Cranes 2022 first

First whooping crane hatching at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Cranes 2022 record

Record number of whooping cranes winter in Texas

Cranes 2021 Anishinaabek

Anishinaabek People oppose removing the sandhill crane’s protections

Cranes 2021 huntedagain

Sandhill cranes could be hunted again in Michigan

Cranes 2020 climatechange

Climate change threatens sandhill cranes

hist-4067-photo- Whooping Cranes Back from the Brink

Whooping cranes back from the brink

Cranes 2011 greatersandhill

Greater sandhill crane thriving

Cranes 2011 sandhill

Majestic flock of sandhill cranes

Cranes 2009 whoopingcranes

Whooping cranes heavily affected by weather disasters and climate change

hist-4064-photo-Sandhill Crane Hunting

Sandhill Crane Hunting

Cranes 2008 toxicspill

One toxic spill could wipe out whooping cranes

hist-4063-photo-Operation Migration Establishes Eastern Migratory Flock of Whooping Cranes

Operation Migration establishes eastern migratory flock of whooping cranes

hist-4062-photo-International Crane Foundation Established

International Crane Foundation established

Cranes 1965 grayslake

Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge established

hist-4060-photo-The Whooping Crane Conservation Association Established

The Whooping Crane Conservation Association established

Cranes 1952 stophunting

National Audubon Society pleads with hunters to stop shooting

Cranes 1943 hunting

Whooping crane hunting

Cranes 1941 cranenumbersdip

Whooping crane numbers dip to 15

Cranes 1937 marshland

 “Marshland elegy”

hist-4056-photo-Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Established

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge established

Cranes 1928 lastspotting

My last spotting

Cranes 1916 migratory

Migratory Bird Act

hist-4048-photo-Whooping Crane Collecting Booms, Decimating the Population

Whooping crane collecting booms, decimating the population

hist-4049-photo-The Disappearance of the Whooping Crane, Peter Matthiessen

The disappearance of the whooping crane

hist-4050-photo-Whooping Cranes Are Soon to be Extinct, William Hornaday

Whooping cranes are soon to be extinct

Cranes 1900s dwindling

Both crane species are dwindling

Cranes 1900 Laceyact

Lacey Act outlaws interstate commerce of protected birds

Cranes 1850 90

90% of whooping crane population lose due to human activity

Cranes 1811 immense

Immense migrations of whooping cranes

hist-4046-photo-Spotting Whooping Cranes, Meriwether Lewis, Missouri River

Spotting whooping cranes

Cranes 1584 flocke

"Such a flocke of cranes"

Cranes 1000BCE craneandotter

Assiniboine legend of the crane and the otter

hist-4161-photo-North American Cranes Overview

Cranes, North America

Habitat loss

Destruction of the crane’s habitat for development, agriculture, and water diversion is one of the leading threats to the crane species in North America. Habitat loss has led cranes to migrate in unusually large numbers, making them more vulnerable to disease outbreaks and extreme weather events.

Toxic spills

Chemical processing and transportation facilities often occur along waterways adjacent to crane habitats. Accidental oil and hazardous substance spills pose grave threats to cranes, specifically the whooping crane wintering in Texas, as a single spill has the potential to whip out a total population. 

Hunting

While whooping cranes are protected, sandhill cranes are still allowed to be hunted in many areas and every year thousands are killed. Sandhill cranes are often culprits of crop damage, making them an even greater target for hunters. Additionally, there are many instances of hunters mistaking whooping cranes for sandhill cranes, thus killing this vulnerable species that was previously hunted to near-extinction. 

Climate change

Climate change is of growing concern to the wellbeing of crane species in North America. Warming temperatures push these birds to adjust their migration patterns and increasing frequency of extreme weather events poses threats to vulnerable populations.

Most Pressing Issues

The International Crane Foundation

The International Crane Foundation works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds and flyways on which they depend. We provide knowledge, leadership and inspiration to engage people in resolving threats to cranes and their diverse landscapes.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology advances the conservation of birds and other wildlife through scientific research, technological innovation, and teaching.

Operation Migration

Operation Migration has played a lead role in the reintroduction of endangered Whooping cranes into eastern North America.

American Bird Conservancy

American Bird Conservancy is dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on achieving results and working in partnership, we take on the greatest problems facing birds today.

How You Can Help

Cranes – North America