Guide to the Birds of Alaska, 6th Ed. by West Margin Press

New Expanded and Updated Edition Alaska birders for more than thirty years. In the sixth edition, Robert Armstrong provides hundreds of new photographs. Every bird is now illustrated including the casuals and accidentals. This comprehensive guide provides the most current knowledge about the birds in Alaska.

Gray-headed Chickadee

■■ 22 species of birds have been added to this new edition

■■ Incorporates all changes in names and systematics made by the American

Ornithological Union ■■ Updated status and distribution charts showing the seasonal occurrence

of each bird in Alaska’s six biogeographic regions and habitat ■■ Useful map of Alaska’s six biogeographic regions ■■ Checklist of all species for birder’s use ■■ Comprehensive reading list and index

Short-eared Owl

“. . . a fun and convenient way to pique or enhance your interest in Alaskan birds.” —Daily Sitka Sentinel

Guide to the

Birds Alaska of

6 TH EDITION

■■ Detailed information on field marks, behavior, similar species, voice,

Birds Alaska

■■ 900 full-color photos, including 400 new to this edition

Guide to the

Guide to the Birds of Alaska has been a must-have for

“This very attractive, authoritative work should appeal to birders at all levels.” —Library Journal

Steller’s Eider

“A prize for serious bird watchers. . . .” “. . . a definitive nature guide.”

—San Diego Magazine

—Outdoor Photographer

Armstrong

“Any birder worth his salt should buy it. It will give many hours of enjoyment. . . . For those who plan to visit Alaska, this book is an obvious must, but even armchair birders will get satisfaction from reading it.” —The Canadian Field-Naturalist

$29.99

Robert H. Armstrong

6th Edition

ROBERT H. ARMSTRONG

Dedicated to the memory of M. E. “Pete” Isleib, a good friend who was always willing to help. Pete contributed so much to our knowledge of Alaska’s birds. Copyright © 1980, 1983, 1990, 1995, 2008, 2015 by Robert H. Armstrong All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of Alaska Northwest Books®. First printing Sixth Edition 2015 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Armstrong, Robert H., 1936Guide to the birds of Alaska / Robert H. Armstrong. — 6th edition. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-941821-42-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Birds—Alaska—Identification. I. Title. QL684.A4A75 2015 598.09798—dc23 2014037776 Design: Betty Watson, Vicki Knapton Map: Vicki Leib Photographs: Photographers listed under Photo Credits on pages 364–65. Front Cover: Tufted Puffin by K. Schafer from VIREO—Academy of Natural Sciences; Title Page: Aleutian Tern with Mount Saint Elias by R. H. Armstrong; Back Cover: Gray-headed Chickadee by R. Jansen, Short-eared Owl by E. Winkel, Steller’s Eider by A. Ouwerkerk.

Alaska Northwest Books® An imprint of

P.O. Box 56118 Portland, OR 97238-6118 (503) 254-5591 www.graphicartsbooks.com

CONTENTS Foreword 4 Acknowledgments 6

A Note on Alaska’s Biogeographic Regions 7 Map 8

Introduction 11 Key to Charts 13 Checklist of Alaska’s Birds 14

BIRD FAMILIES Geese, Swans, Ducks 20 Grouse, Ptarmigan 63 Loons 70 Grebes 75 Albatrosses 79 Fulmars, Petrels, Shearwaters 82 Storm-Petrels 88 Cormorants 90 Bitterns, Herons 94 Ospreys 95 Hawks, Eagles 96 Rails, Coots 104 Cranes 106 Oystercatchers 107 Plovers 108 Sandpipers 115 Jaegers 156 Auks, Murres, & Puffins 160 Gulls, Terns 176 Pigeons, Doves 196 Typical Owls 200 Goatsuckers 210 Swifts 211 Hummingbirds 213 Kingfishers 215 Woodpeckers 216

Falcons 222 Tyrant Flycatchers 226 Shrikes 233 Vireos 234 Jays, Magpies, Crows 236 Larks 242 Swallows 244 Chickadees 250 Nuthatches 254 Creepers 255 Wrens 256 Dippers 257 Kinglets 258 Leaf Warblers 260 Old World Flycatchers and Allies 262 Thrushes 265 Starlings 273 Wagtails, Pipits 274 Waxwings 278 Longspurs and Snow Buntings 280 Wood-Warblers 284 Sparrows, Buntings 296 Cardinals and Allies 309 Blackbirds 311 Finches 314 Old World Sparrows 323

Casual and Accidental Species 324 Further Reading 355 Index 358 Photo Credits 364 About the Author 366 Notes 367

FOREWORD

ike the repeat migration of the hundreds of millions of birds that come year after year to breed in Alaska, Robert Armstrong is back with the sixth edition of his Guide to the Birds of Alaska. First written in 1980, it has been seven years (2008) since the fifth edition came out. Audubon Alaska, with its mission “. . . to conserve Alaska’s natural ecosystems, focusing on birds . . .” has written the foreword for previous editions of this book. As the current executive director, I am pleased and honored to carry on the tradition. I am fond of saying that Alaska is the breeding ground for the avian flyways of the world, so a field guide that clearly, completely, and eloquently describes all the 502 bird species that have been documented in Alaska is a valuable resource. Given that Alaska is larger in area than Texas, California, and Montana combined, it should be no surprise that Alaska supports a greater number of breeding birds than any other state in the United States. However, some facts about birds in Alaska might amaze you: ➤➤ Seabirds • 50 million seabirds breed along Alaska’s coast each summer, greater than 85 percent of all the seabirds in the United States • More than 100 million seabirds use the waters off Alaska’s coast ➤➤ Shorebirds • 7 to 12 million shorebirds breed here, 50 percent of all the shorebirds that occur in North America • The Western Arctic region of Alaska has perhaps the highest density and diversity of shorebirds in the circumpolar Arctic ➤➤ Waterfowl • About 20 percent of America’s waterfowl nest here; 120,000 swans, 1 million geese, more than 5 million ducks ➤➤ Landbirds • 260 species of landbirds have been recorded here, including 135 breeding species. Alaska is a birder’s dream, and for the 300 regularly occurring birds in Alaska, Bob Armstrong’s comprehensive guide covers fieldmarks, behavior, similar species, and habitat, with a chart showing the species abundance during each of the four seasons across the six biogeographic regions of Alaska. Perhaps the most difficult North American breeding bird to find (it still eludes me, despite an epic float trip down the Kongakut River on the northern side of the wild and remote Brooks Range) is the Gray-headed Chickadee (formerly called the Siberian Tit). Bob’s book has two photographs of this bird and explains how to distinguish it from the similar-looking Boreal Chickadee. Comparable

FOREWORD

accounts are included for other hard-to-find species such as the Red-legged Kittiwake, the Bristle-thighed Curlew, and the Spectacled Eider, as well as for the more common species. Another 202 brief descriptions of casual and accidental species to Alaska are covered as well. Bob’s detailed accounts include all of the bird species on Audubon Alaska’s 2010 Alaska WatchList of vulnerable and declining species. The Alaska WatchList is based on the very best information available on the status and trends of bird populations around the state. You can view the WatchList at www. AudubonAlaska.org. It highlights not only birds at risk, but also the success story of the Trumpeter Swan, which through conservation efforts now has a population increasing steadily enough to warrant removal from the 2010 WatchList. Of the 48 species and subspecies on the 2010 Alaska WatchList, the taxonomic group most heavily represented is shorebirds. There are 53 shorebird species and subspecies that regularly occur in Alaska; 24 percent are deemed vulnerable or declining. One of these vulnerable species is the Hudsonian Godwit, a bird that migrates all the way from The Hudsonian Godwit is on southern Chile to breed in Alaska. In the Alaska Watchlist its journey from Alaska to the southern tip of South America it faces threats from warming summers at the breeding grounds, loss of water and wetlands in the Midwest, the effects of deforestation in the Amazon, to disturbance at its wintering grounds in South America. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, close to 18 million people in the United States travel to see birds. More than 600,000 of these people come to Alaska annually to view birds and other wildlife. For tourists or Alaska residents who want a field guide focused on the birds of the Great Land, Bob’s book is an excellent place to start. But don’t just look at the pictures; use the guide as a critical step to learn about the birds, the places they live, and the threats they face. Participate in keeping our bird populations healthy. Citizen science projects such as Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count and eBird are easy and useful ways to help us track our avian populations. Nils Warnock Executive Director Audubon Alaska

A NOTE ON ALASKA’S BIOGEOGRAPHIC REGIONS To understand and visualize the distribution of birds found throughout Alaska, the state has been subdivided into six biogeographic regions based on Kessel and Gibson (1978). Each region has a characteristic flora, geography, and climate that influences the species, numbers, and origins of birds found there. These regions, briefly defined below, are outlined on the map on pages 8 and 9, and are referred to throughout this book. Southeastern—Sitka spruce/hemlock coastal forest predominates. A number of species, both seabirds and others, reach either their northern or southern distribution extremes in this region. Interior Canada’s birds enter this region via mainland river systems. Southcoastal—Sitka spruce/hemlock coastal forest predominates, but its composition is less richly developed than in southeastern Alaska. This region includes the northernmost open water for overwintering waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as major migration stopover sites for Pacific Coast migrants and for some trans-Pacific migrants. Southwestern—Tundra and marine influences predominate. Some bird species breed only in this region (Red-legged Kittiwake and Whiskered Auklet). A number of Old World species are regular migrants and visitants as well as occasional breeders in this region. Albatrosses and shearwaters breed in the southern hemisphere and visit this region’s offshore waters—some species in the millions during summer. Central—Taiga habitats, especially white spruce, predominate; alpine tundra occurs above 750 meters in foothills and mountain systems. Interior Canada’s bird species reach the northwestern extremity of their range within this region. Western—Tundra and marine influences predominate. Pack ice covers much of the sea surface in winter. Some bird species (Dovekie, Bristle-thighed Curlew, and Pacific Golden-Plover) nest only or mostly in this region, and most Old World species that have become well-established breeders in Alaska have done so here. Northern—Tundra and marine influences predominate; the ocean surface, except for leads, is frozen for several months each year. Most birds (Old World and Aleutian species) enter this region from the west or from the east via the Canadian Arctic. Taiga birds reach the region only casually or rarely via the drainage systems of the Brooks Range.

Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Biogeographic Regions from Kessel and Gibson, 1978

Barrow

Icy Cape

R B E S I

Teshekpuk Lake

Cape Lisburne

N O RT H E R N

I A

Chukchi B

Sea t

Cape Wales Prince of Wales

Kob uk

Kotzebue Sound

W E S T E RN CENTRAL Minto Flats

Nulato Yu k o Riv er Ri ve

ALASKA MARITIME NWR

Saint Michael

Inn

YUKON DELTA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

K uskokw i

A S K Mt. McKinley

Rive r

Nunivak Island

KENAI NWR el t

Coo k

Sea

Hooper Bay

DENALI NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE

oko

Bering ALASKA MARITIME NWR

A L A

River

Seward Peninsula Nome

Saint Lawrence Island

Gambell

Kotzebue

trai

S ring

Colville River

Homer St. Paul Island Pribilof Islands

King Salmon Naknek River

Bristol Bay

St. George Island

SOUTHWESTERN Cold Bay

Izembek Bay SEE INSET

Bogoslof Island

Unalaska IME ALASKA MARIT

Sandman Reefs

N N AT I O

Shumagin Islands AL

L ILD

IFE

u ns

Kenai Peninsula

Kodiak Kodiak Island

Attu Island G FU

c Pacifi

n Ocea

Arctic Ocean Beaufort Sea ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Anaktuvuk Pass A N G E

S K A

rc Po

Fort Yukon

ive

Yu k on

S Ri v

er Chena Hot Springs Chena River State Rec. Area

Tana na G Ri E ver

GH WA Y

r River

St. Elia s Ra ng e Yakutat Bay

Sound

BRITISH

Skagway

Bering River Yakutat

COLUMBIA

Haines

ALASKA MARITIME NWR

Juneau

Chiswell Islands

GLACIER BAY NATIONAL Gustavus PARK & PRESERVE

S O U T H C O A S TAL

Chichagof Island

Icy Strait

SOUTHEASTERN Saint Lazaria Island

Gulf of Alaska

A l e u t i a n Amchitka Island

Adak Island

ALAS

Sitka

M ITI

Petersburg Wrangell

ALASKA MARITIME NWR

d s a n l I s

nta in

Cordova

Seward Prince William

T E R R I T O RY

Mo u

ppe

Anchorage

0 km 100 YUKON

iver

WY SH

Wrange ll Co

GEORGE PA RK

Tetlin Lake

100

KA AS AL

WY O RICHARDS N H

NA LI HWY

0 miles DA CANA USA

RA N

NWR = NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

S t ik in e

YUKON FLATS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Fairbanks

R ne

Taku R

Craig

Ketchikan

Forrester Island Prince of Wales Island

Bluethroat, male

INTRODUCTION Alaska is a wonderful place for birds. The state attracts birds from all over the world to breed in its vast and varied habitats and to feed on its abundant fish, invertebrates, seeds, and berries. Alaska helps protect its birds with more than 130 million acres of national wildlife refuges and parklands, more than one-half of the total for the entire United States. Alaska is also a great place for birders, who can see these creatures in habitats as natural and as beautiful as the birds themselves. As the human population grows and development continues, Alaska’s birds and the places they use will come under increasing pressure. Their future depends in part on our educated awareness of the richness of Alaskan birdlife. I hope this book contributes to this awareness and to an enhanced appreciation of Alaska’s birds.

The Features of This Revised Edition This 2015 revision of Guide to the Birds of Alaska provides information and photographs for all 502 species of birds known to have occured in the state. For the 300 species that appear regularly in Alaska, you’ll find both photos and key identification and location information. I have added many new photographs, with special emphasis on obtaining photos that best show each species’ field marks, or principal identifying features. For the other 202 species that are “casuals” and “accidentals”—birds that have been spotted in very small numbers, but not every year—I have expanded the information at the back of the book and added a small photo for each species. This 2015 edition also incorporates all the changes in names and systematics made by the American Ornithological Union since the last edition in 2008. I’ve also updated the status and distribution charts showing the seasonal occurrence of each bird in Alaska’s six biogeographic regions.

Some Explanation About the Species Descriptions The 300 species covered in this book are organized into 52 families, with each family introduced by a brief discussion of its main characteristics. Becoming familiar with family characteristics can save a great deal of time as you try to identify birds in the field. For each different bird within a family, you’ll find a species description that includes one or more photos; a list of principal field marks; key details, when useful in identification, on behavior, similar species, voice, and habitat; and a status and distribution chart. Photographs have been selected to show field marks, not simply a pretty pose. Many species descriptions include more than one photo to depict differences in appearance by sex, age, color phase, or subspecies. Comparing the photographs to the listed field marks can help you visualize these important features.

