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Animal Guide

Sandhill Crane

37 destinations · 26 states

Native Range
North America

The sandhill crane is a bird that rewards a little patience. At first, it may simply stand tall or slowly pick its way through the grass, but a closer look reveals a busy forager probing the ground for seeds, insects, and other food. Its long legs and neck give it an unmistakable silhouette, while the rusty brown feathers across the body contrast with the gray plumage underneath. Watch for the red patch on the forehead, which becomes especially noticeable when the crane turns its head. Sandhill cranes also have a remarkably loud, rolling call that can seem far bigger than the bird making it. In a zoo or wildlife habitat, pairs may walk together, preen, or perform short displays with raised wings and quick steps. Young cranes are especially fun to spot because they have softer, browner coloring. Native to wetlands and grasslands across much of North America, sandhill cranes show how much activity can be packed into a seemingly quiet bird.

Sandhill Crane

Where to see Sandhill Crane

37 destinations across 26 states

37 destinations

Abilene Zoo

Abilene, TX

Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Big Bear Lake, CA

Birmingham Zoo

Birmingham, AL

Bramble Park Zoo

Watertown, SD

Brandywine Zoo

Wilmington, DE

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

Baton Rouge, LA

Brookfield Zoo

Riverside, IL

Buttonwood Park Zoo

New Bedford, MA

Chehaw Park & Zoo

Albany, GA

Cohanzick Zoo

Bridgeton, NJ

Cosley Zoo

Wheaton, IL

Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

El Paso Zoo

El Paso, TX

Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX

Great Plains Zoo

Sioux Falls, SD

Henson Robinson Zoo

Springfield, IL

International Crane Foundation

Baraboo, WI

Lowcountry Zoo

Murrells Inlet, SC

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

Navajo Nation Zoo

Window Rock, AZ

NEW Zoo & Adventure Park

Green Bay, WI

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio, TX

Seneca Park Zoo

Rochester, NY

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, DC

Spring River Zoo

Roswell, NM

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Scotland Neck, NC

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Baltimore, MD

Wild Adventures

Valdosta, GA

Wildlife Images Rehabilitation & Education Center

Grants Pass, OR

Wildlife Prairie Park

Hanna City, IL

Wildlife Safari Park

Ashland, NE

Wildwood Zoo

Marshfield, WI

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary

Red Lodge, MT

Zoo Idaho

Pocatello, ID

Zoosiana

Broussard, LA

Zootah

Logan, UT

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