Cranes are some of the most impressive birds you can see in Florida—tall, elegant, and hard to miss when they’re striding through a wetland or calling out with their deep, echoing voices. While only two species live in the state, they each have their own unique story and role in Florida’s ecosystem.
The more common Sandhill Crane can be seen year-round, especially in central and northern Florida. They’re often spotted in pairs or small family groups, foraging in fields or along the edges of ponds. Their call is loud and distinctive, something you’ll remember if you hear it echoing across a quiet morning.
The rarer Whooping Crane, once completely gone from Florida, has a more fragile presence. Conservationists worked hard to bring a small population back, and though their numbers remain low, they stand as a symbol of what’s possible when people step in to protect a species on the edge.
This article takes a closer look at these two crane species—their habits, their food, where they nest, and how people have tried to protect them over time. Whether you’ve seen one or not, cranes are a powerful part of Florida’s natural world, and worth knowing a little better.
Sandhill Crane
- Scientific name: Antigone canadensis
- Life span: 20–30 years
- Size: 3.0–4.0 ft (0.9–1.2 m)
- Weight: 6.5–14 lbs (3–6.4 kg)
- Wingspan: 5.5–7.5 ft (1.7–2.3 m)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Migrants leave Florida in late February to March.
The Sandhill Crane is one of North America’s most recognizable large birds, known for its graceful movements and distinctive bugling call. These birds have an overall gray appearance, often with a rusty tinge caused by preening with mud. Their long, slender necks and legs give them an elegant stature, while a red patch of bare skin on the forehead and crown adds a splash of color to their otherwise subdued plumage.
Feathers drape over their rumps in soft, flowing layers, which can resemble a bustle when they walk. Sandhill Cranes have a wide geographical range. Some populations are migratory, breeding in the northern U.S., Canada, and even Siberia, and wintering in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Florida, however, hosts a non-migratory subspecies that lives in the state year-round, nesting in freshwater marshes and prairies.
These resident birds are more closely tied to the state’s wetlands and are typically found in central and north-central regions. Migratory flocks also pass through or winter in Florida, particularly in open fields and wetlands. Sandhill Cranes are often seen in pairs or small family groups, walking slowly through grasslands or wet meadows.
Sandhill Cranes are attentive and somewhat selective nesters. In Florida, the non-migratory subspecies usually nests in freshwater marshes, prairies, and shallow wetlands, where dense vegetation provides both cover and building material.
The nest itself is a low mound of sticks, grasses, and reeds, built right in the water or along its edge. Both male and female participate in constructing the nest, with the female typically laying two eggs. The parents take turns incubating and are fiercely protective, often seen standing tall and alert near the nest.
Nesting begins as early as January and can extend into the summer months. After hatching, chicks—called colts—are precocial and able to walk within hours. Parents guide them through shallow water and grasses to find food, showing remarkable patience and care during this vulnerable period.
Sandhill Cranes in Florida have a relatively consistent and natural diet, mostly rooted in wetlands and open fields. They forage by walking slowly and pecking at the ground, using their long bills to dig or probe for food. Their diet includes seeds, berries, small reptiles, amphibians, insects, tubers, and occasionally even small mammals.
They show a notable preference for native wetland plants and grains, which are abundant in the habitats they frequent. In agricultural areas, they might be seen eating corn or other crops, especially during drier seasons. Unlike urban birds, they tend to avoid heavily human-influenced food sources. Their flexible diet plays a big part in their ability to survive across a range of conditions in Florida, from wetlands and pine flatwoods to ranchlands and pastures.
The conservation history of Florida’s Sandhill Cranes is one of cautious optimism. Once far more widespread, this non-migratory subspecies saw significant population declines due to wetland loss and increasing human development. By the 1970s, their numbers were low enough that Florida listed them as a state-threatened species.
Habitat protection became essential—preserving large, open wetlands and grasslands where they could breed undisturbed. Efforts to conserve these habitats have helped maintain a stable, though still vulnerable, population. Unlike their migratory relatives, Florida’s cranes depend on year-round wetland access, making them particularly sensitive to water management policies.
Public awareness campaigns and research have contributed to their ongoing protection. While their numbers are no longer declining sharply, the species remains under careful watch, a reminder of how quickly natural balance can shift when habitat disappears.
Whooping Crane
- Scientific name: Grus americana
- Life span: 22–30 years
- Size: 4.9–5.2 ft (1.5–1.6 m)
- Weight: 11–17 lbs (5–7.7 kg)
- Wingspan: 7.5–8.5 ft (2.3–2.6 m)
- Status: Endangered
- State status: Breeding and rare
- Migratory behaviour: Reintroduced residents remain; no major migration from Florida.
