WCEP Chicks Are Training in Wisconsin.

It took three separate plane flights, but this June, 17 young whoopers left Patuxent for the marshes of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. The group was split into three smaller cohorts, largely because of age differences. Since the chicks all hatch at different times, age differences of a week or even less can cause significant behavioral problems while the chicks are young. As they mature, those differences eventually disappear, but while they're growing, their ages and individual behavior patterns can affect this critical training period. The first, and oldest, cohort consists of birds 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06. The second cohort is 07, 09, 10, and 11. The third and youngest cohort consists of 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

The first cohort, the oldest, has had the most time to work together and get to know one another. Two of the birds in this group got along so well they were amiable roommates, sharing the same pen -- something unusual for the normally aggressive whoopers. Bird 02 and 04 were pen mates before going to Necedah, so we expected that they would continue to have agreeable natures as they grew older. Bird 01, the oldest, seems to be the most attentive and is the best follower, but since he's the oldest, he's had more practice at it. The folks in Necedah have reported that 03 was the first to take a short flight, but by now all of the first group have fledged and have taken flights.

The second cohort is still maturing and working out some differences among them. It's not unusual for whooper chicks, who would normally grow up with only their parents for company, to be very aggressive towards one another. In this group, bird 11 has been quite aggressive and dominant over bird 10. So much so that they had to be separated by a barrier while in the pen they share with the rest of their cohort. But with young cranes, time solves most of these problems, and 10 and 11 are getting along much better now, and no longer have to be separated. However, 11 is still a bit of a bully. When bird 7, who shows a lot of curiosity, killed a garter snake, 11 took it away from 7 and ate it whole. 

The third cohort is still quite young. Before they left we were having aggression problems with bird 16, so when they arrived at Necedah, there was an area of the pen sectioned off just for him.  This divided area enables him to socialize with the others through the fence, yet keeps him from harming or intimidating them. When he learns to "play nice," the barrier will be removed. Chicks can remain aggressive for quite a while, and each chick is an individual with his own unique behavior patterns. Sixteen's behavior has been fairly consistent while he was in training at Patuxent, but we know from experience that maturity usually makes aggressive tendencies fade away. 

The older whoopers from previous migrations are in the area, and sometimes show up at the training sites. However, unlike last year, they haven't been causing any problems. There is a tower at Necedah where visitors can view the older whoopers out in the marsh. There's more information about the tower on the Necedah website.

Left behind: Bird 15-03 had originally been slated to leave with the others for Wisconsin. Unfortunately, a persistent respiratory condition that has resisted treatment had staff at Patuxent concerned. As the time drew closer for the birds to leave, 15's health was carefully monitored. Shortly before a final decision was reached regarding her respiratory condition, a kink in the bird's neck developed. Scoliosis, curvature of the spine, appears in many animals and also in humans. Because whooping cranes have suffered through more than one genetic bottleneck over their history, genetic problems like scoliosis, heart defects, and other conditions are sometimes seen in the chicks. Scoliosis often can't be diagnosed until the chick hits a certain stage in its development, when suddenly the curvature can be seen or felt. Once the scoliosis was diagnosed, added to the previously existing respiratory problem, the consensus among WCEP partners was that the bird should be held back. She remains at Patuxent where she can be monitored, cared for, and treated if necessary. If her health remains good, she can serve as an imprinting model for next year's WCEP chicks.

Frequent updates on the activities in Wisconsin can be found on Operation Migration's website in their Field Journal. Pictures and information on the individual chicks can be found at the Class of '03's Bio Sheet.

The non-migratory whoopers in Florida have successfully fledged two chicks. In previous years, the flock has had to deal with severe drought in Florida. This year brought a different situation -- too much rain. In spite of that, the Florida whoopers managed to successfully rear two young whoopers. Lucky's parents raised one of the chicks, and a new pair raised the other. More information about this year's production in Florida can be found on the Whooping Crane Conservation Association's website under Flock Status. Also look under their newsletter articles for more information and photos.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WCEP PROJECT

Check out our partners' websites:

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership website

Operation Migration's website

and The International Crane Foundations' website

The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge also has a website