The whooping crane (Grus americana) is a large, migratory bird found in North America. It is the tallest bird in North America, standing at up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. Whooping cranes have a wingspan of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) and weigh up to 20 pounds (9 kilograms). They are white with black wingtips and a red crown. Whooping cranes are named for their loud, distinctive call, which can be heard for miles.
Whooping cranes are an endangered species. In the early 1900s, there were only 21 whooping cranes left in the wild. Thanks to conservation efforts, the population has slowly increased, and there are now over 500 whooping cranes in the wild. However, the whooping crane is still considered to be an endangered species, and it is important to continue to protect their habitat and populations.