Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – November 2026

Whooping Crane 24-24 chases  a Sandhill Crane in Columbia County, Wisconsin, this fall. Photo by Chris Adams

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During October, two costume-reared birds were released! A huge thank you to the staff of the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Departments of Natural Resources of flyway states, the International Crane Foundation, and all the volunteers who help us keep track of the cranes throughout the year. We appreciate your contribution to the recovery of the Whooping Crane Eastern Migratory Population. This report was produced by the International Crane Foundation.

Population Estimate

The current estimated population size is 67 (37 F, 27 M, 3U). Eighteen of these 67 individuals are wild-hatched, and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 2 November, there are at least nine birds in Illinois, nine in Indiana, three in Kentucky, and 40 in Wisconsin. The remaining birds’ locations have not been confirmed in the last month. Their last known locations (in the past month) are on the map below.

Click here to view our interactive “Where are the Whoopers” map for more details, including bios on each crane.

2025 Cohort

30-25 (M), 38-25 (F), W1-25 (U), and 39-26 (F) traveled from Marquette County, Wisconsin, to Columbia County, Wisconsin.

31-25 (F) is still in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

32-25 (M) and 34-25 (F) are still together in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

35-25 (F) traveled from Taylor County, Wisconsin, to Rusk County, Wisconsin.

2026 Cohort

W1-26 (F) traveled with parents 4-13 and 10-15 from Green Lake County, Wisconsin, to Putnam County, Illinois.

W2-26 (U) is with parents W1-19 and 1-17 in Portage County, Wisconsin.

W7-26 (F) traveled with parents 2-04 and W14-19 from Juneau County, Wisconsin, to Hopkins County, Kentucky.

W10-26 (F) is still with parent 3-14 (F) in Green Lake County, Wisconsin.

39-26 (F) traveled from Marquette County, Wisconsin, to Columbia County, Wisconsin, with 30-25 (M), 38-25 (F), and W1-25 (U).

43-26 (M) is still in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, with W3-17 (F) and W2-21 (M).

44-26 (M) traveled from Marquette County, Wisconsin, to Crawford County, Illinois, with 27-14 (F) and W1-24 (U).

42-26 (M) was costume-reared at the International Crane Foundation and released at Fox River National Wildlife Refuge in Marquette County, Wisconsin, in October. He has since traveled to Columbia County, Wisconsin, where he has been associating with Sandhill Cranes.

45-26 (M) was costume-reared at the International Crane Foundation and released at Fox River National Wildlife Refuge in Marquette County, Wisconsin, in October. He has since traveled to Green County, Wisconsin, where he has been associating with Sandhill Cranes.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

None known during October.