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.

Birds of Alaska

  • 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

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