Every year, hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes make an epic migration from their wintering grounds in Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico to their breeding grounds in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. Along the way, they stop in Nebraska on the Platte River to rest and refuel during their long journey north. This annual stopover has become one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America, attracting birdwatchers and nature lovers from all over the world eager to witness the majestic sandhill cranes.
When do the cranes arrive in Nebraska?
The timing of the sandhill crane migration through Nebraska depends on weather and environmental conditions each year. Generally, the first big flocks start arriving at the Platte River in mid-to-late February. Numbers continue to build through March, with peak migration happening anywhere from late March to early April when approximately 500,000 to 600,000 sandhill cranes fill the Platte River valley. They stay for 4-6 weeks to rest, feed, and gain back weight before departing for their northern breeding grounds.
Sandhill cranes are one of the earliest spring migrants in Nebraska. Their arrival coincides with the beginning of the snowmelt coming down from the Rocky Mountains that swells the Platte River, creating ideal habitat conditions. Mild weather that thaws the ground and exposes waste grains in harvested cornfields also invites the cranes to stop over on their way north.
What do the cranes do in Nebraska?
While in Nebraska, sandhill cranes spend their days in the cornfields and wet meadows near the Platte River foraging for food. They probe the ground with their long bills searching for waste corn, insects, snails, earthworms, and tubers to replenish their energy reserves after the long flight south. The open meadows also provide security from predators.
At sunset, hundreds of thousands of cranes return to the shallow braided channels of the wide Platte River to roost for the night. The cranes stand belly deep in the river where they are protected from coyotes and bobcats that hunt along the shore. Standing in water also helps regulate their body temperature during cold nights.
While roosting, sandhill cranes exhibit fascinating social behaviors. They call back and forth to each other in loud distinctive rattling calls that carry for miles. Different calls communicate alarm, defend territories, or locate mates and family members. In the mornings, the cranes awaken and gradually fly back to the fields to feed for the day.
Where are the best places to see the cranes?
There are several ideal spots along an 80-mile stretch of the Platte River to observe enormous flocks of feeding and roosting sandhill cranes each spring:
- Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon, Nebraska
- Crane Trust Nature Center near Wood River, Nebraska
- Iain Nicolson Audubon Center near Kearney, Nebraska
- Fort Kearny State Recreation Area near Kearny, Nebraska
- Chapman-Halligan Bend near Overton, Nebraska
- Hike-bike trails and bridges over the Platte River in Grand Island, Nebraska
These areas provide blind viewing areas along the river so observers can watch thousands of cranes fly out at sunrise or return at sunset without disturbance. Guided crane watching tours are also available.
When do the cranes leave Nebraska?
Sandhill cranes only stay as long as needed to build up their energy reserves for the rest of migration north. Usually by early-to-mid April, their food sources become scarce and the cranes start their departure from Nebraska en masse. Higher spring flows on the Platte River are also a cue for the cranes to move on.
Some cranes only pause in Nebraska for 2-3 weeks before migrating further north. Most have departed by the end of April, with only a few stragglers lingering into early May. The short window of time to witness the migration is part of what makes this annual event so spectacular.
How many cranes migrate through Nebraska each year?
Nebraska’s central Platte River valley provides vital migratory habitat for approximately 80% of the world’s sandhill cranes, numbering 500,000 to 600,000 birds every spring. Here are some key facts about the abundance of sandhill cranes during migration:
- Their roosts on the Platte River can occupy a 5-7 mile stretch of river channel
- Cranes departing at sunrise can take 2-3 hours for all the birds to fully leave the river
- Single flocks of cranes shifting between river and field may contain over 10,000 birds
- A wildlife survey in 2014 counted a record 1 million cranes along the Platte River
The impressive numbers make Nebraska the undisputed sandhill crane migration capital of the world!
Why do cranes stopover along the Platte River?
For such an epic migration, sandhill cranes require ideal stopover habitats to rest and refuel. The Platte River valley provides a unique combination of roosting and foraging habitats that cranes have come to rely on, including:
- Shallow, braided river channels – For secure night roosts protected from land predators
- Adjacent cornfields – For abundant waste grain food sources
- Wet meadows – For snails, insects, and tubers
- Open vistas – For spotting predators during the day
These habitat conditions are disappearing across North America due to agriculture and river damming. The Platte remains one of the largest intact ecosystems still providing what migrating cranes need.
How do cranes benefit Nebraska?
Beyond their ecological importance, the annual migration of sandhill cranes brings tremendous economic benefits to Nebraska. Recent surveys and statistics indicate crane-watching tourism contributes:
- $14 million in revenue each spring migration season
- Supports over 500 jobs
- Attracts over 40,000 visitors from across the U.S. and world
Without the draw of seeing hundreds of thousands of cranes, many small towns along the Platte River would not receive this vital tourism income. Crane-watchers also support local hotels, restaurants, shops, and guides.
Are sandhill cranes threatened or endangered?
The abundance of sandhill cranes stopping along the Platte River in such huge numbers gives the false impression that the species is thriving. However, sandhill cranes face many conservation threats, including:
- Loss of migration stopover habitat from river management and agriculture
- Climate change drying up important wetlands
- Collisions with power lines near the Platte River
- Human disturbance of roosting sites
There are six subspecies of sandhill cranes, two of which are endangered or threatened. The abundant lesser sandhill crane that migrates through Nebraska is currently stable and not at risk. Continued conservation efforts are needed to protect vulnerable crane populations and habitat.
How can the crane migration be protected?
Several conservation groups work to safeguard the Platte River ecosystem and support continued crane migration each year. Efforts include:
- Managing water flows and river channels for optimum roosting habitat
- Restoring wet meadows for feeding grounds
- Working with landowners on habitat programs
- Monitoring crane populations
- Banding cranes for research
- Developing ecotourism responsibly
Visitors witnessing the crane migration can also help by respecting protected areas, staying on marked trails, avoiding river disturbance, and supporting eco-tour operators.
How can I learn more about the crane migration?
To fully appreciate the natural wonder of hundreds of thousands of cranes stopping along the Platte River each spring, be sure to seek out more resources, including:
- Visit Rowe Audubon Sanctuary or Crane Trust Nature Center
- Take a guided crane viewing tour
- Attend a spring crane festival
- Watch live Crane Cams online
- Photograph the cranes yourself
- Volunteer for habitat conservation efforts
Conclusion
The annual migration of sandhill cranes through Nebraska is one of the planet’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Local communities, conservation groups, and visitors all have a role to play in protecting the Platte River ecosystem and ensuring this gathering of cranes endures far into the future. Seeing hundreds of thousands of cranes swirl down out of the sky at dusk is an unforgettable sight and sound that should be experienced first-hand.