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!
Spring 2024: W9-23 returned to Wisconsin in late April after spending her winter in northern Alabama and briefly stopping in Dekalb County, Illinois. Once in Wisconsin, W9-23 was seen with 21-23 and 22-23 and briefly W12-23 at Necedah NWR. By mid-summer W9-23, 21-23, and 22-23 moved to Marathon County, Wisconsin.
Fall 2024: W9-23 continued to spend time with 21-23 and 22-23 in Marathon County, Wisconsin. By August, the trio moved down to Necedah NWR and spent the next few months here before migrating together to De Witt County, Illinois in November. While they have not been spotted since November, 22-23’s GPS location was recently detected in Hopkins County, Kentucky, so we hope they are still together!
Spring 2025: Unfortunately, W9-23 was not seen with 21-23 and 22-23 when they returned to Wisconsin this spring. We haven’t had any reports of her this summer, but we are hopeful she will turn up!
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.
Spring 2024: W12-23 returned to Wisconsin in early April where he was spotted with 84-21 at Necedah NWR. He briefly joined W9-23, 21-23, and 22-23, but later in the summer he was seen with presumably single 15-11. We wonder if he will stay with 15-11 through the rest of the summer.
Fall 2024: W12-23 spent the summer at Necedah NWR. For much of the summer, he hung out closely with 15-11, however by fall the young male was seen spending more of his time with W18-20. This new duo stuck around Necedah NWR through November before migration south to Wheeler NWR. We are eager to see if W12-23 and W18-20 become a pair in the future!
Spring 2025: After spending the winter in Alabama with W18-20, the duo was spotted on migration in Lee County, Illinois in early April. They were seen in Jackson County, Wisconsin in mid-May, but we didn’t see any nesting activity. We are curious to see if these birds will continue to stay together this fall!
Sex: Female
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!
Spring 2024: In early March, W13-23 briefly returned to Wisconsin – where they had hatched – separate from their parents. A few days later, they were spotted in southwestern Indiana before making their way to Lee County, Illinois. In April, they ventured back to Wisconsin for a short visit and then flew back down to northern Illinois with 15-23 before making a quick turn west to Minnesota. They eventually arrived in South Dakota where they remained through the summer. In doing so, they have entered the flyway of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population, and we are curious to see where they will go come fall migration.
Fall 2024: After visiting South Dakota, W13-23 returned to Wisconsin alone in September. In October, they visited Necedah NWR but spent most of the fall in Sauk County, Wisconsin. While we believe this is W13-23, it could also be another unbanded crane, W1-22. Just before migration, they found 4-17 and followed him to his wintering grounds in Hickman County, Kentucky, in December. We hope they stick together!
Spring 2025: W13-23 spent the winter with 4-17, and the 2 returned to 4-17’s breeding territory in Sauk County in mid-March. We saw the pair unison call and dance together, and we were able to confirm that W13-23 is a female! She also received her first set of bands, which will help us to better monitor her movement across the flyway. Even though W13-23 is only 2 years old, the pair nested in mid-April! Unfortunately, their egg was predated by a coyote. They renested a few weeks later and laid two eggs, but both were infertile. Still, W13-23 is young, so we are hopeful she will be successful in the future!
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!
Spring 2024: 15-23 migrated north from their wintering grounds in March, returning to Necedah NWR where they had been released last fall. They didn’t stay long and she was spotted in Illinois in April, and by June they were spotted in Brown County, South Dakota, where they were seen with W13-23. Unfortunately, 15-23 passed away in the summer.
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.
Spring 2024: 16-23 spent all winter with her costume-reared cohort in Putnam County, Indiana, before heading north for Wisconsin in late April. One the way, however, she became separated from her cohort and was spotted in a residential neighborhood in Cook County, Illinois. The team at the International Crane Foundation acted swiftly to safely transport 16-23 the rest of the way to Horicon NWR in Wisconsin. She spent a few weeks there before continuing west and stopping in Freeborn County, Minnesota.
Fall 2024: 16-23 spent the rest of the summer alone in Freeborn and Steele Counties in Minnesota. In late November, she was spotted in Iowa County, Wisconsin as she embarked on her fall migration. She arrived in Meigs County, Tennessee in early December with some of our newly released juveniles 27-24, 25-24, and 24-24. While two of the juveniles continued south, 16-23 and 24-24 remained in Tennessee. We are curious to see if she stays here for winter or ventures elsewhere!
16-23 in flight over Meigs County, Tennessee. Dan Williams
Spring 2025: 16-23 remained in Meigs County, Tennessee through mid-January before making her way to Greene County, Indiana where she was observed alone. She continued her migration north in mid-April and was documented by herself in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. In mid-May, she was observed in Marathon County, Wisconsin, where she remained for the summer. We are excited to track her migration this fall and hopeful that she will continue to socialize with more Whooping Cranes this coming winter!
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.
Spring 2024: 17-23 returned to Wisconsin in late April with 19-23, 20-23, and 23-23 after 16-23 separated form the group over Cook County, Illinois. The group of four quickly moved to Columbia County and later Dodge County, where they remained for the majority of the summer.
Fall 2024: 17-23 continued to spend her time with fellow Whooping Cranes 19-23, 20-23, and 23-23 in Wisconsin, bouncing between Dodge, Dane, and Jefferson County. They left Wisconsin in mid-November, stopped in McHenry County, Illinois, and then arrived in Putnam County, Indiana, where they have also been seen in neighboring counties.
