forest Trust is dedicated to preserving natural habitats and forest systems where animals can thrive. Explore some of our conservation projects and easements in and around greater sandhill crane habitat.
Butte Creek Meadows Working Forest
CA | 3,468 acres
A home to headwaters that provide cold, clear water for people and an abundance of wildlife.
Goose Lake Restoration and Working Forest
CA | 32,686 acres
We joined Collins in California’s largest forest conservation and restoration partnership.