New Locations and Range Extension of Wintering Sandhill Cranes in Central Northern Mexico

The overall distribution of wintering sandhill cranes in Mexico has been reported and summarized in several prior documents. However, most reports are associated with counts or surveys primarily conducted for wintering waterfowl. Recent (19992002) reports compiled from local researchers show, that wintering sandhill cranes are distributed much more widely in northern Mexico than is currently reported in the literature. The new locations reported here are primarily in the eastern portion of the Mexican Altiplano, in the states of Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, and in the southern portions of the Chihuahuan Desert Region in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. Most locations are natural playas and ponds and man-made reservoirs. While cranes are clearly present in the areas reported here, the actual importance of each specific site as a wintering site or occasional stopover site requires further study. PROCEEDINGS NORTH AMERICAN CRANE WORKSHOP 9: 173-178