I n trod u c tio n

Field marks are essential for bird identification. I have listed the most obvious, and a few of the not-so-obvious, features characteristic of each species in Alaska. For the most part, these field marks point out key features of the bird’s plumage and body parts and are not meant to fully describe the bird; the photographs should serve as the basic general description. Each field-marks category begins with a measurement in inches; this is the approximate average length of the bird, measured from bill tip to tail tip. Wingspan, measured in feet, is also included for some soaring birds. For many species, the listing of field marks is divided into such subcategories as male, female, breeding, nonbreeding, juvenile, and so forth. These subcategories are included only if a bird of a particular sex or at a certain age or time of year looks different enough from other members of its species to make identification difficult. Field marks that are useful at all times, regardless of sex or age, are listed in the subcategory of “all plumages.” Behavior can be an important identifying characteristic of a bird species. In cases where a bird acts in some way that sets it apart from other species, the category of behavior is included. Similar species are those birds that look enough like the species under consideration that identification might be difficult. I have listed only those species that a birder with some experience might be likely to confuse with the species being discussed. For the beginning birder who thinks all sandpipers or all gulls look alike, please have patience. The number of look-alikes will diminish as you learn the main differences. Voice descriptions are included only when they aid identification. For some species, learning the voice is essential to positive identification. Written descriptions of a bird’s voice are helpful, but they often vary and can be difficult to interpret. I encourage readers to learn bird voices through field study and by listening to recordings. Many birds can be identified by voice alone. Vocalizations are usually divided into songs and calls. Most songs are given by adult males when on territory during nesting season, in late spring, and in early summer, but they may also be given during spring migration. Calls can be given by either sex throughout the year and may be used in a variety of situations, such as to express alarm or to maintain contact with others in the flock. Habitat in which a species usually occurs is included for each bird. The habitat information for many species is divided into subcategories that describe the species’ Alaskan habitat during breeding, migration, or winter. Times of migration and breeding vary among species and can be influenced by weather, but follow a general pattern. The annual migration of birds into Alaska begins in early March and peaks during May, with a few species arriving in early June. Nesting for most of Alaska’s year-round resident birds begins in April, while most migrants begin nesting in late May and during June and continue to raise their young into July or August. Fall migration begins for many species in July and August, with a peak in August and September. A few species do not leave the state until late November. By December, only residents and a few hardy migrant birds remain. Under habitat, references to inshore waters mean all marine waters within three nautical miles of the outer coast and islands of Alaska; all waters of the

I n trod u c tio n

inside passages of southeastern Alaska are inshore waters. Offshore waters encompass all marine waters beyond three nautical miles of the state’s outer coast and islands. A status and distribution chart is provided for each bird species because knowing the seasonal occurrence of a particular bird in a region and the bird’s relative abundance can be helpful in narrowing the choices leading to identification. The charts use the six biogeographic areas of Alaska recognized by Kessel and Gibson (1978): Southeastern, Southcoastal, Southwestern, Central, Western, and Northern. A note of caution: Each region is quite large, and birds are seldom evenly distributed. A bird that is common in Anchorage may be rare in Cordova, although both cities are in the southcoastal region where the bird may be listed as uncommon. A number of checklists and bird-finding guides for selected areas of Alaska can be helpful when used with this book. These resources are included in the reading list. The periods covered by each season in the status and distribution charts generally follow the time frames used by the American Birding Association in its seasonal reports published in North American Birds. They are: spring (Sp), March through May; summer (S), June and July; fall (F), August through November; and winter (W), December through February, although winter in some parts of Alaska may begin in October and linger into May. Most migrant bird species do not arrive in the state to breed until May.

Key to Status and Distribution Charts C = U = R = + = - = ★ =

Common Uncommon Rare Casual or accidental Not known to occur Known or probable breeder

Chart terms based on Isleib and Kessel, Birds of the North Gulf Coast—Prince William Sound Region, Alaska (1973). Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

U U U U C C C U C C C U - - + C C C R C C -

CHECKLIST OF ALASKA’S BIRDS This checklist includes all birds found in Alaska, and readers may wish to use the list to record species they have seen. Birds are listed by family, in the same order in which they appear in the main text of the book. Birds that do not occur in Alaska every year are indicated by an asterisk; these birds are classed as casuals or accidentals, and they are also listed at the back of the book, along with their field marks.

GEESE, SWANS, DUCKS ❏❏ Taiga Bean-Goose* ❏❏ Tundra Bean-Goose* ❏❏ Greater White-fronted Goose ❏❏ Lesser White-fronted Goose* ❏❏ Emperor Goose ❏❏ Snow Goose ❏❏ Ross’s Goose* ❏❏ Brant ❏❏ Cackling Goose ❏❏ Canada Goose ❏❏ Trumpeter Swan ❏❏ Tundra Swan ❏❏ Whooper Swan ❏❏ Wood Duck ❏❏ Gadwall ❏❏ Falcated Duck* ❏❏ Eurasian Wigeon ❏❏ American Wigeon ❏❏ American Black Duck* ❏❏ Mallard ❏❏ Eastern Spot-billed Duck* ❏❏ Blue-winged Teal ❏❏ Cinnamon Teal ❏❏ Northern Shoveler ❏❏ Northern Pintail ❏❏ Garganey* ❏❏ Baikal Teal* ❏❏ Green-winged Teal ❏❏ Canvasback ❏❏ Redhead ❏❏ Common Pochard*

❏❏ Ring-necked Duck ❏❏ Tufted Duck ❏❏ Greater Scaup ❏❏ Lesser Scaup ❏❏ Steller’s Eider ❏❏ Spectacled Eider ❏❏ King Eider ❏❏ Common Eider ❏❏ Harlequin Duck ❏❏ Surf Scoter ❏❏ White-winged Scoter ❏❏ Black Scoter ❏❏ Long-tailed Duck ❏❏ Bufflehead ❏❏ Common Goldeneye ❏❏ Barrow’s Goldeneye ❏❏ Smew ❏❏ Hooded Merganser ❏❏ Common Merganser ❏❏ Red-breasted Merganser ❏❏ Ruddy Duck

❏❏ Pacific Loon ❏❏ Common Loon ❏❏ Yellow-billed Loon GREBES ❏❏ Pied-billed Grebe ❏❏ Horned Grebe ❏❏ Red-necked Grebe ❏❏ Eared Grebe* ❏❏ Western Grebe ALBATROSSES ❏❏ Shy Albatross* ❏❏ Laysan Albatross ❏❏ Black-footed Albatross ❏❏ Short-tailed Albatross

GROUSE, PTARMIGAN ❏❏ Ruffed Grouse ❏❏ Spruce Grouse ❏❏ Willow Ptarmigan ❏❏ Rock Ptarmigan ❏❏ White-tailed Ptarmigan ❏❏ Sooty Grouse ❏❏ Sharp-tailed Grouse

FULMARS, PETRELS, SHEARWATERS ❏❏ Northern Fulmar ❏❏ Providence Petrel* ❏❏ Mottled Petrel ❏❏ Cook’s Petrel* ❏❏ Pink-footed Shearwater ❏❏ Flesh-footed Shearwater* ❏❏ Great Shearwater* ❏❏ Buller’s Shearwater ❏❏ Sooty Shearwater ❏❏ Short-tailed Shearwater ❏❏ Manx Shearwater*

LOONS ❏❏ Red-throated Loon ❏❏ Arctic Loon

STORM-PETRELS ❏❏ Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel ❏❏ Leach’s Storm-Petrel

c he c k l ist FRIGATEBIRDS ❏❏ Magnificent Frigatebird*

❏❏ Rough-legged Hawk ❏❏ Golden Eagle

CORMORANTS ❏❏ Brandt’s Cormorant ❏❏ Double-crested Cormorant ❏❏ Red-faced Cormorant ❏❏ Pelagic Cormorant

RAILS, COOTS ❏❏ Virginia Rail* ❏❏ Sora ❏❏ Common Moorhen* ❏❏ Eurasian Coot* ❏❏ American Coot

PELICANS ❏❏ American White Pelican* ❏❏ Brown Pelican* BITTERNS, HERONS ❏❏ American Bittern* ❏❏ Yellow Bittern* ❏❏ Great Blue Heron ❏❏ Gray Heron* ❏❏ Great Egret* ❏❏ Intermediate Egret* ❏❏ Chinese Egret* ❏❏ Little Egret* ❏❏ Tricolored Heron* ❏❏ Cattle Egret* ❏❏ Chinese Pond-Heron* ❏❏ Green Heron* ❏❏ Black-crowned NightHeron* NEW WORLD VULTURES ❏❏ Turkey Vulture* OSPREYS ❏❏ Osprey HAWKS, EAGLES ❏❏ Bald Eagle ❏❏ White-tailed Eagle* ❏❏ Steller’s Sea-Eagle* ❏❏ Northern Harrier ❏❏ Sharp-shinned Hawk ❏❏ Northern Goshawk ❏❏ Swainson’s Hawk ❏❏ Red-tailed Hawk

CRANES ❏❏ Sandhill Crane ❏❏ Common Crane* STILTS, AVOCETS ❏❏ Black-winged Stilt* ❏❏ American Avocet* OYSTERCATCHERS ❏❏ Eurasian Oystercatcher* ❏❏ Black Oystercatcher LAPWINGS, PLOVERS ❏❏ Northern Lapwing* ❏❏ Black-bellied Plover ❏❏ European Golden-Plover* ❏❏ American Golden-Plover ❏❏ Pacific Golden-Plover ❏❏ Lesser Sand-Plover ❏❏ Common Ringed Plover ❏❏ Semipalmated Plover ❏❏ Little Ringed Plover* ❏❏ Killdeer ❏❏ Eurasian Dotterel* SANDPIPERS ❏❏ Terek Sandpiper* ❏❏ Common Sandpiper ❏❏ Spotted Sandpiper ❏❏ Green Sandpiper* ❏❏ Solitary Sandpiper ❏❏ Gray-tailed Tattler ❏❏ Wandering Tattler ❏❏ Spotted Redshank* ❏❏ Greater Yellowlegs ❏❏ Common Greenshank

❏❏ Willet* ❏❏ Lesser Yellowlegs ❏❏ Marsh Sandpiper* ❏❏ Wood Sandpiper ❏❏ Upland Sandpiper ❏❏ Little Curlew* ❏❏ Eskimo Curlew* ❏❏ Whimbrel ❏❏ Bristle-thighed Curlew ❏❏ Far Eastern Curlew* ❏❏ Black-tailed Godwit* ❏❏ Hudsonian Godwit ❏❏ Bar-tailed Godwit ❏❏ Marbled Godwit ❏❏ Ruddy Turnstone ❏❏ Black Turnstone ❏❏ Great Knot* ❏❏ Red Knot ❏❏ Surfbird ❏❏ Ruff ❏❏ Broad-billed Sandpiper* ❏❏ Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ❏❏ Stilt Sandpiper ❏❏ Curlew Sandpiper* ❏❏ Temminck’s Stint* ❏❏ Long-toed Stint ❏❏ Spoon-billed Sandpiper* ❏❏ Red-necked Stint ❏❏ Sanderling ❏❏ Dunlin ❏❏ Rock Sandpiper ❏❏ Purple Sandpiper* ❏❏ Baird’s Sandpiper ❏❏ Little Stint* ❏❏ Least Sandpiper ❏❏ White-rumped Sandpiper ❏❏ Buff-breasted Sandpiper ❏❏ Pectoral Sandpiper ❏❏ Semipalmated Sandpiper ❏❏ Western Sandpiper ❏❏ Short-billed Dowitcher ❏❏ Long-billed Dowitcher ❏❏ Jack Snipe* ❏❏ Wilson’s Snipe ❏❏ Common Snipe ❏❏ Pin-tailed Snipe*

c he c k l ist

❏❏ Solitary Snipe* ❏❏ Wilson’s Phalarope ❏❏ Red-necked Phalarope ❏❏ Red Phalarope PRATINCOLES ❏❏ Oriental Pratincole* JAEGERS ❏❏ South Polar Skua* ❏❏ Pomarine Jaeger ❏❏ Parasitic Jaeger ❏❏ Long-tailed Jaeger AUKS, MURRES, PUFFINS ❏❏ Dovekie ❏❏ Common Murre ❏❏ Thick-billed Murre ❏❏ Black Guillemot ❏❏ Pigeon Guillemot ❏❏ Long-billed Murrelet* ❏❏ Marbled Murrelet ❏❏ Kittlitz’s Murrelet ❏❏ Ancient Murrelet ❏❏ Cassin’s Auklet ❏❏ Parakeet Auklet ❏❏ Least Auklet ❏❏ Whiskered Auklet ❏❏ Crested Auklet ❏❏ Rhinoceros Auklet ❏❏ Horned Puffin ❏❏ Tufted Puffin GULLS, TERNS ❏❏ Black-legged Kittiwake ❏❏ Red-legged Kittiwake ❏❏ Ivory Gull ❏❏ Sabine’s Gull ❏❏ Bonaparte’s Gull ❏❏ Black-headed Gull ❏❏ Little Gull* ❏❏ Ross’s Gull ❏❏ Laughing Gull* ❏❏ Franklin’s Gull ❏❏ Black-tailed Gull* ❏❏ Heermann’s Gull*

❏❏ Mew Gull ❏❏ Ring-billed Gull ❏❏ Western Gull* ❏❏ California Gull ❏❏ Herring Gull ❏❏ Thayer's Gull ❏❏ Lesser Black-backed Gull* ❏❏ Slaty-backed Gull ❏❏ Glaucous-winged Gull ❏❏ Glaucous Gull ❏❏ Great Black-backed Gull* ❏❏ Sooty Tern* ❏❏ Aleutian Tern ❏❏ Caspian Tern ❏❏ Black Tern* ❏❏ White-winged Tern* ❏❏ Common Tern* ❏❏ Arctic Tern PIGEONS, DOVES ❏❏ Rock Pigeon ❏❏ Band-tailed Pigeon ❏❏ Oriental Turtle-Dove* ❏❏ Eurasian Collared-Dove ❏❏ White-winged Dove* ❏❏ Mourning Dove CUCKOOS ❏❏ Common Cuckoo* ❏❏ Oriental Cuckoo* ❏❏ Yellow-billed Cuckoo* TYPICAL OWLS ❏❏ Oriental Scops-Owl* ❏❏ Western Screech-Owl ❏❏ Great Horned Owl ❏❏ Snowy Owl ❏❏ Northern Hawk Owl ❏❏ Northern Pygmy-Owl ❏❏ Barred Owl ❏❏ Great Gray Owl ❏❏ Long-eared Owl* ❏❏ Short-eared Owl ❏❏ Boreal Owl ❏❏ Northern Saw-whet Owl ❏❏ Brown Hawk-Owl*

GOATSUCKERS ❏❏ Lesser Nighthawk* ❏❏ Common Nighthawk ❏❏ Eastern Whip-poor-will* ❏❏ Gray Nightjar* SWIFTS ❏❏ Black Swift ❏❏ Chimney Swift* ❏❏ Vaux’s Swift ❏❏ White-throated Needletail* ❏❏ Common Swift* ❏❏ Fork-tailed Swift* HUMMINGBIRDS ❏❏ Ruby-throated Hummingbird* ❏❏ Anna’s Hummingbird ❏❏ Costa’s Hummingbird* ❏❏ Rufous Hummingbird HOOPOES ❏❏ Eurasian Hoopoe* KINGFISHERS ❏❏ Belted Kingfisher WOODPECKERS ❏❏ Eurasian Wryneck* ❏❏ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker* ❏❏ Red-breasted Sapsucker ❏❏ Great Spotted Woodpecker* ❏❏ Downy Woodpecker ❏❏ Hairy Woodpecker ❏❏ American Three-toed Woodpecker ❏❏ Black-backed Woodpecker ❏❏ Northern Flicker FALCONS ❏❏ Eurasian Kestrel*

c he c k l ist ❏❏ American Kestrel ❏❏ Merlin ❏❏ Eurasian Hobby* ❏❏ Gyrfalcon ❏❏ Peregrine Falcon TYRANT FLYCATCHERS ❏❏ Olive-sided Flycatcher ❏❏ Western Wood-Pewee ❏❏ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ❏❏ Alder Flycatcher ❏❏ Willow Flycatcher* ❏❏ Least Flycatcher* ❏❏ Hammond’s Flycatcher ❏❏ Dusky Flycatcher* ❏❏ Pacific-slope Flycatcher ❏❏ Black Phoebe* ❏❏ Eastern Phoebe* ❏❏ Say’s Phoebe ❏❏ Ash-throated Flycatcher* ❏❏ Great Crested Flycatcher* ❏❏ Tropical Kingbird* ❏❏ Western Kingbird* ❏❏ Eastern Kingbird* ❏❏ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher* SHRIKES ❏❏ Brown Shrike* ❏❏ Northern Shrike VIREOS ❏❏ Cassin’s Vireo ❏❏ Blue-headed Vireo* ❏❏ Warbling Vireo ❏❏ Philadelphia Vireo* ❏❏ Red-eyed Vireo* JAYS, MAGPIES, CROWS ❏❏ Gray Jay ❏❏ Steller’s Jay ❏❏ Clark’s Nutcracker* ❏❏ Black-billed Magpie ❏❏ American Crow ❏❏ Northwestern Crow ❏❏ Common Raven

