Whooping Cranes: Meet the Class of 2007

Whooping Crane

Eastern Flock Chicks: Hatch Year 2007
Back to Meet the Cranes

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Group 1
Learn to migrate by following ultralight airplanes Group 1 chicks are captive-born.		Crane #703 (#3-07) (presumed dead, Jan. 2013)	Crane #706 (#6-07) (presumed dead, 2010)	Crane #707 (#7-07)
Crane #709 (#7-09) (died 5/10)	Crane #710 (#10-07) (removed to captivity 6/3/09)	Crane #712 (#12-07) (presumed dead, Mar. 2014)	Crane #713 (#13-07) (presumed dead, Feb. 2012)	Crane #714 (died 3/30/08)
Crane #716 (#16-07)	Crane #717 (#17-07)	Crane #721 (died 12/08)	Crane #722 (#7-22) (Removed 12/2013)	Crane #724 (#24-07) (presumed dead, 2010)
Crane #726 (#26-07) (died 5/15)	Crane #727 (#27-07) (presumed dead, 2012)	Crane #733 (#33-07) (died 12/13)	Crane #735 (Removed 7/2008)	Photos: WCEP

Group 2

Learn to migrate by following older cranes in the flock

Group 2 chicks are also captive-born. They are released and follow older cranes in a program called
Direct Autumn Release (DAR).

DAR #36-07
(died 11/4/07)

DAR #37-07

DAR #39-07

DAR #40-07
(died winter 2009)

DAR #41-07
(died 10/31/07)

DAR #42-07
(died spring 2011)

DAR #43-07
(died 3/22/08)

DAR #44-07
(missing /presumed dead, 2010)

DAR #46-07
(died August, 2012)

DAR Photos:
Danielle Desourdis, USFWS Intern
Anna Fasoli, ICF

DAR #45-07
died after release but before migration.

Group 3

Learn to migrate by following their parents

Group 3 chicks are wild-born. Their parents raise them and teach them to migrate. This is the natural way cranes learn to migrate. One day, the flock will be large enough for wild-born parents to take over and human assisted migration will no longer be needed. Scientists hope to reach their goal of 125 birds by 2020.

Zero wild-born chicks hatched in summer 2007.