We’re down to only 7 whooping cranes left at Aransas. The other
207 whooping cranes have all migrated. Numerous sightings have been
reported recently from Canada, and the first whooping cranes could be
arriving at their nesting territories at Wood Buffalo National Park any
day now. I would expect most and/or all of the remaining 7 cranes at
Aransas would start the migration in the next week. However, occasionally
a few whooping cranes remaining at Aransas in early May.
Diferent, and That's a Good Thing
Why are whooping cranes so individualistic that some of the whooping
cranes have nearly completed their 2,500 mile migration and others
even started? Survival of wildlife species is aided by having some
individuals a little bit different. Then, if something threatens
there likely will be a few different individuals not impacted by the
danger. This trait of being slightly different from all the other
members of a group is quite important biologically. It is something
that you should be able to relate to! For example, do you prefer
to wear the same clothes
as your classmates? Do you all cut your hair the same way? Do you all
watch the same television shows or play the same sports? Obviously you
These are individual traits that you have, just as whooping cranes
all act as individuals. Some whooping cranes migrate earlier; others
leave a bit later. Some are much more tolerant of the presence
of people; others fly off as soon as they see a person. Just as whooping
to each other
but show individual traits, you are the exact same way. You strive
to be different, yet you choose friends that usually have interests in
common with you.
More snow storms hit the Dakotas this past week. Last
week I asked you to think about what dangers snow storms pose for
the cranes. Whooping cranes are able to handle cold weather extremely
are warm-blooded animals. However, I can think of two big problems
caused by snow.
Line Collisions. Snow storms encountered in the spring would halt
the migration becaue of
unfavorable winds. North and west winds would be
associated with the storms, and the
whooping cranes could not fly against these winds. Whooping cranes
flying in strong winds and poor visibility in a snow storm would be
more danger from being unable to avoid striking a power line. They
might either be blown by the winds into the electrical line, or
not see the line because of the snow.
Food for Fuel. Whooping cranes normally avoid the dangers of snow storms
by staying on the
ground and tucking
head under their wing and sleeping. But when the storm is over,
the ground and sources of food may be covered up by snow, making
harder to find food. Marshes may have frozen during the storm.
Snow covering up food or ice covering ponds that make it very hard
whooping cranes to find food are the major problem for whooping
cranes encountering spring blizzards. Fortunately, spring blizzards
last only a few days and the whooping cranes can continue their migration.
Now here is a very difficult question. Why hasn’t a migration pattern
evolved so that the younger non-breeding cranes would remain at Aransas
for 2-3 years until they get mates and are ready to breed? By staying
at Aransas for several years, they would avoid the dangers associated
with making at least 5 migrations trips. Send your answer to:
Challenge Question #11:
do you think all the whooping cranes return to Canada every summer?"
To respond to this Challenge Question, please follow these instructions.
Whooping Crane Coordinator
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