Nebraskans are being asked to keep an eye out for whooping cranes as the birds migrate through Nebraska on their way to winter grounds along the Gulf Coast in Texas.

The white cranes are graceful in flight, stand nearly 5 feet tall on the ground and have a wingspan of nearly 8 feet.

Mary Harner is science director for The Crane Trust in Wood River. She says the whooping crane is one of the rarest birds in the world.

The Crane Trust is a nonprofit group focused on enhancing habitats for and protecting whooping cranes, sandhill cranes and other migratory birds along the Big Bend Region of Nebraska’s Platte River Valley.

People who spot whooping cranes can call 888-399-2824 toll-free to report the Nebraska locations.