Please Note: We are currently working on a revision to the Checklist of Birds for Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The list posted below was developed using data available through 2007. We expect to post an updated checklist by the end of 2021.
The code key for seasonal abundance and other information can be found at the bottom of this page.
Anseriformes (Geese, Swans, & Ducks)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifrons
U
U
R
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Snow Goose
Chen caerulescens
R
R
n/a
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Brant
Branta bernicla
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianus
U
O
n/a
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Gadwall
Anas strepera
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Eurasian Wigeon
Anas penelope
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
American Wigeon
Anas americana
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
FC
FC
U
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Blue-winged Teal
Anas discors
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Northern Shoveler
Anas clypeata
FC
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Green-winged Teal
Anas crecca
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Canvasback
Aythya valisineria
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Redhead
Aythya americana
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
U
R
n/a
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Greater Scaup
Aythya marila
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicus
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Streams, Rivers
Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
White-winged Scoter
Melanitta fusca
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Black Scoter
Melanitta americana
U
U
R
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalis
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
U
R
n/a
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bucephala islandica
FC
FC
U
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands, Streams, Rivers
Galliformes (Grouse & Ptarmigan)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
R
R
R
R
R
Resident
Forests
Spruce Grouse
Falcipennis canadensis
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
Resident
Forests
Willow Ptarmigan
Lagopus lagopus
A
A
A
A
A
Resident
Shrub Thickets
Rock Ptarmigan
Lagopus muta
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
Resident
Alpine Areas
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Lagopus leucura
U
U
U
U
U
Resident
Alpine Areas
Gaviiformes (Loons)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
U
U
R
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Pacific Loon
Gavia pacifica
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Common Loon
Gavia immer
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Yellow-billed Loon
Gavia adamsii
O
n/a
n/a
O
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Podicepediformes (Grebes)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritus
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Accipteriformes (Hawks & Eagles)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Streams, Rivers
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
U
U
U
U
O
Partial Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Streams, Rivers
Northern Harrier
Circus cyaneus
FC
C
C
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands, Lowlands, Uplands
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
U
U
U
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
U
U
U
U
R
Resident, Irruptive Migrant
Forests
Swainson's Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
O
O
n/a
O
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
U
U
R
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopus
R
R
n/a
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Uplands
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
C
C
C
C
R
Complete Migrant, Occasional Resident
Uplands, Mountainous Regions
Falconiformes (Falcons)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Uplands
Merlin
Falco columbarius
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus
U
U
U
U
R
Resident, Young Disperse
Cliffs,
Alpine Areas, Mountainous Regions
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
R
R
R
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Cliffs, Riparian Areas
Gruiformes (Cranes)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis
U
U
U
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands
Charadriiformes (Shorebirds)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
O
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominica
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Semipalmated Plover
Charadrius semipalmatus
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Riverbars
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
FC
U
U
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Streams, Ponds
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Streams, Wetlands, Ponds
Wandering Tattler
Tringa incana
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Streams
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
U
R
R
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands, Ponds
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands, Ponds
Upland Sandpiper
Bartramia longicauda
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Lowland Tundra
Hudsonian Godwit
Limosa haemastica
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Black Turnstone
Arenaria melanocephala
n/a
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Surfbird
Aphriza virgata
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Sanderling
Calidris alba
n/a
n/a
n/a
X
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla
U
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri
R
O
n/a
O
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands
Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
C
C
FC
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Lowland and Alpine Tundra
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
U
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Dunlin
Calidris alpina
R
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceus
U
U
n/a
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
C
FC
U
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
X
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphia
FC
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Mew Gull
Larus canus
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes, Riverbars
Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes, Riverbars
Glaucous-winged Gull
Larus glaucescens
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes, Riverbars
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
FC
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinus
n/a
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudus
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Long-billed Murrelet
Brachyramphus perdix
n/a
n/a
n/a
X
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Strigiformes (Owls)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Great-horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
Resident
Forests
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
O
n/a
n/a
O
O
Partial Migrant
Uplands
Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
U
U
U
U
U
Irruptive Migrant
Forests
Great Gray Owl
Strix nebulosa
R
R
R
R
R
Irruptive Migrant
Forests
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Lowland and Alpine Tundra
Boreal Owl
Aegolius funereus
U
U
U
U
U
Resident
Forests
Apodiformes (Hummingbirds)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
n/a
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Coraciiformes (Kingfishers)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Riparian Corridors, Ponds, Lakes
Piciformes (Woodpeckers)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
R
R
R
R
R
Resident
Forests
Hairy Woodpecker
Picoides villosus
R
R
R
R
R
Resident
Forests
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Picoides dorsalis
U
U
U
U
U
Resident
Forests
Black-backed Woodpecker
Picoides arcticus
O
O
O
O
O
Resident
Forests
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Passeriformes (Perching Birds)
Common Name
Genus species
Seasonal Abundance
Migration Status
General Habitat
Sp
Su
B
F
W
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Western Wood-Pewee
Contopus sordidulus
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax flaviventris
n/a
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Hammond's Flycatcher
Empidonax hammondii
R
R
R
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
n/a
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Cliffs,
Rock Outcrops
Northern Shrike
