Florida Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis pratensis

Stats

Length:

height:

3-5 ft

Weight:

6-14 lbs

Lifespan:

up to 20 years

Sexual Maturity:

2 years

Breeding Season:

Spring

Gestation Period:

67-75 days to hatch and will stay with parents for approximately 2 years

Eats

Feed on wide variety of plant tubers, grains, small vertebrates (mice and snakes), and invertebrates such as insects or worms.

Lives

Found in Florida and Georgia. They live in open, freshwater wetlands, bogs, sedge meadows, open grasslands, pine savannas, and cultivated lands. Sometimes they are even found in yards.

Behavior

They are monogamous and mate for life. Sandhill cranes are social and often found in family groups. Their sound is a trumpeting/bugling can be heard for several miles. They do not migrate, unlike a lot of Floridian birds.

Description

Florida Sandhill Cranes are the most abundant in the world! Tall birds with long legs and necks, they wade through shallow waters and tall grasses. A distinctive patch of bald, red skin on their heads adds to their unique appearance. Known for their elegant movements and beautiful dances, they often gather in large flocks. Cranes can fly at speeds up to 40 miles per hour and migrate thousands of miles in V-shaped formations, showcasing their impressive flying abilities.

Did you Know?

Mill Mountain Zoo is home to many animals who wouldn't survive being released into the wild or are at risk of extinction.

How can I Help?

Benefitted from the establishment of protected areas in key portions of its remaining range, but commercial and residential development still pose a significant threat. When coming into contact with protected areas, follow the posted rules of the area. Individual subspecies are not recognized by the IUCN, but the state of Florida designates the species as threatened.

Least Concern

Near Threatened

Vulnerable

Endangered

Critically Endangered

Extinct in the Wild