sandhill crane

noun

sand·​hill crane ˈsand-ˌhil- How to pronounce sandhill crane (audio)
: a crane (Antigone canadensis) of North America and Siberia that has a red crown and is chiefly bluish gray tinged with a sandy yellow

Examples of sandhill crane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sandhill cranes follow the Central Flyway, a major migration corridor stretching from the southern United States to the northern tundra of Canada, Alaska, and even Siberia. Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 But those birds were part of the eastern population of sandhill cranes, which is separate from the mid-continental group that migrates through Nebraska every year, according to Nebraska Public Media. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 In addition, since so many sandhill cranes gather in Nebraska, the highly contagious virus could quickly and easily affect large numbers of the birds. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 More than 1,500 iconic sandhill cranes have been killed by bird flu in Indiana, officials say, the latest development in the spread of the highly infectious respiratory illness. Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sandhill crane

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sandhill crane was in 1805

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sandhill crane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sandhill%20crane. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

sandhill crane

noun
sand·​hill crane ˌsand-ˌhil- How to pronounce sandhill crane (audio)
: a crane of North America and Siberia that is chiefly bluish gray with red on the top of the head

More from Merriam-Webster on sandhill crane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!