Necedah Whooping Cranes

About this spectacle

In the wetlands and grasslands surrounding Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin, a remarkable conservation story plays out each year. Whooping cranes — North America's tallest birds and once nearly extinct — have been reintroduced here through a pioneering ultralight aircraft-led migration program. Visitors scanning the marshes and open fields may spot these striking white birds with black wingtips and vivid red crown patches foraging, preening, or taking flight. The bugling, resonant calls of whooping cranes carry far across the refuge's quiet landscape. Spring and autumn bring migrating birds through or departing from the area, while summer sees nesting activity. The sheer rarity of the species — with wild populations still numbering only in the hundreds — gives every sighting an extraordinary, almost electric significance. Birders and wildlife watchers find the flat, open terrain easy to scan, and the refuge roads and observation points offer good vantage opportunities.

When to go

Apr — Oct, peak Sep — May

Getting there

Nearest airport: MSN. Nearest city: Wisconsin Rapids.

Booking options

Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.