Large 'dancing' birds most frequently spotted in these 5 counties in Ohio

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(WJW) – A large bird that was once completely gone from Ohio has been spotted more and more in recent years.

The latest volunteer count from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources shows a 4% increase in Sandhill Crane sightings compared to 2024.

Courtesy: ODNR
Courtesy: ODNR
Courtesy: ODNR

According to experts, the tall wading bird is a “seasonal resident” that migrates south for the winter. It’s often recognized by its “rolling bugle call” and “tendency to dance” during the spring mating season.

One affiliate WJW viewer from Amherst caught the ‘dance of the sandhill’ crane on video. In the video, the birds that stand almost three feet tall can be seen on a grassy lawn with one squawking, leaping, and flapping its wings.

But, it’s not just during the mating season you may spot a sandhill crane doing its dance. According to experts, the bird can be seen dancing any time of the year although they’re not sure why.

“The dance of the sandhill crane includes many quick steps around each other, wings half spread with an occasional leap into the air up to eight feet off the ground. Part of this ceremony includes bowing toward one another,” explains ODNR on its website.

The giant bird’s wingspan typically ranges between 6 to 7 feet, according to wildlife officials.

According to the ODNR, the sandhill crane is considered an endangered species in Ohio. Over the past five years, volunteers have set out to help wildlife officials track their status. The results have shown a steady increase in sightings:

2025 428 (31 counties surveyed)
2024: 412 (32 counties surveyed)
2023: 357 (30 counties surveyed)
2022: 311 (26 counties surveyed)
2021: 160 (five counties surveyed)

This year, volunteers surveyed 31 counties and found cranes in 24 of them. According to ODNR, the five counties with the most sandhill cranes reported during the 2025 count were: