Sandhill Crane
NameSandhill Crane
Common NameSandhill Crane
Scientific NameAntigone canadensis
FamilyGruidae
Wingspan (cm)185
Length (cm)105
Weight (g)4750
Plumage DetailsAdult Sandhill Cranes have a gray-brown body plumage, often stained rusty-brown from iron-rich mud. They feature a distinctive bare patch of red skin on their forehead and crown, white cheeks, and a long, dark bill.
Vocalization / CallTheir vocalizations are loud, rattling, and trumpeting calls, often described as a 'gar-oo-oo' sound, which can be heard from a great distance, especially during migration.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetlands, marshes, bogs, wet meadows, grasslands, agricultural fields
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeSandhill Cranes breed across northern North America, including Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. They migrate to wintering grounds in the southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba, with some populations also found in eastern Siberia.
Identifying Featureslarge size, gray-brown plumage, red crown patch, long legs and neck, distinctive rattling call, slow, deliberate gait
Description
The Sandhill Crane is a large, long-legged, and long-necked bird known for its elegant posture and distinctive call. They are often seen foraging in open fields or wetlands, moving with deliberate, graceful steps.
