Whooping Crane Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Whooping Cranes are very large, tall birds with long necks and long legs. The bill is stout and straight; the overall slender body widens to a plump “bustle” at the tail. In flight the wings are broad and the neck is fully extended.

  Relative Size

  One of North America’s largest birds. About as tall but much heavier than a Great Blue Heron.

  goose-sized or larger

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 59.1 in (150 cm)
    • Weight: 211.6-275.1 oz (6000-7800 g)
    • Wingspan: 90.2 in (229 cm)

• Color Pattern

  Adults are bright white birds with accents of red on the head. The legs, bill, and wingtips are black. Immatures are whitish below but mottled brownish-rusty above.

• Behavior

  Whooping Cranes move at a stately pace, browsing and probing for food rather than hunting patiently and stealthily like a heron. They tend to occur in small flocks (or among much larger numbers of Sandhill Cranes) rather than singly.

• Habitat

  Whooping Cranes breed in shallow, grassy wetlands interspersed with grasslands or scattered evergreens. During migration they stop over on wide shallow river flats. They winter mainly in coastal marshes and estuaries. They sometimes forage at crop fields.