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There is only one wild migratory flock of whooping cranes of about 194 birds. The flock migrates from Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. This arduous journey of 2,700 miles takes weeks.In the 1950s, there were less than 20 birds left. Governments and conservation groups helped save the flock.




Latin Name: Grus americana

Family: Gruidae (Crane)

Estimated Population: In 1999, there were approximately 180 whooping cranes in the wild and 130 cranes in captivity, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Endangered Status: The whooping crane is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

Appearance: They are white with black wing tips. They have a red forehead and cheeks. Male and female whooping cranes look the same. You can only tell gender with a blood sample. Young birds are brown.

Size: Stands nearly five feet tall and has a wingspan of more than seven feet -- the tallest of all North American birds

Life Span: 22-24 years in the wild

Some information provided courtesy of eNature.com®.










Whooping Cranes at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge









Wood Buffalo National Park