Journey North Whooping Crane Bio Page: Crane #18-11 (DAR)

Photo: International Crane Foundation

Meet the Class of 2011 Whooping Crane Chicks!
Hatch-year 2011 of the Eastern Flock

Crane # 18-11(DAR)
"Nougat"

Date Hatched

June 18, 2011

Gender

Male

Egg Source

Permanent
Leg Bands

(Attached before fall migration)

Left Leg

Right Leg

(VHF radio transmitter)

Read more about the raising and naming of the DAR chicks.
*Scroll to bottom for most recent history.*

Personality as a Chick
Nougat was fun and entertaining for staff and interns. This bird learned to eat and follow well almost immediately. For the first couple days, Nougat would find a clover plant, get between multiple flowers and peck like crazy, as if it were a little drum set randomly hitting all the flowers. Nougat is enthusiastic and energetic outside. "As soon as we take this bird out, we know we'll see a little crane dance and bath," said intern Jackie. More news about Nougat will be coming.

On September 20, he was transported with his entire cohort of Direct Autum Release chicks to Horicon Refuge to spend the next few weeks in an enclosure and under supervision. On Ocober 14 he was banded with his permanent leg band colors. On October 21 he was set free to hang out with sandhill cranes on the refuge. The team hopes he'll follow them south on migration, and learn where to go. Tracking Crew Chief Eva said that when the DAR birds were released, seven of them (including #18) hung out in one group by themselves; on Oct. 24 they flew a really big loop over the northern end of the refuge. On October 27th this group moved to a small area of marshland in Dane County. They spend the day foraging in some cut corn fields before returning to the marsh habitat to roost in the evening with a few dozen Sandhill cranes.

Images: Eva Szyszkoski, ICF

Migration History

Fall 2011, First Migration: DAR cranes #18-11 and #15-11 were at Wheeler NWR in Alabama in early December and spent the winter there among many sandhill cranes. Crane #919 was with them, and two Whooping crane pairs wintered on a separate area of the refuge.

Spring 2012: DAR cranes #18-11 and #15-11 departed Alabama's Wheeler NWR on their first northward migration February 26 with their pal #919 and about 60 Sandhill cranes! They were back on Necedah NWR in Wisconsin on March 14th! The two DAR cranes spent the night on one pool while #919 appears to have separated from them and roosted at a different pool. Well done! The two DAR juveniles moved to Marquette County, Wisconsin on March 16, in typical wandering behavior of juveniles. April 12 they were in Fond du Lac County, WI.

Fall 2012: Migrated south and was reported at Wheeler NWR in Alabama in January 2013.

Spring 2013: Crane #18-11 (DAR) completed migration to Wisconsin on March 29 with #15-11 (DAR) .

Last updated: 4/6/13

Back to "Meet the Flock 2011"