23 Alaska beautiful birds
Alaska is a paradise for birdwatchers. Its wild coasts, snowy tundras, and forested valleys host more than 500 bird species, each uniquely adapted to this rugged landscape. From the commanding Bald Eagle to the tiny but fearless Chickadee, the state offers endless fascination for bird lovers.
In this guide, you’ll meet 23 of Alaska’s most beautiful birds — complete with their key traits, habitat details, and fascinating facts.
1. Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is America’s national symbol and one of Alaska’s most majestic residents. With piercing eyes and a wingspan up to seven feet, it rules the skies along rivers and coastal cliffs. Bald eagles feed mainly on fish but also scavenge along the shore. They gather in massive numbers in Haines each fall during salmon spawning season.
- Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Length: 28–40 inches
- Weight: 6.5–14 pounds
- Wingspan: 6–7.5 feet
2. Horned Puffin
The Horned Puffin looks like a cartoon come to life with its colorful bill and white face. These seabirds nest on rocky cliffs, diving deep for small fish. Their “horns” are actually small fleshy spikes above the eyes, giving them a unique expression. Summer is the best time to see them around Kenai Fjords or Kodiak Island.
- Scientific Name: Fratercula corniculata
- Length: 8–10 inches
- Weight: 0.8–1.4 pounds
- Wingspan: 19–24 inches
3. Tufted Puffin
The Tufted Puffin sports golden feather tufts and bright orange feet. It’s slightly larger than the Horned Puffin and nests in burrows high above Alaskan cliffs. Known for its graceful underwater flight, it uses its wings to “fly” through water in pursuit of fish.
- Scientific Name: Fratercula cirrhata
- Length: 13–15 inches
- Weight: 1.5–2.2 pounds
- Wingspan: 23–25 inches
4. Common Raven
Smart, social, and vocal, the Common Raven thrives from the tundra to city dumpsters. It’s Alaska’s state bird and a key figure in many Native legends. Ravens can mimic sounds, play games, and even recognize faces.
- Scientific Name: Corvus corax
- Length: 22–27 inches
- Weight: 2–4.4 pounds
- Wingspan: 3.3–4.9 feet
5. Willow Ptarmigan
The Willow Ptarmigan is famous for its seasonal color changes — brown in summer, snow-white in winter. Its plumage helps it blend perfectly with the tundra environment. This species is also Alaska’s official state bird.
- Scientific Name: Lagopus lagopus
- Length: 14–17 inches
- Weight: 1–1.6 pounds
- Wingspan: 22–24 inches
6. Harlequin Duck
A small sea duck with striking blue, white, and chestnut colors, the Harlequin Duck prefers fast-moving streams and rocky coasts. Its squeaky voice has earned it the nickname “Sea Mouse.”
- Scientific Name: Histrionicus histrionicus
- Length: 16–19 inches
- Weight: 1–1.5 pounds
- Wingspan: 26–28 inches
7. Black Oystercatcher
The Black Oystercatcher is easy to spot with its dark feathers and bright orange bill. It thrives along rocky shorelines, feeding on shellfish and crustaceans it pries open with precision.
- Scientific Name: Haematopus bachmani
- Length: 15–18 inches
- Weight: 1.2–1.8 pounds
- Wingspan: 28–32 inches
8. Sandhill Crane
The Sandhill Crane is tall, elegant, and easily recognized by its red crown. During spring migration, thousands fill the skies of Fairbanks and Anchorage. Their synchronized dances are a joy to watch.
- Scientific Name: Antigone canadensis
- Length: 36–47 inches
- Weight: 6.5–14 pounds
- Wingspan: 6–7.5 feet
9. Arctic Tern
The Arctic Tern makes the longest migration of any bird, flying from Alaska to Antarctica each year. Despite its small size, it endures extreme distances gracefully.
- Scientific Name: Sterna paradisaea
- Length: 11–15 inches
- Weight: 3.5–4.5 ounces
- Wingspan: 25–30 inches
10. Steller’s Jay
With brilliant blue feathers and a spiky crest, the Steller’s Jay adds color to Alaska’s forests. It’s intelligent and bold, often mimicking other birds or even human voices.
- Scientific Name: Cyanocitta stelleri
- Length: 11–13 inches
- Weight: 3–4 ounces
- Wingspan: 17 inches
11. Red-throated Loon
The Red-throated Loon is elegant and sleek, recognized by its red patch and eerie calls that echo over Arctic ponds. It’s the smallest and most agile of all loons.
- Scientific Name: Gavia stellata
- Length: 21–26 inches
- Weight: 3–4.5 pounds
- Wingspan: 3.2–3.5 feet
12. Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl is a striking white predator of the tundra. It perches on snowbanks, scanning for lemmings and hares. Females are larger and more heavily barred than males.
- Scientific Name: Bubo scandiacus
- Length: 20–27 inches
- Weight: 3.5–6.5 pounds
- Wingspan: 4.5–5.5 feet
13. Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush brings a splash of orange and black to Alaska’s deep forests. Its whistled song creates a mystical soundscape during early mornings.
- Scientific Name: Ixoreus naevius
- Length: 7.5–10 inches
- Weight: 2.3 ounces
- Wingspan: 13–15 inches
14. Black-capped Chickadee
Small but fearless, the Black-capped Chickadee survives even Alaska’s freezing winters. It hides seeds to eat later and remembers every location.
- Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus
- Length: 4.7–5.9 inches
- Weight: 0.3–0.5 ounces
- Wingspan: 6–8 inches
15. Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is the mountain king of Alaska. With massive wings and sharp talons, it hunts hares, foxes, and even young caribou. It prefers cliffs and open tundra.
- Scientific Name: Aquila chrysaetos
- Length: 27–33 inches
- Weight: 6.5–15 pounds
- Wingspan: 6–7.5 feet
16. Gyrfalcon
The Gyrfalcon is the largest falcon on Earth and thrives in Alaska’s Arctic regions. Built for cold, it’s a fierce hunter that preys on ptarmigan and waterfowl.
- Scientific Name: Falco rusticolus
- Length: 19–24 inches
- Weight: 2–5 pounds
- Wingspan: 4–4.7 feet
17. Lapland Longspur
During summer, the Lapland Longspur sings across the tundra. Its striking black, chestnut, and white plumage adds color to Alaska’s northern plains.
- Scientific Name: Calcarius lapponicus
- Length: 5.5–6.3 inches
- Weight: 0.6–1 ounce
- Wingspan: 9–11 inches
18. Bohemian Waxwing
The Bohemian Waxwing flocks to southern Alaska in winter, feeding on berries. With its silky gray feathers and yellow-tipped tail, it’s truly elegant.
- Scientific Name: Bombycilla garrulus
- Length: 7–9 inches
- Weight: 1.8–2.4 ounces
- Wingspan: 12 inches
19. Red-necked Grebe
The Red-necked Grebe is a graceful swimmer with a striking chestnut neck. It builds floating nests and is often seen diving for fish on calm lakes.
- Scientific Name: Podiceps grisegena
- Length: 16–20 inches
- Weight: 2–3 pounds
- Wingspan: 2.3–2.7 feet
20. Northwestern Crow
The Northwestern Crow is similar to the American Crow but smaller and coastal. It feeds on clams and shellfish, often seen dropping them from the sky to crack them open.
- Scientific Name: Corvus caurinus
- Length: 16–17 inches
- Weight: 12–14 ounces
- Wingspan: 33 inches
21. Spruce Grouse
Known as the “fool hen,” the Spruce Grouse doesn’t fear humans. Its mottled feathers make it nearly invisible in conifer forests.
- Scientific Name: Falcipennis canadensis
- Length: 15–17 inches
- Weight: 1–2 pounds
- Wingspan: 20–22 inches
22. Black-legged Kittiwake
The Black-legged Kittiwake nests on cliff edges in noisy colonies. These graceful seabirds spend most of their lives at sea.
- Scientific Name: Rissa tridactyla
- Length: 15–16 inches
- Weight: 13–16 ounces
- Wingspan: 36–40 inches
23. American Dipper
The American Dipper is North America’s only aquatic songbird. It dives into icy streams to catch insects and can even walk underwater.
- Scientific Name: Cinclus mexicanus
- Length: 6–8 inches
- Weight: 1.5 ounces
- Wingspan: 10 inches
FAQs
What is Alaska’s state bird?
The Willow Ptarmigan, known for its changing plumage, is the official state bird of Alaska.
Where can I see puffins in Alaska?
Visit Kenai Fjords, Kodiak Island, or the Pribilof Islands from June to August.
What’s the most common bird in Alaska?
The Common Raven, seen from Anchorage to the Arctic.
Are there hummingbirds in Alaska?
Yes, the Rufous Hummingbird visits southern Alaska during summer.
When is the best time for birdwatching?
Late May to July is perfect — most migratory birds have arrived and are nesting.
Final Thoughts
From puffins on coastal cliffs to owls watching over the tundra, Alaska’s birdlife is breathtaking. Each species adds beauty and balance to this wild frontier. Whether you’re visiting for photography or birdwatching, Alaska offers an unforgettable experience with every flap of wings.
