Greater Sandhill Crane landing at dusk on its wintering grounds. The Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) is temperate-nesting crane and is the largest sub-species, averaging 4.5 -5 feet tall and 10-14 pounds. In general, male and females are virtually indistinguishable but within a breeding pair, males tend to be larger than females. Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico.