Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill Cranes in a recently harvested cornfield

Sandhill Cranes up close

The same three Sandhills

More Sandhills in a corn field

A group of Sandhills

Sandhill Cranes with the viewing area at Jasper-Pulaski in the background

Beautiful fall foliage

Red Tailed Hawk

A beautiful Red Tailed Hawk

The largest concentration of Sandhill Cranes in the Midwest occurs at the Jasper-Pulaski State Fish and Game Area in Indiana. Located just west of Radioville on US 421, it is about 40 miles south of Michigan City. From October through November Sandhills from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario stop at Jasper-Pulaski during migration. More than 30,000 Sandhills have gathered there in early to mid November during the peak of migration.

The Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) is one of only 15 species of cranes in the world and is one of just two crane species native to North America.

Cranes are tall, stately birds with a heavy body, long neck and long legs. Standing four to five feet high they possess a wing span of six to seven feet. Long, skinny legs and neck give a false impression of size; the males weigh an average of about 12 pounds and the females around 9-1/2 pounds. Except for this size difference, both sexes look alike.

Sandhills are gray except for white cheeks and a bare reddish forehead. Bustle-like feathers further add to a distinctive appearance. The intensity of red in the bald forehead varies depending on behavioral stimulation which controls skin capillaries by restricting or relaxing blood flow. A brighter red forehead is associated with stressful stimuli; on the other hand, a less conspicuous forehead signals submission.

Sandhill Cranes are opportunistic omnivores. Because they frequent marshes for protection, many people mistakenly believe that Sandhills feed on fish much like the herons. Although they will occasionally eat fish, their diet normally consists of a wide variety of both plants and animals. They readily take advantage of available food supplies. Early in spring, when food is scarce, they may scavenge waste grain in cattle pastures. Cranes do a great deal of digging with their bills, often penetrating several inches below the surface in search of a morsel. Animals such as snails, crayfish, worms, mice, birds, frogs, snakes, and many kinds of insects are consumed. They also devour acorns, roots, various seeds and fruits, and browse vegetation. They are especially fond of harvested grain such as corn, wheat, and barley. Unfortunately for farmers, cranes often pull newly planted corn and each year some localized severe crop damage is reported. However, cranes also benefit farming by consuming weed seeds, harmful ins

The Sandhill Crane is often confused with the Great Blue Heron. Both are large wading birds with pointed bills, long necks and legs, but they do have some major differences. Herons fly with the head and neck tucked back to their shoulders in an "S" while cranes fly with their necks outstretched. The rapid upstroke of the wings is a good field mark for cranes in contrast to the slow steady flap of Great Blue Herons. Cranes nest separately on the ground, while herons nest in large colonies in trees called rookeries. Finally, cranes have a loud trumpet-like call, while the Great Blue Heron utters low hoarse croaks.