Happy news comes from the wintering grounds of both migratory flocks: A record high number of cranes at Aransas NWR, and chicks maturing at the two Florida release pens. Why are blue crabs so important to cranes, and how do they eat those clawed crustaceans? Video clip, too!
Today's Report Includes:
- News: Field Reports From Texas and Florida
- Winter Diet: Blue and Crabby!
- Coming Soon: Track the Migration
- Video Clip: Foraging After Sunset at Aransas NWR
- Research Question & Links: Helpful Resources to Explore
Learning
how to eat blue crabs is important for juvenile cranes during their first
winter in Texas or Florida. Click on the photo and wonder: What
will happen next?
Photo:
Laura Erickson
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Latest
News! |
Ready
for Migration? |
Latest
News! |
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We are jumping for joy with some fantastic news from biologist Tom Stehn on the Western Flock's Texas wintering grounds. What has Tom discovered since our last report? Who is the oldest wild Whooping crane of known age? At both Florida release sites, more than their voices are changing for the 10 ultralight-led chicks. What new behaviors are the crane-kids showing? Who's the troublemaker? Click on both Latest News links above to find out. There's plenty of adventure before migration too! |
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How would you like to eat the same thing every day for 5 or 6 months every year of your life? That's what Whooping cranes do on their wintering grounds.
Cranes can eat crabs, clams, eels, shrimp, crayfish, acorns, snails, mice, voles, grasshoppers, minnows, dead fish, marsh onions, wolfberries and snakes. But their top favorite is blue crabs. An adult crane can eat up to 80 blue crabs in a day! How do they get to the meat? How do they teach their young to catch and eat these tasty, tricky morsels? What makes these clawed crustaceans so essential to Whooping cranes now—and forever? Find answers here:
(enlarge
photos for more)
Images: Laura Erickson
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Starting
in March, you'll see the migration progress of both flocks —
ALL the world's migratory Whooping cranes — live
on our MapServer! |
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| migration animation | ||
Research question: What's a real problem for blue crabs—and also the number one threat to Whooping crane survival? Write your ideas in your Journey North Whooping Crane Journal.
- Teachers/Overview: Getting Started
- Lesson: Blue and Crabby: Whooping Crane Winter Diet
- Lesson: The Crab Connection: Crabs in Trouble Equals Cranes in Trouble!
- Slideshow: The Lobstick Male: Crane Extraordinaire!
The Next Whooping Crane Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 11, 2011.
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