How do crane migrations connect Alaska, Siberia, and the southern United States?

The sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) is a migratory species that undertakes extensive journeys, covering distances of up to 4,000 miles between its seasonal habitats. These birds connect Alaska and eastern Siberia, which serve as their northern nesting and breeding grounds, to the southern United States, where they spend the winter months.1

While many gruiforms are nonmigratory, cranes are notable exceptions that participate in long-distance seasonal movements. These migrations are driven by the need to escape the freezing conditions of northern marshes during the winter. By traveling between these distant regions, the cranes maintain a cycle of movement that has been observed and studied for its impressive scale and biological significance.1