BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Sandhill Crane

GruidaeWetland birdsAntigone canadensis

Sandhill Crane has surged: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

18×Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
770RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Sandhill Crane

The Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) is a North American member of the Cranes (Gruidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the wetland birds.

Size
39.5–47 in long (100–120 cm) — a very large wading bird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, lakeshores and other freshwater wetlands.
Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, frogs and plant matter.
Range
Recorded on 770 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 27 states, most concentrated in the Northern Rockies.
Family
Gruidae · Wetland birds

Notable Sandhill Crane TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Sandhill Crane. See the full index history below.

Sandhill Crane Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane is projected to rise about 21% by 2029 — from 0.83 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.86–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.2%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+21%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
1.0Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.86–1.295% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±17.2%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Sandhill Crane is projected to rise about 21% by 2029 — from 0.83 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.86–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.2%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.940.801.1
20260.960.811.1
20270.970.831.1
20280.990.841.1
20291.00.861.2

Where the Sandhill Crane Is Detected

BBS routes recording Sandhill Crane, sized by most recent count.

Sandhill Crane Population Trend by State

Sandhill Crane population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alaska+134%198470
California+51%197226
Colorado+165%199721
Florida+224%196871
Georgiainsufficient datan/a3
Idaho+398%197231
Illinois+15%201114
Indiana+313%200413
Iowainsufficient datan/a4
Massachusettsinsufficient datan/a2
Michigan40×196989
Minnesota+327%197857
Mississippi+2%19764
Missouriinsufficient datan/a1
Montana16×197070
Nebraskainsufficient datan/a5
Nevada+286%197223
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a1
North Dakotainsufficient datan/a6
Ohioinsufficient datan/a6
Oregon+40%197043
Pennsylvaniainsufficient datan/a2
South Dakotainsufficient datan/a1
Utah28×199043
Washingtoninsufficient datan/a3
Wisconsin35×196893
Wyoming11×197768

Sandhill Crane Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Sandhill Crane population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
BCR 2-4%198720
BCR 4+125%198439
Northern Pacific Rainforest+297%198313
Great Basin+133%197198
Northern Rockies+550%1970133
Prairie Potholes-51%197825
Boreal Hardwood Transition43×1969105
Sierra Nevada-48%19739
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau14×199241
Badlands and Prairies24×198733
Eastern Tallgrass Prairie12×200031
Prairie Hardwood Transition43×1968126
Southeastern Coastal Plain-57%196912
Peninsular Florida+200%196866

Sandhill Crane Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 1674% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.