Facilitating the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast
Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis
Grus
canadensis
A long-lived species of the family Gruidae (cranes), a group of birds known for elaborate and noisy courtship displays or "dances". Formerly broken down into three subspecies in BC, “Lesser, Georgia Depression Population” and “Greater” Sandhill Crane, only one species is now recognized.
Perhaps the ‘tallest’ bird in BC, individuals which nest in temperate latitudes are the largest form. Plumage and body size are similar for both sexes (males in a breeding pair are slightly larger than the female). Body and wing feathers are varying shades of grey. In some regions where certain soils types occur, birds will preen iron rich mud into their feathers, creating an overall rust tinge. Bald, red skin covers the forehead and crown. Feathers on the face, chin, upper throat, and nape are white to pale grey. Adults have a white cheek patch. Legs and toes are dark grey to black. A cluster of large curved feathers or “bustle” characteristic of cranes, cover the lower back and tail feathers. Juvenile plumage changes from cinnamon brown to gray as the bird matures during the first year.
Download Species Fact Sheet in PDF
Status
Global Status:
G5
Provincial Status:
S4B
BC List Status:
Yellow (Not at risk of extinction)
RESOURCES
Sandhill Crane (Sleem) factsheet. Content and original artwork by Carrielynn Victor (for the SCCP).
For further information see:
The Coastal Crane Atlas is a project to map breeding areas of the small population of Sandhill Cranes that summers along the coast of British Columbia and southeast Alaska.
A source for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC. From here connect to all provincial and federal recovery plans (including the SARA Registry), COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), Identified Wildlife guidance and conservation requirements for specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern impacted by forestry activities) and links to E-Flora and E-Fauna (the Electronic Atlas of the Plants and Wildlife of British Columbia).
A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).
Environmental guidelines for urban and rural land development in BC.
Learn what species are at risk in your area, search by name, habitat type, regional district and forest district.
SHARE