LARKS ❏❏ Sky Lark ❏❏ Horned Lark SWALLOWS ❏❏ Purple Martin* ❏❏ Tree Swallow ❏❏ Violet-green Swallow ❏❏ Northern Rough-winged Swallow ❏❏ Bank Swallow ❏❏ Cliff Swallow ❏❏ Barn Swallow ❏❏ Common House-Martin* CHICKADEES ❏❏ Black-capped Chickadee ❏❏ Mountain Chickadee* ❏❏ Chestnut-backed Chickadee ❏❏ Boreal Chickadee ❏❏ Gray-headed Chickadee NUTHATCHES ❏❏ Red-breasted Nuthatch CREEPERS ❏❏ Brown Creeper WRENS ❏❏ Pacific Wren ❏❏ Marsh Wren* DIPPERS ❏❏ American Dipper KINGLETS ❏❏ Golden-crowned Kinglet ❏❏ Ruby-crowned Kinglet LEAF WARBLERS ❏❏ Willow Warbler* ❏❏ Common Chiffchaff* ❏❏ Wood Warbler* ❏❏ Dusky Warbler ❏❏ Pallas’s Leaf-Warbler*

❏❏ Yellow-browed Warbler* ❏❏ Arctic Warbler SYLVIID WARBLERS ❏❏ Lesser Whitethroat* REED WARBLERS ❏❏ Sedge Warbler* GRASSBIRDS ❏❏ Middendorff’s Grasshopper-Warbler* ❏❏ Lanceolated Warbler* OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS ❏❏ Gray-streaked Flycatcher* ❏❏ Asian Brown Flycatcher* ❏❏ Spotted Flycatcher* ❏❏ Dark-sided Flycatcher* ❏❏ Rufous-tailed Robin* ❏❏ Siberian Rubythroat ❏❏ Bluethroat ❏❏ Siberian Blue Robin* ❏❏ Red-flanked Bluetail* ❏❏ Narcissus Flycatcher* ❏❏ Taiga Flycatcher* ❏❏ Northern Wheatear ❏❏ Stonechat* ❏❏ Common Redstart* THRUSHES ❏❏ Mountain Bluebird ❏❏ Townsend’s Solitaire ❏❏ Veery* ❏❏ Gray-cheeked Thrush ❏❏ Swainson’s Thrush ❏❏ Hermit Thrush ❏❏ Eyebrowed Thrush ❏❏ Dusky Thrush* ❏❏ Fieldfare* ❏❏ Redwing* ❏❏ American Robin ❏❏ Varied Thrush

c he c k l ist

MOCKINGBIRDS, THRASHERS ❏❏ Gray Catbird* ❏❏ Brown Thrasher* ❏❏ Northern Mockingbird* STARLINGS ❏❏ European Starling ACCENTORS ❏❏ Siberian Accentor* WAGTAILS, PIPITS ❏❏ Eastern Yellow Wagtail ❏❏ Gray Wagtail* ❏❏ White Wagtail ❏❏ Tree Pipit* ❏❏ Olive-backed Pipit* ❏❏ Pechora Pipit* ❏❏ Red-throated Pipit ❏❏ American Pipit WAXWINGS ❏❏ Bohemian Waxwing ❏❏ Cedar Waxwing LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS ❏❏ Lapland Longspur ❏❏ Smith’s Longspur ❏❏ Snow Bunting ❏❏ McKay’s Bunting WOOD-WARBLERS ❏❏ Ovenbird* ❏❏ Northern Waterthrush ❏❏ Black-and-white Warbler* ❏❏ Tennessee Warbler ❏❏ Orange-crowned Warbler ❏❏ Nashville Warbler* ❏❏ MacGillivray’s Warbler ❏❏ Mourning Warbler* ❏❏ Common Yellowthroat ❏❏ American Redstart

❏❏ Cape May Warbler* ❏❏ Magnolia Warbler* ❏❏ Yellow Warbler ❏❏ Chestnut-sided Warbler* ❏❏ Blackpoll Warbler ❏❏ Black-throated Blue Warbler* ❏❏ Palm Warbler* ❏❏ Yellow-rumped Warbler ❏❏ Prairie Warbler* ❏❏ Townsend’s Warbler ❏❏ Black-throated Green Warbler* ❏❏ Canada Warbler* ❏❏ Wilson’s Warbler SPARROWS, BUNTINGS ❏❏ Spotted Towhee* ❏❏ American Tree Sparrow ❏❏ Chipping Sparrow ❏❏ Clay-colored Sparrow* ❏❏ Brewer’s Sparrow ❏❏ Vesper Sparrow* ❏❏ Lark Sparrow* ❏❏ Savannah Sparrow ❏❏ Fox Sparrow ❏❏ Song Sparrow ❏❏ Lincoln’s Sparrow ❏❏ Swamp Sparrow ❏❏ White-throated Sparrow ❏❏ Harris’s Sparrow* ❏❏ White-crowned Sparrow ❏❏ Golden-crowned Sparrow ❏❏ Dark-eyed Junco ❏❏ Pine Bunting* ❏❏ Yellow-browed Bunting* ❏❏ Little Bunting* ❏❏ Rustic Bunting ❏❏ Yellow-throated Bunting* ❏❏ Yellow-breasted Bunting* ❏❏ Gray Bunting* ❏❏ Pallas’s Bunting* ❏❏ Reed Bunting* CARDINALS ❏❏ Scarlet Tanager*

❏❏ Western Tanager ❏❏ Rose-breasted Grosbeak* ❏❏ Black-headed Grosbeak ❏❏ Blue Grosbeak* ❏❏ Lazuli Bunting* ❏❏ Indigo Bunting* ❏❏ Dickcissel* BLACKBIRDS ❏❏ Bobolink* ❏❏ Red-winged Blackbird ❏❏ Western Meadowlark* ❏❏ Yellow-headed Blackbird* ❏❏ Rusty Blackbird ❏❏ Brewer’s Blackbird* ❏❏ Common Grackle* ❏❏ Brown-headed Cowbird ❏❏ Orchard Oriole* ❏❏ Bullock’s Oriole* FINCHES ❏❏ Brambling ❏❏ Asian Rosy-Finch* ❏❏ Gray-crowned RosyFinch ❏❏ Pine Grosbeak ❏❏ Eurasian Bullfinch* ❏❏ Common Rosefinch* ❏❏ House Finch* ❏❏ Purple Finch ❏❏ Cassin’s Finch* ❏❏ Red Crossbill ❏❏ White-winged Crossbill ❏❏ Common Redpoll ❏❏ Hoary Redpoll ❏❏ Eurasian Siskin* ❏❏ Pine Siskin ❏❏ American Goldfinch* ❏❏ Oriental Greenfinch* ❏❏ Evening Grosbeak* ❏❏ Hawfinch* OLD WORLD SPARROWS ❏❏ House Sparrow

BIRD FAMILIES

Black Oystercatcher on nest

GEESE, SWANS, DUCKS Family Anatidae Most members of this family have a bill with toothlike ridges that interlock when the bill is closed. These ridges strain water from such foods as plants, seeds, and aquatic invertebrates. This family of waterfowl is best described in the following groups.

GEESE

Geese are smaller than swans and larger and longer-necked than ducks. They walk better than ducks and feed more frequently on land and in very shallow water. The sexes are identical in plumage. Ten species occur in Alaska.

SWANS

Swans are the largest waterfowl; the adults have an all-white plumage and very long neck. The usual family seen in fall or winter includes two white parents and three to five gray young. The young assume pure white adult plumage early in their second year. The sexes are identical in plumage. Three species occur in Alaska.

DUCKS

The sexes of ducks are usually easily identified in winter and spring, with the males being the more colorful. After nesting, ducks undergo what is called an eclipse molt, causing males to look much like females, a similarity that causes some confusion in identification. Molting does not change the distinctive speculum—the brightly colored wing patch—of surface-feeding ducks, providing a handy way to identify these ducks in flight. The photos of ducks in this book are of winter-spring plumages. Surface-feeding ducks: Includes birds from Wood Duck through Greenwinged Teal on the checklist of Alaska’s birds (see page 14). Surface-feeding, or dabbling, ducks have feet set in the middle of their body; they walk well, often nesting far from the water in meadows or woodlands. They feed while walking or by tipping tail up in the water. Most have the brightly colored wing patch called a speculum. These ducks leap from the water when taking flight. Fifteen species occur in Alaska. Diving ducks: Includes birds from Canvasback through Barrow’s Goldeneye on the checklist of Alaska’s birds (see page 14). They have feet set far back on their body and must balance in an awkward fashion when walking. They feed underwater and can dive to depths of a hundred feet or more in search of food. These ducks patter across the water in a long takeoff run before becoming airborne. Nineteen species occur in Alaska. Mergansers: Fish-eating ducks with slender bills equipped with sharp projections especially adapted for catching and holding small fish. Most mergansers have a distinctive crest. Four species occur in Alaska. Stiff-tailed ducks: Represented in Alaska by one species, the Ruddy Duck. They have stiff, elongated tail feathers and unusually large feet. They are nearly helpless on land and feed almost exclusively underwater.

geese • SWANS • ducks

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Field marks. 28 ⁄2". Brown with orange legs and white under the tail. Adult: White patch on front of face, heavy spotting or barring underneath. Immature: Pink bill, orange legs and feet, lacks black bars on belly. Similar species. The Tundra BeanGoose (casual) lacks white face patch and underneath barring; the adults have an orange-yellow band across the tip of the bill. Most Taiga-BeanGoose (casual) have a long slender orange bill with a black base and tip. Voice. High-pitched ringing gli-gli or gla-gla-gla that is rather melodious. Habitat. Breeding: Nests in dry sedge meadows and uplands, often bordering a slough or lake. Migration: Coastal saltwater grass flats and inland open grassy fields. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

U + U + C R C + C C C + C U C C C C C C C -

Greater White-fronted Goose, adult Greater White-fronted Goose, adult

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose, immature

geese • SWANS • ducks

Emperor Goose Chen canagica Field marks. 27". Adult: White head and hindneck, black throat and chin, blue-gray body scaled with black and white, white tail, orange legs and feet. Immature: Overall dark plumage changes gradually to white feathers of adult throughout the fall. Similar species. Blue-phase Snow Goose (very rare in Alaska) has black “lips” and lacks the scaly appearance of the Emperor. Voice. Loud musical notes, cla-ha, cla-ha, cla-ha. Habitat. Breeding: Low, wet tundra near the coast, often near lakes and ponds. Nests most often near ponds and on banks of sloughs. Winter: Salt water beaches.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

+ + + + R + R U C U C C - - - C C C - R - -

Emperor Goose, immature

Emperor Goose, adult

geese • SWANS • ducks

Wood Duck Aix sponsa Field marks. 18”. Both Sexes: Crested head, broad wings, and large, rectangular shaped tail. Male: Striped, crested head; red at base of bill, around eye, and on breast; iridescent blue wings. Female: Similar but shorter crest; white around eye; some blue on wings; dark brown flank with pale spots. In flight: Look for the long tail. Voice. Mostly thin squeaky whistles, female has a high, squeaky whoo-eeek call. Habitat. Freshwater wetlands with an abundance of vegetation.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western Northern

R + R R - - + + - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, male

geese • SWANS • ducks

Gadwall Anas strepera Field marks. 18 ⁄2"–23". Male: Gray with black posterior, steep forehead. Female: Slender gray bill with orange sides and dark dorsal ridge. In flight: Only surface-feeding duck with small white patch on hind wing. Similar species. Female Mallard has a slightly larger bill that is dull orange and brown. Female Falcated Duck (casual) has a dark speculum and alldark gray bill. Voice. Male: Low rreb notes and a high whistle. Female: Low flat quack. Habitat. Sedge-grass marshes. Nests in heavy vegetation often several yards from water. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

U R U R C U C U U U U U R R R + + + + + - -

Gadwall, female

Gadwall, male

geese â&#x20AC;˘ SWANS â&#x20AC;˘ ducks

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Field marks. 18". Male: Red-brown head topped with cream; gray back and sides. Female: Reddish-tinged head. Both sexes: Blue-gray bill with dark tip. In flight: Conspicuous white forewing patches. Similar species. Male American Wigeon has a white crown, and brown head with green area behind eye. Female American Wigeon has a gray head. Voice. Male: High-pitched 2-note whistle. Female: A whirring call. Habitat. Most sightings have been of only one or a few birds, and greatest numbers are seen in the Aleutian Islands. Habits are similar to those of the American Wigeon and, when present, Eurasian Wigeons are almost always found with American Wigeons.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western Northern

R + + + R + + + U R U R R + - R R + - + - -

Eurasian Wigeon, female

Eurasian Wigeon, male

geese • SWANS • ducks

American Wigeon Anas americana Field marks. 20". Male: White crown, green area behind eye. Female: Reddish body with contrasting gray head. Both sexes: Blue-gray bill with dark tip. In flight: Conspicuous white forewing patches on the adult male. Similar species. Male Eurasian Wigeon has a red-brown head topped with cream and lacks the green area on face. Female Eurasian Wigeon has a reddish-tinged head. Voice. Male: High-pitched 3-note whistle, like a flock of rubber ducks. Female: A low quack. Habitat. Breeding: Freshwater marshes, sloughs, ponds, marshy edges of lakes. Nests on the ground, sometimes a considerable distance from water. Migration and winter: Shallow coastal bays.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

C U C U C C C U C C C R C C C + C C C U U U -

American Wigeon, female (above, below)

American Wigeon, male

156

JAEGERS Family Stercorariidae Jaegers are gull-like seabirds with a strongly hooked bill and sharp claws. Their wings are narrow, pointed, and dark, with white patches near the tip. Adults have characteristic projecting central tail feathers, but these may be missing or broken. Their color can range from very light (light phase) to very dark (dark phase). Jaegers fly in a fast, falconlike manner, forcing gulls and terns to drop or disgorge just-caught fish. The agility of the jaegers during these maneuvers is breathtaking. Jaegers are predators that also feed on songbirds, shorebirds, lemmings, and the eggs and young of other birds. They also scavenge on garbage thrown from ships and on waste from fish-processing boats.

Long-tailed Jaeger on nest in Nome, Alaska

J A E G E R S 157

Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus Field marks. 22". Light-phase adult: In flight, shows a dark breast band, white belly, and blunt central tail feathers that project 1 to 4 inches. Light-phase juvenile: Brown, heavily barred below; lacks projecting central tail feathers. Dark-phase adult: Blunt central tail feathers. Dark-phase juvenile: Identification extremely difficult; large size, wings broad at base, and steady flight with strong, shallow wingbeats helpful in identification. Similar species. Adult Parasitic Jaeger has pointed central tail feathers; lightphase has less distinct breast band. Juvenile Parasitic has a more buoyant flight, with wings narrower at base and more angled. Adult Long-tailed Jaeger has no breast band; has long, projecting tail feathers. Juvenile Longtailed is difficult to identify, but has a light, airy flight; shows less white in the spread wing and is smaller and paler than Pomarine juvenile. Habitat. Breeding: Low, wet tundra in areas interspersed with lakes and ponds. Nests on the ground in slight depressions. Migration: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Pomarine Jaeger, dark-phase immature

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Northern â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

+ R U C R C C U C - + - C R C C U C -

Pomarine Jaeger, light-phase adult

Pomarine Jaeger, light-phase juvenile

158 J A E G E R S

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus Field marks. 17". Light-phase adult: In flight, shows a rather diffuse breast band; pointed central tail feathers, shorter than those of adult Longtailed Jaeger. Dark-phase adult: Pointed central tail feathers. Juvenile: More buoyant flight than Pomarine Jaeger, and wings appear narrower at base and more angled. Similar species. Adult Pomarine Jaeger has short, blunt-tipped tail feathers. Juvenile Pomarine is larger, has more steady flight, and wings appear broader at base and less angled. Adult Long-tailed Jaeger lacks a breast band and has very long, pointed central tail feathers. Juvenile Long-tailed shows less white in the spread wing and is smaller and paler. Habitat. Breeding: Wet tundra, tidal flats, beaches, coastal marshes. Nests on barren ground or dwarf-shrub tundra. Migration: Tundra, tidal flats, beaches, coastal marshes, inshore and offshore marine waters.

