The Whooping Crane is an exciting instance of how concerted, long-term conservation work (in its case, hunting controls and habitat protection) can bring a creature back from the edge of extinction.  From a low of 15 or 16 individuals in the wild during the 1940s, the Whooping Crane has rebounded to over 460 in recent years.  Also, with guidance of captive-bred Cranes from ultra-light aircraft, the Whooping Crane has established a second wintering region.  Due to its small population and limited range, the Whooping Crane remains vulnerable to a catastrophic disease, hurricane or oil spill.  The photograph was taken by Greg Lasley who retains full copyright.

The Prairie Warbler is an example of remaining and future conservation challenges.  While not yet endangered, the North American Breeding Bird Survey has seen a 44% decline in the Warbler's numbers from 1966 through 1993 in the Midwest. The Prairie Warbler's populations seem to have suffered most from Brown-headed Cowbird parasiticism and early-successional habitat that has been lost to development (particularly mangrove swamp destruction in Florida), too-frequent mowing, forest growth, or herbicide use.  The photograph was shot by Greg Lasley who retains full copyright.