Sandhill Crane

Photo from the Nebraska Wildlife Resources Page

Last updated 3/7//96

When I start to see Sandhill Cranes I know winter is finally here. They start to arrive in numbers in November and are usually present thru the end of March.

Sandhill's make a rattling/cooing noise almost constantly. It can be heard from quite a distance. Getting close is sometimes a problem. Cranes are smart and wary. Gray with a bright red skin patch on the head they are easy to recognize at a distance. Sandhill Cranes are usually found in wet fields on the coastal plain.

Look for Sandhill Cranes at Attwater NWR and San Bernard NWR. I also see them in the fields around Brazos Bend State Park

A winter range map is available from the Christmas Bird Count

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