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Home , Crane (bird), Grus (genus), Whooping crane

Whooping Scientific Name: americana Federal Status: Endangered, 6/2/70 • State Status: Endangered

Description of age, white begin to appear only 500 to 1,400 Whooping Cranes The stately is the on the neck and back. Juvenile feath- inhabited in 1870. tallest found in North America, ers are replaced through the winter Although the exact number is with males approaching nearly five months. By the following spring, juve- unknown, Whooping Cranes were feet in height. Adult are white is primarily white, with uncommon, and their numbers overall with some red and black on rusty colored feathers remaining only had rapidly declined by the late the head. Their inner wing feathers on the head, upper neck, and on the 19th century. droop over the rump in a “bustle” tips of wing feathers. Young birds In the mid 1800’s, the principal that distinguishes cranes from . generally have adult plumage by late breeding range extended from central With a seven foot wingspan and a in their second summer. Illinois northwestward through north- slow wing beat, Whooping Cranes fly There are a number of birds that ern Iowa, western Minnesota, north- with their long necks and legs fully may appear similar to the Whooping eastern North Dakota, southern extended. When in flight, the birds’ Crane. The , the Manitoba and Saskatchewan, to the black wingtips or primary feathers Whooping Crane’s closest relative, is area near Edmonton, Alberta. The gray in color, not white. Also, Sandhill Cranes are Wood Buffalo somewhat smaller, with a National Park wingspan of about five feet. Sandhill Cranes occur in flocks of two to Canada hundreds, whereas Whooping Cranes are most often seen in flocks of two to as many as 10 to 15, although they sometimes migrate with Grays Lake National Main flock Wildlife Refuge Sandhill Cranes. Snow Foster flock Geese and White Pelicans are white birds with black wingtips, however both of Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge these birds have short legs that do not extend beyond the tail when in Bosque del Apache flight. In addition, Snow National Wildlife Refuge Geese generally occur in

large flocks, are much Aransas National smaller, and fly with a Wildlife Refuge rapid wing beat. White Pelicans fly with their neck folded and can be distinguished Whooping Crane disappeared from the by their long yellow bill. Finally, heart of its breeding range in the swans are all white and have short north-central by the legs, and herons and egrets fly with 1890’s. The last documented nesting their long necks folded. in southern Canada occurred in Saskatchewan in 1922. By 1937, only Whooping Crane © USFWS Steve Van Riper Status and two small breeding populations Distribution remained; a nonmigratory population can be seen, and their long legs The historical range of the Whooping in southwestern and a extend beyond their tail. Their dark Crane extended from the Arctic coast migratory population that wintered on olive-gray are long and pointed. south to central , and from the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge The area at the base of the is Utah east to New Jersey, South Car- (NWR) on the coast and nested pink and the eyes are yellow. The olina, Georgia, and . Distribu- in a location that at the time was Whooping Crane’s call, from which it tion of remains suggests a unknown. The remnant population in derives its name, has been described wider distribution during the cooler, southwestern Louisiana was reduced as a shrill, bugle-like trumpeting. wetter climate of the . from 13 to 6 birds following a hurri- Whooping Crane chicks are a red- Although once numbering above dish cinnamon color. At four months 10,000, it has been estimated that Whooping Crane 1 cane in 1940, and the last individual Although not yet of breeding age, the was taken into captivity in 1950. In birds led south in both 2001 and the winter of 1938-39, only 14 adult 2002 returned north on their own and 4 juvenile Whooping Cranes were the following spring. found on the Aransas NWR. The nest- ing area of the Aransas Wildlife Refuge population was discovered in Within Wood Buffalo NP, Whooping 1954 in Wood Buffalo National Park Cranes nest in poorly drained wet- (NP), Northwest Territories, Canada. lands interspersed with numerous This population is the only historical potholes (small areas of open water). one that survives. These wetlands are separated by nar- Whooping Cranes currently exist row ridges that support trees such as in three wild populations and a white and black spruce, tamarack, breeding population kept in captivity. and willows, and shrubs such as The numbers approximately dwarf birch, Labrador tea, and bear- 420 birds, all in Canada and the berry. Bulrush is the dominant United States. The