They fly with their legs stretched out behind and their neck stretched out ahead. In flight, whooping cranes can be distinguished from other large white birds by an extended neck, and legs that trail equally straight behind. In flight the wings are broad and the neck is … These birds nest in Wood Buffalo National Park and adjacent areas in Canada and winter in the coastal marshes of Texas, particularly in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge . Still, from a low of fifteen birds in 1941, the cranes now number around 500. The Whooping Crane This larger than life bird has become the icon for endangered species, is one of only two cranes found in North America. Listen to Whooping crane on bird-sounds.net - a comprehensive collection of North American bird songs and bird calls. Published September 7, 2012 Updated May 8, 2018 . The whooping crane (Grus americana), the tallest North American bird, is an endangered crane species named for its whooping sound. Whooping Crane 2 Signs and sounds The Whooping Crane takes its name from the bird’s distinctive whooping call. The population fell to only 15 individuals in the 1940s. Whooping Crane in flight; Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Kevin Sims . Eye color is golden yellow while the bill is yellowish and sometimes tipped with dull green. Flight of the Cranes. This is BirdNote! Sandhill Cranes are slaty grey or brown and often occur in large flocks; … Operation Migration – Whooping Cranes. The bill is stout and straight; the overall slender body widens to a plump “bustle” at the tail. Whooping Cranes are very large, tall birds with long necks and long legs. In flight the wings are broad and the neck is … [Sounds of Whooping Cranes] The Whooping Crane is one of the most endangered birds in North America. During the early spring courtship, a pair of birds may perform a duet, or unison call. The wild Whooping Crane flock spends its summers in Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories of Canada. 20% of the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes have been shot, a disappointing statistic given the effort put forth by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership to establish this important flock. An adult whooping crane is white with a red crown and a long, dark, pointed bill. The Whooping Crane has suffered major population decline due to habitat loss and over-hunting. Today, there is only one self-sustaining wild population of Whooping Cranes. Putting It All Together: How Cranes Fly Cranes have large wings, a long neck, and long legs. Their long, wide wings allow them to fly using different kinds of flight techniques. This article was published more than 7 years ago. The Whooping Crane and the Sandhill Crane are the only wild cranes in North America. Written by Ellen Blackstone. In pictures: In flight with the whooping cranes. About Whooping Cranes The Whooping Crane, named so after its characteristic whooping sound, is the tallest North American bird and one of the only two species of cranes found in North America. Other threats include vandals and power lines. Listen to Whooping crane on bird-sounds.net - a comprehensive collection of North American bird songs and bird calls. Whooping crane survival depends on additional, separated populations. During the fall season, the Whoopers migrate 2,500 miles south to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in … However, immature whooping cranes are cinnamon brown. A nesting whooper frequently bugles loud and clear during the early morning hours. Whooping Cranes were classified as endangered in 1967. The whooping crane's primary natural breeding ground is Wood Buffalo National Park, in Canada's Northwest Territories and Alberta. The Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in North America and one of the most awe-inspiring, with its snowy white plumage, crimson cap, bugling call, and graceful courtship dance. They nest and rear their young there. Whooping Crane in flight; Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Kevin Sims. Whooping Crane Grus americana Check out the full taxonomy and distribution of Whooping Crane on HBW Alive. The only wild flock of Whooping Cranes migrates between Canada and Texas. The whooping crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild.