A Sandhill Crane in Elkton, Maryland (7/14/2010).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Johnson MBP List

Three Sandhill Cranes in Baltimore Co., Maryland (12/17/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Ryan Johnson MBP List

A Sandhill Crane near Huntingtown, Calvert Co., Maryland (12/9/2012).

Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Sandhill Crane near Huntingtown, Calvert Co., Maryland (12/9/2012).

Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/17/2016).

View Record Details Photo by Kurt Schwarz MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Worcester Co., Maryland (2/25/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Stasz MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Worcester Co., Maryland (2/22/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Burchett MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/16/2018).

View Record Details Photo by J.B. Churchill MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/16/2018).

View Record Details Photo by J.B. Churchill MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Washington Co., Maryland (3/7/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Johnson MBP List

Sandhill Cranes in Garrett Co., Maryland (11/27/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Stasz MBP List

A wintering flock of 25 Sandhill Cranes in Baltimore Co., Maryland (2/9/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Johnson MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (4/5/2018). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 486944 - Psn: 55)

View Record Details Photo by Kyle Klotz MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/16/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Ben Springer MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Carroll Co., Maryland (12/29/2010). (c) Matt Tillett, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 640198 - Psn: 65)

Sandhill Crane in Carroll Co., Maryland (12/29/2010). (c) Matt Tillett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by mtillett via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (9/28/2021). (c) aaron graham, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 636091 - Psn: 66)

Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (9/28/2021). (c) aaron graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by aaron_graham via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Cranes in Baltimore Co., Maryland (2/9/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Johnson MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/11/2020). (c) jared satchell, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 298538 - Psn: 78)

View Record Details Photo by Jared Satchell MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (1/14/2023). (c) Jim Brighton, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 725482 - Psn: 78)

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (1/14/2023). (c) Jim Brighton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Brighton MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Worcester Co., Maryland (3/7/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Burchett MBP List

Sandhill Cranes in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/3/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Ben Springer MBP List

Sandhill Cranes in Harford Co., Maryland (12/14/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Johnson MBP List

Sandhill Crane with young in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 838680 - Psn: 135)

Sandhill Crane with young in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by jugbayjs via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Cranes with young in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 838681 - Psn: 142)

Sandhill Cranes with young in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by jugbayjs via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/15/2020). (c) Ashley M Bradford, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 319791 - Psn: 155)

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/15/2020). (c) Ashley M Bradford, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Ashley Bradford MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/15/2020). (c) Ashley M Bradford, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Ashley Bradford MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/21/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1159646 - Psn: 162)

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/21/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/21/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/22/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1160683 - Psn: 166)

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/22/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/19/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1173694 - Psn: 174)

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/19/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/20/2020). (c) Dany Sloan, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 321616 - Psn: 176)

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/20/2020). (c) Dany Sloan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Dany Sloan via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/21/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/21/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/19/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/19/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Sandhill Crane in Harford Co., Maryland (1/3/2021). (c) chestnutsidedwarbler, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 326101 - Psn: 190)

Sandhill Crane in Harford Co., Maryland (1/3/2021). (c) chestnutsidedwarbler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by chestnutsidedwarbler via iNaturalist MBP List

A Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (3/7/2009).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Stasz MBP List

Sandhill Crane tracks in Howard Co., Maryland (11/30/2014).

View Record Details Photo by David Cummings MBP List

Sandhill Crane feather in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 677600 - Psn: 255)

Sandhill Crane feather in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Josh Emm MBP List

Map Snapshot

210 Records

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO

Status

Sandhill Cranes were once considered very rare in Maryland, but sightings have increased over the years. Their appearance in Maryland is unusual because there are no major crane flyways along the Eastern Seaboard. In the summer, for several years now, small groups of Sandhills have been spotted in farmlands in Maryland. A successful nesting pair was found in Garrett County in 2022, the first documented nesting in Maryland. Juvenile Sandhill Cranes are called colts.

Where To Find

These tall, graceful birds can be found in a variety of habitats, but are mostly observed in agricultural areas.

Seasonality Summary

No filters. Click here to explore and apply filters.

Resources

View at iNaturalist Search Google Images Search MBP Facebook posts

View full eBird Range Map

Citations

No citations linked for this taxon yet.

Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

A Sandhill Crane in Elkton, Maryland (7/14/2010). View Record Details Media by Mark Johnson.

Three Sandhill Cranes in Baltimore Co., Maryland (12/17/2013). View Record Details Media by Ryan Johnson.

A Sandhill Crane near Huntingtown, Calvert Co., Maryland (12/9/2012). Media by Bill Hubick.

A Sandhill Crane in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/17/2016). View Record Details Media by Kurt Schwarz.

A Sandhill Crane in Worcester Co., Maryland (2/25/2015). View Record Details Media by Jim Stasz.

A Sandhill Crane in Worcester Co., Maryland (2/22/2015). View Record Details Media by Mike Burchett.

A Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/16/2018). View Record Details Media by J.B. Churchill.

A Sandhill Crane in Washington Co., Maryland (3/7/2019). View Record Details Media by Mark Johnson.

Sandhill Cranes in Garrett Co., Maryland (11/27/2019). View Record Details Media by Jim Stasz.

A wintering flock of 25 Sandhill Cranes in Baltimore Co., Maryland (2/9/2015). View Record Details Media by Mark Johnson.

A Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/16/2020). View Record Details Media by Ben Springer.

Sandhill Crane in Carroll Co., Maryland (12/29/2010). (c) Matt Tillett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by mtillett via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (9/28/2021). (c) aaron graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by aaron_graham via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Cranes in Baltimore Co., Maryland (2/9/2015). View Record Details Media by Mark Johnson.

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (1/14/2023). (c) Jim Brighton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Jim Brighton.

A Sandhill Crane in Worcester Co., Maryland (3/7/2015). View Record Details Media by Mike Burchett.

Sandhill Cranes in Calvert Co., Maryland (3/3/2020). View Record Details Media by Ben Springer.

Sandhill Cranes in Harford Co., Maryland (12/14/2017). View Record Details Media by Mark Johnson.

Sandhill Crane with young in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by jugbayjs via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Cranes with young in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jugbayjs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by jugbayjs via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Dorchester Co., Maryland (2/15/2020). (c) Ashley M Bradford, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Ashley Bradford.

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/21/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/22/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/19/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/20/2020). (c) Dany Sloan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Dany Sloan via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (11/21/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Montgomery Co., Maryland (12/19/2024). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

Sandhill Crane in Harford Co., Maryland (1/3/2021). (c) chestnutsidedwarbler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by chestnutsidedwarbler via iNaturalist.

A Sandhill Crane in Garrett Co., Maryland (3/7/2009). View Record Details Media by Jim Stasz.

Sandhill Crane tracks in Howard Co., Maryland (11/30/2014). View Record Details Media by David Cummings.

Sandhill Crane feather in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Josh Emm.