Whooping Crane

Description:

Based on fossil evidence, whooping cranes used to range throughout the prairies and aspen parklands characteristic of Midewestern North America. Now they are limited to a few protected areas typically in taiga areas for breeding and warm, coastal marshes for overwintering. They migrate between Northern Canada and the Southern US. in early fall.

Notes:

In the second photograph you can see the nictitating membrane of the crane - the translucent third eyelid that can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility.