Official Site of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex

*Whooping Crane History

Whooping Crane Nest Survey 2007

*Road to Recovery Brochure

*Links

First Whooping Cranes at Aransas NWR

refuge personnel holding baby crane

The whooping crane is one of the rarest birds in North America. It is also the tallest with adults approaching five feet in height. Males are slightly larger than females. Whooping cranes mate for life and can live nearly 30 years in the wild, and 35 to 40 years in captivity. Adult whooping cranes have snow-white plumage with black wingtips. Their bills are dark olive-gray, which becomes lighter during the breeding season. All of the whooping cranes alive today; both wild and captive; are descendents of the last 15 remaining cranes that were found wintering in Texas in 1941.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal Agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American Tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

Whooping Crane in Water Whooping Cranes

In the freshwater and brackish marshes of South Texas, a distinct and wild trumpeting call rings across the marsh. It is the Whooping Crane, Grus Americana, the rarest crane species. They are magnificent birds, unique to North America. Whooping Cranes are considered one of the best known of all endangered species and they symbolize the struggle to maintain the vanishing creatures of this world. They are the tallest bird in North America, standing nearly 5 feet tall, with a 7 foot wingspan. Their snow-white body feathers are accented by jet-black wing tips (visible only when the wings are extended), and a crescent of black feathers with a patch of red skin on the head. In the fall, juveniles have a rusty brown plumage with some white adult feathers just beginning to appear. By the time they leave Aransas, the juveniles are white.

The only natural wild flock of Whooping Cranes nests in Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Whoopers mate for life but have been known to re-mate following the death of their mate. They may survive up to 25 years in the wild and 35 to 40 years in captivity. Adults generally begin to produce eggs when they reach 4 or 5 years of age and then will lay two eggs, usually rearing only one chick. In late spring and summer, their nests are built on small islands of bulrushes, cattails, and sedges. Dry years can result in heavy predation with few young surviving. In the fall, migration begins. Whoopers fly 2500 miles from Wood Buffalo National Park to their wintering grounds at Aransas NWR. They travel as a single pair, family group, or in small flocks, sometimes accompanying sandhill cranes. They migrate during daylight hours and make regular stops along the way. By December, all or nearly all (sometimes a stray will winter in Oklahoma or somwhere else in Texas) have reached the marshes in and around Aransas. Over the 2004-2005 winter, 216 birds stayed in the area feeding on blue Blue Crab crabs, wolf berries, crayfish, frogs, large insects, and roasted acorns from prescribed burns. As spring arrives with warmer weather and longer days, the whoopers prepare for the trip back to Wood Buffalo by increasing their food intake to fatten up for the long return flight.

Our fascincation with whoopers partially results from their loud vocalizations and elaborate courtship rituals which help strengthen pair bonds. Listen to Unison calling, an Adult Alarm Call and an Adult Alarm call with the Baby also calling.

Courtship behavior consists of calling, wing flapping, head bowing and astonishing leaps into the air by both birds. These dances begin in late winter as prelude to mating, but may occur at other times as the birds defend their territories or play.

Reference: International Crane Foundation brochure

General Viewing Information:
A pair or family (3) of Whooping Cranes can usually be seen from the Observation Tower generally from mid-October through March. They feed in the marsh during daylight hours. Be sure to ask at the Visitor Center front desk for the latest sightings. If you want to see many whoopers, you’ll need to take a boat trip out of Rockport. Call the Rockport Chamber of Commerce at 361-729-6445 or 1-800-242-0071 (in Texas). Out of state, call 1-800-826-6441. Their website is www.rockport-fulton.org. Three boats that are available through reservation are:

• Pisces Charters – 800-245-9324. Runs daily at 10:00 a.m.
• The Skimmer – 877-892-4737 (toll free). 7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
• Wharf Cat – 800-782-2473 (Rockport), Wed-Sun, 10-2; 800-605-5448 (Pt. Aransas), Mon-Tues, 10-3:30.

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