Eleven Whooping Crane chicks were transferred to the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday afternoon, July 21st 2009.

The oldest two chicks (#’s 32 & 33-09), now cinnamon and white in color, were wary when they first exited their crates and took in their new surroundings. The field adjacent to the marsh where the birds are living was recently burned, attracting geese as well as other birds.

The two young Whooping Cranes, 7.5 weeks old, followed their costumed caretakers to their new wetland habitat and soon were dancing and playing in the water. 

The other nine chicks (#’s 34 - 42-09), 4.5 – 2.5 weeks old respectively are still being socialized in small groups and are being housed in a chick building for a period of time before moving to the marsh enclosure.  All the chicks are taking in their surroundings and are wary of all the new sounds of bird life in the marsh. 

So far the chicks and their caretakers are adjusting well to the beauty of nature on the refuge!

In the next several updates, each chick in the 2009 cohort will be introduced: 

DAR #32-09 was the first chick to hatch this year on May 25th. She has been the dominant chick and terrified #33-09 several times when they were younger. Since the two oldest chicks are over a month of age we have been able to exercise them together. For the last week and a half they have spent both days and nights together in preparation for the move to Necedah. Since they have moved to Necedah it is more apparent that they tolerate each other, but they really haven’t become best buddies. If something scares them they will go to each other for security, but most of the time they do their own thing. #32-09 has a blue band on her right leg.

DAR #33-09 hatched May 28th from an egg provided by the Species Survival Center in New Orleans.  #33-09 took to food quickly and has been a chick that has been on a strict diet and exercise program since she gains weight very rapidly. She was on a swimming program to help keep her legs strong and straight. Even though she was on a diet, she developed leg issues which the swimming routine helped correct. Both #’s 32 & 33-09 are flapping their wings, running and working on their ability to fly. It will be a couple weeks yet before they take off but it is fun to watch them try! #33-09 has a green band on her right leg.

DAR #34-09 hatched on June 15th from an egg provided by the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland.  #34-09 was fairly aggressive when younger. Recently we have been able to exercise #’s 34, 36 & 38-09 together. #34-09 has double red bands on her right leg.

DAR #35-09 also hatched on June 15th. Both #’s 35 & 36-09 are offspring of birds at ICF. #35-09 has been a bit aggressive and was still not able to be exercised with other chicks when we left for Necedah. The following day we tried her with the group of 3 birds (#s 34, 36, & 38-09). There was very little squabbling and they are now exercising together all the time. #35-09 is banded blue over white on her left leg.

Stayed tuned for more tomorrow!

Update by Marianne Wellington, ICF Aviculturist/WCEP DAR Co-chair.