Report Banded Cranes or Cranes Injured or Killed by Vehicles

About the Project

In 2017, FWRI began a project examining how Florida sandhills are using urbanized areas. We are currently marking some adult cranes with cellular GPS transmitters and/or color bands in suburbs and developed areas. We are also tagging Florida sandhills in rural and conservation areas to help us better understand survivorship, productivity, and habitat use along the urban gradient.

About the Species

The Florida sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis pratensis) is one of five sandhill crane sub-species found in North America. Florida sandhills are non-migratory and range from southeastern Georgia to the Everglades. The current population estimate is around 4,600 birds and it is state-listed as Threatened in Florida.

Like other crane species, Florida sandhills need wetlands as well as uplands. Wetlands such as shallow depression marshes and lake edges are used for nesting, foraging, and roosting. Uplands with low vegetation, such as private ranchland and dry prairie, are used for foraging and loafing. Both habitat types are equally important to cranes. Unfortunately, wetlands are often drained and open uplands bulldozed to make way for roads, shopping malls, and subdivisions. Remarkably, however, some cranes are remaining in or moving to urbanized areas and living among us.

As a threatened species, intentionally feeding harassing Florida sandhill cranes is illegal. If you observe someone engaging in this or other detrimental behavior, please report it by calling 888-404-FWCC or visit the Wildlife Alert Program webpage.