Parasitic Jaeger, intermediate juvenile

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

U U U U C C C C C - R - C C C C C C -

Parasitic Jaeger, light-phase adult Parasitic Jaeger, dark-phase adult

J A E G E R S 159

Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus Field marks. 21". Adult: Long, streaming central tail feathers; plain white breast; bluish gray legs. Dark-phase birds are extremely rare. Juvenile: Shows less white in the spread wing and is slightly smaller and paler than Parasitic Jaeger in similar plumage; has light, airy flight. Similar species. Other light-phase adult jaegers have a breast band. Parasitic Jaeger may resemble a molting Long-tailed Jaeger with only partly developed tail feathers, but has a brown rather than gray-brown back, a breast band, and black legs. See Pomarine and Parasitic jaegers. Habitat. Breeding: Wet coastal tundra and drier upland tundra of the Interior. Nests on the ground. Migration: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

R R R R R R + U U U C C C C C C C C C -

Long-tailed Jaeger, juvenile

Long-tailed Jaeger, adult

160

AUKS, MURRES, & PUFFINS Family Alcidae Members of the alcid family are seabirds that come to shore only to breed. They nest in colonies, where females lay one or two eggs each. They have small, narrow wings that are used both for swimming underwater and for flight. On land, alcids stand almost erect and penguinlike. All are short-necked and heavybodied, with webbed feet placed far back on the body to facilitate swimming. Most are black and white; some have a brightly colored bill. Alcids feed mostly on small fish, crustaceans, and other marine invertebrates.

Dovekie Alle alle Field marks. 8". Stubby bill and thick neck. Breeding: Sharply black and white; entirely black head and breast. Winter: White of the throat extends up in a half-collar almost around the neck. Similar species. Winter Least Auklet has obvious white stripe on either side of back and lacks the white halfcollar. Habitat. Small numbers occur during summer in the Bering Strait, where it is considered a rare probable breeder on islands. Dovekie, breeding

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Northern

- - - - - - + + + + - - - R R R - + - -

Dovekie, winter

Dovekie, breeding

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 161

Common Murre Uria aalge Field marks. 16 ⁄2". All plumages: Long, pointed, slender bill. Breeding: Entire head and neck dark; white underparts come to a blunt point on foreneck; flanks streaked with brown. Winter: White cheeks with distinct dark line extending behind eye. Similar species. Thick-billed Murre has shorter, more curved bill; in breeding plumage, white underparts come to a sharp point on foreneck, has a pale line along upper mandible, and lacks brown streaks on flanks; in winter plumage, has less white on face and no dark line behind eye. In flight: The Thick-billed Murre is blacker on the back and head compared to the Common Murre, which is dark gray. Habitat. Breeding: Coastal sea cliffs and islands, inshore marine waters. Nests in colonies on the ground on cliff ledges and on the flat tops of cliffs. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters. 1

Common Murre, winter

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

C C C C C C C C C C C C - - - + C C C C - + - -

Common Murre, breeding (above, below)

Common Murre, winter

162 A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s

Thick-billed Murre Uria lomvia Field marks. 18". All plumages: Thick bill, curved on top; pale line along upper mandible. Breeding: Entire head and neck dark; white of belly comes to a sharp point on dark foreneck. Winter: White on cheeks, with no dark line behind eye. Similar species. Common Murre has longer, straighter bill, with no pale line on upper mandible; in breeding plumage, white of underparts comes to a blunt point on foreneck, and has brown streaks on flanks; in winter plumage, has dark line on white face behind eye. Habitat. Breeding: Coastal sea cliffs and islands, inshore marine waters. Nests in colonies on the ground on cliff ledges and on the flat tops of cliffs. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Thick-billed Murre, breeding

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

R R R R R R R R C C C C - - - C C C C R R R -

Thick-billed Murre, winter Thick-billed Murre, breeding

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 163

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle Field marks. 13". All plumages: Whitish underwings, unmarked white wing patch (except juvenile), slender bill, bright red mouth lining and feet. Breeding: Black with unmarked white wing patch. Winter: Very whitish at a distance; gray and white back. Juvenile: Dark bar across white wing patch (very similar to Pigeon Guillemot); duskier gray above, especially about the head. Similar species. Pigeon Guillemot has darkish underwings; one or two black wedges extend into white wing patch. Winter murrelets are much smaller, with a shorter bill and dark crown. Habitat. Breeding: Chukchi and Beaufort sea coasts. Nests in burrows and beach flotsam. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters; leads and edge of the ice pack.

Black Guillemot, winter

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western ★ Northern ★

- - - - - + R - - R - - + + U U U U U U U U

Black Guillemot, breeding (above, below)

164 A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s

Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus columba Field marks. 13". All plumages: Dark underwings; white wing patch with one or two black wedges; bright red mouth and feet; slender bill. Breeding: Black; white wing patch with one or two black wedges. Winter: Mottled gray and white plumage. Juvenile: Duskier gray above, with smaller white wing patches. Similar species. Black Guillemot has whitish underwings; unmarked white wing patch (except juvenile). Winter murrelets are much smaller, with a shorter bill and dark crown. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters, cliffs, islands. Nests in cliff crevices and between boulders above high tide line. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

C C U U C C C C C C C C - - - C C C + - - - -

Pigeon Guillemot, juvenile

Pigeon Guillemot, breeding

Pigeon Guillemot, breeding Pigeon Guillemot, breeding

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 165

Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus Field marks. 9 1⁄2". Breeding: Dark brown mottled with gray or red. Winter: Black cap extends below eyes. Juvenile: Similar to winter adult. Similar species. Kittlitz’s Murrelet has a shorter bill and, when flushed, shows white in the tail, whereas the Marbled Murrelet’s tail is all dark. Breeding Kittlitz’s Murrelet has a lighter brown plumage mottled with white; in winter plumage, dark cap does not extend below eyes, and it shows a nearly complete dark ring around its upper breast. Ancient Murrelet lacks white stripe on either side of back. Voice. Soft, short whistle that carries far over open water. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters. Nests on the ground along the steep tundra-edged coasts of southwestern Alaska or in the thick moss on branches of old-growth coniferous trees in southeastern and southcoastal Alaska. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

C C C C C C C C U U U U - - + + + + - - - -

Marbled Murrelet, winter

Marbled Murrelet, breeding

166 A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s

Kittlitz’s Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris Field marks. 9". Breeding: Light brown plumage mottled with white. Winter: White on face extends above the eye; dark ring nearly around upper breast. Juvenile: Similar plumage pattern as winter adult, but grayer overall. Similar species. Marbled Murrelet, when flushed, shows all-dark tail; in breeding plumage, is darker brown mottled with gray or red; in winter, dark cap extends below eyes and lacks dark breast ring. Ancient Murrelet lacks white stripe on either side of back. Voice. Deep squawk. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters and adjacent mountains and sea cliffs. Little is known about the nesting habits, but one egg is usually laid on bare rock above timberline, on an unvegetated glacial moraine, or on the grassy ledge of an island sea cliff. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

U U R + C C C U U U U R - - - U U U R R R -

Kittlitz’s Murrelet, breeding

Kittlitz’s Murrelet, winter

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 167

Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus Field marks. 10". All plumages: Black cap contrasts with gray back; creamcolored bill; has broader wings and lacks the rocking flight of other murrelets. Breeding: White stripe over eye; black throat patch. Winter: Sides of neck white; loses white stripe over eye. Similar species. Marbled and Kittlitz’s murrelets in winter and juvenile plumage have a white stripe on either side of their back; rock back and forth in flight; have an all-black bill. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters and islands, including Aleutian, Shumagin, and Semidi Islands and Forrester Island. Nests in colonies and lays egg in crevices or burrows. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western Northern

U U U U U U U U C C C C - - - + R R - - - -

Ancient Murrelet, breeding

Ancient Murrelet, winter

168 A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s

Cassin’s Auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus Field marks. 9". On water: Appears all dark; at close range, tiny white crescent over eye, dark bill with pale area on base of lower mandible. In flight: Dark upperparts, including head and throat; white belly. Similar species. In breeding plumage, all other auklets have brightly colored bills and white stripe or stripes on face. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore coastal waters and islands. Breeds in scattered colonies from Buldir Island in the western Aleutian Islands to Forrester Island in southeastern Alaska. Largest colonies are found in the Sandman Reefs and Shumagin Islands, south of the Alaska Peninsula, and at Forrester Island. Nests are similar to those of the Ancient Murrelet, but the burrows tend to be deeper. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central Western Northern

U U U U R R R + C C C C - - - - - - - - - -

Cassin’s Auklet, breeding Cassin's Auklet, breeding

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 169

Parakeet Auklet Aethia psittacula Field marks. 10". Breeding: Broad, stubby, reddish bill; single line of white plumes behind eye; mottled breast; dark head, throat, and upperparts. Winter: White throat, dark bill. Similar species. Breeding Cassin’s Auklet has dark bill and no white lines on face; in winter, has a darker throat. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters and islands, especially in Aleutian, Shumagin, and Pribilof Islands. Nests under loose boulders and in crevices in sea cliffs. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

R + + + U U U + C C C U - - - C C C - - + -

Parakeet Auklet, breeding Parakeet Auklet, breeding

170 A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s

Least Auklet Aethia pusilla Field marks. 6". All plumages: Very small, with stubby bill. Breeding: Red bill; white plumes on front of face and single line of plumes behind eye; white throat; underparts variable, may be mottled with gray to all white. Winter: Obvious white stripe on either side of dark back; white underparts; black bill. Similar species. Breeding Cassin’s Auklet is larger, has dark throat and larger bill, lacks white plumes on front of face. Winter Cassin’s Auklet lacks stripes on back. Whiskered Auklet has all-gray body and forehead crest. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters, islands. Nests in cliff crevices, among boulders above high tide line, and on talus slopes. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

- - - + + + + C C C C - - - C C C - + + -

Least Auklet, breeding

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 171

Whiskered Auklet Aethia pygmaea Field marks. 7". Breeding: Thin, quaillike crest on forehead; 3 white plumes on each side of face; dark-gray body. Juvenile: May have traces of the 3 white head stripes. Similar species. Breeding Crested Auklet has only single white plume on side of face and a much thicker crest on forehead. Juvenile Crested Auklet is difficult to distinguish from Juvenile Whiskered Auklet unless traces of 3 white head stripes are visible. Cassin’s and Least Auklets have white or mottled underparts. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters, islands. Nests in cliff crevices, on talus slopes, and between boulders above high tide. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central Western Northern

- - - - - - C C C C - - - - + - - - - -

Whiskered Auklet, breeding Whiskered Auklet, breeding

172 A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s

Crested Auklet Aethia cristatella Field marks. 9 ⁄2". Breeding: Uniformly dark all over, stubby orange bill, thick crest on forehead, single white line of plumes behind eye. Winter: smaller brownish bill. Similar species. Breeding Whiskered Auklet has thinner crest and 3 white lines of plumes on side of face; head darker than body. Cassin’s, Parakeet, and Least Auklets have white or mottled white underparts. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters, island cliffs, beaches. Nests in crevices of talus slopes and cliffs and among beach boulders. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

- - - - + + U C C C C - - + C C C - R R -

Crested Auklet, breeding

Crested Auklet, winter

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 173

Rhinoceros Auklet Cerorhinca monocerata Field marks. 15". Breeding: Long, bright, yellowish orange-to-pink bill; short, pale, upright horn at base of bill; two white lines of plumes on head. In flight: Shows a white belly. Winter-plumaged adults show the long, colorful bill, but in juveniles the bill is darker. Similar species. Other auklets are smaller and have shorter, stubbier bills. Puffins have much deeper bills. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters, islands. Nests in deep burrows on sea islands. Migration: Inshore and offshore marine waters. Breeds mainly in southeastern Alaska, primarily on St. Lazaria and Forrester Islands. Sizable colonies also exist in the Barren and Chiswell Islands and on Middleton Island in the Gulf of Alaska.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western Northern

U U U + R R R R R R R - - - - - - - - - -

Rhinoceros Auklet, juvenile

Rhinoceros Auklet, breeding

174 A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s

Horned Puffin Fratercula corniculata Field marks. 14 ⁄2". All plumages: White sides and belly. Breeding: Large, triangular orange-red and yellow bill; white face; clear white underparts; broad black collar. Winter: Face and bill darker; juvenile has an all-dark bill. Similar species. Breeding Tufted Puffin is all dark and lacks white sides; in winter, has dusky sides. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters, islands. Nests on sea islands in rock crevices or in burrows among boulders, on sea cliffs, and on grassy slopes. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern ★

R R R R U U U R C C C U - - - C C C - R + -

Horned Puffin, juvenile

Horned Puffin, breeding

A u k s • M u r r e s • P u f f i n s 175

Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata Field marks. 15". Breeding: White face with long, curved, yellowish tufts that hang behind the eye; massive, brightly colored bill; black body and orange legs. Winter: Dusky sides, orange-tipped bill, grayish feathers behind eyes. Similar species. Horned Puffin has white sides. Rhinoceros Auklet has considerably narrower bill. Habitat. Breeding: Inshore marine waters, islands. Nests principally in burrows in the soil, but rock crevices are also used. Winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

U U U R C C C R C C C U - - - C C C - + - -

Tufted Puffin, juvenile

Tufted Puffin, breeding

Tufted Puffin

176

GULLS, TERNS Family Laridae Gulls are the familiar “seagulls” that frequent Alaska’s waters. Adult gulls are mostly white below and gray above, often with black on the wing tips or head. The relative darkness of the mantle—the back and wings together—is helpful in identifying some gull species. Young gulls are usually darker than adults of the same species and, depending on species, can take as long as 4 years to reach maturity. Young gulls can be difficult to identify. They molt each fall and take on a distinctive appearance, a winter plumage (cited in the following descriptions as “first-winter,” “second-winter,” etc.). Gulls will eat almost anything. They can act as scavengers on beaches and garbage dumps or as predators on the eggs and young of other birds. Terns look somewhat like gulls, but are more slender, with very pointed wings and sharp-pointed bills. They usually have long, forked tails, in contrast with the square-cut or rounded tails of the gulls. Terns do not have the different plumages of the gulls. Most terns are white or whitish, with dark caps. Terns are more selective than gulls in their diet, feeding mostly on fish. They typically hunt for fish by hovering over the water, then plunging headfirst after their prey.

