With the cold chill in the air all over the United States even here in Florida we are hearing word about the Whooping Cranes heading back home to Florida for the winter.
With a great organization like "Operation Migration”, this organization has played a leading role in the reintroduction of endangered Whooping cranes into eastern North America since 2001. In the 1940s the species was reduced to just 15 birds.
Whooping Cranes are the tallest North American bird, is an endangered crane species named for its whooping sound and call. Along with the Sandhill Crane, it is one of only two crane species found in North America.
Adult whooping cranes are white with a red crown and a long, dark, pointed bill. Immature whooping cranes are pale brown. While in flight, their long necks are kept straight and their long dark legs trail behind. Adult whooping cranes' black wing tips are visible during flight.
The species stands nearly 5 feet with a wingspan of 2.3 meters 7.5 feet. Males weigh on average 17 lb, while females weigh about 14 lb.
The whooping crane is still one of the rarest birds in North America. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that 26
6 whooping cranes made the migration to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in 2007.
To follow more about the Whooping Crane check out Operation Migration
For live web cam feed check out Operation Migration Crane Cam