The Whooping Crane is one of the rarest birds in North America and a striking figure in any landscape it inhabits. These birds are predominantly white, with black wingtips visible only in flight. Their long legs and necks, combined with a bold red crown and facial patch, give them a stately and unmistakable profile.
The contrast between their snowy plumage and their dark, alert eyes adds to their distinctive look. While their appearance is elegant, it’s their history that makes them remarkable. Historically, Whooping Cranes ranged from central Canada down through the central United States and into northern Mexico.
Due to habitat destruction and hunting, they were nearly driven to extinction in the 20th century. Today, their primary wild population breeds in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada and winters at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. A second, reintroduced population was established to follow a migratory route from Wisconsin to Florida. Florida also hosted a separate, non-migratory reintroduced group, though it remains small.
These cranes are mostly seen in protected wetlands and marshes. Efforts to recover the species continue through captive breeding, habitat protection, and tracking.
When it comes to nesting, Whooping Cranes are cautious and slow to reproduce. In the small, non-migratory Florida population, nesting occurred in remote marshlands where tall grasses offered concealment and enough space to build large, floating platform nests. Both parents contributed to nest construction, which usually took place in shallow water and consisted of sticks, bulrushes, and other marsh vegetation.
The female typically laid two eggs, though only one chick often survived. What made nesting particularly difficult in Florida was the vulnerability of the habitat to flooding, predators, and human activity. Even in protected areas, nesting success remained low, contributing to the eventual decision to halt the reintroduction program. Still, those few successful nests showed that given the right conditions—isolated wetlands with minimal disturbance—these rare birds could attempt to re-establish a foothold.
Whooping Cranes are methodical foragers, moving slowly and scanning their surroundings with care. In Florida, they fed mainly in shallow wetlands, grassy fields, and agricultural lands, picking through vegetation for a mix of animal and plant matter. Their diet was surprisingly varied and included insects, frogs, small fish, crustaceans, tubers, and grains.
During drier periods, they’d forage in upland areas, especially fields where leftover corn or wheat offered easy calories. Unlike more aggressive birds, Whooping Cranes tend to feed with deliberate movements, often alone or in small groups. They require a habitat rich in biodiversity to support this broad diet, and Florida’s wetlands once provided that balance.
However, even small shifts in water level or vegetation can disrupt their access to food. Their dietary needs reflect their dependency on healthy, functioning ecosystems, particularly the seasonal rhythms of wetland life.
The conservation story of the Whooping Crane is both tragic and inspiring. By the 1940s, only about 20 individuals remained in the wild, making it one of the rarest bird species in North America. Decades of habitat destruction and unregulated hunting nearly wiped them out. Intensive conservation efforts began in the mid-20th century, focusing on habitat protection, captive breeding, and reintroduction.
Florida became a key part of this effort in the 1990s, when a non-migratory population was introduced to central wetlands. Despite years of work, this population struggled to sustain itself due to low survival rates, limited breeding success, and habitat challenges. The program was eventually phased out, but a few birds still remain in the state. Meanwhile, the main migratory population, breeding in Canada and wintering in Texas, has slowly grown.
Their survival is due to a remarkable collaborative effort among conservationists, governments, and volunteers. The Florida chapter, though not fully successful, played a crucial role in expanding knowledge and techniques that are still used today.
Where to find Cranes in Florida
If you want to see cranes in Florida, you’re in luck—especially with Sandhill Cranes, which are fairly easy to spot if you know where to look. Start your search early in the morning or late afternoon, when these birds are most active. Look for open wetlands, grassy fields, or the edges of shallow lakes. Their tall gray bodies and loud, bugling calls are hard to miss once you’re in the right habitat.
One of the best spots is Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville. You can often see Sandhill Cranes flying overhead or gathering in open fields, especially in winter. Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive near Orlando is another great place, where you can watch from your car and enjoy a range of other birdlife too.
Myakka River State Park near Sarasota offers wide, open spaces that cranes love. Finally, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County is excellent for spotting both resident and wintering Sandhill Cranes.
Be patient, bring binoculars, and keep a respectful distance—these birds are wild and easily disturbed. With a little luck and the right timing, you’ll have a good chance of seeing one of Florida’s most iconic birds in action.
Conclusion
Cranes in Florida offer a powerful glimpse into the relationship between wildlife and conservation. From the steady, year-round presence of the Sandhill Crane to the fragile hold of the reintroduced Whooping Crane, these birds reflect both success and struggle. Their survival depends on the protection of wetlands, careful land management, and continued public awareness.
Seeing a crane in the wild is more than a birdwatching moment—it’s a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and natural life. Florida’s cranes still need our attention, and their future rests in the decisions we make today.
