Subject: Whooping Cranes, Grus americana

Location: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas

Stock Number: MVW-24

Comments: When first described by Linnaeus, this species was denominated simply "the American crane." Now, however, these birds are vastly outnumbered in the United States by Sandhill Cranes.

The numbers of Whooping Cranes hit rock bottom around 1941, when fifteen could be counted. The species has increased to about 300 birds living in the wild today, with another 120 or so in captivity.

I photographed this quartet at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, where most members of the species overwinter.

This is a particularly unusual group, because while Whooping Cranes typically lay two eggs, they usually only raise one chick into adulthood. Note the chicks’ partly brown plumage, which helps them blend in to the vegetation until they are better able to defend themselves.