Eastern Migratory Whooping Crane Update – April 2025

Whooping Crane 29-24 in McHenry County, Illinois, in early April. The nearly one-year-old’s cinnamon-colored juvenile feathers are still visible among its adult white plumage. Amanda Pawelko

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During March, most birds have arrived on their typical breeding/summering grounds in Wisconsin! 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 70 (37 F, 31 M, 2 U). Sixteen of these 70 individuals are wild-hatched and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 April, there are at least 51 birds in Wisconsin, two in Illinois, and four in Indiana. 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.

2023 Cohort

W9-23 (F) was last seen in De Witt County, Illinois, in November.

22-23 (F) and 21-23 (M) migrated from Hopkins, County Kentucky to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County, Wisconsin together.

W12-23 (M) and W18-20 (F) were last seen in Limestone County, Alabama, in February.

W13-23 (F), migrated with 4-17 (M) from Hickman County, Kentucky, to Sauk County, Wisconsin.

19-23 (M), 17-23 (F), 23-23 (M), and 20-23 (F) migrated from Parke County, Indiana to Columbia County, Wisconsin.

16-23 (F) is still in Greene County, Indiana.

2024 Cohort

W1-24 (U) separated from parents, 12-11 and 5-11, and is now in Greene County, Indiana.

24-24 (F) is still in Marshall County, Indiana.

25-24 (F) was last seen in Hamilton County, Florida, in December.

27-24 (M) was last seen in Lake County, Florida, in December.

28-24 (M) is still in Jackson County, Indiana.

29-24 (M) separated from W3-17 (F) and W2-21 (M), and is now in McHenry County, Illinois.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

None known during March.

Story submitted by Nicki Gordon, Whooping Crane Biological Technician. Click here to learn more about our work in North America.