Bird Species

 
two sandhill cranes fly across the sky

NPS Photo / Tim Rains

 

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 Setophaga striata 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 Setophaga townsendi 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
 
Checklist Information

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.

Last updated: October 22, 2020

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755

Phone:

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.

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