General

Whooping Crane: Large crane, nearly white except for red crown, black mask, and black primary feathers most visible in flight. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has rust-brown head and upper neck, and brown wash over mostly white body. Very rare bird near extinction.

Range and Habitat

Whooping Crane: Once widespread in North America, ranging from Utah across to New England and down the Atlantic coast. Currently the only self-sustaining wild population consists of about 145 birds that migrate between breeding grounds in northern Canada and wintering habitat on the Texas coast. Preferred habitats include grassy plains interspersed with marshes, numerous lakes, and ponds.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"ker-loo-ker-lee-loo"

Interesting Facts

 Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds in North America. Males stand nearly 5 five tall with a wingspan up to 7.5 feet.

 Collisions with power lines during migration are the main cause of death for adult cranes. Increasing numbers of dell phone towers present new hazards.

 They normally lay two eggs but only raise one chick, so biologists have had some success removing the “extra” eggs, artificially incubating them, and raising them in captivity.

 A group of cranes has many collective nouns, including a "construction", "dance", "sedge", "siege", and "swoop" of cranes.

Author

Gary Owen Dick