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Birding in Alaska

Alaska is North America's last great wilderness frontier for birding, with species found nowhere else in the United States.

30
Counties
2,693
Hotspots
1,289
Parks
3,303
Trails
Last updated: May 4, 2026
Resident pop.
Rare / 14dTotal obs
0
Rare / 14d
0
Species / 14d
2,693
Hotspots
1,289
Parks
3,303
Trails
30
Counties

Overview

Alaska's vast tundra, boreal forests, and remote island chains harbor birds that most North American birders can only dream of seeing -- Steller's and Spectacled Eiders, Bristle-thighed Curlews, and a parade of Asian vagrants on the Aleutians and Pribilof Islands. The state's long summer days support explosive breeding activity, while its coastal waters teem with alcids and seabirds. TrailBird is expanding to cover Alaska's birding hotspots with live eBird data, trail maps, and seasonal guides.

Seasonal Birding Guide

Millions of shorebirds stage on the Copper River Delta in May. Asian rarities appear on western islands.

Breeding seabirds pack cliffside colonies. Interior forests host nesting warblers, sparrows, and thrushes.

Southbound migration begins early. Rare Asian passerines visit the Aleutians and Pribilofs through October.

Limited birding, but Steller's and Spectacled Eiders concentrate in polynyas. Ptarmigan and redpolls persist.

Quick Facts

State Bird
Willow Ptarmigan
Notable Birding Areas
Denali NP, Pribilof Islands, Homer Spit, Copper River Delta
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🚨 Recent Rare Bird Alerts in Alaska

Notable sightings in the last 14 days

No rare alerts in the last 14 days.

🔥 Top Birding Hotspots in Alaska

Ranked by total species recorded

St. Paul Island
325 species
US-AK-016 County
Last observed: 2026-04-12 00:00
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Gambell (general area)
300 species
US-AK-180 County
Last observed: 2026-04-11 10:52
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Ketchikan (general area)
281 species
US-AK-130 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 09:51
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Gustavus (general area)
275 species
US-AK-105 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 12:55
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Mendenhall Wetlands SGR (general area)
269 species
US-AK-110 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 19:29
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Gustavus--Forelands
254 species
US-AK-105 County
Last observed: 2026-04-29 08:25
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🪶 What's Being Seen in Alaska

Species spotted in the last 14 days

No recent species data available yet.

📍 Most Active Hotspots This Week

Where birders are reporting right now

Anchorage Coastal WR--Carr-Gottstein Park to Campbell Creek
165 species
US-AK-020 County
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Bethel (general area)
138 species
US-AK-050 County
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Bethel--Sewage Ponds
86 species
US-AK-050 County
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Nelchina Lodge
79 species
US-AK-066 County
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Shemya Island--Eareckson AS (restricted access)
239 species
US-AK-016 County
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Bethel--Hangar Lake
87 species
US-AK-050 County
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🥾 Trails Near the Action

Hiking trails near recent rare sightings

Winter Trail
US-AK-290 County
Winter Trail
US-AK-185 County
Winter Trail
US-AK-050 County
Tractor Trail
US-AK-290 County

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