Meet Rocky, the Mute Whooping Crane

We love animals over here at The Feast, which is why it's our civic duty to inform you that the National Zoo has acquired a whooping crane! Rocky, an 11-year-old male, is the first whooping crane (which is North America's tallest bird, duh) to reside at the Zoo since 1923. He is five feet tall with a seven-foot wingspan and can clock up to 45 miles per hour during flight.

Strangely Rocky does not make the loud "whoop" call these birds are known for. "We don't know why Rocky is mute", says Zoo biologist Sara Hallager. "The reason behind his silence is a mystery known only to him". Whoop or not, you can visit Rocky at the Zoo's Crane Line exhibit outside of the Bird House. Through October, the Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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