The rattled calls of sandhill cranes often echo through the South Florida landscape this time of year, as the native population of cranes is joined by their migrating cousins.

 According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), about 4,000 to 5,000 Florida Sandhill Cranes live in the Sunshine State year-round. In the winter, they are joined by about 25,000 migratory Greater Sandhill Cranes.

According to the myfwc.com website, sandhill cranes are long-legged, long-necked, gray, heron-like birds with a patch of red skin on top of their head. Cranes fly with necks outstretched like geese, while herons fly with necks tucked in on their backs. 

Florida Sandhill Cranes can reach a height of nearly 4 feet and can have a wingspan of more than 6 feet.

Sandhill cranes make their homes in freshwater marshes, prairies, and pastures. Cranes are monogamous. Courtship includes a “dance” which features running, jumping and wing flapping. Mates work together to build a nest of grass, moss and sticks.

A mated pair will usually have two eggs per season. Eggs incubate for 32 days, with both mates taking turns keeping the eggs warm. Within 24 hours after hatching, the fuzzy young birds are capable of following their parents away from the nest to forage for seeds, roots, insects, crayfish, snakes, frogs and even small mammals. The young birds learn to fly when they are 65 to 75 days old. At 10 months old, the young birds are ready to leave their parents. Bonding between pairs begins at 2 years old.

Resident Florida cranes are frequently seen in pairs or small groups. Migratory cranes are often  seen in larger flocks.

According to FWC, loss of habitat due to development is the primary threat facing Florida Sandhill Cranes.

Sandhill Cranes are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. It is against the law to intentionally feed sandhill cranes or to disturb an active nest.

Greater Sandhill Cranes nest in the Great Lakes Region and migrate to Florida for the winter months. Young cranes accompany their parents on the migration. Greater Sandhill Cranes are larger than Florida Sandhill Cranes and can reach nearly 5 feet in height.

Sources for this article included: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Audubon Society