W9-23
Sex: female
Hatch Date: May 30, 2023
Spring 2023: This spring, 15-11 and 29-08 successfully fledged W9-23, who hatched at Necedah NWR in May and was banded in August. We are so excited for this family and cannot wait to see how the little one will fit into the population.
Fall 2023: This fall was a bit strange for little W9-23. In the late summer, her mother, 15-11, re-paired with a new mate, W6-18, and before migration, they welcomed another chick into their family, 15-23 (“Beaker”). The family of now four became better acquainted with each other leading up to migration, but after leaving Wisconsin, W9-23 was no longer spotted with her parents. We did not see her again until she was spotted in Alabama at Wheeler NWR, where she spent the rest of the winter while her family stayed further north in western Indiana. We were happy to see W9-23 hanging out with 85-21 and 7-11 in Alabama!
W12-23
Sex: male
Hatch Date: June 1, 2023
Spring 2023: In June, 24-08 and 13-02 hatched W12-23 at Necedah NWR, and in August our team outfitted him with new colorful leg bands. These bands will allow us to monitor him as he flies south for the winter – we cannot wait to see where he will go!
Fall 2023: This fall, the family left Wisconsin in early November. They stopped briefly in Kane County, Illinois before completing their migration and reaching their final wintering destination, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alabama. The family has been busy roosting, foraging and visiting with the other wintering Whooping Cranes.
W13-23
Sex: unknown
Hatch Date: June 5, 2023
Spring 2023: W13-23 hatched in June, and they have spent the summer with their parents, 12-11 and 5-11, in Juneau County. Despite efforts from our team to safely capture W13-23 and put bands on their legs, unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful. Luckily, their parents are banded, which allows us to monitor the family as they move south for the winter. Hopefully, we can put bands on them in the future!
Fall 2023: This fall, W13-23 prepared for migration with their parents in Juneau County, Wisconsin, before flying south to Lawrence County, Illinois in October for the first half of their winter. We were able to carefully keep an eye on them while they were in Illinois, but once they left in December, we did not know where they went. We look forward to seeing the family again in the spring!
15-23 (Beaker)
Sex: female
Hatch Date: May 20, 2023
Spring 2023: Beaker was hatched and raised by her biological parents in Crane City. She was an adventurous chick and loved to explore along the pond edges, never straying too far from the adults. Later, she began showing her independence, but she constantly learned from her parents how to defend their territory.
Fall 2023: In September 2023, 15-23 was released at Necedah NWR near W9-23, 15-11 and W6-18. 15-23 quickly became a part of the family and was seen foraging, flying and roosting with the family after just one day! 15-23, then stayed with 15-11 and W6-18 during fall migration, while W9-23 flew further south, and the three arrived in Greene County, Indiana, in November. The trio stayed there for the winter, often in a group of around a dozen Whooping Cranes!
16-23 (Animal)
Sex: female
Hatch Date: May 25, 2023
Spring 2023: “Animal” hatched from an egg produced by Whooping Crane pair, Slash (male) and Anzac (female) at the International Crane Foundation and was raised by costumed caretakers. As the oldest of the 2023 cohort, she excelled at foraging and hunting. She was also a strong and quiet leader when necessary and willing to accept all into the group.
Fall 2023: The 2023 costume-reared cohort was relocated to Horicon NWR in mid-September. “Animal” quietly watched the costume and gained confidence exploring the new area quickly, while encouraging the others to brave the new world. 16-23 was released alongside the other five costume-reared Whooping Cranes in October. The group stayed together through the fall and migrated south to Putnam County, Indiana, where they remained through the winter.
17-23 (Fozzie)
Sex: female
Hatch Date: May 26, 2023
Spring 2023: “Fozzie” is the offspring of the Whooping Crane pair, Jet (m) and Falcon (f) at the International Crane Foundation. Fozzie was the tough little sister to Animal, always pestering her and wanting the attention of the costume. She was also a good hunter.
Fall 2023: The six costume-reared Whooping Crane chicks were relocated to an acclimation pen at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge on September 21. 17-23 was released alongside the other five costume-reared Whooping Cranes in October before flying south to winter in Putnam County, Indiana.
