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Whooping Crane

Grus americana

Bird · family Gruidae · order Gruiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G1: critically imperiled[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Endangered (some populations)[1]
NatureServe global rank
G1 Critically Imperiled[2]
Native in
16 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
28 years[4]

The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is a large bird in the crane family[5]. It is listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe estimates only 50 to 250 adults worldwide[1][6].

Conservation status

Under the US Endangered Species Act, the Whooping Crane is Endangered. It was listed on March 11, 1967[1]. Some groups that people released into the wild have a different label, Experimental Population, Non-Essential[7][8][9][10]. NatureServe ranks the species G1, which means Critically Imperiled worldwide[2]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Endangered[11]. The bird is also on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[12], and it is in CITES Appendix I, which sets controls on international trade[13].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Endangered, listed March 11, 1967 (Wherever found, except where listed as an experimental population)
Endangered Species Act[7] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed June 26, 2001 (Eastern Migratory NEP - U.S.A. (AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NC, OH)
Endangered Species Act[8] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed January 22, 1993 (Kissimmee Prairie NEP - USA (FL))
Endangered Species Act[9] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed February 3, 2011 (Louisiana Nonmigratory NEP - U.S.A (LA))
Endangered Species Act[10] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed July 21, 1997 (Rocky Mountain NEP - U.S.A. (CO, ID, NM, UT, and the western half of Wyoming))
NatureServe global rank[2] G1 (Critically Imperiled)
NatureServe US rank[14] N1N (Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[11] Endangered
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[12] Protected
CITES (international trade)[13] Appendix I
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[6] 50 to 250 individuals

Where Whooping Crane lives

NatureServe lists the Whooping Crane as native in 16 US states and territories, including Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Florida and Louisiana[3]. It is marked as gone or possibly gone from Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee and Utah[15]. The Endangered listing covers Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas[1]. Experimental groups are listed in places such as Florida and Louisiana, and across parts of the eastern and western US[7][8][9][10]. Online observation records come most often from Texas, Florida, Alabama, Illinois and Michigan, but that reflects where people report birds, not how many live there[16].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: native, state rank S1BWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: native, state rank S1MMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank S1NDMinnesota: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,SNRMMNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXILMichigan: native, state rank SNRMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S1MSDIowa: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXBIAIndiana: native, state rank S1N,S1MINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: native, state rank S1NEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: native, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: native, state rank S1NKSArkansas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXARTennessee: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S1NSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S1MOKLouisiana: native, state rank S1LAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: native, state rank S1NALGeorgia: native, state rank S1GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S1NTXFlorida: native, state rank S1FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[17].
Show state ranks (22 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
ArkansasSXPresumed Extirpated
FloridaS1Critically Imperiled
GeorgiaS1Critically Imperiled
IllinoisSXPresumed Extirpated
IndianaS1N,S1MCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding), Critically Imperiled (migrant)
IowaSXBPresumed Extirpated (breeding)
KansasS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
KentuckySNANot Applicable
LouisianaS1Critically Imperiled
MichiganSNRNot Ranked
MinnesotaSXB,SNRMPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Not Ranked (migrant)
MontanaS1MCritically Imperiled (migrant)
NebraskaS1Critically Imperiled
North DakotaS1Critically Imperiled
OklahomaS1MCritically Imperiled (migrant)
South CarolinaS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
South DakotaS1MCritically Imperiled (migrant)
TennesseeSXPresumed Extirpated
TexasS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
UtahSXMPresumed Extirpated (migrant)
WisconsinS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records grassland, cropland, herbaceous wetland, riparian areas, shallow water, lagoons and tidal flats or shores as habitat[18]. For nesting, the bird uses shallow ponds, freshwater marshes and wet prairies with thick plant growth, and the nest is a mound of wetland plants[19]. During migration and winter it uses marshes, shallow lakes, salt flats and grain or stubble fields[19].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[18]

Size, diet and lifespan

NatureServe records a typical length of 132 cm (52 in)[20]. The typical adult weight is 13 lb[21]. The diet is wide. In summer it eats insects, crustaceans and berries, and in winter it adds grains, acorns, fish, amphibians and more[22]. AnAge lists a typical clutch size of 2[23]. Incubation takes 31 days[24]. AnAge lists female sexual maturity at 1,460 days, about 4 years[25]. The longest recorded lifespan is 40 years in captivity, and the oldest known wild bird from banding records was at least 28 years 3 months old[26][4].

