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Alaska is home to more than 300 regularly occurring bird species, though over 500 have been documented. To reach Alaska, many of those species follow specific travel corridors, or flyways, year after year. From Bar-tailed Godwits to Whiskered Auklets, birds from around the globe rely on Alaska’s vast stretches of intact habitat.

For example, millions of migratory birds and threatened species depend upon their breeding grounds in Alaska’s Arctic regions, like the Western Arctic and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which earn nicknames like the “World’s Bird Nursery” and “America’s Bird Basket.”

Congregations of Bald Eagles set records here. Bristol Bay hosts some of the world’s largest concentrations of seabird colonies. More than 90% of Brant that use the Pacific Flyway, more than half the world population of Emperor Geese, and a significant percentage of the world population of Steller’s Eider and Taverner’s Cackling Goose are supported by Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The Tongass National Forest holds endemic species. And more than 500,000 shorebirds use the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

Birds connect Alaska back to the Lower 48, the hemisphere, and throughout the globe. Alaska birds migrate to six continents, following several different flyways. For many species, Alaska is the beginning point for flyways they will use their entire lives.

This is a birder’s paradise, and Alaska’s bird tourism is an essential economic driver. Many resources exist to help visitors and locals find those birds, including Alaska Birding Trails, festivals, maps, checklists, books, and more. Residents and visitors can also commit to these diverse, simple actions (that easily fit into your daily life) to help Alaska's birds.