About Whooping Cranes

Back in the early 1940's, only 21 Whooping Cranes remained. Probably never very abundant, this larger cousin of the Sandhill Crane came perilously close to extinction as plume and market hunters, egg collectors, and habitat loss took its toll at the turn of the century. The tallest of North American birds, Whooping Crane numbers have slowly climbed to neary 200 wild individuals.

This flock winters along the Gulf Coast of Texas near Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and nests in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. Their migration brings them to Nebraska's Platte River valley twice a year, usually in April and October. Whooping Cranes do not stage during migration as Sandhills do, rather they stop briefly, often only overnight, before continuing their journey. The likelihood of spotting one of these magnificent creatures in Nebraska is small. However, the Big Bend reach of the Platte River boasts the greatest number of spring sightings than any other location along their migration corridor while the Rainwater Basin area is a good place to find them in the fall.

A record 49 nests were located during the 1998 nesting season which produced at least 24 young by the end of summer. Including captive birds in a non-migrating flock in Florida, the world population now stands at about 400.

The Whooping Crane is perhaps the most famous of the endangered species. To see one in the wild is a privilege and an experience never to be forgotten. It reminds us that we have a responsibility to see that this species graces the prairie skies far beyond our own lifetime.