Grus americana

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Whooping crane
French : Grue blanche

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Gruiformes
Family : Gruidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Adults can reach a size of 160 cm for a weight of 8.5 kg and a wingspan of 2.30 m. Plumage totally snowy white, black legs, yellow eyes. Large bright red bald crown, black areas around bill and on chin.

Range and habitat
This species breeds in West Central Canada and winters on Texas coast of Gulf of Mexico. Introduced in Florida and Rocky mountains. Breeds in marshes, boreal forests. Winters in coastal marshes.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species went close to extinction during the XXth Century and is now slowly recovering thanks to breeding programs and strict legal protection.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation
San Antonio Zoo (USA)

 

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