Spring 2025: After spending the last winter months in Parke County, Indiana, 17-23 returned to Wisconsin in mid-March with 19-23, 20-23, and 23-23. The group was spotted in Dane and Adams County, before 17-23 and 19-23 split off from the other two birds. We are curious to see if this duo will become a breeding pair in the future!
Sex: Female
Hatch Date: May 28, 2023
Died: January 2024
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.
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.
Spring 2024: 19-23 returned to Wisconsin in late April with 17-23, 20-23, and 23-23 after 16-23 separated from the group over Cook County, Illinois. The group of four quickly moved to Columbia County and later Dodge County, where they remained for the majority of the summer.
Fall 2024: 19-23 continued to spend his time with 17-23, 20-23, and 23-23 in Wisconsin, taking turns visiting Dodge, Dane, and Jefferson County. They left Wisconsin in mid-November, stopped in McHenry County, Illinois, and then arrived in Putnam County, Indiana, where they have also been seen in neighboring counties.
Spring 2025: After spending the last winter months in Parke County, Indiana, 19-23 returned to Wisconsin in mid-March with 17-23, 20-23, and 23-23. The group was spotted in Dane and Adams County, before 19-23 and 17-23 split off from the other two birds. We are curious to see if this duo will become a breeding pair in the future!
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.
Spring 2024: 20-23 returned to Wisconsin in late April with 17-23, 19-23, and 23-23 after 16-23 separated from the group over Cook County, Illinois. The group of four quickly moved to Columbia County and later Dodge County, where they remained for the majority of the summer.
Fall 2024: 20-23 continued to spend her time with fellow Whooping Cranes 17-23, 19-23, and 23-23 in Wisconsin. The group split their time between Dodge, Dane, and Jefferson County. They left Wisconsin in mid-November, stopped in McHenry County, Illinois, and then arrived in Putnam County, Indiana, where they have also been seen in neighboring counties.
20-23 walking with 17-23, 19-23, and 23-23 in Wisconsin. Kevin Reichenbach
Spring 2025: After spending the last winter months in Parke County, Indiana, 20-23 returned to Wisconsin in mid-March with 17-23, 19-23, and 23-23. The group was spotted in Dane and Adams County, and 20-23 split from the group with 23-23 in April. The 2 have been spending time in Dane County, where 20-23 received a new set of bands! With her new GPS transmitter, we were able to track their travels to Winnebago County, Wisconsin. We are excited to see if this duo will become a breeding pair in the future!
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.
Spring 2024: 21-23 returned to Wisconsin in March, where he has been spotted with 22-23 and W9-23 at Necedah NWR and later Marathon County.
Fall 2024: 21-23 continued to spend time with W9-23 and 22-23 in Marathon County, Wisconsin. By August, they moved down to Necedah NWR and spent the next few months here before migrating together to De Witt County, Illinois in November. While they have not been spotted since November, 22-23’s GPS location was recently detected in Hopkins County, Kentucky, so we hope they are still together!
21-23 foraging with W9-23, 22-23, W18-20, and W12-23 at a mudflat. Tom Weaver
Spring 2025: 21-23 and 22-23 returned to Wisconsin together in mid-March after a brief stop in Gibson County, IN. While they initially returned to Necedah NWR in early spring, they were also spotted exploring Marathon County, farther north in Wisconsin, during March and April. Since then, they have returned to Necedah NWR but have been using different areas of the refuge. We’re curious to see if they’ll reunite and migrate together later this fall.
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.
Spring 2024: 22-23 returned to Wisconsin in March, where she has been spotted with 21-23 and W9-23 at Necedah NWR and later Marathon County.
Fall 2024: 22-23 continued to spend time with W9-23 and 21-23 in Marathon County, Wisconsin. By August, they moved down to Necedah NWR and spent the next few months here. In November, the trio migrated together to De Witt County, Illinois. While they have not been spotted since November, 22-23’s GPS location was recently detected in Hopkins County, Kentucky, so we hope they are still together!
Spring 2025: 21-23 and 22-23 returned to Wisconsin together in mid-March after a brief stop in Gibson County, IN. While they initially returned to Necedah NWR in early spring, they were also spotted exploring Marathon County, farther north in Wisconsin, during March and April. Since then, they have returned to Necedah NWR but have been using different areas of the refuge. We’re curious to see if they’ll reunite and migrate together later this fall.
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.
Spring 2024: 23-23 returned to Wisconsin in late April with 17-23, 19-23, and 20-23 after 16-23 separated from the group over Cook County, Illinois. The group of four quickly moved to Columbia County, and later Dodge County, where they remained for the majority of the summer.
Fall 2024: 23-23 continued to spend his time with fellow Whooping Cranes 17-23, 19-23, and 20-23 in Wisconsin, often seen making trips to Dodge, Dane, and Jefferson County. They left Wisconsin in mid-November, stopped in McHenry County, Illinois, and then arrived in Putnam County, Indiana, where they have also been seen in neighboring counties. We are excited to track this small group throughout the winter!
Spring 2025: After spending the last winter months in Parke County, Indiana, 20-23 returned to Wisconsin in mid-March with 17-23, 19-23, and 23-23. The group was spotted in Dane and Adams County, and 23-23 split from the group with 20-23 in April. The 2 have been spending time in Dane County, where 20-23 received a new set of bands! With her new GPS transmitter, we were able to track their travels to Winnebago County, Wisconsin. We are excited to see if this duo will become a breeding pair in the future!
