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Joel Sartore Joel Sartore

National Geographic Photographer and Speaker

Keyword: Sandhill crane

Photo: Sandhill cranes in flight near Gibbon, NE on their annual migratory route.

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Sandhill cranes in flight near Gibbon, NE on their annual migratory route.

Picture of a Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

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Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

Picture of a Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

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Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

Picture of a Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

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Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

Picture of a Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

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Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

Picture of a Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

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Greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) at Tracy Aviary.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

A flock of migrating federally endangered Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) at the Rowe Audubon Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska.

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A flock of migrating federally endangered Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) at the Rowe Audubon Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska.

Photo: Joel Sartore's photograph of a sandhill crane is featured on the cover of the 2008 issue of Plains Song Review.

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Joel Sartore’s photograph of a sandhill crane is featured on the cover of the 2008 issue of Plains Song Review.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

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Miss Sandy Hill, a federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla), at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species. Only 110 of this sandhill crane subspecies exists in the wild. Only another 45 birds are in captivity.

Unplanned product of a foster-parent program for endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana), a "whoopill" was sired out of a whooper out of a great Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis canadensis). Having failed to produce a single breeding female, biologists have abandoned their efforts to create a viable flock of whooping cranes, whose numbers in the wild have crept from 51 in 1973 to about 165 today. Many think that, rather than struggling to restore a creature so near extinction, efforts should be concentrated on species in the early stages of danger.

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Unplanned product of a foster-parent program for endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana), a “whoopill” was sired out of a whooper out of a great Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis canadensis). Having failed to produce a single breeding female, biologists have abandoned their efforts to create a viable flock of whooping cranes, whose numbers in the wild have crept from 51 in 1973 to about 165 today. Many think that, rather than struggling to restore a creature so near extinction, efforts should be concentrated on species in the early stages of danger.

Sandhill cranes roost on the Platte River at twilight.

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Sandhill cranes roost on the Platte River at twilight.

A Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) at the Audobon Nature Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

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A Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) at the Audobon Nature Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

A federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) at the Audobon Nature Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

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A federally endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) at the Audobon Nature Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

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