Birds in Wisconsin: Art, Whoopers

Preparations for the migration of Wisconsin Whooping Cranes progress - the 31st annual "Birds in Art" exhibit, in Wausau, will go on after the cranes have flown.

I checked in on the wild Whooping Crane chicks in Wisconsin: the two chicks are not fledged yet, but they are ground effect flying, and should be reaching higher altitudes soon. The trainers at Operation Migration are preparing to colour band the chicks and equip them with radio collars: once they begin their migration south with their parents, the young birds will be carefully tracked. While they are being banded, they will also get a health checkup.

Wild Whooping Crane parents show their young the way south free of charge, but the task of leading the captive reared Whooping Crane chicks on their first migration south is accomplished with ultra light aircraft manned by pilots dressed as cranes. It's an expensive exercise that relies largely on donated funds. Operation Migration is appealing for donations: visit their site if you can sponsor a mile of migration.

If you're going to be in Wisconsin between now and November 12, 2006, and particularly if you're going to be in Wausau, Wisconsin, you should check out the 31st annual "Birds in Art" exhibit at the Leigh Yawkey Art Museum. The exhibit features birds in art from 15 different countries - paintings, of course, but also three dimensional works of art. The museum is located at 700 North Twelfth St., on the east side of Wausau. For more information, visit the

museum's website.

Previous blog entries chronicling the wild Whooping Crane Chicks:

Two Whooping Crane Chicks Born in the Wild Make History in Wisconsin

Whooping Crane Chicks Thrive and a Rare Bird Turns Up in Nova Scotia

Answering Questions About the Extinct Dodo Bird

Update on the Whooping Crane Chicks and Glace Bay Western Reef Heron

The First Family Whooping Crane Chicks are Flying

Wisconsin Cranes and Hurricanes