Greater Sandhill Crane

Greater Sandhill Crane dancing. Photo Credit: Keith Kohl

Overview

  • Species Common Name Greater Sandhill Crane
  • Species Scientific Name Antigone canadensis tabida
  • State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Special needs

Greater Sandhill Cranes require relatively large wetland-wet/dry meadow complexes with a mosaic of aquatic and herbaceous conditions for nesting and foraging.

Limiting factors

Greater Sandhill Cranes have large area requirements, and habitat availability may be the most important factor limiting this population. Reductions in wetland/wet meadow quality, quantity, and size due to hydrological changes, succession (shrub and conifer encroachment), and/or livestock grazing adversely affect this species. Agricultural practices (e.g., mowing, unmanaged grazing), coyote predation on young, Common Raven (Corvus corax) predation on eggs, and human disturbance can also have impacts on breeding success.

Conservation actions

Maintain and/or enhance hydrological conditions to support suitable habitat conditions for nesting and foraging in tracts >20 acres. Where hydrology can be managed, include both wet and dry meadow habitat through the nesting season. Minimize disturbance during the breeding season (April 15-July 31) at known nesting areas. Use prescribed burning or hand-felling of trees periodically to set back plant succession.

Key reference or plan

Greater Sandhill Crane Habitat Initiative: Meeting the Information Needs for a Landscape Conservation Strategy