Grus americana is known as a whooping crane. Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America and are also endangered. The whooping crane is known for its whooping sounds it makes. The whooping cranes life span is 22 to 24 years.

​

Adult whooping cranes are white with a red crown and a long, dark , pointed bill. Immature whooping cranes are cinnamon brown. When cranes are in flight, their long necks are kept straight and their long legs trail behind. The cranes can stand up to 5 feet and have a wingspan of 7.5 feet. Males weigh at an average of 16 pounds and females weigh 14 pounds. The whooping cranes calls are loud and can carry several kilometers. They express guard calls to warn their partner about danger.

​

Whooping cranes are found in their habitat in Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta, Canada. They also nested naturally for the first time in 100 years in the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin, USA. Whooping cranes rest on the ground in a raised marshy area. Cranes do well in this habitat because of the marshy grounds where they breed their youngs. The population of the whooping cranes are endangered. It is believed that whooping cranes are the rarest birds in North America. In April 2007 there was about 340 cranes living in the wild and 145 in captivity. It was confirmed that only 266 whooping cranes made the migration to their destination.

​

Whooping cranes are omnivores. Their diet consist of crustaceans, mollusks, fish, berries, small reptiles, and aquatic plants. Potential foods of breeding birds in summer include frogs, small reptiles, smaller birds, fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, clams, snails, and berries. Whooping cranes predators are American Black Bear, Wolverine, Grey wolf, Red Fox, Lynx, and Bobcats. The bobcat has killed many cranes in Florida and Texas.

​

Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America, and are endangered. They live up to be 22-24 years and live in Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin, USA, and Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta, Canada. They eat fish, berries, small reptiles, and other animals. Their predators are black bears, Wolverine, Grey wolf, and other animals. The whooping crane is also the rarest bird in North America.

  

Author:

Published:

 

Resources:

The World Book Encyclopedia W. X. Y. Z  21  Page 297

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whooping_Crane

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/whooping-crane/