Sandhill Crane Images, Facts and Information:
Antigone canadensis
- Sandhill Cranes are large, tall gray birds with very long legs, long necks, and a straight bill. Adults have light cheeks and a red crown.
- Sandhill Cranes are noted for their spectacular and elaborate courtship displays. Some of the displays are to attract mates and others are to keep the pair bond strong.
- Sandhill Cranes mate for life.
- Their loud trumpeting call can be heard over great distances.
- Some subspecies of Sandhill Cranes are migratory and three subspecies are resident. Florida, Mississippi and Cuban subspecies are year round residents in their ranges.
- Sandhill Cranes typically have two eggs per brood, incubation is between 28 and 32 days and both sexes incubate but only the female incubates at night. Sandhill chicks are called “colts” and will remain with the adults for 9 to 10 months.
- Their habitat is open wetlands including bogs, marshes, wet meadows and other moist habitats. Migratory subspecies overwinter in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico. Sandhill migrations of thousands of cranes are amazing to see and hear.
- Sandhill Cranes eat grains, berries, insects, snails, small reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.
- Groups of cranes are known as a “swoop”, “siege”, “sedge”, “construction” and “dance” of cranes.
- Sandhill Cranes live up to 36 years.
I hope you enjoy viewing my Sandhill Crane photos.
Late winter Sandhill Cranes at Bear River MBR
Title: Late winter Sandhill Cranes at Bear River MBR
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 2/10/2022
Pair of Sandhill Cranes on the auto tour loop road
Title: Pair of Sandhill Cranes on the auto tour loop road
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 4/22/2021
Mated Sandhill Cranes on the auto tour at Bear River MBR
Title: Mated Sandhill Cranes on the auto tour at Bear River MBR
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 4/22/2021
Two adult Sandhill Cranes in a field in spring
Title: Two adult Sandhill Cranes in a field in spring
Location: Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/17/2021
Foraging Sandhill Cranes in a farmer’s field
Title: Foraging Sandhill Cranes in a farmer’s field
Location: Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/17/2021
Greater and Lesser Sandhill Cranes in a field
Title: Greater and Lesser Sandhill Cranes in a field
Location: Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/17/2021
Side lit Sandhill Crane
Title: Side lit Sandhill Crane
Location: Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/17/2021
Three Sandhill Cranes displaying in spring
Title: Three Sandhill Cranes displaying in spring
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/1/2021
Sandhill Crane adult foraging in a barren field
Title: Sandhill Crane adult foraging in a barren field
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/1/2021
Dancing Sandhill Cranes at Bear River MBR
Title: Dancing Sandhill Cranes at Bear River MBR
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/1/2021
Three Sandhill Cranes displaying in the marsh at Bear River MBR
Title: Three Sandhill Cranes displaying in the marsh at Bear River MBR
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/1/2021
Sandhill Crane adult at dawn
Title: Sandhill Crane adult at dawn
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 3/11/2019
Sandhill Crane near the Great Salt Lake
Title: Sandhill Crane near the Great Salt Lake
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 3/11/2019
Sandhill Crane foraging near the causeway to Antelope Island
Title: Sandhill Crane foraging near the causeway to Antelope Island
Location: Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Date: 3/11/2019
Female Sandhill Crane in a Bear River MBR marsh
Title: Female Sandhill Crane in a Bear River MBR marsh
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/15/2017
Male Sandhill Crane looking at something in the sky
Title: Male Sandhill Crane looking at something in the sky
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/15/2017
Male Sandhill Crane in the marsh at Bear River MBR
Title: Male Sandhill Crane in the marsh at Bear River MBR
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/15/2017
Male Sandhill Crane keeping an eye on his mate
Title: Male Sandhill Crane keeping an eye on his mate
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Date: 3/15/2017
Sandhill Cranes flying over snow-covered mountains
Title: Sandhill Cranes flying over snow-covered mountains
Location: Bicknell Bottoms Wildlife Management Area, Wayne County, Utah
Date: 3/3/2016
Pair of Sandhill Cranes calling while in flight
Title: Pair of Sandhill Cranes calling while in flight
Location: Bicknell Bottoms Wildlife Management Area, Wayne County, Utah
Date: 3/3/2016