18-23 (Gonzo)
Sex: female
Hatch Date: May 28, 2023
Spring 2023: “Gonzo”, 18-23, hatched on May 28 and is a full sibling to “Animal”. Like true siblings, there was rivalry among them. Gonzo was incorporated into the group slowly due to her aggression, which gave her plenty of time to become independent and an excellent hunter. Gonzo spent a lot of time searching the ponds. After the chicks were banded in preparation for release, Gonzo became lame. To keep the group dynamics stable and provide the best situation for Gonzo to heal, the group remained at the International Crane Foundation for two more weeks and was transferred to Horicon NWR on September 21. While exploring the wetlands on the refuge, Gonzo would find many frogs, walking around proudly with her catch until another chick would try to grab it.
Fall 2023: The six costume-reared Whooping Crane chicks were relocated to an acclimation pen at Horicon NWR on September 21. 18-23 was released alongside the other five costume-reared Whooping Cranes in October before flying south to winter in Putnam County, Indiana. Unfortunately, in January 2024, Gonzo was reported dead following a collision with a powerline or a barbed wire fence.
19-23 (Statler)
Sex: male
Hatch Date: May 29, 2023
Spring 2023: 19-23 is the offspring of 24-08 and 13-02. “Statler” hatched on May 29 and was costume-reared. As the first male to hatch, Statler fought to be the leader and had his beak full of other chicks’ feathers at an early age. As a result, he was exercised separately until he became less aggressive. It did not take long for the chicks to concede to Statler being the leader, although Gonzo did not always agree with his status. He was good at watching to see how things were going and stole frogs or mice from the better hunters.
Fall 2023: The group of six costume-reared Whooping Crane chicks was relocated to an acclimation pen at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge on September 21. 19-2 was released in October with the other five costume-reared Whooping Cranes before flying south to winter in Putnam County, Indiana.
20-23 (Big Bird)
Sex: female
Hatch Date: June 1, 2023
Spring 2023: “Big Bird” hatched from an egg collected from 12-03 and 12-05’s nest at Necedah NWR. Big Bird’s fierce independence provided many challenging opportunities when attempting to incorporate her into the larger group. Her hunting skills were well developed, due to this independence. She excelled at catching frogs, mice, and insects at the International Crane Foundation and the Horicon NWR. True to her nature, she took the opportunity to explore the refuge on her own the first day the costumed staff tried to show the group around. Once she returned, she would encourage others to fly to new locations, but she would always return first.
Fall 2023: The group of six costume-reared Whooping Crane chicks was relocated to an acclimation pen at Horicon NWR on September 21. 20-23 was released in October alongside the other five costume-reared Whooping Cranes before flying south to winter in Putnam County, Indiana.
21-23 (Reed)
Sex: male
Hatch Date: June 1, 2023
Spring 2023: 21-23, “Reed” was hatched at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada, a Whooping Crane breeding partner of the International Crane Foundation, and was parent-reared by adult Whooping Cranes.
Fall 2023: 21-23 was brought to Wisconsin to be released at Necedah NWR in October alongside 22-23, “Harp”. The pair were quickly adopted by 2-04 and W14-19 and migrated to Hopkins County, Kentucky in November, where they stayed for the winter.
22-23 (Harp)
Sex: female
Hatch Date: June 3, 2023
Spring 2023: 22-23, “Harp” was hatched at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada, a Whooping Crane breeding partner of the International Crane Foundation, and was parent-reared by adult Whooping Cranes.
Fall 2023: 22-23 was brought to Wisconsin to be released at Necedah NWR in October alongside 21-23, “Reed”. The pair were quickly adopted by 2-04 and W14-19 and migrated to Hopkins County, Kentucky in November, where they stayed for the winter.
23-23 (Fizzgig)
Sex: male
Hatch Date: June 4, 2023
Spring 2023: “Fizzgig” was the last costume-reared chick to hatch. Fizzgig and Fozzie share the same parents, Jet and Falcon. Fizzgig loved the outdoors, not wanting to go back into the run for the night. He preferred to hunt for his food, and hopefully, this skill will help him survive after release. As the second male of the group, he slowly worked his way towards the top of the hierarchy. He loved to fly and would frequently be the first to try to get the group to fly.
Fall 2023: The group of six costume-reared Whooping Crane chicks was relocated to an acclimation pen at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge on September 21. 23-23 was released alongside the other five costume-reared Whooping Cranes in October before flying south to winter in Putnam County, Indiana.