Sandhill Cranes
Experience One of the Earth’s Greatest Migrations
Every year from late February to early April, over 600,000 Sandhill Cranes migrate on the Platte River valley in order to ‘fuel up’ before resuming their northward migration.
Start planning your trip today!
Public Viewing
The Kearney area has multiple options for public viewing, designated areas are provided for different times of the day. Pull-offs offer opportunities for day-time viewing while cranes are as in the fields, while the Plautz Viewing Platform and Fort Kearny Bridge, spanning the Platte River, offer perfect sunrise and sunset viewing.
Learn MoreViewing Etiquette
Not only is your crane experience our top priority, but we also want everyone else to enjoy theirs as well. Make sure to read through more about Crane Viewing Etiquette guidelines for your safety, the safety of others, and the safety of the birds. Feel free to call us at 308-237-3178 for any additional questions. We would love to help you!
Learn MoreSelf Guided Tours
Use our Crane Watch Guide Map to help you navigate to various crane viewing locations to create your own crane viewing adventure. Pick from one of our suggested itineraries or create your own.
Learn MoreRowe Sanctuary
Located just 20 minutes from Kearney, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary lies right in the heart of a critical spring staging area for migrating Sandhill Cranes. Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary is a non-profit organization set up to conserve the Platte River ecosystems for sandhill cranes and other wildlife through conservation and education. You will need reservations to participate in one of their guided tours. Visitor Center is currently closed but trails are open.
Learn MoreGuided Tours
Registration for all crane-viewing tours will be delayed until at least February 17, 2021.
When it comes to crane viewing you reserve a guided tour or watching from one of the public viewing locations in the area. We highly recommend a guided tour at Rowe Sanctuary. There you will watch from a discovery station strategically placed along the Platte River to provide excellent views of Sandhill Cranes on their river roost. Tours are held at sunrise and sunset from March 6 – April 11. Each tour lasts approximately two hours and is led by trained guides.
Learn MoreQ&A
When is the best time to come? What should I pack? Where should I go to view the cranes? We want you to have a memorable and educational experience, so we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you get started!
Learn MoreThe Platte River Valley
The Platte River Valley is the most important stopover on this migration. The river provides the perfect spot to rest, and the nearby farmlands and wet meadows offer an abundance of food. Without the energy gained along the Platte, cranes might arrive at their breeding grounds in a weakened condition — where food may be limited until the spring growing season begins.
The Platte River region has a variety of habitats that support cranes. The most important is the Platte River itself. The river is very shallow and sandbars dot the channels. It is here the cranes rest at night, gaining protection from predators like coyotes.
Fast Facts
The spring migration population of sandhill cranes in the Central Nebraska Flyway is estimated at 650,000.
Height — 3 to 4 feet
Wingspan — 6 feet
Weight — 8 to 12 pounds
Color — Gray
Migration — 170 to 450 miles/day
Flight Speed — 38 mph
Mating — Begins at age 3 to 4
Eggs — 2 per year
Other Birding Guides
Each spring, something magical happens in the heart of the Great Plains. More than 80 percent of the world’s population of sandhill cranes converge on Nebraska’s Platte River valley. Along with the cranes, come millions of migrating ducks and geese in the neighboring rainwater basins. Learn more about other birdwatching opppunititees in the area.
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Crane Watch Brochure
Request your FREE Crane Watch Brochure today and start planning your visit!
Request Guide View GuideExperience the sights and sounds of the Sandhill Cranes
We can tell you how spectacular the Sandhill Cranes are all day long, but to remain unbiased, hear from people who have experienced the migration for themselves.
Visitors Guide
Request your FREE Visitors Brochure today and start planning your visit!
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