Eastern Flock Chicks: Hatch Year 2012
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Learn to migrate
by following older cranes in the flock

Group 2 chicks are also captive-born. In fall the chicks are released in the company of older cranes from whom the young birds learn the migration route in a program called Direct Autumn Release (DAR).

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is raising six young cranes for the 2012 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) program. The young chicks will spent several supervised weeks at Necedah NWR getting used to wetland habitat and wild cranes. On September 4, 2012 they were transferred to their release site at Horicon Wildlife Refuge. They were banded Oct. 4 and will be set free on the refuge near wild cranes October 29.

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, this flock will be large enough for wild-born parents to take over. Then human-assisted migration will no longer be needed.