only self-sustaining in areas used by nesting birds, wild population is the one that win- although cattail, sedge, musk-grass Whooping Crane at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge © TPWD Bill Reaves ters on the Texas coast and nests pri- and other aquatic are common. marily within Wood Buffalo NP. In Nest sites are often located in the 2002, this population consisted of 50 rushes or sedges of marshes and nesting pairs, with a total of 185 sloughs, or along lake margins. An birds wintering in Texas. abundance of invertebrates, such as In 1975, Whooping Crane mollusks, , and aquatic were transferred from Wood Buffalo have been found in the ponds NP to Grays Lake National Wildlife near occupied nests. Refuge in Idaho and placed in Sand- Whooping Cranes use a variety of hill Crane nests in an effort to estab- during their long migrations lish a migratory population in the between northern Canada and the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Moun- Texas coast. Croplands are used for tain birds spend the summer in feeding, and large wetland areas are Idaho, western Wyoming, and south- used for feeding and roosting. western , and winter in the Whooping Cranes are known to roost middle Rio Grande Valley of New in riverine habitat along the Platte, Mexico. Reintroductions ended in Middle Loup, and Niobrara Rivers in 1989 after the adult Whooping Nebraska, Cimarron River in Okla- Cranes did not pair up or mate due homa, and the Red River in Texas. to problems from their The birds often roost on submerged Whooping Crane chick foster Sandhill Crane parents. The sandbars in wide unobstructed chan- © USFWS last Whooping Crane in the flock nels isolated from human disturbance. died in 2002. Whooping Cranes also use large wet- Life History The second persisting wild popu- land areas associated with lakes for Whooping Cranes usually mate for lation in 2003 consisted of approxi- roosting and feeding during migration. life, although they will remate follow- mately 90 birds remaining from over The Whooping Crane’s principal ing the death of their mate. They 250 captive-reared Whooping Cranes wintering habitat consists of about mature at 3 to 4 years of age, and released in central Florida south of 22,500 acres of marshes and salt flats most females are capable of producing Orlando beginning in 1993. These on Aransas National Wildlife Refuge eggs by 4 years of age. It is estimated birds were released as the first step and adjacent publicly and privately that Whooping Cranes can live up to in an effort to establish a non- owned wetlands. Plants such as salt 22 to 24 years in the wild. Captive migratory population in Florida, and grass, saltwort, smooth cordgrass, individuals live 30 to 40 years. in 2002, produced the first whooping glasswort, and sea ox-eye dominate Whooping Cranes begin leaving crane chick born in the wild in the the outer marshes. At slightly higher the Texas coast in late March and United States since 1939. elevations, Gulf cordgrass is more early April, returning to their nesting The third wild population was common. The interior portions of area in Wood Buffalo NP by late initiated in 2001 when several young the refuge are characterized by oak April. Experienced pairs arrive first captive-reared whooping cranes were mottes, grassland, swales, and ponds and normally nest in the same vicin- released in potential nesting habitat on gently rolling sandy soils. Live ity each year. Nesting territories at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge oak, redbay, and bluestems are typi- vary considerably in size, ranging in . The young birds were cal plants found on upland sites. from 0.5 to 1.8 square miles. From trained to migrate to Florida’s Gulf Upland sites have been managed the start of laying until the Coast by following ultra light aircraft. using grazing, mowing, and con- chicks are a few months old, the trolled burning. About 14,250 acres birds’ activities are restricted to the of grassland are managed for cranes, breeding territory. Eggs are normally 2 Whooping Crane waterfowl, and other wildlife. laid in late April to mid May, and mally migrate as a single, pair, flapping, head bowing, and leaps into group, or in small flocks, sometimes the air by one or both birds, increase accompanying Sandhill Cranes. in frequency. These rituals serve to Flocks of up to 10 sub-adults have forge and strengthen pair bonds. Fam- been observed feeding at stopover ily groups and pairs usually depart areas. Whooping Cranes migrate dur- first, normally between March 25 and ing the day, and make nightly stops April 15. The last birds are usually to feed and rest. Although they use a gone by May 1, but occasional strag- variety of habitats during migration, glers may stay into mid-May. During they prefer isolated areas away from the 16-year period between 1938 and human disturbance. 