Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – February 2026

Whooping Crane 42-09 on her wintering grounds in Gibson County, Indiana. Photo by John Mallery

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. 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. The International Crane Foundation produced this report.

Population Estimate

The current estimated population size is 64 (36 F, 25 M, 3 U). Fifteen of these 64 individuals are wild-hatched, and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 February, there are at least 21 birds in Alabama, 20 in Indiana, three in Kentucky, three in Tennessee, three in Illinois, two in Florida, and two in Georgia. 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.

2024 Cohort

W1-24 (U) or a different unbanded bird, W1-22, was observed in Gibson County, Indiana, in December.

24-24 (F) is still in Meigs County, Tennessee, at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge and has been seen occasionally with 34-25 (F).

28-24 (M) is in Limestone County, Alabama, and has been seen with other Whooping Cranes at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.

29-24 (M) is in Limestone County, Alabama, and has been seen with other Whooping Cranes at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.

2025 Cohort

W1-25 (U) and parents, W1-19 and 1-17, were last observed at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Morgan County, Alabama, in late December.

30-25 (M) and 79-19 (F) have been observed together at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone County, Alabama, with other Whooping Cranes in the area.

31-25 (F) remains in Lake County, Florida, where she migrated with Sandhill Cranes.

34-25 (F) is still at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County, Tennessee. She has been observed to associate with 24-24 (F) on some occasions.

35-25 (F) and 32-25 (M) are still in Baker County, Georgia.

38-25 (F) is still at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone County, Alabama. She has been associating with multiple Whooping Cranes there.

36-25 (M) is still at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County, Tennessee.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

66-15 (F) and 16-11 (M) have not been seen since January 2025 and are now considered long-term missing. We have removed them from the population totals above.