📷 MONGO · Public domain
📷 Tim Ross
📷 Sasata
IUCN: Endangered
Whooping Crane
Grus americana
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassAves›OrderGruiformes›FamilyGruidae›GenusGrus
About
Whooping cranes are snow-white, five-foot-tall birds that were reduced to 21 wild individuals in 1941 after wetland drainage and hunting. Decades of protection, captive breeding, and daring ultralight-led migrations have rebuilt a wild population of a few hundred, still fragile. Their trumpeting calls carry over a kilometre, and pairs dance and duet to strengthen lifelong bonds. Habitat protection along the Gulf coast remains essential.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Wetlands, marshes, prairie potholes, and coastal bays along its flyway
🍃Diet Carnivore — crabs, clams, fish, insects, and plant tubers
📏Size & Weight Height about 1.5 m; wingspan 2.1–2.3 m
•weight 4.5–7.7 kg
⏳Lifespan 22–30 years
🗺Range Breeds in Canada's Wood Buffalo National Park; winters at Aransas, Texas; a second flock breeds in Wisconsin and winters in Florida
BirdWaterbird
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Wetlands, marshes, prairie potholes, and coastal bays along its flyway
🍃Diet Carnivore — crabs, clams, fish, insects, and plant tubers
📏Size & Weight Height about 1.5 m; wingspan 2.1–2.3 m
•weight 4.5–7.7 kg
⏳Lifespan 22–30 years
🗺Range Breeds in Canada's Wood Buffalo National Park; winters at Aransas, Texas; a second flock breeds in Wisconsin and winters in Florida
Photo Credits
#1MONGO · Public domain
#2Tim Ross · Public domain
#3Sasata · CC BY-SA 3.0
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