1992, a total of 27 birds have Aerial view of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge © TPWD Whooping Cranes arrive on the remained at Aransas NWR throughout Texas coast between late-October and the summer. Some of these birds were mid-December. They spend almost 6 ill or crippled or mates of birds which months on the wintering grounds at were crippled. and near Aransas NWR. Pairs and Parents separate from their family groups generally occupy and young of the previous year at the defend discrete territories, although beginning of spring migration, while close association with other Whoop- in route to the breeding grounds, or ing Cranes is sometimes tolerated. soon after arrival on the breeding Juveniles stay close to their parents grounds. Most juveniles spend the throughout their first winter. Recent summer near the area where they estimates of territory size average were born. 292 acres. Studies indicate a declin- ing territory size as the wintering Threats and Reasons population increases. Sub adults and for Decline unpaired adults form small flocks and Whooping Cranes gradually disap- Whooping Crane in f light © TPWD Bill Reaves use areas outside occupied territories. peared as agriculture claimed the Sub adult birds often spend the win- hatching occurs one month later. northern Great Plains of the United ter near the territories where they Most nests contain 2 eggs. The eggs States and Canada. Man’s conversion spent their first year. Also, young are light-brown or olive-buff in color of the native prairies and potholes to adult pairs will often locate their first with dark, purplish-brown blotches pasture and crop production made territory near the winter territory of primarily at the blunt end. Whoop- much of the original habitat unsuit- one of their parents. ing Cranes will occasionally renest if able for Whooping Cranes. Rural During the wintering period on their first clutch is destroyed during electrification brought power lines, the Texas coast, Whooping Cranes eat the first half of the incubation period. resulting in an increase in death and a variety of plant and foods. They usually nest each year, but occa- serious injury due to collisions. Blue crabs, clams, and the fruits of sionally a pair will skip a nesting sea- Human disturbance has also wolfberry are predominant in the played a role in the decline of the son for no apparent reason. When winter diet. Clams are relatively nesting conditions are unsuitable, Whooping Crane. The birds are wary more important in the diet when on the breeding grounds. They will some pairs do not attempt to nest. water depths are low and blue crabs Whooping Crane parents share tolerate human intrusion for short are less abundant. Most clams and intervals, but will not remain near incubation and brood-rearing duties, small blue crabs (2 inches or less in and one member of the pair remains constant human activity. The mere width) are swallowed whole. Larger presence of humans during settlement on the nest at all times. Females take crabs are pecked into pieces before of the mid-continent and coastal the primary role in feeding and car- being swallowed. prairies may have interfered with the ing for the young. During the first 3 Whooping Cranes feed mostly in continued use of traditional breeding or 4 days after hatching, parents and the brackish bays, marshes, and salt habitat by Whooping Cranes. young return to the nest each night. flats. Occasionally, they fly to upland The Aransas population, the only After that, the young are protected by sites for foods such as acorns, , population that is self-sustaining, their parents wherever they happen , and insects, returning to the remains vulnerable to accidental spills to be during inclement weather or at marshes in the evening to roost. that could occur along the Gulf Intra- nightfall. During the first 20 days Upland sites are more attractive when coastal Waterway. The Intracoastal after hatching, families generally they are flooded by rainfall, burned remain within 1 mile of the nest site. to reduce plant cover, or when food is Waterway carries some of the heaviest Whooping cranes feed by probing less available in the marshes and salt barge traffic of any waterway in the the soil with their bills or taking food flats. Some Whooping Cranes use the world, and it runs right through the items from the soil surface or vegeta- upland parts of the refuge occasion- center of the Whooping Crane winter tion. Parents feed young chicks. ally in most years, but use of crop- range. Much of the cargo is petro- Summer foods include large lands adjacent to the refuge is rare. chemical products. Although spill nymphs or larvae, , , As spring approaches, the response plans have been developed, small birds, minnows, and berries. courtship displays for which