Sounds of the season: the migration communications of Sandhill Cranes

By Brandon McQueen, Louisville Audubon Society President

If you’ve ever been outside on a crisp winter day in Louisville, Kentucky, and heard a haunting, melodic call from the sky high above you, you might have been lucky enough to experience the migration of Sandhill Cranes. These majestic birds—whose wingspans stretch up to 7 feet wide—are a wonder to behold and hear as they traverse the skies during their annual journeys.

Sandhill Cranes are known for their long migrations. They travel thousands of miles between their breeding grounds in the northern U.S., Canada, and Alaska, and their wintering spots in southern states such as Florida and Texas. Louisville sits in the perfect spot along their flyway, offering residents a chance to experience one of nature’s most incredible spectacles.

Flying in V-shaped formations or loose groups, these cranes glide gracefully through the air using thermal air currents to conserve energy. Their unmistakable calls—a mixture of trumpeting calls and rolling “garoo” sounds—echo through the atmosphere and can be heard long before you see any cranes. This communication helps keep a group of cranes coordinated during their long journey—a necessity, as groups of migrating Sandhill Cranes can number well into the hundreds, and even the thousands!

Migration timing is often dictated by weather and food availability. In Kentucky, Sandhill Cranes are most commonly seen from late fall through early spring as they pass through the area on their way to warmer or cooler climates. If you’re fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of them stopping over at the nearby Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, which has been a common place to see these birds on the ground.

The video and photos featured here were taken December 21, 2024, from a home near the Louisville Zoo, Joe Creason Park, and the Louisville Nature Center—although I heard this large group of cranes could be seen from neighborhoods much further away, including NuLu, the Highlands, and Germantown, and I’m sure many more!

Avian migration is a reminder of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the incredible endurance of birds, including these prehistoric-looking cranes. The next time you hear those resonant calls above, take a moment to look up and appreciate that Louisville’s skies are a passageway for one of nature’s great migrations!

Have you heard or seen the Sandhill Cranes this season? Share your experience in the comments!