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Whooping Crane Nest Survey 2007
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First Whooping Cranes at Aransas NWRThe 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.
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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 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: • Pisces Charters
– 800-245-9324. Runs daily at 10:00 a.m. US Fish & Wildlife Service | Southwest Region Refuges | Privacy Disclaimer |
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