A print version of the Arctic Refuge bird list is available in PDF format (420 kb file). This file prints horizontally onto legal paper.(PDF information.)
Bird List
195 bird species have been recorded on the Arctic Refuge. This list describes their status and abundance. Many birds migrate outside of the Refuge in the winter, so unless otherwise noted the information is for spring, summer or fall.
REGIONS OF THE REFUGE
- Coastal Plain
- The area between the coast and the Brooks Range. This area is sometimes split in to the coast (the lagoons, barrier islands and Beaufort Sea areas) and inland (upland areas near the foothills of the Brooks Range).
- Brooks Range
- The mountains, valleys, and foothills north and south of the continental divide.
- South Side
- The foothills, taiga and boreal forest south of the Brooks Range.
STATUS
- Permanent Resident
- Present throughout the year and breeds in the area.
- Summer Resident
- Only present during the period from May to September.
- Migrant
- Travels through on the way to wintering or breeding areas.
- Breeder
- Documented as a breeding species.
- Visitor
- Present as a non-breeding species.
- *
- Not Documented
ABUNDANCE
- Abundant
- Very numerous in suitable habitats.
- Common
- Very likely to be seen or heard in suitable habitats.
- Fairly Common
- Numerous but not always present in suitable habitats.
- Uncommon
- Occurs regularly, but not always observed either because of lower abundance or secretive behaviors.
- Rare
- Occurs regularly but in very small numbers so not commonly observed.
- Casual
- Beyond its normal range but irregularly observed.
- Accidental
- Far from its normal range. Further observations unlikely.
GEESE, SWANS, DUCKS
- ___ Greater White-fronted Goose
- Common spring/fall migrant and uncommon breeder on coastal plain. Rare migrant in Brooks Range. Common spring migrant on south side.
- ___ Snow Goose
- Common spring migrant, rare summer visitor and abundant fall migrant on coastal plain. Uncommon spring migrant on south side.
- ___ Ross's Goose
- Casual spring migrant on coastal plain. Hypothetical fall migrant (*).
- ___ Brant
- Uncommon breeder and common migrant on coast.
- ___ Cackling Goose (formerly a subspecies of Canada Goose)
- Common breeder and migrant on coastal plain.
- ___ Canada Goose
- Uncommon breeder on south side. Rare migrant in Brooks Range.
- ___ Trumpeter Swan
- Casual breeder and visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Tundra Swan
- Common breeder on coastal plain. Uncommon migrant on south side.
- ___ Gadwall
- Casual visitor to coastal plain.
- ___ Eurasian Wigeon
- Casual visitor to coastal plain.
- ___ American Wigeon
- Uncommon migrant on coastal plain. Uncommon in Brooks Range, where it may breed (*). Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Mallard
- Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Uncommon elsewhere on coastal plain, in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Northern Shoveler
- Uncommon visitor on coastal plain and south side. May breed in these areas (*). Rare visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ Northern Pintail
- Common breeder and migrant on coastal plain and on south side. Rare visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ Green-winged Teal
- Uncommon breeder on inland coastal plain. Rare breeder and migrant along coast. Common in Brooks Range, where it may breed (*). Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Canvasback
- Casual visitor on coastal plain and south side.
- ___ Redhead
- Casual visitor on south side.
- ___ Ring-necked Duck
- Casual visitor in Brooks Range. Likely rare visitor on south side (*).
- ___ Greater Scaup
- Uncommon migrant and visitor along coast. Rare breeder on inland coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Common visitor on south side.
- ___ Lesser Scaup
- Rare breeder and visitor on inland areas of coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Common summer resident on south side, where it likely breeds (*).
- ___ Steller's Eider
- Rare visitor along coast.
- ___ Spectacled Eider
- Rare breeder and uncommon visitor along coast.
- ___ King Eider
- Fairly common breeder and uncommon migrant along coast.
- ___ Common Eider
- Common breeder on coastal islands. Common migrant along coast.
- ___ Harlequin Duck
- Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Rare visitor on south side.
- ___ Surf Scoter
- Uncommon migrant along coast. Uncommon on the inland coastal plain and south side. May breed in both areas (*).
- ___ White-winged Scoter
- Rare on inland lakes of coastal plain. Common migrant along coast. Rare visitor in Brooks Range. Common visitor on south side. May breed in all areas (*).
- ___ Black Scoter
- Uncommon migrant along coast.
- ___ Long-tailed Duck
- Common breeder on coastal plain. Abundant fall migrant along coast. Uncommon in Brooks Range, where it may breed (*). Common visitor and uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Bufflehead
- Rare visitor to Brooks Range and south side.
- ___ Common Goldeneye
- Rare visitor to all areas. May breed on south side (*).
- ___ Barrow's Goldeneye
- Casual visitor on south side.
