Whooping Crane Migration News

Wintering in Florida
January 1, 2015

Take a tour
of the new winter home for the Class of 2014.

Banded and Free
January 9, 2015

The seven crane-kids got a surprise when they were captured and banded. How are they doing?

Courting and Pairing
February 1, 2015

By February, cranes on the wintering grounds are becoming more territorial.

Coping With Cold
February 3, 2015

Not all of the eastern flock's cranes are wintering in Florida. Some are "seeing their breath" where it's cold. How do they cope?

Playing to Learn
February 23, 2015

Young cranes learn life skills through play, and the most playful at the pen site is cheery #8-14, dubbed "Tiny Dancer."

Sentinel at the Pen
March 1, 2015

Adult #4-12 has assumed the role of guardian for the Class of 2014. In what additional ways does the team keep the youngsters safe?

First Juvenile Migrating!
March 15, 2015

Young #7-14 is the first in the Class of 2014 to start migration. Luckily, adults #4-12 and #4-13 are guiding her.

Go, Cranes!
March 30, 2015

Female #7-14 reached Wisconsin but the rest of the Class of 2014 isn't yet migrating. Who's back, and how does a Whooping Crane choose a life mate?

Crane-Kids Headed North!
April 5, 2015

The five remaining young cranes of the Class of 2014 left St. Marks NWR in Florida on their first journey north on April 3rd! What's the extra suspense about?

Nesting Begins
April 19, 2015

Storms or rain have stalled the five young cranes for a week in northern Illinois. Meanwhile, whoopers are nesting at home in Wisconsin!

Capture and Relocation
May 4, 2015

Three of the five "wandering" juveniles in the Class of 2015 stepped out at their familiar Wisconsin training grounds today. How did they get there, and where are the other two? What a story!

Migration Complete!
May 15, 2015

At sunrise on May 15, young #3 and #4-14 were uncrated and set free on their familiar training grounds at White River Marsh, Wisconsin after their capture and all-night drive northward.

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