About the Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

Photo credit: Klause Nigge/Wood Buffalo National Park

Did you know?

• They are the tallest bird in North America, reaching a height of around 5 feet.

• They weigh around 15 pounds and have a wingspan of more than 7 feet.

• As an adult they have an entirely white body with a distinctive red crown.

• They are estimated to live between 22 and 24 years, although the oldest crane on record is 28 years old.

• They love to eat plant tubers, blue crabs, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

• They are monogamous, forming pairs at the age of 2 or 3 years old and mating for life.

• The female can lay up to 3 eggs, usually in late-April to mid-May.

• The Aransas-Wood Buffalo population is the only naturally occurring and self-sustaining population. Three reintroduced populations exist with the help of captive breeding programs.

Whooping cranes have an impressive wingspan, which can reach more than 7 feet!
Photo credit: Klause Nigge/Wood Buffalo National Park

Do you want to know more?

Please check out the following resources to learn more about Whooping Cranes and the unique landscapes they live in!

• International Crane Foundation's Species Information Sheet: Whooping Cranes.
• International Crane Foundation Blog.
• Government of Canada's Species Information Sheet: Whooping Cranes.
• Hinterland's Who's Who: Whooping Cranes.

• To learn more about Wood Buffalo National Park (the only breeding habitat for Whooping Cranes in Canada), visit:

• Parks Canada: Wood Buffalo National Park.
• Video: Introduction to Wood Buffalo National Park.
• Video: Parks Canada Insider about Whooping Cranes in Wood Buffalo National Park.

• To learn more about where this Whooping Crane population goes during to winter:

• Aransas National Wildlife Reserve, Texas Gulf Coast.

Whooping cranes are monogamous, and usually lay eggs in late-April to mid-May!
Photo credit: Klause Nigge/Wood Buffalo National Park