The Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

The Whooping Crane is the rarest of the worlds 15 crane species.

A truly magnificent sight, they stand 5 feet tall, are snow white in colour, with black on the underside of the wingtips. The wing span can reach 8 feet and their name comes from the distinctive whooping, booming call which can be heard over a distance of two miles.

The birds were thought to be extinct until the last remaining 15 were discovered in Wood Buffalo National Park Alberta in 1940. Since then extensive efforts by wildlife groups and governments in Canada and the United States have encouraged the wild population to increase to just under 200 at present. A captive propagation programme stated in the 1960s has produced some 90 individuals in captivity.

The wild flock migrates North during Spring each year between their overwintering grounds on the Texas Gulf Coast and Wood Buffalo National Park. They return every Autumn.

The Whooping Crane is still vulnerable to many threats. These include, an oil spill incident near their overwintering grounds, or a Hurricane, either of which could devastate the wild flock.

In the long term, the survival of this bird will be enhanced by developing alternative wild flocks and reintroducing them to historic migration routes.

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