Last updated on May 10th, 2023 at 11:27 pm
Florida sandhill cranes are a native species, with around 5,000 birds as non-migratory residents in almost every region throughout the peninsula. Many Floridians find sandhill cranes foraging in their backyards.
Florida sandhill cranes are an endangered species as they are listed as state-designated threatened, but they are not listed as an endangered species in the US. The Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the species as of least concern.
Why Florida Sandhill Cranes Are an Endangered Species In the State
The discrepancy between the state and federal designation is mainly due to the assessment of the two different agencies.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission assesses the sandhill crane species Antigone Canadensis pratensis, also known as Grus Canadensis pratensis.
Antigone Canadensis pratensis is a subspecies of Grus Canadensis, which also comprises the greater sandhill crane that migrates to Florida in large numbers every year.
According to the Florida Natural Areas Inventory or FNAI rank, sandhill cranes are listed as the following:
- FNAI State Element Rank S2: Imperiled in Florida due to noted rarity of any species or subspecies, i.e., Antigone Canadensis pratensis.
- FNAI State Legal Status ST: Endangered or threatened in the state due to a declining native population or an increasing habitat loss.
These assessments are primarily based on the following factors:
- Risk of extinction due to natural or other factors.
- Isolated population in the state or specific areas.
- Significant vulnerability to environmental changes.
- Reducing range, habitat loss, and declining population.
Florida Sandhill Crane Populations Declined Throughout the 20th Century
Habitat loss and hunting threatened numerous species of birds throughout the country and the continent.
And many birds almost vanished from various regions and faced extinction.
The alarming development prompted the federal and multinational Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Sandhill cranes have been protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act since 1916 when the US and Canada were the only two countries bound by the prohibitions.
Japan, Mexico, and Russia signed similar accords by 1918.
However, the population of sandhill cranes continued to decline in the state.
This prompted the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission of Florida to designate the native subspecies as a threatened species in 1974.
The native population of Florida sandhill cranes still continued to decline.
Stephen A. Nesbitt and James L. Hatchitt noted the “Trends in Habitat and Population of Florida Sandhill Cranes” from 1974 to 2003.
Here are their findings spanning the 30 years:
- In 2003, Florida’s native sandhill crane population throughout the state was estimated to be around 4,594.
- Florida sandhill cranes encountered a habitat loss of an average of 16.6% per 10 years from 1974 to 2003.
- There were about 2,548 fewer sandhill cranes in Florida in 2003 than expected, even after accounting for the habitat loss until then.
The study concluded that Florida sandhill cranes wouldn’t be as prevalent throughout the state or even thriving in many regions without interventions, such as habitat conservation.
Neither the Migratory Bird Treaty Act nor Florida’s listing or state designation as threatened affected the expected resurgence of the native subspecies of lesser sandhill cranes.
Florida Sandhill Cranes Encountered a Significant Loss of Habitat
The population of Florida sandhill cranes declined by as much as 36% from 1974 to 2003, when the subspecies also witnessed a 17% loss of its erstwhile habitat and range.
But, the species has undergone a reasonable resurgence in recent years.
Presently, more sandhill cranes are spotted in most counties of the Florida peninsula.
Not only is the species thriving in and around Kissimmee, but Florida sandhill cranes are now also seen in many cities, urban, and suburban areas.
The fact that the species has adapted to suburban habitats is probably the reason for its modest resurgence.
Florida Sandhill Cranes Continue To Be Vulnerable to Numerous Threats
Here are the threats that continue to endanger the sandhill cranes in Florida:
- Habitat loss, including conversion of native wetlands for urban and rural development.
- Flooded nesting sites, including the inundation caused by runoff from developed areas.
- Life among humans exposes the birds to traffic, power lines, and domesticated animals.
- Exposure to other predators and various foods that the species wouldn’t eat otherwise.
- Potential life risk due to exposure to chemicals, contaminated food, and other threats.
Florida prohibits feeding sandhill cranes, intentionally or inadvertently, which means that any bird feeder you have shouldn’t be accessible to sandhill cranes in your area.
You also shouldn’t interfere with sandhill cranes’ nesting sites.
The best you can do is watch sandhill cranes from your backyard.
If you head out for a birding adventure, get a premium-quality set of binoculars so that you don’t have to get too close to the Florida sandhill cranes for a lucid view.
Sandhill cranes may get aggressive if they feel threatened.
They are large birds, so you don’t need an expensive spotting scope or bin.
You can use these Celestron Outland X 8×42 Binoculars (available on Amazon.com) whether you are somewhere close to your house or in the Everglades.
This affordable Celestron binocular is fog-proof and waterproof.
Sandhill Cranes Are Not an Endangered Species in the US
The US Fish and Wildlife Service doesn’t classify the Florida sandhill crane as endangered or threatened.
In fact, the sandhill crane isn’t a federally listed species of any concern, nor is it even in consideration for listing.
That’s because the federal list assesses sandhill cranes as a species, Antigone or Grus Canadensis, not as different lesser and greater subspecies.
Hence, neither the Florida native nor the greater sandhill crane, Antigone Canadensis tabida, is considered separately.
The overall species of the sandhill crane is protected federally by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
But, given the enormous range and prevalent population of all sandhill cranes, including the lesser and greater subspecies, the species itself isn’t threatened or endangered in the US.
Sandhill Cranes Are of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List classifies sandhill cranes as of least concern.
This listing or classification also applies to the species Antigone Canadensis or Grus Canadensis, not the Florida sandhill crane subspecies in particular.
The Florida Natural Areas Inventory or FNAI Global Element Rank for the lesser sandhill crane subspecies is G5T2. Here’s what the rank means:
- G5 means the species of Antigone Canadensis or Grus Canadensis has a demonstrably secure population globally or throughout the natural range of the bird.
- T2 means a variety or subspecies, such as the Florida sandhill crane, is at risk in the native region, but the circumstances don’t pose endangerment.
According to the IUCN Red List Threatened Species in 2020 assessment, sandhill cranes have an increasing population.
There are around half a million sandhill cranes or more in the following regions, among others:
- Canada
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Russia
- United States