...in migration between their wintering grounds in New Mexico and breeding grounds in the Northern Rockies. They come for an overnight stay, to rest and feed before moving on. Locals and visitors alike, are drawn to this local reservoir to observe the gathering, contribute to the count and witness the Sandhill Cranes as they engage in their mating ritual; performing an elaborate and elegant hopping dance to gain the attention of potential mates. Courting cranes stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow, and leap into the air in a graceful and energetic dance.
The cranes mate for life—which can mean two decades or more—and stay with their mates year-round. Although each female usually lays two eggs, only one nestling typically survives to fledge. Sandhill Crane chicks can leave the nest within 8 hours of hatching, and are even capable of swimming. Juveniles stick close by their parents for 9 or 10 months after hatching.
While the primary nesting areas for the Rocky Mountain population of Greater Sandhill Cranes include Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties, in the last 20 years very small numbers of cranes have been found nesting in Mesa County, western Montrose County, and more recently in Delta County.
The cranes usually migrate during the day and prefer clear weather conditions, preferably with a tail wind. A Sandhill Crane telegraphs his intention to fly by leaning into the wind. When Sandhill Cranes take off, they go from inaction to a burst of furious activity in a split-second and then follow invisible sky trails carved out by their ancestors over thousands of years. In the spring the birds make their ‘one night stand’ at the reservoir to gain strength, and maybe a mate, before dispersing to nesting territories in the North. Come fall, they return to their traditional wintering grounds along the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico.
During migration, the cranes gather together in large flocks along-established sites called “staging areas.” These areas are closely associated with water, since cranes almost always roost at night in large groups, standing knee deep in shallow water. The water provides protection from predators, as well as food. The Sandhill Crane feeds on land or in shallow marshes where plants grow out of the water, gleaning from the surface and probing with its bill. Its diet is heavy in seeds and cultivated grains, but may also include berries, tubers, small vertebrates, and invertebrates.
Cranes are among the oldest living species on the planet with fossil records going back 9 million years. There are 15 species of cranes throughout the world but the Greater Sandhill Crane is the only species currently found in Northwest Colorado. The birds that migrate through Colorado are the largest of the North American Sandhill subspecies standing 4-feet tall with a wing-span of up to 7 feet and weighing in at approximately 11 pounds.
Colorado’s Nongame, Endangered, or Threatened Species Conservation Act in 1973 thrust the spotlight on Sandhill Cranes, which were one of a number of species included in the first listing. In 1973 the Greater Sandhill Crane was included on the endangered species list due to the small remnant breeding population in northwest Colorado with only about 25 breeding pairs. Today those numbers are growing but the birds remain on the list.
The Sandhill Crane’s call is a loud, rolling, trumpeting sound whose unique tone is a product of anatomy: Sandhill Cranes have long tracheas (windpipes) that coil into the sternum and help the sound develop a lower pitch and harmonics that add richness. It’s a sound that is familiar in the early spring near Fruitgrowers Reservoir and it continues to draw both locals and visitors to observe these magnificent birds during their brief visit to our area. The migration takes place in late March and is truly one of nature’s wonders. For more information about the Sandhill Cranes go to: eckertcranedays.com
The cranes mate for life—which can mean two decades or more—and stay with their mates year-round. Although each female usually lays two eggs, only one nestling typically survives to fledge. Sandhill Crane chicks can leave the nest within 8 hours of hatching, and are even capable of swimming. Juveniles stick close by their parents for 9 or 10 months after hatching.
While the primary nesting areas for the Rocky Mountain population of Greater Sandhill Cranes include Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties, in the last 20 years very small numbers of cranes have been found nesting in Mesa County, western Montrose County, and more recently in Delta County.
The cranes usually migrate during the day and prefer clear weather conditions, preferably with a tail wind. A Sandhill Crane telegraphs his intention to fly by leaning into the wind. When Sandhill Cranes take off, they go from inaction to a burst of furious activity in a split-second and then follow invisible sky trails carved out by their ancestors over thousands of years. In the spring the birds make their ‘one night stand’ at the reservoir to gain strength, and maybe a mate, before dispersing to nesting territories in the North. Come fall, they return to their traditional wintering grounds along the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico.
During migration, the cranes gather together in large flocks along-established sites called “staging areas.” These areas are closely associated with water, since cranes almost always roost at night in large groups, standing knee deep in shallow water. The water provides protection from predators, as well as food. The Sandhill Crane feeds on land or in shallow marshes where plants grow out of the water, gleaning from the surface and probing with its bill. Its diet is heavy in seeds and cultivated grains, but may also include berries, tubers, small vertebrates, and invertebrates.
Cranes are among the oldest living species on the planet with fossil records going back 9 million years. There are 15 species of cranes throughout the world but the Greater Sandhill Crane is the only species currently found in Northwest Colorado. The birds that migrate through Colorado are the largest of the North American Sandhill subspecies standing 4-feet tall with a wing-span of up to 7 feet and weighing in at approximately 11 pounds.
Colorado’s Nongame, Endangered, or Threatened Species Conservation Act in 1973 thrust the spotlight on Sandhill Cranes, which were one of a number of species included in the first listing. In 1973 the Greater Sandhill Crane was included on the endangered species list due to the small remnant breeding population in northwest Colorado with only about 25 breeding pairs. Today those numbers are growing but the birds remain on the list.
The Sandhill Crane’s call is a loud, rolling, trumpeting sound whose unique tone is a product of anatomy: Sandhill Cranes have long tracheas (windpipes) that coil into the sternum and help the sound develop a lower pitch and harmonics that add richness. It’s a sound that is familiar in the early spring near Fruitgrowers Reservoir and it continues to draw both locals and visitors to observe these magnificent birds during their brief visit to our area. The migration takes place in late March and is truly one of nature’s wonders. For more information about the Sandhill Cranes go to: eckertcranedays.com