- ___ Smew
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Common Merganser
- Casual visitor on inland coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon visitor to south side.
- ___ Red-breasted Merganser
- Rare breeder and fairly common migrant on coast. Fairly common breeder on inland coastal plain. Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range. Common on south side, where it may breed (*).
GROUSE, PTARMIGAN
- ___ Ruffed Grouse
- Rare permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Spruce Grouse
- Uncommon permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Willow Ptarmigan
- Uncommon permanent resident along coast. Common to abundant permanent resident elsewhere on Refuge.
- ___ Rock Ptarmigan
- Common permanent resident in all areas of Refuge.
- ___ Sharp-tailed Grouse
- Annual populations vary. Uncommon permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
LOONS
- ___ Red-throated Loon
- Fairly common breeder and migrant along coast. Rare breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Pacific Loon
- Common breeder on coastal plain and south side. Common migrant along coast. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range.
- ___ Common Loon
- Rare visitor along coast. Rare on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Yellow-billed Loon
- Uncommon migrant on coast. Rare migrant on inland coastal plain. Rare visitor in Brooks Range and rare breeder on larger lakes in this area.
GREBES
- ___ Horned Grebe
- Casual visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon on inland coastal plain and south side. May breed in both areas (*).
- ___ Red-necked Grebe
- Casual visitor to coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Rare on south side, where it may breed (*).
FULMARS, SHEARWATERS
- ___ Northern Fulmar
- Rare offshore visitor.
- ___ Short-tailed Shearwater
- Rare visitor along coast, mostly offshore.
RAPTORS
- ___ Osprey
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain. Rare visitor in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Bald Eagle
- Casual visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Northern Harrier
- Uncommon summer resident on coastal plain. May breed on inland coastal plain (*). Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Uncommon visitor on south side.
- ___ Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Casual visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Northern Goshawk
- Casual visitor on inland coastal plain. Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Swainson's Hawk
- Casual breeder on south side.
- ___ Red-tailed Hawk
- Rare visitor on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Rough-legged Hawk
- Rare visitor along coast. Uncommon breeder on inland areas of coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Rare breeder on south side.
- ___ Golden Eagle
- Fairly common visitor on coastal plain. Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range. Uncommon breeder on south side.
FALCONS
- ___ American Kestrel
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Merlin
- Rare visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon in Brooks Range and on south side. May breed in all areas (*).
- ___ Gyrfalcon
- Uncommon permanent resident on inland coastal plain, in Brooks Range and on south side. Rare visitor to coast.
- ___ Peregrine Falcon
- Rare breeder and uncommon visitor on coastal plain. Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
COOTS, RAILS
- ___ American Coot
- Rare visitor on south side.
CRANES
- ___ Sandhill Crane
- Rare breeder and uncommon summer resident on coastal plain. Rare visitor in Brooks Range. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
SHOREBIRDS
- ___ Black-bellied Plover
- Rare breeder and migrant on coastal plain. Fairly common fall migrant along coast. Rare visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ American Golden-Plover
- Common breeder on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Rare visitor on south side.
- ___ Semipalmated Plover
- Uncommon breeder on coastal islands. Fairly common breeder on inland coastal plain. Rare visitor elsewhere on coastal plain. Common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Killdeer
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Eurasian Dotterel
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Lesser Yellowlegs
- Casual visitor along coast. Uncommon in Brooks Range, where it may breed (*). Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Solitary Sandpiper
- Rare in Brooks Range, where it may breed (*). Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Wandering Tattler
- Uncommon breeder on inland coastal plain. Common breeder in Brooks Range. Fairly common breeder on south side.
- ___ Spotted Sandpiper
- Uncommon breeder on inland coastal plain.Common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Upland Sandpiper
- Fairly common breeder on inland coastal plain, Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Whimbrel
- Uncommon visitor to coast and in Brooks Range. Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Rare visitor and breeder on south side.
- ___ Black-tailed Godwit
- Accidental visitor to coast.
- ___ Hudsonian Godwit
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Bar-tailed Godwit
- Uncommon on coastal plain, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Ruddy Turnstone
- Fairly common breeder on coast and uncommon breeder on inland coastal plain. Rare visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ Surfbird
- Rare breeder in Brooks Range.
- ___ Red Knot
- Rare migrant along coast.
- ___ Sanderling
- Rare breeder on coastal plain. Rare spring and uncommon fall migrant along coast. Casual visitor on south side.
- ___ Semipalmated Sandpiper
- Abundant breeder in coastal areas and common breeder on inland coastal plain. Common fall migrant along coast. Rare visitor in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Western Sandpiper
- Rare on coastal plain, where it may breed (*). Uncommon fall migrant along coast.
- ___ Red-necked Stint
- Casual visitor on coast.
- ___ Least Sandpiper
- Rare visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Common breeder on south side.