Whooping Fall migration begins in mid- Cranes are famous begin. These dis- September. Whooping Cranes nor- plays include loud unison calling, wing Whooping Crane 3 an accident resulting in a spill could drought can make navigation haz- potentially destroy Whooping Cranes ardous or reduce food supplies. Colli- or their food resources. sion with utility lines, predators, Records of Whooping Cranes disease, and illegal shooting are other known to have died from gunshot or hazards that affect migrating cranes. other causes from colonial times to 1948 show that about 66% of the Recovery Efforts losses occurred during migration. The comeback story of the Whooping Shooting represented a substantial Crane has been heralded as one of drain on the population, particularly the conservation victories of the 20th from 1870 to 1920. Large and con- Century. The increase and stabiliza- Oil spills are a potential threat spicuous, Whooping Cranes were shot tion of the Aransas/Wood Buffalo © TPWD for both meat and sport. Laws population has been a result of many enacted to protect the birds have led include evaluating the relationship factors, including legal protection, between freshwater inflows, blue to a decline in human caused mortal- habitat protection, and biological ity, but shootings still occur. The crabs and Whooping Cranes. Signifi- research in both the United States cant habitat research has also been most recent known cases involved an and Canada. adult female being mistaken for a conducted on the nesting grounds in In 1975, the U.S. and Canada. snow goose near Aransas NWR in Wildlife Service initiated a migration 1989, an adult female shot by a van- Prescribed burning is used on monitoring program to protect migrat- Aransas NWR to reduce height and dal as she migrated northward ing Whooping Cranes from disease through Texas in 1991, and two shot density of grasses, top kill brush, and outbreaks and other potential haz- to modify plant composition on the by a vandal in Florida in 1990. ards, and to compile information on Biological factors such as delayed uplands to make them more attractive the characteristics of stopover sites. to Whooping Cranes. Burned areas sexual maturity and small clutch size This monitoring program is now coor- prevent rapid population recovery. are immediately used by the birds. dinated with a network of people Currently, 15 prescribed burning The major population of Whooping from the Canadian Wildlife Service, Cranes is now restricted to breeding units averaging 1,410 acres in size U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, States, are burned on a 3-year rotation. grounds in northern Canada. This and Provinces along the migration may hamper productivity because the The most complete count of the corridor. Aransas/Wood Buffalo population is ice-free season is only 4 months, Flightless young Whooping barely enough time to incubate their made during the winter. Aerial Cranes were captured and marked counts are made weekly throughout eggs for 29 to 31 days and rear their with colored plastic leg bands in chicks to flight age in the remaining the winter period, although counts Wood Buffalo NP from 1977 through are made less frequently during mid- 3 months. Unless nest loss occurs 1988. Of the 133 birds banded, 14% winter. These flights provide infor- early in the incubation period, there could still be identified in the spring mation on mortality, habitat use, pair is rarely time to successfully rear a of 2003. This marking program has formation, territory establishment, second clutch if the first clutch fails. provided a wealth of information on and age structure by identifying all Drought during the breeding Whooping Crane biology. A radio color banded birds present. Addi- season presents a serious hazard tracking program, in which miniature tional protection of habitat outside because nest site availability and food radio transmitters were attached to Aransas NWR is provided by the supplies are reduced and newly the color leg bands of young Whoop- National Society, which hatched chicks are forced to travel ing Cranes banded at Wood Buffalo leases several islands from the State long distances between wetlands. NP, has also yielded valuable informa- of Texas, by Texas Parks and Wildlife Drought also increases the exposure tion concerning migration timing and Department, and by private landown- of eggs and chicks to predators such routes, stopover locations, habitat ers, several of whom have signed con- as ravens, bears, , foxes, use, social behavior, daily activity, servation agreements to protect and . and causes of death. Recently, tests Whooping Cranes on their property. Although little is known about the of line marking devices have identi- Monitoring of nesting pairs also takes importance of disease and parasites as fied techniques effective in