Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Teaching birds to fly

Not really fly so much as migrate.

Since 2001, Operation Migration has been teaching Whooping Crane chicks to migrate. The Eastern American population of Whooping Cranes had reached a dangerously-near-extinction level and even today only numbers 77. That includes the latest batch of 14 hand-reared chicks, who, even as I write, are being led by microlight to Florida. Aww, just look at him!
On the 17th October, 14 chicks set off from Wisconsin on their first microlight-led migration. In the last 39 days they have only flown 6 times due to poor weather conditions but they have now reached Illinois. After they've done the journey to Florida once, they'll remember the way and be able to get back to Wisconsin on their own.
Notice the costumed handler's mummy-bird-shaped hand. A bit like Rod Hull and Emu.

Report from Radio 4's World on the Move and photos from Operation Migration.





9 comments:

Katney said...

Look for the movie Fly Away Home. It is not about whooping cranes, but a little girl who rescues some geese by teaching them to migrate. Really great story.

Unknown said...

Operation Migration is a wonderful project. I have watched the movie made of their first year several times on Public Television and it never bores me.

Thanks, Liz, for reminding me of those wonderful cranes and their human "mommies."

Unknown said...

This is fascinating. Kaishon LOVES that movie, Fly Away Home. How cool! I am glad you posted this. I am going to show him right now! Have a happy week!

Leslie: said...

Just like that movie others have mentioned here. Those babies are SO cute!

Dragonstar said...

This almost sounds like make-believe! What an endearing chick that is.

CherryPie said...

That chick is gorgeous :-)

Colin Campbell said...

Very cute. Nice to see a good interaction between humans and animals.

Rose said...

Liz, This was just just in our newspaper the other day! I think these whooping cranes flew over my house, but I missed them! Isn't it amazing they only have to show them the way once, and they'll remember it? Humans could learn a thing or two from them:)

Liz Hinds said...

I remember that film, katney, but I didn't see it.

It is incredible, isn't it, nick?

Hope Kaishon liked the photos!

They are cute chicks, leslie, dragonstar, cherrypie, colin.

It certainly is incredible that they can remember the way, rose. My Daughter's 28 and she still can't find her way round town!!