Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – March 2024
Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In February, most birds stayed on their typical wintering grounds, but a few have begun their northward migration with warmer temperatures. 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 72 (40 F, 30 M, 2 U). Fifteen of these 72 individuals are wild-hatched, and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 March, there are three in Wisconsin, four in Illinois, 28 in Indiana, eight in Kentucky, 14 in Alabama, 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. Migration is just starting, so some birds’ locations may have changed in the past few days.
2021 and 2022 Cohorts
W2-21 (M) is still around Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Morgan County, Alabama, associating with W3-17 (F).
W14-21 (M) is in Hopkins County, Kentucky, with W3-20 (F).
84-21 (F) is in Gibson County, Indiana, with 25-10 (M).
85-21 (M) is still around Wheeler NWR in Morgan County, Alabama, associating with 7-11 (F) and W9-23 (F).
W1-22 (U) is still around Wheeler NWR in Morgan County, Alabama, often seen within large mixed flocks of both Sandhill and Whooping Cranes.
2023 Cohort
W9-23 (F) is still around Wheeler NWR in Morgan County, Alabama. She has been seen within groups of adult Whooping Cranes.
W12-23 (M) is still with his parents, 24-08 and 13-02. The group moved slightly north to Madison County, Alabama.
W13-23 (U) was last seen in December with their parents, 12-11 and 5-11, in Lawrence County, Illinois.
15-23 (F) is still with 15-11 and W6-18. The group moved slightly further west to Lawrence County, Illinois.
21-23 (M) and 22-23 (F) are still in Hopkins County, Kentucky, with 2-04 and W14-19.
16-23 (F), 17-23 (F), 19-23 (M), 20-23 (F), and 23-23 (M) are still together in Putnam or Parke County, Indiana.
Mortality and Long-term Missing 63-15 (M) was found dead in Illinois during February, but the cause of death is unknown.
Story submitted by Hillary Thompson, North America Program Crane Analyst. Click here to learn more about our work in North America.