Sandhill Crane

(Grus canadensis)

*Species description adapted from Snyder, 1992.

LEGAL STATUS:

Florida sandhill crane is listed as Threatened in Florida [1].

TIMING OF MAJOR LIFE HISTORY EVENTS:

Migration - to nesting grounds begins in late February to mid-March; arrive at nesting grounds in April through May; to wintering grounds begins in late August through mid-October; arrive at wintering grounds in mid September to November

• Sexual Maturity - typically pair at age 5 to 6 years but can pair at age 3 years; mate for life
• Eggs - one to three eggs laid 2 to 3 days apart; in Florida laid January through May
• Incubation - 28 to 30 days
• Fledge - 90 days
• Life span - up to 24 years in captivity [2, 3, 4, 5]

PREFERRED HABITAT:

The Florida sandhill crane inhabits wooded hammocks, marshes and ponds with thick emergent plant species, cypress swamps, and wet meadow areas surrounded by oak (Quercus spp.), southern pine (Pinus spp.), and cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto).

COVER REQUIREMENTS:

Sandhill cranes need swampy, marshy wetlands for breeding and wintering [5].  They need adequate emergent vegetation to build their 4 to 5 foot diameter nests on mounds that rise above the water [6].  Sandhill cranes depend on agricultural lands for the bulk of their food on migration routes; therefore pastures and crop fields interspersed with wetlands can provide ideal habitat [7, 8].  In Florida, good sandhill crane habitat consists of shrubby uplands surrounding permanent emergent wetlands mixed with agricultural land [8].

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:

Sandhill crane pairs are used as foster parents to raise endangered whooping crane young [6].  Sandhill cranes are susceptible to many avian diseases including botulism, cholera, toxins (from moldy corn), and tuberculosis.  They also are killed by hailstorms, by lightning, and collisions with powerlines [9].

DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS:

Sandhill crane nests can be destroyed by fire [10].

HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS:

The absence of fires in southern Florida wetlands has promoted the succession to pine forests.  With the increase in brush and litter, food and suitable nesting cover for the sandhill crane in wetlands has disappeared [11].