At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Increasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America and one of its most famous conservation cases. It is assessed as Endangered.
It nearly vanished to a few birds in the mid-20th century and has slowly recovered through intensive protection.
Range & habitat
North America; the main wild flock migrates between Canada and the Texas Gulf coast, with additional reintroduced flocks.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- A very small population
- Habitat loss along migration routes
- Collisions and disturbance
Why it matters
Brought back from around two dozen birds, the whooping crane is a landmark in modern conservation and a test of long-term, cross-border recovery efforts.
Sources
Sources for Whooping Crane
- IUCN Red List — look up Whooping Crane (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
- Smithsonian's National Zoo
Frequently Asked Questions
How close did the whooping crane come to extinction?
Its population fell to roughly two dozen birds in the mid-20th century. Decades of intensive protection and captive breeding have since helped numbers slowly recover.
Why is the whooping crane still Endangered?
Published assessments cite its small population, dependence on specific wetland habitats along long migration routes, and risks such as collisions. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: