Banding the New Flock's Wild Chicks: Why? The First Family, June 2006 Photo WCEP In June 2006, the new Eastern flock welcomed its first wild-hatched chicks. Now the flock is growing in a new and natural way! The chicks' parents wear leg bands attached when they were chicks in 2002. The bands and their radio signals have helped keep track of the these special cranes. Why would experts try to catch the wild babies and put bands on their legs before the family's first migration? Legal Reasons for Banding the Wild-hatched Babies These chicks are part of an endangered species, but the new flock has special rules. Agreements require that for the first 10 years of the project, Whooping cranes in the reintroduced Eastern Migratory Population be distinguishable from the cranes in the natural, fully endangered natural population. Biological Reasons for Banding the Wild-hatched Babies Identifying and radio tracking each bird in the new flock is necessary to help experts help the flock. It will help them keep track of and check on each bird's movements; integration into the rest of the population; and survival. They have been working very hard to establish this population of whooping cranes since 2001, with the first ultralight-led migration. Experts say the scientific data collected via tracking and monitoring will help the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) as it works to build and protect the new flock. Photo Joe Duff, WCEP What Do the Cranes Think? Of course, we don't know! But the flock's first parents keep bringing their chicks for visits to their former training site. This shows that the First Family parents still accept the costumed crew that taught them their migration route when they were only 7 months old. The First Family parents still accept being near the ultralight planes. By their behavior, the parents have shown their chicks that these "strange things" are not dangerous. Because of this, and the fact that both parents were themselves costumed-reared, experts hope they can safely capture and band the two wild chicks. The chicks will get health exams at the same time. Experts will follow strict rules as they capture, band, and radio tag the wild chicks. Still, there are always risks in handling birds that are not used to it. We hope all goes well! Try This! Journaling Question Do you think the wild-hatched babies should be captured, checked, and banded? Or do you think they should be left alone, as chicks in the wild are left alone? Give two or more reasons why you think so. Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2008 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.