Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – June 2026

Whooping Crane pair 12-11 and 5-11 dotes on two chicks hatched in late May in Juneau County, Wisconsin. Photo by Bev Paulan

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In May, chicks have started hatching! 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, LightHawk for aerial support, 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 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 June, there are at least 57 birds 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

W1-25 (U) was last seen in Marathon County, Wisconsin, in early May, with 30-25 (M) and 38-25 (F).

30-25 (M) and 38-25 (F) traveled from Marathon County, Wisconsin, to Jackson County, Wisconsin.

31-25 (F) traveled from Lake County, Florida, to Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, where she has been seen associating with 32-25 (M).

32-25 (M) is still in Dodge County, Wisconsin, where he has been observed associating with 31-25 (F).

34-25 (F) traveled from Rock County, Wisconsin, to Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.

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

36-25 (M) traveled from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, to Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.

Reproduction

Nests that were completed by 2 June:

• Juneau County: 2 nests were a part of forced renesting when black flies emerged, 3 nests were abandoned due to black flies, 1 nest failed for unknown reasons, 1 nest was predated by a coyote, and 3 nests hatched 4 chicks.
• Green Lake County: 1 nest was predated by a raccoon, and 1 nest hatched 1 chick.
• Croix County: 1 nest was abandoned for unknown reasons.
• Portage County: 1 nest hatched 1 chick.
• Adams County: 1 nest sat full term, but no chick was detected.

Active nests:

• 2 in Green Lake County and 3 in Juneau County.

Wild-hatched chicks (chicks listed in bold are currently alive):

• W1-26 hatched in early May in Green Lake County to parents 4-13 and 10-15.
• W2-26 hatched in early May in Portage County to parents 1-17 and W1-19.
• Additionally, two chicks hatched in late May in Juneau County to parents 12-11 and 5-11. One chick hatched in early June in Juneau County to parents 36-09 and W5-18. One chick hatched in early June in Juneau County to parents 2-04 and W14-19. These chick ID numbers will be determined once we review the nest cameras to see which chick hatched first.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

None known during May.