reducing place at Wood Buffalo NP. mortality factors, there have been doc- collisions with utility lines. Construction of the Gulf Intra- umented cases of wild Whooping The wintering territories of coastal Waterway through the marshes Cranes dying of avian tuberculosis, Whooping Cranes on the Texas coast of Aransas NWR in the early 1940’s, avian cholera, and lead poisoning. place the birds in close proximity to and subsequent erosion by wind and Coccidia, a parasite which causes diges- human disturbance factors such as boat wakes, has resulted in 11% loss tive tract disorder, has also been found tour boats, boat and barge traffic of wintering habitat. Between 1989 in wild and captive birds. along the Intracoastal Waterway, and 1992, volunteers placed over Finally, Whooping Cranes are recreational and commercial fishing 57,000 sacks of cement to protect exposed to a variety of hazards and boats, airboats, and air traffic. A 8,752 feet of shoreline. In 1992, the problems during their long migra- number of recent and ongoing studies U.S. Army Corps of Engineers placed tions. Natural events such as snow, have addressed the issue of how 2,013 feet of interlocking cement hail storms, low temperatures, and human disturbance factors might mats to stop erosion. Between 1999 affect wintering birds. Additional and 2001, additional armoring done 4 Whooping Crane research studies currently underway by the Corps protected 15.3 miles of cessful captive breeding program for Cranes as well as migratory waterfowl Whooping Cranes. Although Whoop- and other wildlife. As mentioned ers at Wood Buffalo NP lay two eggs, above, there are a number of commer- usually only one hatches. In most cially operated boat tours, departing years between 1967 and 1996, biolo- from both Rockport/Fulton and Port gists from the United States and Aransas which offer visitors the Canada collected eggs from wild nests chance for a close look at Whooping in to establish captive popula- Cranes, waterfowl, shorebirds, herons, tions and support reintroduction and hawks. Contact Aransas NWR efforts. Three primary captive breed- (361) 286-3559, Rockport/Fulton ing facilities exist, including Patuxent Chamber of Commerce (800) 242-0071, Erosion control efforts along the Intracoastal Waterway at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Research Center in , or Port Aransas Chamber of Com- © TPWD the International Crane Foundation in merce (800) 452-6278 for more infor- Wisconsin, and in mation. Also, the shoreline within critical habitat of the Alberta, Canada. Additional breeding exhibits captive Whooping Cranes as Whooping Crane. Dredged material deposited from cranes are kept at the San Antonio part of the recovery effort. periodic maintenance of the Intra- Zoo, Texas, and the Audubon Center coastal Waterway has destroyed some for Research on How You Can Help marsh areas and unintentionally cre- in Louisiana. Whooping Cranes migrate over north ated others. In 1991, Mitchell Energy Finally, there is much evidence and east-central Texas on their way to and Development Corporation built a that people value Whooping Cranes. and from Aransas NWR each fall and dike around 10 acres of open shallow Numerous books, magazine articles, spring. The birds are particularly bay, filled the area with dredge mate- television programs, and nature docu- vulnerable to human disturbance and rial, and planted it to wetland vegeta- mentary films have been produced other hazards during this migration tion. Whooping Cranes began using about this magnificent bird. Each period. They sometimes stop in the area the following winter. In year 70,000 to 80,000 people visit fields or wetlands near rivers or lakes 1993 and 1995, Mitchell Energy built Aransas NWR, most during the win- to feed or rest. If you see migrating 20 more acres of marsh adjacent to ter. These visitors spend a significant Whooping Cranes, view them from a the first area. In 1995, the Corps of amount of money locally on lodging, distance and be careful not to disturb Engineers created nearly 50 acres of gasoline, and supplies. In 2003, them. Report sightings to the Texas marsh. The Corps has plans to create three large tour boats operating out Parks and Wildlife Department an additional 1,500 acres of marsh of Rockport/Fulton offered trips to ([email protected] or using dredged material beneficially view Whooping Cranes along the Gulf 1-800-792-1112) or the U.S. Fish and over the next 50 years. Intracoastal Waterway. Approxi- Wildlife Service. Remember that Several efforts have been initi- mately 10,000 people took these harassing, shooting, or attempting to ated to establish new populations of tours, paying an average of $30 per capture a Whooping Crane is a viola- Whooping Cranes as a means of safe- ticket, for a total seasonal amount of tion of Federal Law. If you find a guarding