Whooping Cranes Arrive in Florida

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Dec 20, 2006

Yesterday, the captive reared Whooping Crane chicks from the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin completed their migration to Florida. For 76 days they have been en route, learning their migration path from human pilots dressed in crane costumes and flying ultra light aircraft. The trip was an unusually long one as unfavorable weather kept them grounded 54 of the migration days. We’ve been following their progress here and in the Operation Migration Field Journal.

Now the birds are finished their education. They’ll spend the winter months in Florida, then migrate north again on their own, their numbers swelling the ranks of the Eastern Migratory Population. This year, two chicks hatched in Necedah were the first chicks hatched and raised in the wild by previously released birds. One of these chicks died, but the other migrated south to Florida successfully – one day captive rearing may no longer be necessary in order for the flock to flourish and increase.

Visit the Operation Migration Field Journal for an account of the season’s work, great pictures, links to pictures and videos, information about other years and fund raising information.

Previous posts about Operation Migration and the first chicks hatched in the wild:

Inside a Whooping Crane Migration

News About Operation Migration

Update on Whooping Crane Migration

Whooping Crane and Penguin Update

Two Whooping Crane Chicks Born in the Wild Make History in Wisconsin

Whooping Crane Chicks Thrive and a Rare Bird Turns Up in Nova Scotia

Update on the Whooping Crane Chicks and Glace Bay Western Reef Heron

The First Family Whooping Crane Chicks are Flying

Wisconsin Cranes and Hurricanes

Birds in Wisconsin: Art, Whoopers

Whooping Crane Family on the Move

Historic Whooping Crane Migration