Cranes are some of the most iconic and awe-inspiring birds in Wisconsin. With their tall, elegant frames and haunting calls that carry across wetlands and fields, they leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to see or hear them. In Wisconsin, two species of cranes can be found: the common Sandhill Crane and the much rarer Whooping Crane. Both have fascinating stories and a strong connection to the state’s wild places.
Sandhill Cranes are widespread and often seen in pairs or large flocks, especially during migration. They’ve become a familiar sight in marshes and farm fields, and their growing population is one of conservation’s great success stories. In contrast, the Whooping Crane stands as a symbol of fragile recovery. Once nearly extinct, this species is now making a slow and carefully managed comeback, with Wisconsin playing a key role in its reintroduction.
This article will explore where and when to find cranes in Wisconsin, what makes them so special, and how conservation efforts have shaped their presence in the state. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or someone who just appreciates the beauty of nature, cranes are a reminder of the resilience and vulnerability of the natural world around us.
1. 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: Most migrate south by late November each year.
The Sandhill Crane is one of the most familiar and celebrated birds in Wisconsin. With its long legs, gray body, and red crown, it is both graceful and easily recognizable. These cranes are often seen in pairs or flocks, flying overhead with their necks outstretched and wings beating slowly and steadily. Their loud, rattling calls can carry for miles, often heard before the birds are seen.
Throughout much of North America, Sandhill Cranes breed in wetlands, prairies, and marshes. In Wisconsin, they’re especially common in central and southern parts of the state, with populations returning each spring and staying through the fall. Outside of breeding season, they often gather in large numbers in open fields and shallow wetlands. Their range extends from Alaska and Canada through the northern United States, down to parts of Mexico during migration. They have also established non-migratory populations in Florida.
Sandhill Cranes are adaptable and social, and their increasing numbers in the Great Lakes region reflect the success of modern conservation efforts. Once much rarer, they are now a regular part of the Wisconsin landscape, offering both visual and auditory reminders of the state’s healthy wetland habitats and seasonal rhythms.
Sandhill Cranes nest in quiet wetlands, where reeds, sedges, and shallow water help shield their presence. Both parents are involved in building the nest, which is typically a mound made of grasses and plant material. They often choose spots just above water level to protect against predators. The female usually lays two eggs, and both adults take turns incubating.
The surrounding marsh becomes a family zone for weeks, as fluffy chicks—called colts—begin following their parents almost immediately after hatching. Nesting begins as early as late March in Wisconsin, with most chicks hatching by May or early June. Sandhill Crane parents are extremely attentive, often seen gently guiding their young through waterlogged grass as they forage. Their nesting success depends heavily on stable wetland habitats and minimal disturbance.
Sandhill Cranes feed in a wide variety of landscapes, from shallow wetlands to agricultural fields. Their diet is impressively varied, shifting with the seasons and location. They forage for seeds, grains, insects, tubers, and small animals, including frogs or even small rodents. In Wisconsin, harvested cornfields are especially popular in fall, when cranes gather in large numbers to fuel up for migration.
While walking with slow, deliberate steps, they probe the ground with their bills, often in pairs or family groups. Their feeding habits benefit both themselves and the landscape—by spreading seeds and helping keep insect populations in check. This adaptable and opportunistic diet is part of what’s made their recovery so successful across much of the Midwest, including Wisconsin’s open spaces and farmlands.
A century ago, Sandhill Cranes were nearly gone from Wisconsin, their numbers devastated by habitat loss and overhunting. Wetland draining and agricultural expansion erased many of the areas they needed to nest and feed. By the 1930s, fewer than 30 breeding pairs remained in the entire state. But through strong wetland protections, conservation awareness, and public education, their story took a turn. By the late 20th century, populations began to rebound.
Today, tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes breed or migrate through Wisconsin each year. Organizations like the International Crane Foundation, based in Baraboo, have played a key role in their recovery. They are now considered a conservation success story—proof that protecting habitat works. However, some discussions about managing large populations have begun, particularly in farming areas, where crop damage is occasionally a concern.
2. 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: Depart for southern U.S. by mid to late fall.
The Whooping Crane is one of North America’s rarest and most closely watched birds. Standing tall with striking white plumage, black wingtips visible in flight, and a red patch on the head, this species is both unmistakable and unforgettable. Its range is much more limited than that of the Sandhill Crane. Historically found across central North America, Whooping Cranes suffered drastic declines due to habitat loss and hunting, leading to near extinction in the 20th century.
Through intense conservation and reintroduction efforts, one of the key breeding areas for the reestablished Eastern Migratory Population is now in Wisconsin, especially in areas like the Necedah and White River Marsh wildlife refuges. These birds migrate annually to the southeastern United States, mainly to Florida, but spend their summers in Wisconsin. Despite their recovery, Whooping Cranes remain endangered, and every individual is tracked and monitored. They are not often seen, but spotting one is a rare and memorable experience.
Their wingspan is wide, and their slow, gliding flight is elegant. They typically avoid large groups and are often seen in pairs or alone. In Wisconsin’s skies and marshes, the Whooping Crane is a quiet symbol of persistence and conservation success.
Whooping Cranes are highly selective when it comes to nesting, preferring large, remote wetlands with shallow water and dense vegetation. Their nests are platforms of plant material, usually built right on the water’s edge or in standing water. The female typically lays one or two eggs, and both parents take turns keeping them warm. They are extremely sensitive to disturbance, which is one reason their breeding locations in Wisconsin, such as Necedah and White River Marsh, are protected and monitored.
Chicks hatch after about a month, and the sight of a fuzzy, golden-brown colt next to its towering parent is one of the most moving in all of birding. These cranes usually attempt only one brood per year, and because of their low numbers, each nesting attempt is crucial to the population’s future.
The Whooping Crane’s diet is diverse, shaped by whatever its wetland habitat offers. In Wisconsin, they eat a mix of aquatic plants, small amphibians, insects, and invertebrates found in marshes and shallow waters. During migration and in wintering areas, their food sources shift toward grains, acorns, and other field leftovers. They forage slowly and methodically, stepping with care and using their sharp bills to pick through mud, water, and vegetation. Unlike more social species, they tend to feed in pairs or solo, maintaining a quiet, deliberate presence.
Their feeding habits support healthy wetland ecosystems and reflect their natural connection to shallow, seasonal water bodies. In every setting, they depend on relatively undisturbed environments for successful foraging—something that remains a major focus in conservation planning.
The history of Whooping Crane conservation is one of the most dramatic bird recovery stories in North America. In the 1940s, the entire wild population dropped to fewer than 20 individuals. Only through extensive habitat protection, captive breeding, and experimental reintroductions has the species begun to recover. Wisconsin plays a central role in this effort. Starting in 2001, the Eastern Migratory Population was introduced here, and today around 80 individuals return to the state to breed.
Programs involved everything from costumed caretakers to migration training with ultralight aircraft. Though controversial at times, these efforts have given the Whooping Crane a foothold in the wild. Continued monitoring, habitat preservation, and education are vital. Unlike the Sandhill Crane, the Whooping Crane’s future is far from secure, but the gains made in Wisconsin show what long-term dedication can achieve.
Where to find Cranes in Wisconsin
If you want to see cranes in Wisconsin, you don’t have to look far—especially in spring and fall. Sandhill Cranes are fairly common and can be spotted in open wetlands, marshes, and even farm fields across much of the state. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to catch them feeding or flying in or out of their roosting spots. Bring binoculars and be patient—often you’ll hear their trumpeting call before you see them.
Whooping Cranes are much rarer, but with a bit of luck and planning, you might spot one in the right place. They often mix with Sandhill Cranes, so look carefully at large flocks during migration.
Here are four great places to find cranes in Wisconsin:
- Horicon Marsh – A hotspot for Sandhill Cranes, especially in fall.
- Necedah National Wildlife Refuge – The best place in the state to see Whooping Cranes.
- Crex Meadows Wildlife Area – Wide wetlands and grasslands perfect for crane watching.
- White River Marsh – A key area for Whooping Crane reintroduction efforts.
Conclusion
Cranes in Wisconsin represent both resilience and hope. From the widespread and thriving Sandhill Crane to the carefully protected Whooping Crane, these birds remind us of the value of wetlands and the impact of long-term conservation. Whether you’re hearing their calls across a marsh or spotting them gliding overhead, cranes offer a powerful connection to nature. Protecting their future means protecting the wild spaces that make Wisconsin truly special.
