The crane's back toe is too short to grip branches. Herons nest in tree colonies, whereas isolated pairs of cranes nest on the ground. Photo by Timothy Manolis Needs and Habits of Sandhill Cranes Habitat Sandhill Cranes live in river valleys, marshes and meadows across North America. About 35,000 Lesser Sandhill Cranes and 7,000 Greater Sandhill Cranes winter in the Central Valley of California, spending their time in open grasslands and flooded agricultural fields. On return to their breeding grounds in the spring, they court in open wetlands and nest in the tall grass and marshes.
Cranes sleep in shallow water, hummocks and on dikes, all which provide protection from predators.
Reproduction Sandhill Cranes mature at three to five years of age and mate for life. In late April or early May, two olive-brown spotted eggs are laid. Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs for one month. They hide in vegetation to avoid predators. The continuing destruction of wetlands for development and some types of agriculture threatens all crane populations, particularly Greater Sandhill Cranes in California.