- ___ White-rumped Sandpiper
- Rare breeder and spring migrant, and uncommon fall migrant, on coastal plain. Casual visitor on south side.
- ___ Baird's Sandpiper
- Uncommon breeder on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Common migrant on south side.
- ___ Pectoral Sandpiper
- Abundant breeder on coastal plain. Abundant fall migrant along coast. Fairly common migrant in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
- Casual migrant on coast.
- ___ Dunlin
- Uncommon breeder and fall migrant along coast. Rare migrant on south side.
- ___ Stilt Sandpiper
- Uncommon breeder and fall migrant on coastal plain.
- ___ Buff-breasted Sandpiper
- Uncommon breeder and migrant on coastal plain.
- ___ Ruff
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Long-billed Dowitcher
- Uncommon breeder and fairly common summer visitor on coastal plain. Common fall migrant along coast. Uncommon migrant on south side.
- ___ Wilson's Snipe
- Rare visitor on coastal plain. Fairly common in Brooks Range. May breed in both these areas (*). Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Wilson's Phalarope
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range.
- ___ Red-necked Phalarope
- Common breeder on coastal plain and south side. Common to abundant fall migrant along coast. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range.
- ___ Red Phalarope
- Fairly common breeder in coastal areas, east to Jago Delta. Uncommon elsewhere on coastal plain. Uncommon fall migrant along coast.
JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS
- ___ Pomarine Jaeger
- Common spring migrant, summer visitor, and occasional common breeder on the coast. Breeding occurs in years of high lemming populations. Common migrant in Brooks Range.
- ___ Parasitic Jaeger
- Common summer resident and uncommon breeder on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon migrant on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Long-tailed Jaeger
- Fairly common breeder on inland coastal plain. Common summer resident and rare breeder along coast. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Rare visitor to south side.
- ___ Bonaparte's Gull
- Casual visitor to coastal plain and Brooks Range. Uncommon visitor on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Mew Gull
- Rare visitor and breeder on coastal plain. Common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Herring Gull
- Rare migrant and visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Thayer's Gull
- Rare visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Slaty-backed Gull
- Casual visitor along coast.
- ___ Glaucous-winged Gull
- Casual visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ Glaucous Gull
- Common breeder and abundant summer resident along coast. Uncommon breeder on inland coastal plain.Common breeder in Brooks Range.
- ___ Sabine's Gull
- Uncommon breeder and migrant along coast.
- ___ Black-legged Kittiwake
- Rare visitor along coast, mostly offshore.
- ___ Ross' Gull
- Rare migrant along coast.
- ___ Ivory Gull
- Rare migrant along coast.
- ___ Arctic Tern
- Uncommon breeder on coast. Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Common summer resident on coastal plain and Brooks Range (breeding not documented). Uncommon visitor on south side.
ALCIDS
- ___ Thick-billed Murre
- Rare migrant along coast.
- ___ Black Guillemot
- Uncommon summer resident and rare breeder along coast.
- ___ Least Auklet
- Casual visitor along coast.
- ___ Horned Puffin
- Rare visitor along coast.
OWLS
- ___ Great Horned Owl
- Uncommon permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Snowy Owl
- Annual populations vary. Uncommon to common permanent resident and occasional rare breeder on coastal plain. Breeding occurs in years of high lemming populations. Rare visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ Northern Hawk-Owl
- Uncommon permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Great Grey Owl
- Rare permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Short-eared Owl
- Uncommon to common breeder on coastal plain. Breeding occurs in years of high lemming populations. Fairly common in Brooks Range. Rare summer visitor on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Boreal Owl
- Uncommon permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
GOATSUCKERS
- ___ Common Nighthawk
- Casual visitor to coastal plain.
HUMMINGBIRDS
- ___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Accidental visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ Rufous Hummingbird
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain.
KINGFISHERS
- ___ Belted Kingfisher
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon summer resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
WOODPECKERS
- ___ Downy Woodpecker
- Rare permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Hairy Woodpecker
- Rare permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ American Three-toed Woodpecker
- Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Black-backed Woodpecker
- Rare permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Northern Flicker
- Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
- ___ Olive-sided Flycatcher
- Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Alder Flycatcher
- Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Hammond's Flycatcher
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Eastern Phoebe
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Say's Phoebe
- Rare visitor on coastal plain. Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range.
- ___ Eastern Kingbird
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range.
SHRIKES
- ___ Northern Shrike
- Rare visitor on inland coastal plain, where it may breed (*). Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
CORVIDS
- ___ Gray Jay
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Common permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Common Raven
- Uncommon permanent resident and possible rare breeder (*) on coastal plain. Uncommon permanent resident in Brooks Range and on south side, where it may breed (*).
