Whooping Crane
North America’s tallest bird and one of its rarest — a once-in-a-lifetime sighting in Northeast Florida.
All year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct (this month)
- Nov
- Dec
Why it’s sensitive
Whooping Cranes stand five feet tall and are among the rarest birds in North America; they are listed as Endangered. Florida has two reintroduced groups — a non-migratory flock in Central Florida and an eastern migratory flock that summered in Wisconsin and wintered in Florida. These birds are individually known, banded and closely watched, and every one matters.
Crowds and close approaches stress the birds and can push them out of safe feeding and roosting areas.
When
All year in Florida. In Northeast Florida a Whooping Crane would be a rare visitor, most likely in winter or on migration.
How eBird handles it
eBird lists the Whooping Crane as sensitive in Georgia, Texas and several other states, but not in Florida, so Florida sightings on eBird are public.
How iNaturalist handles it
iNaturalist obscures every Florida Whooping Crane observation automatically, all year, because of Florida’s experimental reintroduced populations.
What we ask of members
- Stay well back — use binoculars or a scope, and if you’re watching from a road, stay in your car; cars disturb cranes less than people on foot.
- Don’t post the exact location — no field, road or neighborhood names — on social media or the forum; a crowd of excited birders is the last thing the bird needs.
- Do report it to eBird and tell a site administrator; note any leg bands.
- Remember Sandhill Cranes are common here — a Whooping Crane is pure white with black wingtips seen in flight.
Learn more
At a glance
- SensitiveAll year
- Report it?Yes — eBird and iNaturalist protect it automatically
- Share the spot?No — name the park or county only