Sandhill Cranes

The Sandhill Cranes
These cranes are the most common and still widespread in North America. They have gray feathers. Their foreheads are red and they have white cheeks with long, dark bills. They reach up to 4 feet tall and have a wingspan of about 6 feet with many exceeding that. They are omnivorous which means they eat plants and animals. They like to feed on seeds, grains, insects, worms, mice, frogs, and snakes.
Because of the food they eat you may encounter Sandhill Cranes anywhere from meadows to harvested corn and bean fields as well as often in marshes, swampy areas and along the shores of ponds, streams and slow moving rivers.
Sandhill Crane Best Viewing Locations:
Where to See Them in Michigan?
Sandhill cranes show up all over the state, but appear more often in south and central Michigan.
Here are some places you can see Sandhill Cranes in Michigan!
• Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary is the oldest bird sanctuary in Michigan and the first sanctuary dedicated to cranes in North America. It offers the best view of cranes as large groups fly overhead en route to roost at Big Marsh Lake.
• Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Audubon Sanctuary: This is the largest roosting area for sandhill cranes in Michigan. It is located near Waterloo Recreation Area in Jackson County and covers over 1,000 acres of wetlands and uplands. It attracts thousands of cranes every fall.
• Kensington Metropark: This is a 4,481-acre park that features a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, lakes, and wetlands. The nature trails at the park are a prime area for crane viewing.
• Waterloo Recreation Area: This is the largest park in the Lower Peninsula, covering over 20,000 acres of land and water. The park’s 3,000 acres of protected wetlands and the adjacent Haehnle Sanctuary provide vital nesting habitat for the cranes2.
Best Viewing Times of the Year:
The best time to see sandhill cranes in Michigan is during the fall migration, which is from late September to early November. During this time, thousands of cranes gather in large flocks and fly south for the winter. They can be seen feeding and resting in the fields and wetlands during the day They can be seen flying to their roosting sites at dusk. The best time to view the cranes is at dawn or dusk, when they are most active and vocal.
Behavior and Lifecycle
Sandhill cranes are social birds that form lifelong pairs and stay together year-round. They also form larger groups or clans during migration and wintering. They communicate with each other using loud, rolling calls that can be heard from miles away. They also perform elaborate courtship dances, which involve bowing, jumping, tossing sticks, and spreading their wings.
Sandhill cranes breed in the spring and summer, usually from April to June. They build large nests of vegetation on the ground or in shallow water. They lay one or two eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 30 days. The chicks are precocial, meaning they can walk and feed themselves soon after hatching. They stay with their parents for about 10 months, until the next breeding season.
Sandhill cranes can live up to 20 years in the wild, and even longer in captivity. They face threats from habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, as well as collisions with power lines, fences, and vehicles. They are also hunted for sport and subsistence in some areas.
Fun Facts:
• Sandhill cranes are one of the oldest living bird species, dating back to at least 2.5 million years ago. They are closely related to the extinct woolly mammoth and the living elephant.
• Sandhill cranes can fly up to 200 miles per day during migration, reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. They can also soar at altitudes of up to 12,000 feet, using thermals to conserve energy.
• Sandhill cranes have a special air sac system that allows them to produce their loud calls. The air sacs extend from their lungs to their throat and chest and act as resonating chambers.
• Sandhill cranes are considered sacred by many Native American tribes, who regard them as symbols of peace, longevity, and wisdom. They are also featured in many legends, stories, and art forms.
 

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