Cutest Nickname Ever: Whoopsie the Hybrid Crane Chick

Crane fans in Wisconsin are talking about a unique chick being raised by a mixed pair of cranes in Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The chick appears to be the offspring of a male Whooping Crane (identified as DAR 16-11) and a female Sandhill Crane.

The chick, who has earned the nickname "Whoopsie" from crane fans, may be the first of its kind. It is certainly the first documented offspring from a mixed Whooping-Sandhill pairing in the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes.

In the 1940s there were just 21 Whooping Cranes left. Since then, groups have been working to save the species and bolster the various flock populations. As of 2011, there were almost 600 birds, including both wild and captive birds.

Whooping Crane DAR 16-11, given the nickname "Grasshopper", was hatched on June 15, 2011. He was costume-reared by International Crane Foundation handlers. At about five months of age, he and his 2011 DAR (Direct Autumn Release) cohorts were released at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in the presence of wild Whooping Cranes. The wild birds show the DAR birds the migration route from their northern breeding grounds to their winter home in Florida.

Whoopsie the Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane hybrid chick

Comments

Jody Kuchar on July 28, 2015 at 5:24 PM wrote:
Did you know that US Fish & Wildlife captured "Whoopsie" last week and the hybrid is now in a zoo? If you, like many crane and bird people are opposed to the capture of this bird, I have a petition at change dot org and would love to share it here. Please advise on whether this would be OK with your administrators. Thanks
charlotte mullen on July 28, 2015 at 11:27 PM wrote:
Whoopsie is definitely not the first Sandhill/Whooping Crane hybrid. There have been a number documented in the Western Flyway over the years
Birdorable (Amy) on July 29, 2015 at 11:42 AM wrote:
Louise Warner on February 28, 2017 at 6:43 PM wrote:
cranes are COOL!
Andrew rizzorecepient on March 28, 2019 at 5:12 AM wrote:
love birds in on the town
Spurwing Plover on June 11, 2022 at 6:09 AM wrote:
Interesting
Rauf Mohammed on March 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM wrote:
The whooping crane should not be extinct! I love animals!

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Swallow Family Glossary: Terms to Help Understanding Swallows

As our week-long celebration of Swallows continues here on the Birdorable blog, we're sharing a glossary of terms related to the family Hirundinidae. Understanding these related terms will help with your understanding of the unique birds in this fascinating cosmopolitan family of insect-feeding birds.

Meet the Puerto Rican Tody: Puerto Rico's Tiny Gem

Today we're revealing a new bird, and it's a big one -- our 800th Birdorable! 🎉 Actually, it's a really SMALL one -- our newest species to join Birdorable is the Puerto Rican Tody!

2015 Bonanza Bird #12: Grey-hooded Gull

Our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition continues today with a gull found on two continents: the Gray-hooded Gull! The Gray-hooded Gull, also known as the Grey-headed Gull, is a small species of gull found across parts of South America and sub-Saharan Africa....

Cedar Waxwing: The ABA Bird of the Year for 2020

Recently the American Birding Association announced their Bird of the Year for 2020. The Cedar Waxwing holds the honor for the first year of this new decade. The Cedar Waxwing is an excellent choice to be a "bird ambassador" for the ABA in 2020. These...