Birds of North America

Cranes

Gruidae

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of Cranes

Cranes are some of the largest birds in North America, with some of the widest wingspans of all the birds on the North American Continent. There are two species of native cranes, the Whooping Crane, being the largest and one of the most endangered birds. The other is the Sandhill Crane, which has a sub-species known as the Lesser Sandhill Crane. These two Sandhill Cranes are quite similar in looks, the only real difference is in the over all size of the birds.

Cranes are members of the rail's group. They prefer feeding in both pastures and marshes. These birds, like the swans, fly with straight necks, as opposed to herons, who fly with their necks curled back to their bodies. Cranes are much more vocal than swans or herons, their bugling can be heard for miles around. A rare vagrant that sometimes finds its way to Western North America is the Common Crane.


Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of Cranes

Return Cranes back to Marsh Birds

Return Cranes back to Birds of North America

Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB