Cranes are large birds known for their impressive flying abilities. With their long wingspans and powerful flight muscles, cranes are able to soar great distances. But just how far can these majestic birds travel on a single flight? Keep reading to learn more about the remarkable flying ranges of different crane species.
What are Cranes?
Cranes are a family of large, long-legged and long-necked birds in the Gruiformes order. There are 15 different species of cranes worldwide. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and South America. Some crane species are migratory, traveling vast distances each year between breeding and wintering grounds. Other crane species are non-migratory or only partially migratory.
All cranes are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on a diverse diet of small animals, insects, grains, plants and berries. Their long legs allow them to wade through shallow wetlands foraging for food. Cranes are most well known for their elaborate courtship dances, which involve a series of coordinated bows, jumps, wing spreads and calls.
How Do Cranes Fly Such Long Distances?
Cranes have a number of adaptations that allow them to fly impressively long distances:
- Large wingspans – Cranes have wingspans ranging from 5 to 7.5 feet across. Long, broad wings provide more surface area for gliding and soaring.
- Lightweight skeletons – A crane’s skeleton is pneumatized, meaning the bones are hollow and filled with air sacs. This makes their bodies lighter for flight.
- Powerful flight muscles – Cranes have large pectoral muscles which enable powerful flapping needed for long-distance flight.
- Soaring ability – Cranes are masters at soaring. They utilize thermals and updrafts to soar while expending minimal energy.
- Endurance – Cranes can flap their wings for hours, allowing them to cover great distances.
These adaptations allow cranes to fly remarkably long distances, especially while migrating between their breeding and wintering grounds.
How Far Do Different Crane Species Fly?
The flying range of cranes depends on the species. Some crane species are migratory and make incredibly long seasonal journeys each year. Other crane species are non-migratory or partially migratory and do not fly as far overall.
Migratory Crane Species
The major migratory crane species include:
- Common Crane – 5,000 miles
- Sandhill Crane – 2,500 miles
- Whooping Crane – 2,400 miles
- Siberian Crane – 4,000 miles
- Black-necked Crane – 2,200 miles
Of all the crane species, the Common Crane undertakes the most astonishing migratory journey each year. They breed across northern Europe and Asia and migrate 5,000 miles or more to spend the winter in northern Africa or India.
Sandhill Cranes may migrate 2,500 miles each way between their nesting grounds in Siberia, Alaska and Canada to wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Some populations of Florida Sandhill Cranes are non-migratory.
The endangered Whooping Crane migrates 2,400 miles from breeding grounds in northern Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast each winter.
Siberian Cranes nest in Siberia and migrate nearly 4,000 miles to spend winter in India.
Black-necked Cranes travel over 2,200 miles between nesting grounds in Tibet and wintering grounds in India.
Non-migratory Crane Species
Non-migratory crane species that do not fly long distances include:
- Blue Crane – 60 miles
- Grey Crowned Crane – Occasional flights up to 310 miles
- Black Crowned Crane – Nomadic flights up to 93 miles
- Demoiselle Crane – Partial migrant, may fly up to 560 miles seasonally
Blue Cranes are non-migratory, residing year-round in southern Africa. They may make seasonal flights of around 60 miles between breeding territories and wintering areas.
The Grey Crowned Crane is non-migratory but will make occasional flights up to 310 miles when conditions require it. Their normal range is within a 93 mile radius.
Black Crowned Cranes are nomadic throughout sub-Saharan Africa but typically fly less than 93 miles between wetland sites.
Demoiselle Cranes live across central Eurasia. Some populations are partially migratory, flying up to 560 miles seasonally between nesting and wintering grounds. Other populations are non-migratory.
What is the Longest Recorded Crane Flight?
The longest recorded nonstop crane flight is a phenomenal 7,200 mile journey undertaken by a Eurasian Crane in 2020. This individual known as “AV1” was fitted with a GPS tracking device that showed it flying nonstop for 139 hours from Finland to Ethiopia. This incredible feat is over twice as far as the typical Eurasian Crane migration of around 2,800 miles.
How High and Fast Do Cranes Fly During Migration?
During migration flights, most crane species fly at altitudes of 1,000-6,000 feet. This allows them to take advantage of wind patterns and avoid overheating. Some cranes have been recorded at altitudes up to 21,000 feet in the Himalayas.
Cranes have an average airspeed of around 25-35 mph when migrating. However, with beneficial tailwinds, they can achieve ground speeds of 50 mph or faster. The Common Crane has been recorded at a maximum ground speed of 90 mph while traveling with strong tailwinds.
Why Do Cranes Migrate Such Long Distances?
Cranes migrate for a number of reasons:
- To reach optimal breeding grounds with plentiful food and nesting resources.
- To spend winters in areas where inland waters remain unfrozen for feeding.
- To exploit seasonal peaks of food abundance in different regions.
- To avoid harsh winters with freezing temperatures and deep snow cover.
By migrating vast distances cranes can take advantage of the best conditions and available resources throughout the year. Their amazing long-distance flights enable them to thrive across continents.
How Do Cranes Navigate Their Migrations?
Research shows cranes navigate using a combination of hardwired instincts and learned behaviors. Some of the ways cranes successfully navigate include:
- Innate sense of direction using the sun and stars.
- Ability to perceive magnetic fields for direction.
- Keen eyesight to identify landmarks while flying.
- Following lead birds in family groups.
- Juveniles learning migration routes from parents.
Cranes determine when to migrate based on changes in day length. As days shorten in the fall, their innate instincts tell them it’s time to begin migrating south. To navigate the journeys, they rely on solar, celestial, magnetic and visual cues to stay on course.
Threats to Migrating Cranes
Cranes face many threats and challenges during their marathon migrations including:
- Habitat loss – Draining of wetlands and development along migration routes removes crucial stopover sites.
- Collision hazards – Cranes collide with power lines, wind turbines, buildings, and other structures.
- Exhaustion – Inclement weather and lack of stopover sites can lead to exhaustion and forced landings in unsafe areas.
- Predators – Eagles, foxes, coyotes, and other predators are risks, especially for young cranes.
Conservation efforts are aimed at preserving wetland stopovers through habitat protection and installing markers on power lines to reduce collisions.
Remarkable Endurance Fliers
With their immense wingspans, lightweight builds and endurance flight muscles, cranes are capable of phenomenal long-distance journeys. Certain crane species undertake migrations spanning thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. Even non-migratory crane species are impressive fliers. The amazing flying abilities of cranes allow them to survive and thrive in diverse habitats across the world.