* Wetlands: Whooping cranes depend on wetlands for feeding, nesting, and roosting. Wetlands provide a source of food, such as fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. They also provide a safe place to nest and raise young, as well as protection from predators.
* Shallow water: Whooping cranes need shallow water for wading and feeding. They typically prefer water that is less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) deep.
* Emergent vegetation: Whooping cranes also need emergent vegetation, such as cattails, bulrushes, and sedges. This vegetation provides cover for nesting and roosting, as well as a source of food.
* Open areas: Whooping cranes also need open areas, such as grasslands and mudflats, for foraging. These areas provide a source of food, such as insects and seeds.
* Isolation: Whooping cranes also need isolation from human disturbance. This is important for nesting and raising young, as well as for feeding and roosting.