Only 20 Whooping Cranes remained in North America in the 1940s due to unregulated hunting, massive wetland drainage and feather collecting for the millinery trade. Today, in 2022, over 650 Whooping Cranes live in the wild across two flyways and two non-migratory populations. We credit this population growth to the dedicated efforts of many conservation partners who have sought to rebuild the fragile populations and protect the habitats on which these birds rely.

Female 79-19 was the first confirmed Whooping Crane to return to Wisconsin this spring (Dodge County). We were waiting for her friend 16-11 to return too, and guess what? We haven’t confirmed if these two are an official pair, but so far it looks hopeful! Photo by Doug Pellerin.

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In the last month, most Whooping Cranes have stayed on their wintering grounds, while some have started to head back north. 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. This report is produced by the International Crane Foundation.

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In the last month, most Whooping Cranes have stayed on their wintering grounds, and some have even moved further south! 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. This report is produced by the International Crane Foundation.

Two Whooping Cranes feed among a flock of Sandhill Cranes on their wintering grounds in Greene County, Indiana.

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In the last month, all Whooping Cranes have migrated! 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. This report is produced by the International Crane Foundation.

The water mud tugged at our legs as we walked through a small, freshwater pond, a lifeline for wildlife on the central Texas Coast, including the world’s rarest crane, the Whooping Crane. We are studying these critical oases and found they are extremely important to cranes during drought periods when the water in the coastal marshes becomes too saline to drink.