Frequently Asked Questions Students Ask and Experts Answer Contributed by Ornithology Expert Laura Erickson Characteristics size weight body systems senses communication physiology other physical characteristics Life Cycle longevity birth and growth reproduction and young heredity parenting behavior Ecology habitat and range niche food enemies adaptations migration populations distribution ecosystems Conservation threats/human impacts habitat loss conservation status historic population size conservation efforts, etc. By Year 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Characteristics How big are whooping cranes? What color are whooping cranes? Why are these birds called whooping cranes? How are whooping cranes different from sandhill cranes? How is a whooping crane's body adapted to its lifestyle and habitat? What do whoopers look like when they're flying? Life Cycle How long do whooping cranes live? At what age (breeding age) do whooping cranes hatch their first young? Do cranes mate for life? Why do cranes have such an elaborate courtship dance? What is a whooping crane nest like? How many eggs do cranes normally lay? How long does it take for whooper eggs to hatch? What color are whooping crane chicks? What is the most fascinating thing Journey North expert Dr. Tom Stehn has learned about the whooping crane since conducting research on cranes? When do young whoopers learn to fly? Why is the survival of young Whooping Crane chicks greater during years with high water levels than during years with low water levels in the breeding area? Ecology Food What do whooping cranes eat? What happens to cranes when blue crabs are in scarce supply? What is the whooping crane's place in the ecosystem? Behavioral Adaptations: Migration What do cranes eat when getting ready for their migration? Do cranes travel together when they migrate? What might be some advantages for whooping cranes to migrate in very small groups rather than big flocks? Do all the whoopers leave at the same time from their Texas winter home? When cranes travel, do the groups with inexperienced flyers leave sooner than adult cranes because the flight may take them longer? Where do whooping cranes spend the winter? How far is the whooping cranes' migration? When do whoopers leave their wintering grounds in Texas? Why do cranes depart at almost the identical time each spring? How do cranes prepare for the journey north? When do the cranes arrive in their breeding (summer) home in Canada? What do the cranes do first upon arrival back in Canada in the spring? How fast do cranes fly during migration? How far do cranes usually fly each day when they migrate north? Why is the timing of the cranes' migration so important? Why do birds face into high winds, and take off directly into headwinds? What are the best weather conditions for crane migration? What are the least favorable weather conditions for migrating cranes? What do migrating whoopers do during bad weather? How do whooping cranes find their way when storms blow them far off course? Do all the cranes survive the migration? What are some of the hazards that Whooping Cranes face on their long migrations? How are whooping cranes important to the ecosystem? Conservation How do humans affect the migration of the whooping crane? How did the study of whooping cranes begin? What is the whooping cranes' status as an endangered species? What is scientists' biggest worry about whooping cranes? How fast is the whooping crane population growing? What has been done to increase the numbers of this endangered species? Why are whooping cranes being reintroduced to eastern North America? Who decides how many additional populations are needed? Was Wisconsin the first site considered for reintroduction? Why was Wisconsin considered as a reintroduction site? How was the specific site for reintroduction in Wisconsin chosen? Where do the birds for reintroductions come from? How are the birds reintroduced? How do ultralight-led birds know the way back home by themselves? Why is the new Wisconsin/Florida migratory flock called nonessential experimental? What is the reintroduction goal in Wisconsin? What will it take to get whooping cranes off the endangered species list? Search Journey North Copyright 1997-2012 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.