What is the average weight, in pounds, of an adult Whooping Crane, balancing its imposing five-foot height?

Answer

Averaging around 15 pounds

A remarkable aspect of the Whooping Crane's physical makeup is the significant discrepancy between its height and its mass. Despite standing nearly five feet tall, making it the tallest bird in North America, its average weight hovers around 15 pounds. This moderate weight is distributed such that males tend to weigh slightly more, averaging approximately 16 pounds, while females are generally lighter, weighing around 14 pounds. The documented overall range for adult weight is quite narrow, situated between 13.2 and 17.2 pounds. This relatively low body weight, especially when juxtaposed with its enormous vertical stature, is crucial for enabling the energy-efficient, elegant flight pattern for which the species is known.

What is the average weight, in pounds, of an adult Whooping Crane, balancing its imposing five-foot height?

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