Whooping Crane -- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell TX USA - Flora and Fauna Information Signs on Waymarking.com

This flora and fauna information sign is one of two that are located near the 40' Observation Tower at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge near Austwell Texas.

The waymarked sign reads as follows:

"WHOOPING CRANE

Whooping cranes are one of the rarest birds in North America. In nearly five feet, adult “whoopers” are the tallest birds in North America. They have a wingspan of nearly seven and a half feet yet only weigh 15 pounds. You may see whooping cranes in the saltwater marshes of Aransas from mid-October through mid April. Usually, a pair can be seen from the observation tower.

While at the Refuge, hooping crane spend the winter primarily in the estuaries and salt marshes where they feed on blue crabs, fiddler crabs, clams, snails, and invertebrates. They also eat insects, acorns, and assorted plants including Carolina wolfberry.

During the winter at Aransas, each adult crane pair will vigorously defend the territory of about 250 acres in size which results in frequent disputes with other cranes.

While in Canada for the summer, female cranes lay two eggs. Usually only one chick survives. Juveniles will spend their entire first year with their parents being taught what to eat, how to avoid predators, and the migration route to the Texas Coastal Bend.

Whooping crane
(Grus americana)

Endangered Whooping cranes spend their winters at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and their summers in Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories of Canada. While in Canada, crane pairs will breed and lay eggs in nests of cattails or bulrush.

In late September, whooping cranes began migrating 2,500 miles south to the Texas Coastal Bend.

[Map of migration route]

Please Do Your Part To Protect Wildlife:
* Observe wildlife from a distance
* Do not chase, harass, or feed wildlife
* Pets must be leashed at all times
[US Dept of the Interior logo] [US Fish & Wildlife logo]"

Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of yourself (and others) at the waymark and feel free to share any additional information or that is not contained on the sign or your experience generally.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/27/2022 Benchmark Blasterz visited it