They can fly up to 400-500 miles in one day, usually at an altitude of around 6,000 to 7,000 feet, but often as high as 13,000 feet as they migrate through the Rocky Mountains. During fall migration, most cranes will fly slower than in the spring in order to accommodate their young who cannot fly as fast.

How do cranes fly?

Cranes have large wings, a long neck, and long legs. They fly with their legs stretched out behind and their neck stretched out ahead. Their long, wide wings allow them to fly using different kinds of flight techniques. When cranes are flying just a few miles or less, they use typical flapping flight.

Where do cranes fly?

Lesser Sandhill Cranes have the longest migration, flying between their breeding and wintering grounds as far as northeastern Siberia and northern Mexico each year! 2. Not all cranes migrate great distances, including the Wattled, Blue and Crowned Cranes in Africa, which move seasonally within their ranges in Africa.