Whooping Crane vs Common Crane
Grus americana compared with Grus grus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Whooping Crane | Common Crane |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Grus americana | Grus grus |
| Order | Gruiformes | Gruiformes |
| Family | Gruidae | Gruidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 121.2 cm (47.7 in) | 108.1 cm (42.6 in) |
| Weight | 6789.4 g (239.49 oz) | 5420.0 g (191.19 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Endangered
Whooping Crane
Least Concern
Common Crane
About These Birds
Whooping Crane
Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is the tallest North American bird at 150 cm, wingspan 220 cm. All-white except black wingtips and bare red crown and face. Critically Endangered; wild population recovered from just 15 birds in 1941 to ~500 today through intensive conservation. Breeds in Wood Buffalo NP, Canada; winters at Aransas NWR, Texas.
Common Crane
Common Crane (Grus grus) is a large 100–130 cm crane of Eurasia. Grey with black and white head pattern; bare red crown patch; drooping bushy tail plumes. Wingspan to 240 cm. Breeds from Scandinavia east to Siberia; winters in Spain, Africa, India, and China. Forms enormous migratory flocks. Feeds on grain, roots, and invertebrates.