whooping crane

Other forms: whooping cranes

A whooping crane is a rare, long-legged bird that lives in marshy areas of North America. Whooping cranes are often described as "magnificent" because of their large size and enormous wingspan.

Today whooping cranes are endangered, with a total population of fewer than 400 birds that migrate yearly between Canada and Texas. Whooping cranes were once plentiful in the upper Midwest, where they lived in the marshes of the plains, before nearly being wiped out in the early 20th century. If you're lucky enough to see a whooping crane, you'll recognize it from its white body, dark wing tips, and distinctive "whooping" cry.

Definitions of whooping crane

1. noun

   rare North American crane having black-and-white plumage and a trumpeting call
   synonyms: Grus americana, whooper

   type of:

   crane

   large long-necked wading bird of marshes and plains in many parts of the world