LARKS
- ___ Horned Lark
- Rare breeder inland and visitor elsewhere on coastal plain. Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range. Rare visitor on south side.
SWALLOWS
- ___ Tree Swallow
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Violet-green Swallow
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Bank Swallow
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon in Brooks Range and on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Cliff Swallow
- Rare visitor on coastal plain, where it may breed (*). Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Barn Swallow
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
CHICKADEES
- ___ Black-capped Chickadee
- Uncommon permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Boreal Chickadee
- Rare visitor in Brooks Range. Uncommon permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Gray-headed Chickadee
- Uncommon permanent resident in Brooks Range and on south side.
NUTHATCHES
- ___ Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Casual visitor on south side.
DIPPERS
- ___ American Dipper
- Uncommon permanent resident throughout Refuge, except along the coast.
KINGLETS, OLD WORLD WARBLERS, AND THRUSHES
- ___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Uncommon visitor in Brooks Range. Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Arctic Warbler
- Rare in Brooks Range, where it may breed (*). Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Bluethroat
- Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Rare visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ Northern Wheatear
- Rare visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range.
- ___ Townsend's Solitaire
- Uncommon visitor in Brooks Range. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Gray-cheeked Thrush
- Rare visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Swainson's Thrush
- Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Hermit Thrush
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ American Robin
- Rare visitor to coast. Uncommon breeder on inland coastal plain. Common breeder in Brooks Range.Abundant breeder on south side.
- ___ Varied Thrush
- Casual visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Common breeder on south side.
WAGTAILS, PIPITS
- ___ Eastern Yellow Wagtail
- Fairly common breeder on coastal plain. Rare visitor to south side.
- ___ American Pipit
- Rare breeder and uncommon fall migrant on coastal plain. Abundant breeder in Brooks Range.
WAXWINGS
- ___ Bohemian Waxwing
- Casual visitor in Brooks Range. Fairly common summer resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Cedar Waxwing
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain.
WOOD WARBLERS, SPARROWS, BUNTINGS, BLACKBIRDS
- ___ Orange-crowned Warbler
- Casual visitor to coastal plain. Fairly common breeder on south side.
- ___ Yellow Warbler
- Rare visitor to coast. Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Fairly common breeder on south side.
- ___ Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon in Brooks Range. Common breeder on south side.
- ___ Blackpoll Warbler
- Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Northern Waterthrush
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Wilson's Warbler
- Rare visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Western Tanager
- Accidental visitor in Brooks Range.
- ___ American Tree Sparrow
- Rare visitor to coast. Common breeder on inland coastal plain. Abundant breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Chipping Sparrow
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Clay-colored Sparrow
- Accidental visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ Savannah Sparrow
- Common breeder on coastal plain, in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Fox Sparrow
- Rare visitor on coast. Rare breeder on inland coastal plain. Common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Lincoln's Sparrow
- Rare visitor on south side.
- ___ White-throated Sparrow
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
- ___ White-crowned Sparrow
- Rare visitor along coast. Uncommon breeder on inland coastal plain. Common breeder in Brooks Range. Abundant breeder on south side.
- ___ Golden-crowned Sparrow
- Rare in Brooks Range, where it may breed (*). Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Dark-eyed Junco
- Rare visitor on coastal plain. Uncommon breeder in Brooks Range. Abundant breeder on south side.
- ___ Lapland Longspur
- Abundant breeder on coastal plain and in Brooks Range. Uncommon migrant on south side.
- ___ Smith's Longspur
- Rare visitor to coastal plain. Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range and on south side.
- ___ Snow Bunting
- Common breeder along coast and in Brooks Range.
- ___ Red-winged Blackbird
- Casual visitor on coastal plain and in Brooks Range.
- ___ Rusty Blackbird
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Rare visitor in Brooks Range. Uncommon breeder on south side.
- ___ Brown-headed Cowbird
- Casual visitor on coastal plain.
FINCHES
- ___ Gray-crowned Rosy-finch
- Fairly common breeder in Brooks Range. Uncommon summer resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ Pine Grosbeak
- Uncommon permanent resident on south side, where it may breed (*).
- ___ White-winged Crossbill
- Common permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Common Redpoll
- Common breeder on coastal plain, in Brooks Range and on south side. Permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Hoary Redpoll
- Common breeder on coastal plain, in Brooks Range and on south side. Permanent resident on south side.
- ___ Pine Siskin
- Casual visitor on coastal plain. Rare visitor on south side.
You can help us keep this check list current by sending information of any unusual sightings to arctic_refuge@fws.gov. Information on species not on the list, or those that have abundance or status listed as not documented, would be especially valuable. A photograph is the best way to document an usual sighting. To help you record bird sightings, daily observation sheets are available on our website at http://arctic.fws.gov/birdobs.htm.
[Bird listing updated October 2008.]
October 27, 2008
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