The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with its partners, rely on the public to help us track these endangered birds during their stopover in our state. Information on crane sightings is used to positively affect whooping crane conservation and recovery efforts.

If you observe whooping cranes in Nebraska, please fill out this survey. In addition to this survey form, sightings can also be reported to the following contacts:

Game and Parks (402-471-0641)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (308-379-5562)
The Crane Trust’s Whooper Watch hotline (1-888-399-2824)
Emails may be submitted to joel.jorgensen@nebraska.gov

Every migration, we receive reports of whooping cranes that end up being some other species. We appreciate folks providing reports, even when they are not absolutely certain. Sandhill crane, American white pelican, great blue heron, trumpeter swan and snow goose are species that occasionally are mistaken for whooping cranes. Whooping cranes are approximately 5 feet tall and fly with their neck outstretched. Adults are all white with the exception of black wing tips and reddish-black facial pattern.