Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – April 2026

Nearly one-year-old, Whooping Crane 36-25 explores Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, this spring. Photo by Dennis Miller

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During March, most birds 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. 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 2 April, there are at least 35 birds in Wisconsin, three birds in Alabama, two in Indiana, one in Kentucky, one in Tennessee, two in Illinois, one in Florida, and two in Michigan. The locations of the remaining birds 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) traveled from Meigs County, Tennessee, to Manistee County, Michigan.

28-24 (M) traveled from Hickman County, Kentucky, to Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

29-24 (M) traveled from Limestone County, Alabama to Juneau County, Wisconsin.

2025 Cohort

W1-25 (U) was last seen at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone County, Alabama, in early March.

30-25 (M) traveled from Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone County, Alabama to Juneau County, Wisconsin.

31-25 (F) remains in Lake County, Florida.

34-25 (F) is still in Jasper County, Indiana.

32-25 (M) traveled from Baker County, Georgia to Marshall County, Kentucky.

35-25 (F) traveled from Floyd County, Georgia to Outagamie County, Wisconsin.

38-25 (F) traveled from Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Limestone County, Alabama to Juneau County, Wisconsin.

36-25 (M) is still in Rhea County, Tennessee.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

None known during March.