Why are the chicks running? These cohort 2 chicks are running as fast as they can after the ultralight plane. They are still in the "hop, skip" stages of learning to fly. They can't fly until the strong black primary feathers on their wing tips grow in. They are 60 to 70 days old before they can fly.   Photo Operation Migration   Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). Search Journey North Copyright 1997-2012 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.