Sandhill Crane Migration

Roughly 500,000 to 1,000,000 Sandhill Cranes funnel through a 75-mile stretch of the Platte River, making it one of the greatest wildlife migrations on the planet. Nearly 80% of the world’s Sandhill Crane population stages right here in the Central Platte River Valley before continuing north to Canada, Alaska, and even Siberia.

Group of flying and resting cranes in an open field with blue sky and farming equipment in the background.
A group of sandhill cranes standing and one flying in a farmland or wetland landscape with bright sunlight and soft background trees.
Two cranes standing in a field with a group of smaller birds foraging nearby, with barren trees and power lines in the background.
Four sandhill cranes flying against a clear blue sky.
Four sandhill cranes flying in formation against a cloudy sky.
A large flock of birds flying over a marshy wetland with patches of tall grasses and leafless trees in the background.