What’s going on?

If you’ve lived in central or south Florida long enough, chances are, you’ve seen a sandhill crane. A patch of bald, red skin on the top of its head makes it easy to identify this tall, heron-like bird, among others.  

And if you haven’t seen them, you’ve probably heard them. Their loud, rattling bugle calls can be heard up to 2.5 miles away. 

Our state is home to two subspecies of sandhill crane. The Florida sandhill crane doesn’t migrate and resides in the Sunshine State year-round. Each winter, it is joined by about 25,000 migrating greater sandhill cranes.  

Florida provides a perfect range of habitats for sandhill cranes to thrive in. They do best in freshwater wetlands, low-rising prairies, and warmer temperatures. But development of some of their preferred habitats in the state and death by vehicle strikes caused the Florida sandhill crane to be listed as a state-designated threatened species in 1974. 

Why it matters.

There are only an estimated 4,000-5,000 Florida sandhill cranes left in the wild. A 2003 study found that between 1974 and 2003, the Florida sandhill crane population decreased by 36%. However, more recent studies have shown that the populations are increasing due to the birds using suburban areas like golf courses and residential neighborhoods. But, as the birds come in closer contact with humans, vehicle strikes have increased, leading to more human caused deaths.  

What you can do.

• As a state-threatened species, it is against the law to harass or kill a Florida sandhill crane.  
• Never feed cranes, as feeding them can create an unnecessary co-dependence on food and disrupt a crane’s natural diet.  
• If cranes are within your area, try to limit the number of reflection surfaces. Cranes have been known to damage windows or glass doors when they see their reflection.
• You can report harassment of sandhill cranes or nests at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s number 1-888-404-FWCC.  

Information from the National Wildlife Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, All About Birds and UF IFAS.