The US Fish & Wildlife Service has released its 2025–2026 aerial survey results for the Aransas–Wood Buffalo Whooping Crane Population, during which biologists estimated that 540 Whooping Cranes wintered in the area in and adjacent to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas Gulf Coast. The total is within the statistical margin of error of last year's estimate of 557 and emphasizes that this migratory population that nests in Canada and winters along the coast of central Texas has numbered more than 500 for 9 consecutive years!
Biologists also estimated 57 first-year Whoopers within the primary survey area, which shows a significant nesting season in 2025 with more than 10 percent of the population made up of new additions. From an extreme low of just a few remaining nesting pairs in the 1940s, the continuing recovery of this well-known and important endangered species is the result of decades of intensive recovery work through international partnerships among government agencies and private conservation groups.
During the winter count period, 52 Whooping Cranes were recorded outside the primary survey area, based on information gathered during secondary aerial surveys, through a GPS tracking study, and public sightings reported to Texas Whooper Watch, eBird, and iNaturalist; along with a road-based survey of an inland wintering area by staff members of the International Crane Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Of special note, 8 Whooping Cranes wintered at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma – the first documented cases of the species overwintering in Oklahoma. The discovery was made in part through sightings reported during the annual Christmas Bird Count – obviously birders are making significant contributions to collecting more information about Whooping Cranes and other endangered species across North America.
Sustained national and international partnerships, habitat protection, and decades of field work by biologists across the continent continue to contribute to research, education and outreach, and policy initiatives that will continue to improve the long-term survival of Whooping Cranes in the wild. To refer to the original article provided by the International Crane Foundation, see Whooping Crane Population Holds Steady at 540, but Work Remains to Secure Species' Future - International Crane Foundation and you can refer to the US Fish & Wildlife Service press release at Service Estimates 540 Whooping Cranes Wintered on Texas Coast in 2025-2026 | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service