Arctic Tern at nest near Juneau, Alaska

G u l l s • T e r n s 177

Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Field marks. 17". Breeding: Black wing tips that look as if they had been dipped in ink, unmarked yellow bill, black legs. First-year: White below, dark band across back of neck, dark ear spot, dark tail tip, black bill and legs, and a black M-shaped mark across mantle. Similar species. Adult Red-legged Kittiwake has red legs and feet, darker mantle, conspicuously dark underwings. First-year Red-legged Kittiwake lacks both the black M-shaped mark across mantle and black tail tip. Adult Mew Gull has irregularly shaped black wing tip with white spots. Immature Sabine’s Gull lacks narrow black M-shaped mark across mantle. First-year Ross’s Gull lacks dark band on back of neck and has red legs. Habitat. Breeding: Sea cliffs, inshore marine waters. Nests on cliff ledges. Migration and winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters, tidal flats, beaches, rocky shores, reefs.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern

C U C R C C C U C C C U - - + C C C R C C -

Black-legged Kittiwake, adult with juvenile

Black-legged Kittiwake, adult summer

178 G u l l s • T e r n s

Red-legged Kittiwake Rissa brevirostris Field marks. 15". Adult: Dark mantle with black wing tips, conspicuously dark underwings (good distant field mark), red legs and feet. First-year: Indistinct dark bar on back of neck, ragged white triangle in trailing edge of dark upperwing, all-white tail. Similar species. Adult Black-legged Kittiwake has white underwings, black legs and feet. First-year Blacklegged Kittiwake has black M-shaped mark across mantle and dark tail tip. Immature Sabine’s Gull has distinct 3-colored mantle and dark tail tip. Habitat. Breeding: Pribilof Islands; Buldir and Bogoslof Islands in the Aleutians. Nests on cliff ledges and cliff points. Migration and winter: Inshore and offshore marine waters.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central Western Northern

- - - - + + R U C U U - + - - R + - - - -

Red-legged Kittiwake, breeding

Red-legged Kittiwake, first summer

Red-legged Kittiwake, breeding

G u l l s • T e r n s 179

Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea Field marks. 16". Adult: Snowy white; black legs; dark, yellow-tipped bill. Immature: Small black spots on wings and tip of tail; dark smudge on face. Similar species. Pale immature Thayer’s Gull may look similar at a distance, but is much larger. Habitat. Inshore and offshore marine waters; pack and drift ice of Chukchi, Bering, and Beaufort seas; coastal areas.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western Northern

- + + + + + R - R U - - - U + U U U R U -

Ivory Gull, adult

180 G u l l s • T e r n s

Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini Field marks. 13 ⁄2". All plumages: Prominent tricolored pattern on upper wings with black, white, and gray; shallow fork in tail. Breeding: Dark hood; black bill with yellow tip. Immature: Lacks dark hood; browner on upper parts; dark tail tip. Similar species. Bonaparte’s and Black-headed gulls have a white triangular patch on forewing that extends to tip (in Sabine’s, this area is black). Juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake has dark band across back of neck and a bold black M-shaped mark across mantle. Habitat. Breeding: Wet tundra, lakes, ponds, tidal flats. Nests on the tundra near lakes and ponds. Migration: Inshore and offshore marine waters, tidal flats, beaches. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central Western ★ Northern ★

R + R U R U U U U - + + C C C C C C -

Sabine’s Gull, juvenile

Sabine’s Gull, breeding

G u l l s • T e r n s 181

Bonaparte’s Gull Larus philadelphia Field marks. 13". Small, fine-pointed black bill. In flight: Flies like a tern, with rapid wingbeats; hovers. Largely white wing tips flash conspicuously at considerable distances. Breeding: Black head, white crescent bordering eyes, red legs. Winter adult: White head with conspicuous black ear spot; wings with black on trailing edge only. First-winter: Striking pattern of black, gray, and white on upper wings; dark band at end of tail; black ear spot; blackish bill. Similar species. Black-headed Gull is larger, with a longer, red bill; in flight, shows dark gray lower surface of wing tips; first-winter bird has yellowish bill with black tip. Adult Franklin’s Gull (casual) is larger, has darker mantle, and has white band across wing tips. Habitat. Breeding: Coniferous woods near lakes and ponds. Nests in low conifers. Migration and winter: Tidal flats, beaches, inshore marine waters, lakes, salmon streams.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern

C U C + C C C + U U U U U U U U U - + - -

Bonaparte’s Gull, breeding

Bonaparte’s Gull, first-winter

Bonaparte’s Gull, breeding

244

SWALLOWS Family Hirundinidae Swallows are excellent fliers that capture insects on the wing. They have long, pointed wings; a flattish head; a small, flat bill; and a wide mouth. Most have notched or forked tails. Most species are gregarious, and many nest in colonies. When not breeding, they may occur in large flocks, often with mixed species. They commonly perch on wires.

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Field marks. 5 1⁄2". Steely blue upperparts; white underparts. Dark cap extends down over eyes; notched tail. Immature: Similar pattern to adult, but with brownish upperparts. Similar species. Violet-green Swallow has white on face that extends around eye, white patch on either side of rump that shows from above in flight. Female Purple Martin (casual) is larger and has grayish collar and underparts (not clear white). Common House-Martin (casual) has large white rump patch. Other swallows lack sharp distinction between cap and throat. Habitat. Wooded areas near water, especially if dead trees are abundant. Lakes, larger streams, marshes, and wet muskegs. Nests in tree cavities and sometimes in buildings and bird boxes. Closely tied to human settlements in tundra areas.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C + + + -

Tree Swallow, adult Tree Swallow, immature

S W A LL O W S 245

Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Field marks. 5 ⁄2". White on face extends behind and over eye. Green and violet upperparts; white underparts. In flight: White patch on either side of rump shows from above; notched tail shows. Female: Duller, especially around head. Juvenile: Gray upperparts, breast often sooty brown, face has dusky mottling. Similar species. Tree Swallow lacks white patch on either side of rump; lacks white around eye. Female Purple Martin (casual) is larger and has grayish collar and underparts (not clear white as in adult Violetgreen). Habitat. Open woodlands; near human settlement. Nests in holes, cavities, and crevices in trees, cliffs, and buildings. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western Northern

U U U C C C U U U C C C + - - - + - -

Violet-green Swallow, female Violet-green Swallow, male

246 S W A LL O W S

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Field marks. 5 â &#x201E;2". All brown above; brownish gray throat; notched tail. In flight: Appears batlike, with deep wingbeats. Behavior. Usually occurs in single pairs; not colonial like the Bank Swallow. Similar species. Bank Swallow is smaller; has a white throat; flies more directly, with quicker wingbeats. Young Tree Swallow usually has white throat and darker back; commonly seen with adults. Habitat. Near water and open land. Nests in burrows in sand, gravel, or clay and in other cavities. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western Northern

R R + + + - - + - - - - - - - - + - -

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

S W A LL O W S 247

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia Field marks. 5". Alaska’s smallest and dullest swallow. Brown upperparts; white throat; clearly defined dark breast band; white belly and undertail. Similar species. Northern Roughwinged Swallow flies less directly and with deeper wingbeats; has brownish gray throat; does not nest in colonies. Other swallows lack dark breast band. Habitat. Usually near water, especially rivers. Nests in holes in clay and sand banks near rivers, creeks, and lakes and along highways.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern

U U U U U U U U U C C C U U U + + + -

Bank Swallow

248 S W A LL O W S

Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Field marks. 5 ⁄2". Dark chestnut throat; whitish forehead; conspicuous buff-colored rump patch; dark, almost square-tipped tail. Habitat. Water and open land; near human settlement. Nests on buildings, under bridges, and on cliffs, especially along rivers. Makes gourdshaped nests of mud. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

R R R U U U U U U C C C U U U U U U -

Cliff Swallow

Cliff Swallow nest, built over a Barn Swallow nest

S W A LL O W S 249

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Field marks. 6". Deeply forked tail; light orange underparts; chestnut throat; steely, iridescent blue back. Asian forms occurring in southwestern and western Alaska have whitish underparts. Behavior. Flies in a leisurely manner, with relatively slow wingbeats for a swallow. Habitat. Marshes, open land, and water; near human settlement. Places cup-shaped nest of mud and grass in buildings and under bridges.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Southcoastal â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Southwestern Central Western Northern

C C C U U U + + + + + + + + + - + - -

Barn Swallow, at nest

Barn Swallow

250

CHICKADEES Family Paridae Chickadees are small, dull-colored, acrobatic birds with black bibs and dark caps. They are quite tame and readily come to feeders, where their favorite food is sunflower seeds. Otherwise they eat insects, seeds, and berries. They typically inhabit the forested regions of Alaska. In winter they travel about in small groups.

Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus Field marks. 5". Solid black cap and bib; gray back; pale buff sides; white edges on feathers in middle portion of wing (not always visible). Similar species. Mountain Chickadee (casual) has a white stripe above eye. Voice. Most commonly a clear tsick-adee-dee-dee. Male in spring sings clear, 2-noted whistle, fee-bee. Habitat. Prefers deciduous woods; secondarily, coniferous forests, particularly the edges. In southeastern Alaska, most often found in cottonwoods and alders along mainland river systems. Nests in holes in the dead wood of trees or tree stubs.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern

R R R R C C C C U U U U C C C C U U U U - - + -

Black-capped Chickadee

C H I CK A D E E S 251

Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens Field marks. 5". Reddish brown back and sides; dark brown cap. Similar species. Boreal Chickadee has gray (not white) around ear, and duller back. Voice. Common call is tsida-tsida-see. Habitat. Coniferous forests, deciduous trees, and thickets. Nests in holes in trees.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Southcoastal â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Southwestern Central Western Northern

C C C C C C C C - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chestnut-backed Chickadee, juvenile Chestnut-backed Chickadee, adult

252 C H I CK A D E E S

Boreal Chickadee Poecile hudsonicus Field marks. 5". Brown cap; gray around ear; brown back; dull reddishbrown flanks. Similar species. Chestnut-backed Chickadee has white (not gray) on sides of neck; brighter reddish-brown back. Gray-headed Chickadee has very little brown on sides; white of cheek extends onto sides of neck; gray-brown cap. Voice. A slow, wheezy tsick-a-deedee-dee. Habitat. Coniferous forests, deciduousconiferous woodlands. Nests in holes in trees.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern

+ - + + U U U U U U U U C C C C U U U U - - - -

Boreal Chickadee

C H I CK A D E E S 253

Gray-headed Chickadee Poecile cinctus Field marks. 5 ⁄2". Larger, longertailed, washed-out version of more frequently encountered Boreal Chickadee. Gray-brown cap; brownish back; very little brown on sides; white of cheek extends onto sides of neck. Similar species. Boreal Chickadee is smaller and darker, with gray (not white) on sides of neck and bright reddish-brown flanks. Black-capped Chickadee has black cap and gray (not brownish) back. Voice. Series of fretful notes deedeer. Habitat. Breeding: Deciduous woodlands at or near timberline and poplar/willow groves along rivers. Winter: Willow and alder thickets along river valley. Nests in the holes of dead trees. Rarely seen. 1

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

- - - - - - - + - R R R R R R R R R R - -

Gray-headed Chickadee, nest in Alaska Gray-headed Chickadee, adult

254

NUTHATCHES Family Sittidae Nuthatches are small, tree-climbing birds with short tails and long, straight bills. With unusually long toes and claws, they can run nimbly up and down tree trunks and on the underside of limbs, searching for insects, insect eggs, or the seeds of pine and spruce. They often make short flights to catch insects on the wing. The nuthatch name derives from their habit of inserting nuts in the crevices of bark and hammering the nuts with their bill until the shell is broken.

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis Field marks. 4 1⁄2". Prominent white stripe above eye, black stripe through eye, blue-gray back, reddish underparts. Male: Black crown. Female: Gray crown. Voice. More often heard than seen. Call can be heard for consider able distances: a high nasal yankyank-yank. Habitat. Coniferous and deciduous trees. Nests in tree cavities.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern Central ★ Western Northern

U U U R R R U R + - + + + + + - - + - - - -

Red-breasted Nuthatch, female

Red-breasted Nuthatch, male

255

CREEPERS Family Certhiidae Creepers are small, tree-climbing birds with long, stiff tail feathers and a long, slender bill. They search the cracks in tree bark for insects by starting at the bottom of a tree and working upward in a spiral fashion. Then they fly to the base of the next tree and repeat the pattern. Sometimes they forage along the underside of branches.

Brown Creeper Certhia americana Field marks. 5 1⁄2". Long, slender, downcurved bill. Upperparts brown with grayish white streaks; underparts whitish with some buff on flanks and undertail; blends with tree bark. Voice. Song: High-pitched song consists of about 6 notes falling and then rising: see-see-see-whee-see-see. Call: Faint, high-pitched ts-ts. Habitat. Coniferous forests, mixed deciduous-coniferous woodlands. Nests in trees behind strips of loosened bark.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western Northern

U U U U U U U U U U U U R R R R - - - - - - -

Brown Creeper

Brown Creeper, at nest site

256

WRENS Family Troglodytidae Wrens are small, restless, brownish birds that hold their tail straight up when not in flight. They spend much of their time on or near the ground, looking for insects and spiders to feed on.

Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus Field marks. 4". Small, all-brown bird with short, uptilted tail; dusky bars on belly and flanks. Behavior. When approached, usually bobs up and down nervously. Voice. Song: Rapid succession of high, tinkling warbles and trills. Call: A loud chimp-chimp. Habitat. The ground or low branches of heavily forested areas. Beaches in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, where it feeds among beach rocks and nests in cliffs and talus slopes. Usually nests among the roots of an upturned tree, or in old stumps, brush piles, moss wads, and abandoned buildings.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western Northern

C C C U U U U U C C C C - - - - - - - - + -

Pacific Wren

Pacific Wren, at nest

257

DIPPERS Family Cinclidae Dippers are stocky, wrenlike birds with short tails. They are perching birds that have adapted to feeding underwater. They can walk, completely submerged, along the bottom of a rushing stream by grasping stones or rough places with their long toes while probing under stones for aquatic insects, small fish, and fish eggs. Dippers can also propel themselves underwater with swimming motions of their wings.

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus Field marks. 7 1⁄2". Slate gray with short tail. Voice. Song: Melodious; resembles a long rendition of some of the best notes of thrushes and wrens; both sexes sing most of the year. Call: Loud, sharp zeet given singly or repeatedly. Habitat. Fast-moving streams and occasionally ponds, lakeshores, saltwater beaches, especially in winter when streams are frozen. Nests on rock walls or perpendicular banks bordering streams —often behind waterfalls, in boulder piles, under bridges and in old wooden drains.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

C C C C C C C C C C C C U U U U U U U U R R R R

American Dipper, at nest American Dipper

258

KINGLETS Family Regulidae Kinglets are no longer than a hummingbird but rounder. They are very active birds that often hover, by rapidly beating their wings, to feed on insects.

Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa Field marks. 3 1⁄2". Both sexes: White stripe above the eye; olive green above; grayish olive on sides and flanks. Male: Orange crown bordered with yellow and black. Female: Yellow crown with black border. Behavior. Flicks its wings almost constantly. Similar species. Ruby-crowned Kinglet lacks white stripe above eye; has conspicuous white eye ring. Voice. Common call is thin see-see-see. Habitat. Coniferous forests. Nests in branches of conifers.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central Western Northern

C C C C U U U U U U U U - R R + + - + - - - -

Golden-crowned Kinglet, male

Ki n g l ets 259

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Field marks. 4". Conspicuous white eye ring; 2 white wing bars; olive above, gray below. Male has red crown, usually concealed. Behavior. Flicks its wings nervously. Similar species. Golden-crowned Kinglet lacks white eye ring; has white stripe above eye; orange or yellow crown bordered in black. Voice. Song: Usually in 3 parts—tee tee tee, chur chur chur, teedadee teedadee teedadee. Call: Harsh, usually 2-syllabled, chatter. Habitat. Coniferous forests, mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands, shrub thickets. Widespread in Alaska, occurring wherever spruce forests exist. Nests in conifers, usually 20 to 60 feet above the ground.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern

C C C + C C C + R R R U U U U U U + - + -

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet, male

260

LEAF WARBLERS Family Phylloscopidae Leaf Warblers are small, rather drab-looking birds with thicker, straighter bills than similar-looking Wood-Warblers. They lack conspicuous markings and are difficult to identify. They are active birds, flitting from branch to branch after insects. Alaska is the sole breeding place in North America for one species, the Arctic Warbler, which migrates across the Bering Strait and through eastern Asia.

Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus Field marks. 4Â˝". Like Arctic Warbler, but darker and more brownish; also smaller, and lacks any greenish or yellowish color and has no wing bars. Fine bill; buff-colored line above eye. A skulker. Similar species. See Arctic Warbler. Voice. Call is a harsh tsack, which it utters frequently. Habitat. Asian species, islands off western Alaska, and in fall off southcoastal Alaska.

Region Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western Northern

Sp S F W - - - - - + + + + - - - + + R - - - -

Dusky Warbler

Leaf W A R B L E R S 261

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis Field marks. 5". Adult: Dark line through eye; whitish stripe over eye; brownish or greenish above, with whitish underparts; short, white wing bar (may be faint). Juvenile: Yellow underparts, eyebrow, and wing bar. Similar species. Orange-crowned Warbler is darker below, with some yellowing underneath at base of tail; lacks short, white wing bar. Voice. Song is a trill introduced by a note sounding like zick, or zick-zickzick; trill sounds raspier than other warblers’, with each note containing a z sound. Habitat. Willow thickets. Nests on ground in grass or moss in streamside willow thickets.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

- - - - + + U U U C C C C C C C C C -

Arctic Warbler

278

WAXWINGS Family Bombycillidae Waxwings are crested birds with a black mask and with a yellow tip to the tail. The red, waxlike spots on the wings of the adult give the birds their name. They are gregarious and often travel about in large flocks, looking for berries. Waxwings also like to eat insects, which they catch either in flycatcher fashion, by flying out from a perch, or like swallows, by circling high in the air. In interior Alaska they feed on the seeds of paper birch.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Field marks. 8". Adult: Crest; black eye patch, yellow tail tip, chestnut under tail, small white and yellow wing patches, very gray belly. Juvenile: Similar to adult, but darker with streaked underparts. Similar species. Cedar Waxwing has white undertail (not chestnut) and no white in wings; yellowish buff belly. Voice. Call is a high, sibilant rattle, often given in flight. Habitat. Breeding: Wet muskegs. Nests in conifers. Winter: Usually any habitat where there are trees or shrubs with berries.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern ★ Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern

U R U U U R U U R R R + C C C R R R R - - - -

Bohemian Waxwing (above and below)

W A X W I N G S 279

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Field marks. 7". Adult: Crest; black eye patch, yellow tail tip, white undertail, yellowish buff belly, no white in wings. Juvenile: Similar to adult, but grayer, and has streaked underparts and little or no black around eye. Similar species. Bohemian Waxwing has chestnut undertail, gray belly, small white and yellow patches in wing. Voice. Similar to Bohemian Waxwing, but higher pitched and even more sibilant. Habitat. Openings and edges of coniferous forests. Nests in trees, usually in isolated trees in open areas.

Cedar Waxwing, adult

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern â&#x2DC;&#x2026; Southcoastal Southwestern Central Western Northern

R U R + - - + + - - - - - + - - - - + - -

Cedar Waxwing, juvenile

280

LONGSPURS AND SNOW BUNTINGS Family Calcariidae The longspurs and buntings used to be placed along with sparrows in the Emberizidae family, but DNA evidence indicated the similarities are superficial. The relative new family Calcariidae contains only longspurs and snow buntings. Snow buntings are very striking birds with their contrasting white and black plumage. Longspur males have a conspicuous black and white head pattern.

Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus Field marks. 6 1⁄2". All plumages: White in outer tail feathers, but less than other birds with white outer tail feathers found in similar habitat; white underparts. Breeding male: Black crown, face, and throat; chestnut hindneck; white stripe on face and neck. Breeding female: Similar pattern to male, but much fainter. Similar species. Smith’s Longspur has buff-colored underparts and different head pattern; lacks chestnut hindneck. American Pipit and Horned Lark have more conspicuous white outer tail feathers and thin bills. Savannah Sparrow has heavily streaked breast and no white in tail. Voice. Song: Beautiful series of tinkling notes given in flight. Call: On breeding grounds, a liquid teew; migrants utter a dry rattle. Habitat. Breeding: Tundra. Nests on small clumps of grass or dry knolls. Migration: Grassy fields, wetlands, alpine meadows, ridges; often with Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.

Lapland Longspur, breeding female

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal ★ Southwestern ★ Central ★ Western ★ Northern ★

U - U + C R C + C C C + C C C C C C C C C -

Lapland Longspur, breeding male

Lapland Longspur, fall

L o n g s p u r s • Sn o w B u nt i n g s 281

Smith’s Longspur Calcarius pictus Field marks. 6". Breeding male: Conspicuous black-and-white head pattern; bright buff underparts; white outer tail feathers. Breeding female: Streaked buff underparts; white outer tail feathers; may show some white on shoulder. Behavior. Breeding male sings from the ground, rather than from the air like Lapland Longspur. Similar species. Breeding male Lapland Longspur has different head pattern; chestnut hindneck and white underparts. Breeding female Lapland Longspur shows reddish on back of neck and whitish underparts. Voice. Song: Warblerlike, with sweet notes. Call: On breeding grounds, is distinct 2-note rattle. Habitat. In the Brooks Range: Damp tussock meadows, usually on wide alpine valley floors, often on flat meadows surrounding lakes. In central Alaska: Dry ridgetop tundra. Nests on the ground.

Region

Sp S F W

Southeastern Southcoastal Southwestern Central ★ Western Northern ★

+ - + - - - - - - R R R - - - U U U -

Smith’s Longspur, breeding female

Smith’s Longspur, breeding male

324

CASUAL AND ACCIDENTAL SPECIES The birds described in this section do not appear in Alaska regularly, and the probability of seeing one is quite small. They are known as casuals or accidentals. Those classed as casual are species that appear at irregular intervals, usually within certain seasons and regions, although Alaska is beyond the boundaries of their normal annual range. Those classed as accidental have been reported in Alaska only once, or at most a few times, and present no seasonal or regional pattern. The following abbreviations are used in this section. The geographical areas refer to the Alaskan regions in which these birds have been found. The figures in inches refer to the length of the bird. Cas = Casual Acc = Accidental SE = Southeastern SC = Southcoastal SW = Southwestern C = Central W = Western N = Northern GEESE, DUCKS Taiga Bean-Goose (Anser fabalis). Cas. SW. 28"–36". Similar to the Tundra Bean-Goose but has a longer bill that is narrower at the base, without the “big smile.” (Photo: Adult) Tundra Bean-Goose (Anser serrirostris). Cas. SW, W. 28"– 36". Adult: Black bill with irregularly shaped orange ring around the middle; bill shorter, thicker at base than in Taiga Bean-Goose, has a “big smile.” (Photo: Adult) Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus). Acc. SW. 21"–26". Resembles small Greater White-fronted Goose but has a much smaller bill and white on forehead extends higher onto crown. Yellow eye ring visible at close range. (Photo: Adult) Ross’s Goose (Chen rossii). Cas. SE, SC, N. 24". Like a petite Snow Goose, but has smaller bill and lacks black “lips.” (Photo: Adult)

C A S U A L A N D A CC I D E N T A L S P E C I E S 325

Falcated Duck (Anas falcata). Cas. SW. 19". Male: Long wing feathers overhang tail; gray body; crested dark green and purple head; white spot on forehead. Female: Dark speculum, gray bill. (Photo: Adult male)

American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Cas. SE, SC, C. 22". Like Mallard, but very dark body; head very pale. Male: yellow bill. Female: dull green bill. (Photo: Adult male)

Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha). Cas. SC, SW. 23"â&#x20AC;&#x201C;24". Dark bill with yellow tip; black stripe running backward from base of bill. (Photo: Adult)

Garganey (Anas querquedula). Cas. SC, SW. 15". Male: Broad white stripe over eye. Female: Pale spot at base of bill, dark line through eye. (Photo: Adult female)

Baikal Teal (Anas formosa). Cas. SW, W, N. 18". Male: Striking face pattern of yellow and green; white vertical shoulder stripe. Female: Like Green-winged Teal, but has distinctive white spot at base of bill. (Photo: Adult male)

Common Pochard (Aythya ferina). Cas. SC, SW, W. 18". Dark bill with pale blue band in the middle. Male: Chestnut head and neck, silvery gray upperparts. Female: Thin buff-colored line behind the eye, grayish tinge on back. (Photo: Adult male)

326 C A S U A L A N D A CC I D E N T A L S P E C I E S

GREBES Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis). Cas. SE, SC, C. 12"– 14". Breeding: Blackish crest, neck, breast, and back. Golden ear tufts. Winter: Dark top and sides of head, whitish patch behind ear. Has more peaked crown, longer, thinner bill, rides higher in water than Horned Grebe. (Photo: adult) ALBATROSSES Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta). Acc. SW. 35"–39". Wingspan 8–9 feet. Similar to Laysan but is larger and has more white on the underwings and rump and a black spot where the leading edge of the wing meets the body. Bill is grayish as opposed to the pinkish bill of Laysan. (Photo: Adult) FULMARS, PETRELS, SHEARWATERS Providence Petrel (Pterodroma solandri). Acc. SW, W. 16". Head brownish gray with scaly-white face. Upperparts dark gray, mottled slate-gray across back; paler gray on underparts. Underwings dark, with large and distinctive pale patches. (Photo: Adult) Cook’s Petrel (Pterodroma cookii). Acc. SW. 10"–11". Uniformly gray above, dark M across wings and back; mostly white wing linings; whitish outer tail feathers. (Photo: Adult)

Flesh-footed Shearwater (Puffinus carneipes). Cas. SC, SW. 20". Large, heavily built with entire plumage dark brown; long pink bill conspicuous in flight; wings entirely dark above and below; short, round tail; slow, deliberate flight. (Photo: Adult) Great Shearwater (Puffinus gravis). Cas. SC. 18". Dark cap contrasts with lighter upperparts and white cheeks; mostly white neck. From above the rump may show a narrow white U-shaped band. (Photo: Adult)

Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus). Cas. SE, SC. 13". Black above, white below, white wing linings. Short tail with white undertail coverts. (Photo: Adult)

C A S U A L A N D A CC I D E N T A L S P E C I E S 327

FRIGATEBIRDS Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens). Acc. SE, SC, SW. 37"–45". Long, narrow wings, crook at wrist; long, deeply forked tail. Male: Mostly black. Female: White breast. Immature: White head and breast. (Photo: Adult female) PELICANS American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Acc. SE. 54"–70". Long flat bill; mostly white; black wing tips. (Photo: Adult) Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). Cas. SE. 48". Grayish brown body; blackish belly. Adult: White head and neck, often with some yellow on head. Immature: mostly brown. (Photo: Adult)

BITTERNS, HERONS American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). Cas. SE. 23"28". Heavily striped with white and warm brown. In flight, very pointed at front end; appears all brown, with darker wing feathers. When breeding, its call sounds somewhat like an old-fashioned pump in combination with an iron stake being hammered into the ground: pump-er-lunk. (Photo: adult). Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis). Acc. SW. 14 1⁄2". Brown above, pale yellow below; greenish yellow legs. In flight: Distinct pattern of black flight feathers contrasts with buff-colored wing coverts and brown back. Male: Black crown. Female: Brown crown; buffcolored stripes on underparts. (Photo: Juvenile) Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea). Cas. SW. 36". Large, pale gray; dark flight-feathers. (Photo: Adult)

Great Egret (Ardea alba). Cas. SE, SC, SW, N. 39". Large white heron. Yellow bill; black legs and feet. (Photo: Adult in winter)

328 C A S U A L A N D A CC I D E N T A L S P E C I E S

Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia). Acc. SW. 27". Heavy yellowish, relatively short bill resembles Cattle Egret. Resembles Great Egret but is smaller and has a shorter, thicker bill. The bare skin of the Intermediate ends below the eye, whereas the Great Egretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gape line extends behind the eye. (Photo: Adult)

Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes). Acc. SW. 27". Allwhite plumage, black legs, yellow feet. Breeding: Bright blue forehead, short crest, yellow bill. (Photo: Adult)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). Acc. SW. 24". Adult: Area between eyes and bill may be gray or yellow but color variable. Black legs and bill, yellow feet. (Photo: Adult)

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor). Acc. SE. 23"-27". The only small North American heron with white underparts and foreneck. It has a slaty collared dark back and neck. (Photo: Adult) Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). Cas. SE, SC, SW. 20". Nonbreeding: Yellow bill; yellow or greenish legs, though some with black legs. (Photo: Nonbreeding)

Chinese Pond-Heron (Ardeola bacchus). Cas. SW. 18". Rich reddish-brown head and neck, slaty back and white wings. (Photo: Nonbreeding)

C A S U A L A N D A CC I D E N T A L S P E C I E S 329

Green Heron (Butorides virescens). Acc. SE. 18". Adult: Black crown, dark grayish-green back, chestnut-colored neck; crow-sized. (Photo: Adult)

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). Cas. SE, SC, SW. 23"–28". Adult: Black cap and back; whitish underneath; gray wings. Call is a loud, barking kwok! (Photo: Adult)

NEW WORLD VULTURES Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). Cas. SE, C, W, N. 27". In flight, shows 2 tones from underneath: light gray flight feathers, black wing linings. (Photo: Adult)

HAWKS, EAGLES White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Cas. SW. W. 27"–35". Similar to Bald Eagle, but with short, wedgeshaped tail; head usually pale but not white. Immature: Mostly dark brown with whitish lines and patches in underwing. (Photo: Adult)

Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus). Cas. SE, SW. 33"–41". Adult: Dark head, massive bill, white shoulders; white, wedge-shaped tail. Juvenile: Lacks white shoulders, dark band at end of white tail. (Photo: Adult) RAILS, COOTS Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola). Cas. SE. 8 1⁄2"–10 1⁄2". Longbilled; gray face, white throat. Calls are a loud, grunting, descending wak-wak-wak or kick, kick, kid-ick, kid-ick, kid-ick. (Photo: Adult)

354 C A S U A L A N D A CC I D E N T A L S P E C I E S

Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus). Acc. SW. 4 3⁄4". Breeding male: Black crown and chin; yellow face, chest, and rump and sides of tail; black-and-yellow wing. Female and juvenile: Less yellow and more streaked than male; no black on head. (Photo: Male)

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). Cas. SE, SC, W. 4 1⁄2"–5 1⁄2". Breeding male: Very striking, with black crown, bright yellow back and underparts, black wings and tail. Female: Lacks black crown; has dull olive-yellow upperparts, black wings and tail. (Photo: Male)

Oriental Greenfinch (Chloris sinica). Cas. SW. 6". Greenish-brown body, dull greenish head, bright yellow patches on wings and tail. (Photo: Adult)

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus). Cas. SE, SC, C. 7 1⁄2". Large, pale greenish to ivory bill. Male: Striking, with brown and yellow; conspicuous yellow eye line; black wings with large white bases. Female: Duller gray-brown with less white in wings. Loud, ringing call is often a clue to the presence of these nomadic birds. (Photo: Male) Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes). Cas. SW, W. 7". Stocky, short-tailed, with huge gray bill. Brown with black wings and conspicuous white patches. Brown tail with white tip. Call is a loud, metallic tik. (Photo: Juvenile male)

355

FURTHER READING Andrew, J., et al. Birds of Seward Alaska. Seward Chamber of Commerce, 1988. Birds of North America Online bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/. This has been a wonderful resource for me, quick to use, easy to search, and covering most of the birds that occur in Alaska. Each species account is written by an expert on that species and many of the accounts are frequently updated. Bowman, A. Birds of Anchorage, Alaska: Checklist. Audubon Alaska, 2014. Bowman, T. D. Field Guide to Bird Nests and Eggs of Alaska’s Coastal Tundra. Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004. Dunn, J. L. and J. Alderfer, eds. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 6th ed. National Geographic Society, 2011. (Note: this edition covers the identification of all birds that have occurred in Alaska as of January 1, 2011.) Duivendijk, N. V. Advanced Bird ID Handbook: The Western Palearctic. London: New Holland Publishers, 2011. Gabrielson, I. N., and F. C. Lincoln. The Birds of Alaska. Harrisburg, PA: The Stackpole Company; Washington, D.C.: Wildlife Management Institute, 1959. Gibson, D. D. Alaska Region, American Birds (for the years 1978–86). New York: National Audubon Society. Gibson, D. D. and G. V. Byrd. Birds of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. AOU Series in Ornithology, no. 1. Nuttall Ornithological Club Cambridge, Massachusetts, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C., 2007. Gibson, D. D., L. H. DeCicco, R. E. Gill Jr., S. C. Heinl, A. J. Lang, T. G. Tobish, and J. J. Withrow. “Report of the Alaska Checklist Committee, 2008–12.” Western Birds 44 (2013):183–95. Gibson, D. D., L. H. DeCicco, R. E. Gill Jr., S. Heinl, A. J. Lang, T. G. Tobish Jr., and J. J. Withrow Checklist of Alaska Birds, 20th ed. University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, 2014. Gibson, D. D., and B. Kessel. “Seventy-Four New Avian Taxa Documented in Alaska 1976-91.” The Condor 94, no. 2 (1992): 454–67.

