ChugachBirds |
Birds at Chugach National Forest (NF) in Alaska. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
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Chugach National Forest Bird checklist
❑ American Robin
Cool Fact
The American Robin is one of the most common birds in North America. The oldest recorded American Robin was 13 years and 11 months
old
Field Marks
Medium-sized songbird • Black and white streaked throat • Rusty red
breast and sides • Yellow bill (often with black tip)
❑ Black-capped Chickadee
Cool Fact
Chickadee calls are complex and language-like, communicating information on identity and recognition of other flocks as well as predator
alarms and contact calls. The more dee notes in a chickadee-dee-dee
call, the higher the threat level.
Field Marks
Small songbird • Black cap and throat • White cheek and nape • Buff
or orangish sides • Brownish gray back
❑ Common Redpoll
Cool Fact
Common Redpolls can survive temperatures of -65° Fahrenheit.
Field Marks
Small, compact-bodied songbird • Small, conical yellow bill • Black on
face at base of bill • Red cap with rosy tinge on breast of males
❑ Northern Shoveler
Cool Fact
When flushed off the nest, a female Northern Shoveler often defecates on its eggs, apparently to deter predators.
Field Marks
Medium-sized duck • Very long bill, wider at tip than at base • Male
has iridescent green head, white chest and rusty sides
❑ Common Raven
Cool Fact
Common Ravens can mimic the calls of other bird species. They can
even imitate human words.
Field Marks
Very large black bird • Long, shaggy throat feathers • Long, thick beak
• Long feathers covering nostrils and base of bill
❑ Black-billed Magpie
Cool Fact
On their expedition, Lewis and Clark reported magpies boldly entering their tents to steal food.
Field Marks
Long and slender-bodied • Distinctive black and white plumage •
White belly contrasts with head and chest
❑ Steller’s Jay
Cool Fact
The Steller’s Jay can mimic birds, squirrels, cats, dogs, chickens and
some mechanical objects.
Field Marks
Large, stocky, songbird • Black upper body transitioning to deep,
iridescent blue on wings and belly • Tall, spiky crest
❑ Bald Eagle
Cool Fact
Bald Eagles can live a long time, with a longevity record of 38 years
in the wild.
Field Marks
Very large raptor with long, broad wings • White head and tail • Powerful yellow bill • Powerful talons
❑ Mew Gull
Cool Fact
The Mew Gull is the only “white-headed” gull that regularly uses trees
for nesting.
Field Marks
Medium-sized to small gull • Unmarked yellow bill • Head and underparts white • Back medium gray • Wingtips black with white spots •
Yellow legs
❑ Willow Ptarmigan
Cool Fact
It was named the official state bird of Alaska in 1955. The Willow
Ptarmigan changes color from light brown in summer to snow white in
winter for effective camouflage from predators.
Field Marks
Medium to large chicken-like bird • Thick bodied • Tail moderately
short, rounded and black • Completely white in winter • Streaked rusty
brown in summer
photo credits: Milo Burcham, Alicia F. King, and the National Digital Library of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
www.fs.usda.gov/chugach