Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

WHOOPING CRANE—Family Gruidæ.

204. Grus americana. 50 inches.

This is the largest of the family in America. The plumage of the adults is pure white, with black primaries; the bare parts of the head and face are carmine; eyes yellow; bill and feet black. These great birds are not uncommon on the prairies of the interior of America.

Nest.—Either upon the solid earth or marshy places on the bogs, the nest being very bulky, a mass of grass and weeds two or three feet in diameter. They lay two eggs of a brownish buff color blotched with shades of brown and gray (3.75 × 2.50).

Range.—Interior of North America, breeding to the Arctic regions and wintering to the Gulf states and southward.