Photo: Operation Migration	Meet the 2009 Whooping Crane Chicks! Hatch-year 2009 of the Eastern Flock
	Crane # 907
	Date Hatched	May 7, 2009
	Gender	Female
	Egg Source	Patuxent WRC
	Permanent Leg Bands (Attached after reaching Florida)	Left Leg Right Leg         *Juvenile band: Orange (*pre-ship health check at PWRC)
	Read about the naming system, hatch place in Maryland, release site in Wisconsin, over-wintering site in Florida, and leg-band codes.

Personality, Early Training
Notes from the captive breeding "hatchery" at Patuxent WRC in Maryland:

Brooke and the robo-crane puppet give #907 a mealworm treats during a training break. Photo Operation Migration

On the first trips outside with other little chicks, the costumes/trainers learned early that 907 always lagged behind. Then she stuck out her little stubby wings and ran as fast as she could to catch up. It will be fun to see how she changes as she grows. Here's a photo of her doing circle pen training as she learns to walk near the ultralight.

She was grouped for socializing with 905, 906, and 908. She had always been a very submissive chick but in mid June, 907 decided that should change. She walked through the pen one afternoon taking pecks and jabs at anyone close by. Except for 908, the other birds just moved out of her way. But usually aggressive 908 stood up to 907. The two girls faced off and each pecked at the other's beak, and #907 got the better of #908 — who skulked off with head lowered and one wing out in the most submissive posture a chick can take. It sounds like #907 is coming up in the ranks!

Cohort 1 FLYING Aug. 17 Photo Bev Paulan, Operation Migration

Notes of Flight School in Wisconsin:
She was flown to Wisconsin with Cohort #1 chicks on June 25. When they were finally led into their new pen, the tired 907 took a nap. That was unusual, as she's usually a worrier. when she awoke, she seemed right at home! Most of the chicks pecked at their new leg bands or even the bands of other chicks.

She did well in training sessions as the wing was added to the trike and the chicks first steps in flight attempts proceded. Like all the chicks in cohort one, she was flying by July 20. By early August cohort one was flying circles over the training areas. By mid-August they were flying larger and longer circuits and doing well as a "team."

Geoff says crane #907 seems timid and wary. She backs away from the handlers. She minds her own business and is reliable in training.

Back to "Meet the Flock 2009"

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