A Major Roost for Sand Hill Cranes, 1/27/2020

More than 20,000 sand hill cranes winter at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. It is located about 20 minutes from Tombstone, AZ. If you are in the area between October and March, don’t miss the opportunity to see these large birds in large numbers! We have seen many sandhill cranes in FL, but the species there is non-migratory and do not gather in such large flocks.

Interpretive signs and benches are positioned along the pathways that run through the wetlands. You will hear the sand hill cranes long before you see them. 

And then we began to see them in the distance. The mountains in the background were gorgeous. 

The cranes stand in shallow water overnight to avoid predators and then leave in the morning to forage and socialize. They return to Whitewater Draw in the afternoon. It is awesome to see them in flight!

Sandhill cranes have been around for more than 2M years. They mate for life and breed in the northern US, Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. Migrating to warmer areas in the winter, they usually return to the same nest year after year. Both parents share incubation duties in nests about 40” across and 6” deep. With a wingspan of 7’, they can fly 200 miles a day. Both the Lesser (up to 4’ tall) and the Greater (up to 5’ tall) sand hill crane species winter here. 

Multiple duck species and other waterfowl also spend winter here.

Overlooks provide opportunities to view the birds up close. 

If you are in the area between October and March, don’t miss the opportunity to see these prehistoric birds in large numbers!  For additional information, go to www.azgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/wheretogo/whitewater/