Trait Value
Typical length[20] 132 cm (52 in)
Typical adult weight[21] 5.8 kg (13 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[26] 40 years (captivity)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 28 years 3 months
Litter or clutch size[23] 2
Gestation or incubation[24] 31 days
Female maturity[25] 1,460 days (about 4.0 years)
Food habits[27] Carnivore, Piscivore, Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Migration[28] non-migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[29]

  • 20% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 20% reptiles and amphibians
  • 20% invertebrates
  • 20% fish
  • 10% seeds
  • 10% fruit

When to look for it

The Whooping Crane is active in the daytime[30]. NatureServe describes it as both a non-migrant and a long-distance migrant, because different populations behave differently[28]. Observation records are highest in December, January and February[31]. They are much lower from May to September[31]. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[31].

January: 13,591 recordsJanFebruary: 12,793 recordsFebMarch: 12,173 recordsMarApril: 3,594 recordsAprMay: 654 recordsMayJune: 539 recordsJunJuly: 397 recordsJulAugust: 468 recordsAugSeptember: 384 recordsSepOctober: 1,938 recordsOctNovember: 12,580 recordsNovDecember: 14,219 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[31].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January13,591
February12,793
March12,173
April3,594
May654
June539
July397
August468
September384
October1,938
November12,580
December14,219

Where to see it

This species is protected or at risk, so we show its range only at the state level. We do not publish parks, nesting, spawning or wintering sites.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Florida, Alabama, Illinois, Michigan[16]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Whooping Crane endangered?
Yes. It is listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G1, Critically Imperiled[2].
How many Whooping Cranes are left?
NatureServe estimates the total adult population at 50 to 250 individuals worldwide[6].
Where does the Whooping Crane live?
It is native in 16 US states and territories, including Texas, Kansas, Nebraska and Florida[3]. Texas and Florida have the most online observation records[16].
What does the Whooping Crane eat?
It eats insects, crustaceans, berries, grains, acorns, fish and other small animals[22].
How big is a Whooping Crane?
NatureServe records a typical length of 132 cm (52 in)[20]. The typical weight is 13 lb[21].

Facts and sources

  1. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Whooping crane has the status Endangered, listed March 11, 1967 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Wherever found, except where listed as an experimental population. States in the listed range: Kansas, Louisiana, Montana,... USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Whooping Crane: G1 (Critically Imperiled). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Whooping Crane as native in 16 US states and territories: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Whooping Crane from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 28 years 3 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is a bird in the family Gruidae, order Gruiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 50 to 250 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  7. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Whooping crane has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed June 26, 2001 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Eastern Migratory NEP - U.S.A. (AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NC, OH, SC, TN,... USFWS ECOS
  8. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Whooping crane has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed January 22, 1993 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Kissimmee Prairie NEP - USA (FL). USFWS ECOS
  9. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Whooping crane has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed February 3, 2011 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Louisiana Nonmigratory NEP - U.S.A (LA). States in the listed range: Louisiana, Texas. USFWS ECOS
  10. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Whooping crane has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed July 21, 1997 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Rocky Mountain NEP - U.S.A. (CO, ID, NM, UT, and the western half of Wyoming). USFWS ECOS
  11. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Endangered. NatureServe Explorer
  12. Whooping Crane is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  13. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix I (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N1N (Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe ranks Whooping Crane as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee, Utah. NatureServe Explorer
  16. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Whooping Crane: Texas, Florida, Alabama, Illinois, Michigan. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  17. NatureServe state ranks for Whooping Crane (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Habitat types NatureServe records for Whooping Crane: Grassland/herbaceous, Cropland/hedgerow, Herbaceous wetland, Riparian, Shallow water, Lagoon, Tidal flat/shore. NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe notes on habitat for Whooping Crane. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 132 cm (52 in). NatureServe Explorer
  21. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 5.8 kg (13 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  22. NatureServe notes on food for Whooping Crane. NatureServe Explorer
  23. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  24. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 31 days. AnAge
  25. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 1,460 days (about 4.0 years). AnAge
  26. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 40 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  27. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Piscivore, Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  28. NatureServe migration category for Whooping Crane: non-migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  29. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 20% warm-blooded vertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians, 20% invertebrates, 20% fish, 10% seeds, 10% fruit. EltonTraits 1.0
  30. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  31. GBIF observation records of Whooping Crane in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.