356 F u rther R eadi n g

Gibson, D. D., and B. Kessel. “Inventory of the species and subspecies of Alaska birds.” Western Birds 28 (1997):45–95. Gibson, D. D., T. G. Tobish, Jr., and M. E. Isleib. Alaska Region, American Birds (for the years 1987–89). New York: National Audubon Society. Heinl, S. Birds of Southeast Alaska. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Geographic, 2010. Isleib, M. E. Birds of the Chugach National Forest, Alaska: A Checklist. U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Anchorage, n.d. Isleib, M. E., and B. Kessel. Birds of the North Gulf Coast—Prince William Sound Region, Alaska. Biological Papers, no. 14. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press, 1973. Johnson, S. R., and D. R. Herter. The Birds of the Beaufort Sea. Anchorage: BP Exploration (Alaska), 1989. Kertell, K. and D. Murphy. Bird Checklist of Denali National Park and Preserve. Rev. ed. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Geographic. Alaska Natural History Association 1998 revisions by Alan Seegert, 2006 revisions by Alan Seegert and Carol McIntyre. Kertell, K., and A. Seegert, Bird-Finding Guide to Denali National Park. Alaska Natural History Association in cooperation with the National Park Service, 1995. Kessel, B. Birds of Interior Alaska. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Museum, 1980. ———. Birds of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press, 1989. Kessel, B., and D. D. Gibson. Status and Distribution of Alaska Birds. Studies in Avian Biology, no. 1. Los Angeles: Cooper Ornithological Society, 1978. Lehman, P. E. “Autumn Birdlife at Gambell and St. Lawrence Island, Alaska” (unpublished manuscript, 2014). Lehman, P. E. “Fall bird migration at Gambell, St. Lawrence Island, Alaska.” Western Birds 36 (2005): 2–55. MacIntosh, R. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and Kodiak Island Archipelago: Birds. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1998, 2009. Paige, B. Birds of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Alaska Natural History Association and National Park Service, 1998.

F u rther R eadi n g 357

Paulson, D. Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1993. Paulson, D. Shorebirds of North America: The Photographic Guide. Princeton University Press, 2005. Petersen, M. R., D. N. Weir, and M. H. Dick. “Birds of the Kilbuck and Ahklun Mountain Region, Alaska.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North American Fauna 76 (1991). Scher, R. L. Field Guide to Birding in Anchorage. Self-published, 1993. Sibley, D. A. National Audubon Society The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000. Springer, M. I. Birdwatching in Eastcentral Alaska. Fairbanks: A Falco Publication, 1993. Stromsem, N. E. A Guide to Alaskan Seabirds. Alaska Natural History Association in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1982. Tobish, T. G., Jr. Alaska Region, American Birds (for 1993). New York: National Audubon Society. ———. Alaska Region, National Audubon Society Field Notes (for 1994–99). New York: National Audubon Society. ———. Alaska Region, North American Birds (for 2000–2014). American Birding Association. Tobish, T. G., Jr., and M. E. Isleib. Alaska Region, American Birds (for the years 1989–92). New York: National Audubon Society. Vliet, G. V., M. Schwan, R. Gordon, S. Zimmerman, and P. Suchanek. Birds of Juneau, Alaska Checklist. Juneau Audubon Society, 2007. Walsh, P. J. Checklist of the Birds of Mitkof Island. Petersburg, AK: Selfpublished, 1993. West, G. C., ed. A Birder’s Guide to Alaska. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs, CO: American Birding Association, 2008. Zimmerman, S. T., and I. L. Jones. “Birding the Pribilof Islands, Alaska.” Birding 23, no. 5 (1991).

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INDEX Accentor, Siberian, 346 Accipitridae, 96 Alaudidae, 242 Albatross Black-footed, 80 Laysan, 79 Short-tailed, 81 Shy, 326 Alcedinidae, 215 Alcidae, 160 Anatidae, 20 Apodidae, 211 Ardeidae, 94 Auklet Cassin’s, 168 Crested, 172 Least, 170 Parakeet, 169 Rhinoceros, 173 Whiskered, 171 Avocet, American, 330 Bean-Goose Taiga, 324 Tundra, 324 Bittern American, 327 Yellow, 327 Blackbird Brewer’s, 352 Red-winged, 311 Rusty, 312 Yellow-headed, 352 Bluebird, Mountain, 265 Bluetail, Red-flanked, 344 Bluethroat, 263 Bobolink, 352 Bombycillidae, 278

Brambling, 314 Brant, 24 Bufflehead, 55 Bullfinch, Eurasian, 353 Bunting Gray, 350 Indigo, 351 Lazuli, 351 Little, 350 McKay’s, 283 Pallas’s, 350 Pine, 349 Reed, 350 Rustic, 308 Snow, 282 Yellow-breasted, 350 Yellow-browed, 350 Yellow-throated, 350 Calcariidae, 280 Canvasback, 40 Caprimulgidae, 210 Cardinalidae, 309 Catbird, Gray, 346 Certhiidae, 255 Charadriidae, 108 Chickadee Black-capped, 250 Boreal, 252 Chestnut-backed, 251 Gray-headed, 253 Mountain, 342 Chiffchaff, common, 342 Cinclidae, 257 Columbidae, 196 Coot American, 105

Eurasian, 330 Cormorant Brandt’s, 90 Double-crested, 91 Pelagic, 93 Red-faced, 92 Corvidae, 236 Cowbird, Brownheaded, 313 Crane Common, 330 Sandhill, 106 Creeper, Brown, 255 Crossbill Red, 318 White-winged, 319 Crow American, 239 Northwestern, 240 Cuckoo Common, 336 Oriental, 336 Yellow-billed, 336 Curlew Bristle-thighed, 126 Eskimo, 332 Far Eastern, 332 Little, 332 Dickcissel, 351 Diomedeidae, 79 Dipper, American, 257 Dotterel, Eurasian, 331 Dove Eurasian Collared-, 198 Mourning, 199 Oriental Turtle-, 336 White-winged, 336

I n dex 359

Dovekie, 160 Dowitcher Long-billed, 150 Short-billed, 14 Duck American Black, 325 Eastern Spot-billed, 325 Falcated, 325 Harlequin, 50 Long-tailed, 54 Ring-necked, 42 Ruddy, 62 Tufted, 43 Wood, 30 Dunlin, 140 Eagle Bald, 96 Golden, 103 Steller’s Sea-, 329 White-tailed, 329 Egret Cattle, 328 Chinese, 328 Great, 327 Intermediate, 328 Little, 328 Eider Common, 49 King, 48 Spectacled, 47 Steller’s, 46 Emberizidae, 296 Falcon Peregrine, 225 Falconidae, 222 Fieldfare, 345 Finch Asian Rosy-, 353 Cassin’s, 353

Gray-crowned Rosy, 315 House, 353 Purple, 317 Flicker, Northern, 221 Flycatcher Alder, 229 Ash-throated, 340 Asian Brown, 344 Dark-sided, 344 Dusky, 340 Gray-streaked, 344 Great Crested, 340 Hammond’s, 230 Least, 340 Narcissus, 345 Olive-sided, 226 Pacific-slope, 231 Scissor-tailed, 341 Spotted, 344 Taiga, 345 Willow, 339 Yellow-bellied, 228 Frigatebird, Magnificent, 327 Fringillidae, 314 Fulmar Northern, 82 Gadwall, 31 Garganey, 325 Gaviidae, 70 Godwit Bar-tailed, 128 Black-tailed, 332 Hudsonian, 127 Marbled, 129 Goldeneye Barrow’s, 57 Common, 56 Golden-Plover American, 109

European, 331 Pacific, 110 Goldfinch, American, 354 Goose Cackling, 25 Canada, 26 Emperor, 22 Greater White fronted, 21 Lesser White fronted, 324 Ross’s, 324 Snow, 23 Taiga Bean-, 324 Tundra Bean-, 324 Goshawk, Northern, 99 Grackle, Common, 352 Grasshopper-Warbler Middendorff ’s, 343 Grebe Eared, 326 Horned, 76 Pied-billed, 75 Red-necked, 77 Western, 78 Greenfinch, Oriental, 354 Greenshank, Common, 121 Grosbeak Black-headed, 310 Blue, 351 Evening, 354 Pine, 316 Rose-breasted, 351 Grouse Ruffed, 63 Sharp-tailed, 69 Sooty, 68 Spruce, 64 Gruidae, 106 Guillemot Black, 163

360 I n dex

Pigeon, 164 Gull Black-headed, 182 Black-tailed, 334 Bonaparte’s, 181 California, 187 Franklin’s, 184 Glaucous, 192 Glaucous-winged, 191 Great Black-backed, 335 Heermann’s, 335 Herring, 188 Ivory, 179 Laughing, 334 Lesser Black-backed, 335 Little, 334 Mew, 185 Ring-billed, 186 Ross’s, 183 Sabine’s, 180 Slaty-backed, 190 Thayer’s, 189 Western, 335 Gyrfalcon, 224 Haematopodidae, 107 Harrier, Northern, 97 Hawfinch, 354 Hawk Red-tailed, 101 Rough-legged, 102 Sharp-shinned, 98 Swainson’s, 100 Heron Black-crowned Night-, 329 Chinese Pond-, 328 Gray, 327 Great Blue, 94 Green, 329 Tricolored, 328 Hirundinidae, 244

Hobby, Eurasian, 339 Hoopoe, Eurasian, 338 House-Martin, Common, 342 Hummingbird Anna’s, 213 Costa’s, 338 Ruby-throated, 338 Rufous, 214 Hydrobatidae, 88 Icteridae, 311 Jaeger Long-tailed, 159 Parasitic, 158 Pomarine, 157 Jay Gray, 236 Steller’s, 237 Junco, Dark-eyed, 307 Kestrel American, 222 Eurasian, 339 Killdeer, 114 Kingbird Eastern, 341 Tropical, 340 Western, 341 Kingfisher, Belted, 215 Kinglet Golden-crowned, 258 Ruby-crowned, 259 Kittiwake Black-legged, 177 Red-legged, 178 Knot Great, 332 Red, 132 Laniidae, 233 Lapwing, Northern, 330

Laridae, 176 Lark Horned, 243 Sky, 242 Longspur Lapland, 280 Smith’s, 281 Loon Arctic, 71 Common, 73 Pacific, 72 Red-throated, 70 Yellow-billed, 74 Magpie Black-billed, 238 Mallard, 34 Martin Common House-, 342 Purple, 342 Meadowlark, Western, 352 Merganser Common, 60 Hooded, 59 Red-breasted, 61 Merlin, 223 Mockingbird, Northern, 346 Moorhen, Common, 330 Motacillidae, 274 Murre Common, 161 Thick-billed, 162 Murrelet Ancient, 167 Kittlitz’s, 166 Long-billed, 334 Marbled, 165 Muscicapidae, 262 Needletail, Whitethroated, 338

I n dex 361

Nighthawk Common, 210 Lesser, 337 Night-Heron, Black crowned, 329 Nightjar, Gray, 337 Nutcracker, Clark’s, 342 Nuthatch, Redbreasted, 254 Oriole Bullock’s, 353 Orchard, 352 Osprey, 95 Ovenbird, 347 Owl Barred, 205 Boreal, 208 Brown Hawk-, 337 Great Gray, 206 Great Horned, 201 Long-eared, 337 Northern Hawk, 203 Northern Pygmy-, 204 Northern Saw-whet, 209 Oriental Scops-, 337 Short-eared, 207 Snowy, 202 Western Screech-, 200 Oystercatcher Black, 107 Eurasian, 330 Pandionidae, 95 Paridae, 250 Parulidae, 284 Passeridae, 323 Pelican American White, 327 Brown, 327

Petrel Cook’s, 326 Fork-tailed Storm-, 88 Leach’s Storm-, 89 Mottled, 83 Providence, 326 Pewee, Western Wood-, 227 Phalacrocoracidae, 90 Phalarope Red, 155 Red-necked, 154 Wilson’s, 153 Phasianidae, 63 Phoebe Black, 340 Eastern, 340 Say’s, 232 Phylloscopidae, 260 Picidae, 216 Pigeon Band-tailed, 197 Rock, 196 Pintail, Northern, 38 Pipit American, 277 Olive-backed, 347 Pechora, 347 Red-throated, 276 Tree, 346 Plover American Golden-, 109 Black-bellied, 108 Common Ringed, 112 European Golden-, 331 Lesser Sand-, 111 Little Ringed, 331 Pacific Golden-, 110 Semipalmated, 113 Pochard, Common, 325 Podicipedidae, 75 Pond-Heron, Chinese, 328

Pratincole, Oriental, 334 Procellariidae, 82 Ptarmigan Rock, 66 White-tailed, 67 Willow, 65 Puffin Horned, 174 Tufted, 175 Pygmy-Owl, Northern, 204 Rail Virginia, 329 Rallidae, 104 Raven, Common, 241 Redhead, 41 Redpoll Common, 320 Hoary, 321 Redshank, Spotted, 331 Redstart American, 290 Common, 345 Redwing, 346 Regulidae, 258 Robin American, 271 Rufous-tailed, 344 Siberian Blue, 344 Rosefinch, Common, 353 Rosy-Finch Asian, 353 Gray-crowned, 315 Rubythroat, Siberian, 262 Ruff, 134 Sanderling, 139 Sandpiper Baird’s, 142 Broad-billed, 332

362 I n dex

Buff-breasted, 145 Common, 115 Curlew, 333 Green, 331 Least, 143 Marsh, 332 Pectoral, 146 Purple, 333 Rock, 141 Semipalmated, 147 Sharp-tailed, 135 Solitary, 117 Spoon-billed, 333 Spotted, 116 Stilt, 136 Terek, 331 Upland, 124 Western, 148 White-rumped, 144 Wood, 123 Sand-Plover, Lesser, 111 Sapsucker Red-breasted, 216 Yellow-bellied, 339 Scaup Greater, 44 Lesser, 45 Scolopacidae, 115 Scops-Owl, Oriental, 337 Scoter Black, 53 Surf, 51 White-winged, 52 Screech-Owl, Western, 200 Sea-Eagle, Steller’s, 329 Shearwater Buller’s, 85 Flesh-footed, 326 Great, 326 Manx, 326 Pink-footed, 84 Short-tailed, 87

