Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Whooping crane
(rear)
; great blue heron
A few similarities in general appearance notwithstanding, physical traits are as good a place as any
to begin distinguishing between herons and cranes—in this instance, between the great blue heron and
the whooping crane. Coloration is a very obvious difference. The great blue is well named for the blu-
ish gray plumage on its body, while the adult whooper is all white except for red around the face and
black primary wing feathers (immature whoopers show some rusty coloring). There is, incidentally, a
white color morph of the great blue heron, known as the great white heron, but this is found only from
southern Florida southward.
If the whooping crane's vivid red face and the bold contrast of black on white feathers make it one of
the most strikingly dramatic of all birds, the great blue offers its own special brand of personal adorn-
ment. As the spring mating season draws near, the big herons develop an array of plumes flaring from
the lower neck, as well as plumes along the back. At the same time, black crest plumes, starting at the
eye, bisect the white face and extend well back beyond the head. Together with black, buff, cream, and
reddish brown tones on various portions of the neck, these plumes lend the great blue a rare beauty.
In flight, whoopers are easily distinguished from great blues in two ways. First, a crane flies with its
head and neck extended straight forward, while the long neck of the great blue is folded back so that its
head is almost between its shoulders. Second, the whooper flies with a quick, distinct emphasis on each
upstroke of its wings; in contrast, the great blue flies with a slow, steady, rhythmic wingbeat.
On the ground, the differences in the neck are also highly visible. The whooper's neck curves down
from the shoulders and then upward to the head in a simple U, while the great blue's neck loops into an
S curve, much as it does in flight.
Then there is the matter of the tail assembly. When at rest, the great blue's wingtips and tail blend
together almost seamlessly into a slightly blunt point. The whooper, on the other hand, has long plumes
that extend from the upper rear and drape down over tail and wingtips in what is often described as a
“bustle” effect.
