Whooping Crane

endangered species · North America · migration · tall birds

Named for their calls. Whooping cranes got their name from their loud, bugling calls that sound like whoops. These calls help cranes find each other and communicate across long distances in the wild.

Super tall birds. Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America. They stand so high that they can spot danger from far away on their coastal and prairie homes.

Almost gone forever. By 1941, hunting and habitat loss had left just 21 whooping cranes on Earth. Thanks to people protecting them and their habitats, there are now over 830 cranes alive today.

Epic migrations. The main population of whooping cranes travels between coastal Texas in winter and the Northwest Territories of Canada in summer, one of nature's greatest journeys. They make this trip every year, following the same routes their parents taught them.

Living very long. Whooping cranes can live 22 to 30 years or more in the wild, giving them plenty of time to raise families and pass down their migration routes to the next generation.