Whooping crane numbers reach 500 for the first time for 100 years.
Whooping Crane
- The whooping crane is not only one of the rarest birds in North America; it is also the tallest with adults approaching five feet in height. Males are slightly larger than females. They mate for life and can live nearly 30 years in the wild, and 35 to 40 years in captivity. Cranes are known for their longevity and life-long pair bonds. Adult whooping cranes have snow-white plumage with black wingtips. Their bills are dark olive-gray, which becomes lighter during the breeding season. Whooping cranes are a reddish colour when they are born.
January 2007. An aerial survey conducted in and around Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada, where the endangered Whooping crane breeds every summer, spotted a record 65 nests containing 84 chicks, including 28 sets of twins. This compares to 2006 when 62 nests, 76 chicks and 24 sets of twins were found. And at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, the largest winter ground for the cranes, nearly 270 cranes have arrived for the winter, compared with the 237 that departed last spring.
In addition, the hand reared birds from Wisconsin are well on their way to Florida. The 17 birds are being led, as usual, by micro-lights to teach them the migration route. This flock was established to prevent the species being highly vulnerable to disease. Despite last years disaster when all the young cranes were killed in a major storm at their Florida wintering grounds, the Eastern flock now numbers some 60 birds. 
Only 15 Cranes Survived In 1941
All of the whooping cranes alive today; both wild and captive; are descendents of the last 15 remaining cranes that were found wintering in Texas in 1941. Despite the huge increase of birds over the years, the whooping crane is still in danger of extinction. In the United States, the whooping crane was listed as endangered in 1970, and critical habitat was designated in 1978. In Canada, the whooping crane was designated as endangered in 1978. 
High Productivity & High Number of Nests
This year’s record chick production was a result of both high productivity and the high number of nests. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) whooping crane coordinator at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Tom Stehn, the North American population of whooping cranes now exceeds 500 birds for the first time in 100 years, thanks to conservation and restoration efforts.
The favourable, warm weather conditions have also been a big factor in the chick’s survival in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. Habitat conditions in Wood Buffalo were better than expected with water levels thought to be slightly above average. The weather during the June production surveys was exceptionally warm with no cold, wet weather.
This year’s record chick production was a result of both high productivity and the high number of nests. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) whooping crane coordinator at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Tom Stehn, the North American population of whooping cranes now exceeds 500 birds for the first time in 100 years, thanks to conservation and restoration efforts.
The favourable, warm weather conditions have also been a big factor in the chick’s survival in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. Habitat conditions in Wood Buffalo were better than expected with water levels thought to be slightly above average. The weather during the June production surveys was exceptionally warm with no cold, wet weather.
Only 15 Cranes Survived In 1941
All of the whooping cranes alive today; both wild and captive; are descendents of the last 15 remaining cranes that were found wintering in Texas in 1941. Despite the huge increase of birds over the years, the whooping crane is still in danger of extinction. In the United States, the whooping crane was listed as endangered in 1970, and critical habitat was designated in 1978. In Canada, the whooping crane was designated as endangered in 1978.
Still Threatened
The current recovery goal is to reclassify the species from endangered to threatened status. However, the National Audubon Society ranks the whooping crane third among endangered bird species, behind the ivory-billed woodpecker and the California condor. For the cranes to no longer need Endangered Species Act protection and be considered ‘recovered,’ their population would have to reach about 5,000 birds.
Habitat Loss
As is the case for so many endangered species, one of the main causes for the birds near extinction was habitat loss. As a result of their population getting so low in the 1940’s, one of the biggest threats to the species today is limited genetic diversity. Whooping cranes are also in danger of colliding with power lines, and the threat of chemical spills. Whooping cranes are omnivorous feeders and are very dependent on aquatic food sources and habitat. Displacement and loss of habitat are still major problems for the cranes.
The current recovery goal is to reclassify the species from endangered to threatened status. However, the National Audubon Society ranks the whooping crane third among endangered bird species, behind the ivory-billed woodpecker and the California condor. For the cranes to no longer need Endangered Species Act protection and be considered ‘recovered,’ their population would have to reach about 5,000 birds.
Habitat Loss
As is the case for so many endangered species, one of the main causes for the birds near extinction was habitat loss. As a result of their population getting so low in the 1940’s, one of the biggest threats to the species today is limited genetic diversity. Whooping cranes are also in danger of colliding with power lines, and the threat of chemical spills. Whooping cranes are omnivorous feeders and are very dependent on aquatic food sources and habitat. Displacement and loss of habitat are still major problems for the cranes.
