Birds of Alaska

There are around 550 birds in the official list published by the Alaska Checklist Committee. About 50 of these 550 birds are considered rare, while around 80 are accidental or vagrant.

The willow ptarmigan has been the state bird of Alaska since 1955. A popular game bird, it is primarily in season during spring.

American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-capped Chickadee
Willow Ptarmigan
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Blackpoll Warbler
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Harrier
Northern Wheatear
Pine Siskin
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Rufous Hummingbird
Arctic Tern
Downy Woodpecker
American Crow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Rough-legged Hawk
Boreal Chickadee
European Starling
Rock Pigeon
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Black-billed Magpie
Steller’s Jay
Mallard
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bar-tailed Godwit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Common Redpoll
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Hawk Owl
Least Sandpiper
Black-legged Kittiwake
Northern Goshawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Song Sparrow
Northern Shoveler
Pectoral Sandpiper
Rock Ptarmigan
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Black Turnstone
Harlequin Duck
Great Horned Owl
American Pipit
Red-necked Grebe
Peregrine Falcon
Horned Puffin
Common Raven
Great Grey Owl
Alder Flycatcher
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Black-footed Albatross
Fox Sparrow
Spotted Sandpiper
Red-winged Blackbird
Pelagic Cormorant

Most Common Backyard Birds:

All-year-round: Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped Chickadee, Black-billed Magpie, Steller’s Jay

Migratory Birds:

In Summer: Northern Wheatear, Arctic Tern, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler

In Winter: Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mallard, Common Redpoll

Birds of Prey: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk

Common Birds Identification by Color

Brown Birds

Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Pine Siskin
Chipping Sparrow
Boreal Chickadee

Black Birds

European Starling
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird

White Birds

Willow Ptarmigan

Rock Ptarmigan
Black-capped Chickadee

References
- https://www.universityofalaskamuseumbirds.org/products/checklist.pdf

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