How to identify Whooping Cranes and other large white or gray birds.
First let ’ s study the differences and similarities with Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes. This is important because hunt of Sandhill Cranes is allowed in some areas. In sealed conditions, particularly in early morning or former good afternoon or on cloudy days, hunters have mistaken Whooping Cranes for Sandhills. Misidentification can result in good problems. so, now is your opportunity to learn more about these endangered birds and help protect them .
Whooping Cranes are brilliantly ashen except for the black primary feathers at the ends of their wings and a red hood on their heads. The blacken wing tips can only be seen when they are flying. They fly with their necks straight out and legs trailing straight behind their dock feathers. They have a farseeing beak .
Whooping Crane adult pair with adolescent. note that the black wing tips can not be seen while they are standing. The juvenile whooper is cinnamon color until newfangled white feathers grow in about one year of age .
Adult Whooping Crane with two juveniles flying. Some people become confused when they observe the adults and juveniles together believing the cinnamon colored juveniles to be another species .
Sandhill Cranes are gray with a belittled crimson ceiling on their heads. They are about 3/4 the size of whooping cranes. They fly with their necks straight out and legs trailing straight behind their tail feathers. They have a hanker beak .
Two pornographic Whooping Cranes ( white ), a adolescent Whooping Crane ( cinnamon ) and two Sandhill Cranes ( gray ) together in field. Whoopers and Sandhill cranes occasionally travel and feed in concert .
One adult Whooping Crane ( white ) flying with seven Sandhill cranes. When the two species are together they are more easily identified correctly .
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There are several other species of birds that at a distance appear alike to Whooping Cranes. Review the following check list to help you in identification. then scroll down to see the respective shuttlecock species that can be mistaken for Whooping Cranes. last take the identification test at the end .
Check List
HEIGHT — Whooping Cranes stand closely 5 feet grandiloquent. They will be the tallest bird you see.
COLOR — adult birds have bodies that are pure white except for a bolshevik piece on the head, a total darkness “ mustache ” and black wig tips. Juvenile birds will have rusty or cinnamon colored feathers with the white.
WINGS — the wingtips ( primary feathers ) are black in Whooping Cranes, but black does not extend all the way along the wing edge to the body. Wingspan is 7-1/2 feet. The blacken can be observed entirely when the whoopers are flying or stretching their wings.
FLIGHT — Whooping Cranes fly with long necks and long legs in full extended. Wing beats are slow and firm.
FLOCK — Whooping Cranes normally travel and feed in modest groups — from one to eight birds. They may sometimes travel with Sandhill Cranes, but never as a bombastic flock of Whooping Cranes.
VOICE — whoopers are known for their loud, bugling call. In flight they may produce a bass warble, similar to Sandhill cranes.
WHEN — Whooping Cranes normally start their migration from Canada in late September. Their migration is 2,500 miles and may require respective weeks. They normally arrive on the Texas coast in mid-october and migrate second to Canada to nest by late April .
Whooping Crane Look-alikes
American White Pelicans can look like Whooping Cranes in flight specially at a distance. They have a large wing-span ( 9 feet ), and the long circular can give the appearance of a long neck in flight. Unlike the Whooping Crane, their legs do not extend beyond the tail in flight, and the black on the wings extends all the way to the body. They often circle and soar in big groups .
Great Egrets are common wetland birds. Their long legs extend beyond the body in flight, but the long neck is normally tucked in flight. Their all-white wings have a 4-1/2 feet wingspan.
Sandhill Cranes are related to Whooping Cranes, but are smaller ( 4 feet in height ; 6-1/2 feet wingspan ). color is gray, with slenderly darker wingtips. They can be found in boastfully flocks .
Like Whooping Cranes, Snow Geese are white with black wingtips, but their legs do not extend beyond the torso during flight. Wingspan is 4-1/2 feet. Their beak is short-circuit. They are often found in big flocks .
American White Ibis have long necks and legs that are extended in flight, but they have a long, crook beak. The wings have only a small patch of black on the wingtips and reach only 3 feet in wingspan .
Wood Storks have hanker necks and legs that are extended in flight ; however, the total darkness on the wings extends all the way to the body. Black may besides be visible on the neck and the tail. Their wingspan is 5-1/2 feet. They flap slowly, semivowel, and soar .
* Photos courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Whooper Watch and the photographers identified.*
Photo Gallery Black-and-White Birds: Which Are Cranes? Images copyright Journey North. All Rights Reserved . | ||
Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson |
Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson |
Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson |
Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson | Photo: Laura Erickson |
To identify the birds, click on each photo to enlarge.
QUIZ! Whooper or Not?
Have you figured out how to identify a whooping crane ? Test your cognition ! Find one or more pictures that you think show Whooping Cranes. Click on the painting to see if you are right !
Now that you are more knowledgeable about identifying Whooping Cranes, we need your help. If you are certain that you have spotted a Whooping Crane, please report it. Your information, along with that submitted by others helps us to keep tabs on the Whoopers.
– Send a report to Texas Whooper Watch. First, read How to Report Sightings. then you can call Texas or send them an electronic mail at : [email protected]
Friends of the Wild Whoopers appreciates the cooperation of Laura Erickson, several photographers and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in developing this identification document. Hopefully it will serve to help protect endangered Whooping Cranes and birds that resemble them. Please let your friends and associates know about this designation guide .
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* * * * * FOTWW ’ randomness mission is to help preserve and protect the Aransas/Wood Buffalo
population of godforsaken whoop cranes and their habitat. * * * * *
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Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.