Only just over 250 some Whooping Cranes have been recorded in the most recent census of this species which has detected decreasing numbers every year, and as a result they are a very endangered species. To counteract this severely negative trend, birds have been reintroduced into the wild (and banded). These birds sometimes carry off-course, and comprise the majority of birds currently in the wild today. The debate, then, is whether a reintroduced Whooping Crane would count on a list. Even though there have been several Michigan sightings of Whoopers in the past, they were all banded birds, and so Whooping Crane is still not officially accepted on the Michigan Checklist. In Wisconsin, however, Whoopers are occasionally reported without bands, and these are counted.
Zac, Whooping Crane numbers have actually been on the increase for awhile now. If you go to the following link, you can check out how many birds are in each of the populations: http://www.savingcranes.org/images/stories/site_images/conservation/whooping_crane/pdfs/historic_wc_numbers.pdf While they are still critically endangered, it is encouraging to see that the Aransas-Wood Buffalo flock has been on the increase. On a side note, I have seen "countable" Whooping Cranes in two different states so far this year.
Good Grief! In making my own checklist I ditched the 2 that are either exinct or extripated since the chance of seeing them is zero. I added Whooping Crane and some other bird that I know were seen occasionally. I had no clue there was a controversy. I submitted the sighting to eBird tonight, so I guess I'm counting it. Ken Sapkowski
8 comments:
Charlie, I would pay money to watch that paint dry (last post :)... What are you at anyway--are you counting this or not?
I'm approaching 120 fast
Zac, Iam at 125. I wont count the Whooper, too much debate over the issue.
Charlie DeWitt
Maybe something I should know, but what's the debate and why wouldn't this count for a list?
Only just over 250 some Whooping Cranes have been recorded in the most recent census of this species which has detected decreasing numbers every year, and as a result they are a very endangered species. To counteract this severely negative trend, birds have been reintroduced into the wild (and banded). These birds sometimes carry off-course, and comprise the majority of birds currently in the wild today.
The debate, then, is whether a reintroduced Whooping Crane would count on a list. Even though there have been several Michigan sightings of Whoopers in the past, they were all banded birds, and so Whooping Crane is still not officially accepted on the Michigan Checklist. In Wisconsin, however, Whoopers are occasionally reported without bands, and these are counted.
I might add that Charlie's photos indicate this bird is probably banded :)
Interesting. Thanks, Zac. The bird, as of 5:30 this evening, was still present, for anyone still hoping to catch it.
Zac, Whooping Crane numbers have actually been on the increase for awhile now. If you go to the following link, you can check out how many birds are in each of the populations: http://www.savingcranes.org/images/stories/site_images/conservation/whooping_crane/pdfs/historic_wc_numbers.pdf
While they are still critically endangered, it is encouraging to see that the Aransas-Wood Buffalo flock has been on the increase. On a side note, I have seen "countable" Whooping Cranes in two different states so far this year.
Good Grief! In making my own checklist I ditched the 2 that are either exinct or extripated since the chance of seeing them is zero. I added Whooping Crane and some other bird that I know were seen occasionally. I had no clue there was a controversy. I submitted the sighting to eBird tonight, so I guess I'm counting it. Ken Sapkowski
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