Whooping Crane

(Grus americana)

State Status: extirpated (eliminated from WI)
Federal Status: endangered

Whooping cranes disappeared from Wisconsin many years ago. But, with the help of biologists; the whooper's cousin, the sandhill crane; aircraft; and older, experienced cranes to teach young whooping cranes how to migrate to Florida; a population of whoopers established in Wisconsin is continuing to grow. In fact, 2006 marked the first year that whooping cranes hatched in the wild in the Midwest in over 100 years! For more information on this large, rare bird, read on. You can see some whoopers and learn about the Whooping Crane Reintroduction Project in this all about whoopers video .   [VIDEO Length 5:38]