Whooping crane
Grus americana
Identification Tips:
- Very large, long-legged, long-necked bird
- Long, pointed bill
- Holds neck straight both at rest and in flight, not tucking
it in like herons do
- Dark legs extended in flight
- Long, fluffy tertials droop down over tail and primaries
- Black primaries
- Rare and local-breeds in NW Canada and winters in coastal Texas,
reintroductions attempted in NW United States and Florida
Adult:
- Red crown
- Black at base of bill extending onto cheek
- Entirely white plumage
Juvenile:
- White body with scattered brown feathers
- Pale brown head and neck
Similar species:
With its huge size and white plumage, the Whooping Crane is unmistakeable at
close range. In flight, similarly white egrets tuck their necks in an "S"
curve while flying and lack the black primaries. Sandhill Crane is similar
in shape but is gray overall.