Lanius excubitor
U
U
U
U
n/a
Resident, Partial Migrant
Shrubs,
Open Forest
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
n/a
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Gray Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
A
A
A
A
A
Resident
Forests, Shrubs
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
n/a
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Forest
Black-billed Magpie
Pica hudsonia
C
C
C
C
C
Resident
Shrubs,
Open Forest
Common Raven
Corvus corax
FC
FC
FC
FC
FC
Resident
Cliffs, Riparian Corridors
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Violet-green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Riparian Corridors
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Riparian Corridors
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Riparian Corridors, Cliffs, Buildings
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
R
R
n/a
R
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
FC
U
U
FC
U
Resident
Forests, Shrubs
Boreal Chickadee
Poecile hudsonicus
C
C
C
C
C
Resident
Forests, Shrubs
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
R
R
n/a
R
R
Irruptive Migrant
Forests
Brown Creeper
Certhia americana
O
O
n/a
O
O
Complete Migrant
Forests
American Dipper
Cinclus mexicanus
U
R
R
R
R
Resident
Streams, Rivers
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
n/a
O
n/a
O
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Regulus calendula
C
C
C
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Arctic Warbler
Phylloscopus borealis
U
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs
Northern Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra, Alpine River Bars
Townsend's Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Mountainous Alpine Areas
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Catharus minimus
FC
FC
FC
FC
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs, Forests
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs, Forests
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs, Forests
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
X
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
American Pipit
Anthus rubescens
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicus
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra
Smith's Longspur
Calcarius pictus
n/a
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Lowland Tundra
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalis
FC
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra, Glacial Moraines
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
U
R
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Riparian Corridors, Shrubs
Orange-crowned Warbler
Oreothlypis celata
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
O
O
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Blackpoll Warbler
Setophagastriata
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Riparian Corridors
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Townsend's Warbler
Setophagatownsendi
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
Forests
Wilson's Warbler
Cardellina pusilla
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs
American Tree Sparrow
Spizella arborea
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs, Uplands
Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Uplands
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
C
C
C
C
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs
Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
U
FC
FC
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
A
A
A
A
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Shrubs
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
A
A
A
A
O
Complete Migrant
Forest, Shrubs
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
n/a
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
n/a
O
n/a
O
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus
U
R
R
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Ponds, Lakes, Wetlands
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
X
X
n/a
n/a
n/a
Complete Migrant
n/a
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Leucosticte tephrocotis
U
U
U
U
n/a
Complete Migrant
Alpine Tundra, Mountainous Alpine Areas
Pine Grosbeak
Pinicola enucleator
U
U
U
U
U
Irruptive Migrant
Forests
White-winged Crossbill
Loxia leucoptera
U
U
U
U
U
Irruptive Migrant
Forests
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammea
C
C
C
C
C
Irruptive Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Hoary Redpoll
Acanthis hornemanni
R
n/a
n/a
R
R
Irruptive Migrant
Forests, Shrubs
Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus
U
U
U
U
n/a
Irruptive Migrant
Forests
Hypothetical Species
No satisfactory records exist for the following birds in Denali, but the species has either been recorded near the park and/or recorded within the park with some uncertainty.
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Tympanuchus phasianellus
Short-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus griseus
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabini
California Gull
Larus californicus
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Gray-headed chickadee
Poecile cinctus
Mountain Bluebird
Sialia currucoides
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla tschutschensis
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
Tennessee Warbler
Oreothlypis peregrina
Purple Finch
Carpodacus purpureus
Code Key
Seasonal Codes:
Sp
Spring
spring migration period occurring from late March through early June
Su
Summer
middle of June though July
B
Breeding
early April to mid-June
F
Fall
fall migration period occurring from late July through mid-October
W
Winter
late October through March
Abundance Codes:
A
Abundant
observed repeatedly in expected habitats
C
Common
observed frequently in expected habitats
FC
Fairly Common
occurs regularly in most expected habitats
U
Uncommon
occurs regularly, but infrequently in most expected habitats
R
Rare
occurs regularly, but in small numbers
O
Occasional
has been recorded no more than a few times and is beyond the periphery of normal annual range
X
Accidental
has been recorded one or two times and is so far beyond the periphery of normal annual range that reoccurrence is unlikely
n/a
not applicable
no applicable information
Migration Status Code:
Resident
overwinters regularly in area
Occasional Resident
some members of the species may overwinter in years of very high food supplies
Young Disperse
adults are resident, but young usually move out of the general area
Complete Migrant
virtually all members of the species leave their breeding range and Alaska during the nonbreeding season
Partial Migrant
seasonal movements away from a breeding range by some, but not all, members of a species with overlap between breeding and nonbreeding ranges
Irruptive Migrant
migrations that are not seasonally or geographically predictable
irruptions may occur in one year but not again for many years
distances and numbers of individuals involved are less predictable than for partial or complete migrants
Park visitors can use this checklist to know what birds they can expect to see at different seasons and in different habitats in Denali. The National Park Service Checklist of Birds of Denali provides a general overview of the relative seasonal abundance, migration status, and general habitat of the 166 species of birds thus far recorded at Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. National Park Service scientists maintain a contemporary checklist to reflect results of ongoing bird studies in all portions of Denali.
The National Park Service Checklist of Birds in Denali was derived from the checklist of Denali's birds developed by Ken Kertell and Doug Murphy in 1985, and updated and revised by Alan Seegert and Carol McIntyre in 2006. This checklist of Denali's birds by Kertell, Murphy and Seegert is available for purchase through at Alaska Geographic bookstores in the park.
The abundance and distribution of many of the birds found in Denali often cycle with seasonal food resources. Therefore, this checklist may not accurately reflect abundance in all years. Northern hawk owls, short-eared owls, white-winged crossbills, and common redpolls may be common or abundant in one year and then nearly absent in others. Golden eagles usually migrate out of the area in fall, but some individuals may overwinter when food resources (snowshoe hare) are abundant.
Phylogenetic sequence and English and scientific names follow The A.O.U. Checklist of North America Birds (Seventh ed., 1998, and through the 52nd supplement 2011).
We gather new data on Denali's birds every year. Please report any new sightings to Denali National Park and Preserve personnel.
907 683-9532
A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.