Laserfiche WebLink
<br />, ->< <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />PART I. INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />If one had to choose a species or subspecies currently on the United States' endangered <br />species list to symbolize the endangered species program, the whooping crane (Grus <br />americana) would be a prime candidate. This crane's annual travels are newsworthy and its <br />story dramatic. It is also a symbol of international efforts to save endangered wildlife. <br />During the last 50 years, many people have become involved in the sometimes frustrating <br />attempts to save whooping cranes for future generations to enjoy. <br /> <br />Management actions in the United States and Canada have resulted in a gradual increase in <br />their number from a low in 1941 when only 1 5 or 16 remained in the flock wintering in <br />Texas. In December 1993, there were about 261 whooping cranes, including both wild and <br />captive populations. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S,C., 1531-1543; 87 <br />Stat, 884), which resulted in establishing the Whooping Crane Recovery Team and <br />developing this Plan, facilitated further actions on behalf of the species. The whooping <br />crane was listed as threatened with extinction in 1967 (Fed. Rea. Vol. 32, Number 48, <br />March 11) and as endangered in 1970 (Fed. Rea, Vol. 35, Number 199, October 13). <br />Critical habitat was designated in 1978 <.EM, Rea. Vol. 43, Number 94, May 15). Recovery <br />is implemented cooperatively by Canada and the United States (Lewis 1991). <br /> <br />A. Description <br /> <br />The whooping crane is in the Family Gruidae, Order Gruiformes, The closest taxonomic <br />relatives in continental North America are five races of sandhill crane (G, canadensis), the <br />lesser <.G.~. cana~ensis), Canadian <y. Q. rowani), greater <y. Q. tabida), Florida <y, J;;" <br />Dratensis), and Mississippi <y. Q, Dulla) (the last also listed as endangered). The common <br />name "whooping crane" probably originated from the loud, single-note vocalization given <br />repeatedly by the birds when they are alarmed, <br /> <br />The whooping crane is the tallest North American bird; males approach 1.5 m when <br />standing erect, and exceed the greater sandhill crane in height by 12 to 20 em. Males are <br />generally larger than females, Captive males average 7.3 kg, and females 6,4 kg. Seasonal <br />weight variation is considerable, with a maximum in December and January and a minimum <br />in July and August. External measurements from preserved specimens have been <br />summarized by Walkinshaw (1973: 166). In appearance, whooping cranes are sexually <br />monomorphic, However, the guard call vocalization is sexually distinct (98.8 percent <br />accurate, Carlson 1991) and the vocalization and visual components of the unison call are <br />sexually distinct (Archibald 1975), Vocal analysis is not sufficiently accurate (64.4 percent) <br />to identify individual birds (Carlson 1991), <br /> <br />Adult plumage is snowy white except for black primaries, black or grayish alulae, sparse <br />black bristly feathers on the carmine crown and malar region, and a dark gray-black. <br />wedge-shaped patch on the nape. The size of the post-occipital patch varies considerably <br />between individuals. The black primaries and alulae are not visible when the wings are <br />folded back, and the plumed, decurved tertials ordinarily conceal the short tail. The strong <br />bill is a dark olive-gray, which becomes lighter during the breeding season. The area at the <br />