Bird Facts

Fun Bird Facts 

• Over 300 species of birds (160 breeding species) have been reported in Southeast Alaska.
• Some of the deepest diving birds in the world can be seen near Wrangell Island. The record depth for a Common Murre is 630 feet.  Long-tailed Ducks and loons have been found at depths of 240 feet. Pelagic Cormorants may dive as far as 580 feet.
• There are 10,000 - 15,000 Bald Eagles in Southeast Alaska.  Many eagles stay throughout the winter but may range for 200 miles or more in search of food.  Nonbreeders and juveniles are more likely to leave the state and have been reported as far south as Washington and Oregon.
• Goshawks are birds of prey that nest and hunt in old-growth forests. Researchers have followed these birds using radio-telemetry to learn more about their habitat requirements in the Tongass National Forest.
• As many as 30% of the bird species in this area migrate to the southern US, Central America or South America. Arctic Terns are the champions of bird migration with some birds traveling 11,000 miles between the southern tip of South America to the Arctic.
• Marbled Murrelets are small seabirds that breed and winter near Wrangell Island. Nests in Southeast have been found in large trees and on the ground. Chicks must successfully reach the sea from their nest that may be located 20 miles or more inland on  their first flight.

(Bird facts from : R. O'Clair; R. Armstrong; and R Carstensen. The Nature of Southeast Alaska. 1992.)