Roosting Behavior and Habitat of Migrant Greater Sandhill Cranes

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Abstract
The eastern population of greater sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida) has increased rapidly in recent years. Drainage of wetland habitats and crane intolerance of disturbance from waterfowl hunting have forced the expanding population into reduced areas during migration. At the primary staging site, the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area (JPFWA) in northwestern Indiana [USA], as many as 13,000 cranes, apparently most of the entire population, may roost in as little as 18 ha of suitable undistrubed areas. Primary roosting requirements at JPFWA were water generally < 20 cm deep and lack of human disturbance. Cranes preferred to land in shallow water or on bare or sparsely vegetated mud flats. As long as shallow water was available, cranes at JPFWA did not avoid roosts where woody vegetation had encroached upon shorelines. Cranes required lesser distances from human activity when roosts were surrounded by trees than when roosts were open and visible from roads. Waterfowl hunting from 1000-1400 h every 3rd day in 1978 did not alter patterns of roost use. Hunting from 1/2 h before sunrise until noon or sunset every other day in 1979 caused cranes to avoid roosts. Lack of crane use of areas other than JPFWA probably resutls from unfavorable location in the migration path and absence of tradition based on historical habitat availability.

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