Sooty, 86 Shoveler, Northern, 37 Shrike Brown, 341 Northern, 233 Siskin Eurasian, 354 Pine, 322 Sittidae, 254 Skua, South Polar, 334 Smew, 58 Snipe Common, 152 Jack, 333 Pin-tailed, 333 Solitary, 334 Wilson’s, 151 Solitaire, Townsend’s, 266 Sora, 104 Sparrow American Tree, 296 Brewer’s, 298 Chipping, 297 Clay-colored, 349 Fox, 300 Golden-crowned, 306 Harris’s, 349 House, 323 Lark, 349 Lincoln’s, 302 Savannah, 299 Song, 301 Swamp, 303 Vesper, 349 White-crowned, 305 White-throated, 304 Starling, European, 273 Stercorariidae, 156 Stilt, Black-winged, 330 Stint Little, 333 Long-toed, 137

Red-necked, 138 Temminck’s, 333 Stonechat, 345 Storm-Petrel Fork-tailed, 88 Leach’s, 89 Strigidae, 200 Sturnidae, 273 Surfbird, 133 Swallow Bank, 247 Barn, 249 Cliff, 248 Northern Rough winged, 246 Tree, 244 Violet-green, 245 Swan Trumpeter, 27 Tundra, 28 Whooper, 29 Swift Black, 211 Chimney, 338 Common, 338 Fork-tailed, 338 Vaux’s, 212 Tanager Scarlet, 351 Western, 309 Tattler Gray-tailed, 118 Wandering, 119 Teal Baikal, 325 Blue-winged, 35 Cinnamon, 36 Green-winged, 39 Tern Aleutian, 193 Arctic, 195 Black, 335 Caspian, 194

I n dex 363

Common, 336 Sooty, 335 White-winged, 335 Thrasher, Brown, 346 Thrush Dusky, 345 Eyebrowed, 270 Gray-cheeked, 267 Hermit, 269 Swainson’s, 268 Varied, 272 Towhee, Spotted, 349 Trochilidae, 213 Troglodytidae, 256 Turdidae, 265 Turnstone Black, 131 Ruddy, 130 Turtle-Dove, Oriental, 336 Tyrannidae, 226 Veery, 345 Vireo Blue-eaded, 341 Cassin’s, 234 Philadelphia, 341 Red-eyed, 341 Warbling, 235 Vireonidae, 234 Vulture, Turkey, 329 Wagtail Eastern Yellow, 274 Gray, 346 White, 275 Warbler Arctic, 261 Black-and-white, 347 Blackpoll, 292 Black-throated Blue, 348

Black-throated Green, 348 Canada, 349 Cape May, 347 Chestnut-sided, 348 Dusky, 260 Lanceolated, 343 MacGillivray’s, 288 Magnolia, 348 Middendorff ’s Grass-hopper-, 343 Mourning, 347 Nashville, 347 Orange-crowned, 287 Pallas’s Leaf-, 343 Palm, 348 Prairie, 348 Sedge, 343 Tennessee, 286 Townsend’s, 294 Willow, 342 Wilson’s, 295 Wood, 343 Yellow, 291 Yellow-browed, 343 Yellow-rumped, 293 Waterthrush, Northern, 285 Waxwing Bohemian, 278 Cedar, 279 Wheatear Northern, 264 Whimbrel, 125 Whip-poor-will, Eastern, 337 Whitethroat, Lesser, 343 Wigeon American, 33 Eurasian, 32 Willet, 331 Woodpecker

American Three- toed, 219 Black-backed, 220 Downy, 217 Great Spotted, 339 Hairy, 218 Wood-Pewee, Western, 227 Wren Marsh, 342 Pacific, 256 Wryneck, Eurasian, 339 Yellowlegs Greater, 120 Lesser, 122 Yellowthroat, Common, 289

364

PHOTO CREDITS Photos were provided by the author and other photographers and agencies. Photo position on pages is indicated after page number by t (top), b (bottom), m (middle), l (left), r (right). The photos in the casual and accidental section are numbered by page and then by their position on the page i.e. 34-1, 340-2, etc. Armstrong, R.H. 19, 21 tr, 21 tl, 21 bl, 22b, 23t, 23b, 24t, 24b, 25br, 26tr, 26 br, 26l, 27 r, 27l, 27b, 28t, 28b, 30t, 30b, 31br, 31l, 33t, 33m, 33b, 34t, 34b, 35t, 35b, 36t, 36b, 37t, 37b, 38t, 41b, 44t, 44b, 45t, 50t, 50b, 51t, 51b, 52t, 52b, 53b, 54lm, 55t, 55b, 56t, 56b, 57t, 57b, 59t, 59b, 60t, 60b, 62t, 62b, 63, 64t, 64b, 65t, 65m, 65b, 66t, 66b, 67t, 67b, 68t, 68b, 69t, 70t, 72t, 73b, 76b, 91l, 91br, 94t, 94b, 95tr, 96r, 96l, 97t, 97m, 97b, 98t, 98l, 99l, 101t, 101br, 102t, 104l, 105b, 106t, 106br, 106l, 107t, 107b, 107l, 108t, 108b, 109t, 109b, 113b, 114t, 114b, 116t, 116b, 117t, 117b, 119t, 119b, 120t, 120b, 122t, 122m, 122b, 124b, 125t, 130t, 131t, 132b, 133t, 133b, 134l, 136t, 139t, 140t, 140m, 140b, 141t, 142t, 143t, 143b, 146t, 147t, 148t, 148b, 149b, 150t, 150b, 151b, 153b, 154t, 154b, 155b, 161t, 161br, 161bl, 164t, 164m, 164b, 164l, 165t, 176, 181t, 181br, 181l, 185t, 185m, 185br, 185l, 165br, 189m, 191t, 191br, 191l, 193t, 193b, 194b, 195t, 195b, 196t, 196b, 198all, 199t, 199b, 200r, 201b, 201l, 203b, 203l, 204t, 204b, 206t, 207b, 208t, 208b, 209b, 213t, 214t, 214b, 214l, 215r, 215l, 216, 217r, 217l, 218t, 218b, 219, 220, 221r, 221l, 222r, 223b, 223l, 224b, 225l, 226r, 226l, 227t, 227b, 229t, 229b, 230t, 230b, 231r, 231l, 232, 233t, 233b, 236r, 236l, 237t, 237b, 238r, 238l, 239, 240t, 240b, 241t, 241b, 243t, 243b, 244t, 244b, 247t, 247b, 248t, 248b, 249t, 249b, 250, 251t, 251b, 252, 254b, 255r, 255l, 256t, 256b, 257r, 257l, 259b, 261t, 261b, 264t, 265t, 265b, 266t, 266b, 267t, 267b, 268t, 269b, 271t, 271b, 271l, 272t, 272b, 273t, 273b, 277t, 278t, 278b, 279b, 280b, 282t, 282b, 284, 285t, 287t, 287b, 291t, 291b, 292t, 293t, 293l, 294t, 294b, 295t, 295b, 296b, 299t, 299b, 300t, 300m, 301t, 301b, 301l, 302, 303, 305t, 305b, 306b, 307t, 307b, 310b, 311l, 312b, 312l, 313t, 313b, 315t, 315b, 318t, 318b, 319b, 320t, 320b, 321b, 322, 323t, 323b, 323l, 324-4, 327-1, 327-3, 329-1, 329-2, 335-3, 335-5, 337-2, 337-4, 341-2, 341-3, 341-7,

342-1, 342-4, 349-6, 352-3, 354-2, 354-4. Askar, I. 334-1. Boogaard, B.V.D. 74b, 110b, 111b, 157t, 157m, 159b, 202t, 262b, 328-4, 332-2, 337-6, 338-4, 343-7, 344-4, 344-5, 347-2, 350-4. Bos, A., 123t, 138t, 183m. DeCicco, L. 205l. Duivendijk, N.V. 333-7. Ericsson, P. 93t, 118b, 187mr, 262t, 274b, 274l, 325-3, 327-2, 328-1, 334-2, 334-7, 335-1, 335-2, 336-5, 354-3. Goff, M. 5, 45b, 53t, 75t, 75b, 161tl, 167t, 173b, 186t, 187t. Golodoff, S. 300br. Hanger, A. 307l, 366. Heinl, S. 340-5. Jansen, R. 145b, 253b, 345-6. Levison, J. 22 t, 42m, 42b, 76m, 80t, 80b, 92br, 100br, 135b, 177t, 178t, 178br, 197l, 197br, 210t, 210b, 224t, 258t, 258b, 259t, 286b, 290b, 292l, 292br, 293br, 297b, 309b, 334-6, 339-2, 340-1, 346-5, 346-7, 347-1, 348-4, 349-3. Lewis, J. 173t, 235b, 310t, 317t, 346-3, 349-2, 349-5, 352-2. Mulder, R. 90l, 93b, 286t, 326-6, 351-2. Ouwerkerk, A. 46t, 46b, 145t, 154m, 223t, 350-6. Pop, R. The Sound Approach 82t, 126b, 136b, 169t, 172t, 175br, 175l. Rossum, R.V. 157br. Schols, R. 344-6, 350-1. Schuette, S. 40b, 47m, 92tr, 135t, 170t, 170b, 174b, 330-5, 332-7. Schwan, M. 98b, 149t, 340-3. Van Der Weele 180b, 308t. Winkel, E. 10, 21 br, 23m, 25tr, 25l, 29t, 29b, 31tr, 32t, 32b, 35m, 38m, 38b, 39br, 39l, 42t, 43t, 43b, 48t, 48b, 49t, 49b, 52m, 54t, 54mr, 54b, 58t, 58b, 61t, 61b, 70b, 71t, 71b, 73t, 74t, 77b, 82b, 86t, 89t, 95mr, 95br, 95l, 99b, 102l, 110t, 111t, 112t, 112b, 113t, 115t, 115b, 121t, 121b, 123b, 125b, 127bl, 128t, 128br, 128l, 129t, 129b, 130b, 131b, 132t, 134t, 134m, 134br, 137t, 137b, 138b, 139b, 141b, 142b, 146b, 147b, 151t, 151m,

P hoto Credits 365 152t, 152b, 153t, 158t, 158br, 158l, 158t, 160t, 160br, 160l, 162br, 162l, 163t, 163b, 163l, 165b, 166t, 166m, 177br, 177l, 179t, 179b, 180t, 182t, 182bl, 182lt, 182lb, 183b, 184, 186ml, 187b, 188t, 188bl, 189br, 192t, 192br, 192tl, 192bl, 194t, 201t, 202b, 203t, 206b, 207t, 213b, 225t, 225b, 242t, 242b, 245t, 245b, 254t, 260t, 260b, 263t, 263b, 264b, 268b, 269t, 274t, 275t, 276t, 276b, 277b, 280t, 280m, 285b, 287l, 304, 311t, 311b, 312t, 312m, 314tr, 314br, 314tl, 314bl, 316t, 316b, 319l, 324-1, 324-2, 324-3, 325-1, 325-4, 325-5, 325-6, 326-1, 326-7, 327-5, 327-6, 327-7, 328-2, 328-3, 328-5, 328-6, 329-4, 330-1, 330-2, 330-3, 330-4, 330-6, 330-7, 331-1, 331-2, 331-4, 331-5, 331-6, 332-1, 332-4, 332-5, 332-6, 333-1, 333-2, 333-3, 333-4, 333-5, 333-6, 334-3, 334-5, 335-4, 335-6, 335-7, 336-2, 336-4, 338-3, 338-7, 339-1, 339-3, 339-4, 339-5, 341-4, 342-3, 342-6, 342-7, 343-1, 343-2, 343-3, 343-4, 343-5, 344-2, 344-3, 344-7, 345-2, 345-3, 345-4, 345-7, 346-1, 346-6, 349-7, 350-2, 350-7, 353-3, 353-4, 353-5, 354-1, 354-5. VIREOâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Academy of Natural Sciences: Armistead, G. 83t, 83b, 118t, 169b, 326-2. Artukhin, Y. 81t, 81b, 88r, 171b, 178l, 190t, 190m, 190b, 336-1, 343-6. Bailey, G. 297t, 317b, 327-4, 345-5, 346-2, 347-4, 348-3. Barnes, N. 351-5. Bartley, G. 339-6. Beck, T. 212. Behrstock, R. 189t. Binns, A. & J. 281b. Bowers, R. & N. 40t, 124t, 144l, 172b, 175t, 289t, 289b, 325-2, 337-5, 338-6, 340-2, 349-1. Brendel, Dr. E.M. 283t, 283b. Clarke, H. 90r, 329-5. Crossley, R. 144br, 222l, 350-3. Curtis, R. 228b, 338-1, 341-6, 348-1. Czaplak, D. 338-2. Day, R.H. 174t. Dunning, J. 336-6. Elsom, S. 334-4, 353-2. Faust, J. 283l. Fuhrman, J. 91tr, 183t, 288t, 309t. Gadsby, B. 47t. Hale, M. 171t, 275b, 337-3. Henry, B. 319t, 352-1.

Herr, D.R. 99t. Holmes, J.G. 337-1. Hutton, I. 326-3. Jantunen, J. 45m, 77t, 104r, 127t, 189l, 197t, 200l, 296t. Jones, Dr. E.T. 209t. Karlson, K.T. 47b, 162t. Lang, A. 253t. Lasley, G. 84b, 235t. LaTourrette, P. 40m, 341-1, 351-4. Leukering, T. 266l. Lipschultz, S. 332-3. Malosh, G. 53b, 155t. McElroy, G. 144t, 246, 321t, 347-5, 348-5. Meyers, M. 87b. Morris, A. 78, 92l, 101l, 127br, 156, 186b, 188mr, 228t, 298, 306t, 342-2, 346-4, 348-2, 348-6. Myers, Dr. J.P. 145t. Nadeau, C. 205t. Nussbaumer, R. 279t. Palliser, T. 326-4, 326-5. Pitman, R.L. 79t, 88l, 167b, 168t. Poklen, J. 85l, 187l, 188tl. Potts, R. 213l. Pyle, P. 126t. Rauzon, M.J. 170l. Royse, R. 72b, 347-7, 351-6. Saldino, R. 79b. Schafer, K. Front cover. Schmoker, B. 39m, 84t, 85r, 157l, 211r. Schumacher, J. 352-5. Shimba, T. 87t, 308b, 344-1, 350-5. Sierra. J. 103l. Small, B.E. 69b, 76t, 234, 286b, 290t, 340-6, 341-5, 347-6, 349-4, 351-1, 351-3, 352-6, 353-1. Smith, Jr. H.P. 105t. Steele, B. 342-5. Stiver, H. 329-6. Stubblefield, Dr. M. 41t. Tarboton, W. 331-3. Tepke, G. 86b, 168b. Turner MD, J. 338-5, 340-4. Ulrich, T.J. 211l, 353-6. Vezo, T. 281t, 336-3, 340-7. Wechsler, D. 270, 300l, 331-7, 345-1, 352-4. Wedge, J. 205br, 347-3. Wheeler, B.K. 100t, 100l, 102br, 103t, 103b, 329-3. Young, S. 89b. Zurowski, T. 166b.

366

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert H. Armstrong (Homo sapiens) Field marks. 69". Behavior. Bob Armstrong has pursued a career in Alaska as a biologist, naturalist, and nature photographer since 1960. From 1960 to 1984, he was a fishery biologist and research supervisor for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, an assistant leader for the Alaska Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, and associate professor of fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He retired from the State of Alaska in 1984 to pursue broader interests in the natural history of Alaska and nature photography. Voice. Bob Armstrong has written and coauthored many books dealing with the Natural History of Alaska, including Alaska’s Birds, Alaska’s Natural Wonders, The Nature of Southeast Alaska, Southeast Alaska’s Natural World, Dragonflies of Alaska, Along the Mt. Roberts Trail, Life Around the Mendenhall Glacier, Whistlers on the Mountains, and Dragons in the Ponds. He has also authored and coauthored numerous scientific and popular articles on birds, fish, mammals, and insects. Habitat. Armstrong lives in Juneau where he continues to photograph and write about nature. Notes. In recognition of his contributions to Alaska, Armstrong received an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Alaska in Juneau, and the Wallace H. Noerenberg award for fishery excellence from the Alaska chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

367

NOTES