the species against a cata- $300,000. The city of Rockport esti- dead or injured bird, report it imme- strophe in the Aransas/Wood Buffalo mates that wildlife-related activities diately to one of the numbers listed population. The effort in Idaho used result in annual gross economic bene- below or to your local game warden. Sandhill Cranes as foster parents to fits of $6 million to the local econ- Since injured Whooping Cranes are incubate Whooping Crane eggs, raise omy. Some of these benefits result delicate and require special care, you the chicks, and teach them migration from the nearby presence of Whoop- should quickly contact a representa- paths to New Mexico. Foster-parent- ing Cranes. The possibility of sight- tive of Texas Parks and Wildlife or ing has proved to be an unsuitable ing Whooping Cranes, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and carefully technique, however, as imprinting led large numbers of migrating Sandhill to problems for the Whoopers in follow their instructions. Cranes, is an additional attraction to establishing pair bonds. An effort in You can be involved in the con- tourists in other areas of the United Florida is using techniques developed servation of Texas’ nongame wildlife States. For example, approximately successfully with the endangered Mis- resources by supporting the Special 80,000 people visit the sissippi Sandhill Crane to try to Nongame and Endangered Species area of Nebraska each year during establish a non-migratory flock of Conservation Fund. Special nongame the peak of spring crane migrations, Whooping Cranes. Meanwhile, new stamps and decals are available at techniques for establishing a second spending approximately $15 million. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department migratory population continue to be The Chamber of Commerce of Grand (TPWD) Field Offices, most State explored. In 2001 and 2002, 23 Island, Nebraska has responded by Parks, and the License Branch of Whooping Crane chicks were cos- sponsoring an annual festival, “Wings TPWD headquarters in Austin. Some tume-raised and flown behind an over the Platte,” to further promote of the proceeds from the sale of these ultralight aircraft from Wisconsin to this interest in birds. items are used to conserve habitat Florida. In the spring of 2003, the and provide information concerning 16 surviving birds led south by ultra- Where To See rare and endangered species. Conser- light returned to their summer rein- Whooping Cranes vation organizations such as the troduction site on their own. Visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Whooping Crane Conservation Associ- These reintroduction efforts near Austwell, Texas during November have been made possible by a suc- through March to see Whooping Whooping Crane 5 ation, National Audubon Society, Inter- national Crane Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy of Texas also wel- come your participation and support. For More Information Contact Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Diversity Branch 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 (512) 912-7011 or (800) 792-1112 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Field Office 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758 (512) 490-0057 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office c/o TAMU-CC, Campus Box 338 6300 Ocean Drive, Room 118 Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 (361) 994-9005 or Aransas National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 100 Austwell, Texas 77950 (361) 286-3559

References Allen, R.P. 1952. The Whooping crane. National Audubon Society Resource Report 3. 246 pp. Bishop, M.A. and D.R. Blankinship. 1982. “Dynamics of subadult flocks of Whooping cranes at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, 1978-1981.” Pages 180-189, in J.S. Lewis, eds. Proceedings 1981 International Crane Work- shop. National Audubon Society, Tavernier, Florida. Mabie, D.W., L.A. Johnson, B.C. Thompson, J.C. Barron, and R.B. Taylor. 1989. Responses of wintering Whooping cranes to airboat and hunting activities on the Texas coast. Wildlife Society Bulletin 17(3):249-253. Mirande, C., R. Lacy, and U. Seal (Ed.). 1991. Whooping crane (Grus americana) - conservation viability assessment workshop report. Captive Breeding Special- ist Group (CBSG/SSC/IUCN), Apple Valley, MN. 119 pp. Slack, R.D. and H. Hunt. 1987. Habitat use by Whooping cranes and Sandhill cranes on the Aransas Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Con- tract No. 14-16-0002-82-220. 146 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1994. Whooping Crane Recovery Plan. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 76 pp.

6 Whooping Crane Funds for the production of this leaflet were provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act.