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Whooping Crane

Grus americana ORDER: GRUIFORMES FAMILY: GRUIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered

Whooping Crane Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The tallest bird in North America, the Whooping Crane was once at the brink of extinction. It is making a steady recovery thanks to intensive management efforts in Canada and the United States, and as of December 2004, 468 Whooping Cranes existed in the wild and in captivity.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Heronlike
Heronlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Very large bird.
  • Long neck.
  • Long Legs.
  • White body.
  • Black wingtips.
  • Red forehead and cheek.
  • Tufted feathers over rump.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but largely cinnamon-toned, with some white, and without red on head and face.

Range Map Help

Whooping Crane Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Similar Species

  • Sandhill Crane has gray and rust-colored plumage, not white, with gray primaries, and red only on crown.
  • American White Pelican similarly colored, but has black extending along length of wings, and short legs that do not extend beyond the body in flight.
  • Snow Goose is smaller, and does not have long bill and long legs extending far behind body in flight.
  • Some herons and egrets are white, but are smaller, have completely white wings, and fly with folded necks.