Whooping Cranes

The whooping crane stands about five feet tall and has brillant white plumage, black primary feathers, a red cap, and yellow eyes. It is a highly endangered species (Grus americana) and is one of the most spectacular birds native to North America. It was a very enjoyable experience for me yesterday to be able to see this wonderful pair of whooping cranes at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and Refuge in Laurel, Maryland. The program of restoration at this facility is quite extensive and has been extremely successful in breeding whooping cranes.