15 Largest Birds In Alaska: A Comprehensive Guide

Alaska is home to a remarkable array of large bird species, each adapted to thrive in its unique environments.

From the iconic Bald Eagle soaring above coastal waters to the graceful Sandhill Crane nesting in wetlands, these birds are integral to Alaska’s natural heritage.

This article explores some of the state’s most notable large birds, highlighting their characteristics, habitats, and roles in the ecosystem.

Table of Contents

List of 15 Largest Birds in Alaska

1.Trumpeter Swan

The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is North America’s largest native waterfowl, with males averaging over 26 pounds in weight.

They can reach up to 6 feet in length and boast an impressive wingspan of about 10 feet.

These majestic birds are easily recognized by their all-white plumage and distinctive all-black bills.

Size: Males average over 26 pounds, making them North America’s heaviest flying bird.
Length: Up to 6 feet from beak to tail.
Wingspan: Approximately 10 feet, facilitating their powerful flight.
Appearance: Pure white feathers with a straight, all-black bill.
Habitat: Favors large but shallow freshwater ponds, or wide, slow-flowing rivers, with abundant vegetation.
Behavior: Known for their deep, trumpeting calls and strong pair bonds, often mating for life.

2.Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

The Bald Eagle, America’s national bird, is renowned for its striking appearance and impressive size.

Adults display a distinctive white head and tail contrasting with a dark brown body and wings. They inhabit areas near large bodies of open water, favoring locations with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.

Bald Eagles are powerful fliers, often seen soaring high above the landscape.

Weight: Approximately 6.5 to 14 pounds.
Length: About 28 to 40 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 6 to 7.5 feet.
Habitat: Prefers areas near large bodies of open water with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.
Diet: Primarily fish, but also consumes birds and small mammals.
Behavior: Known for their powerful flight and impressive hunting skills.

**3.Golden Eagle (*Aquila chrysaetos***)

The Golden Eagle is one of North America’s largest and most agile raptors. It features dark brown plumage with golden feathers on the back of the head and neck.

These eagles favor open and semi-open areas such as mountains and tundra, where they hunt mammals and other birds. Golden Eagles are known for their powerful flight and keen hunting abilities.

Weight: Approximately 6.5 to 14 pounds.
Length: About 28 to 40 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 6 to 7.5 feet.
Habitat: Open and semi-open areas such as mountains and tundra.
Diet: Hunts mammals and other birds.
Behavior: Known for their powerful flight and keen hunting abilities.

**4.Sandhill Crane (*Antigone canadensis***)

The Sandhill Crane is a tall, gray bird with a red forehead and white cheeks. Standing about 3 to 5 feet tall, they have a wingspan of up to 7 feet.

These cranes inhabit wetlands, grasslands, and meadows, often seen in large flocks during migration. They are known for their migratory patterns and elaborate courtship dances.

Weight: Approximately 6 to 14 pounds.
Length: About 3 to 5 feet.
Wingspan: Up to 7 feet.
Habitat: Wetlands, grasslands, and meadows.
Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on plants, grains, insects, and small animals.
Behavior: Known for their migratory patterns and elaborate courtship dances.

**5.Great Blue Heron (*Ardea herodias***)

The Great Blue Heron is a large wading bird with blue-gray plumage, long legs, and a sharp bill. Standing about 3 to 4.5 feet tall, they have a wingspan of 5 to 6 feet.

They inhabit shores of open water and wetlands, feeding on fish and small aquatic creatures. Great Blue Herons are known for their patient hunting technique.

Weight: Approximately 4 to 7 pounds.
Length: About 3 to 4.5 feet.
Wingspan: 5 to 6 feet.
Habitat: Shores of open water and wetlands.
Diet: Feeds on fish and small aquatic creatures.
Behavior: Known for their patient hunting technique.

**6.Wild Turkey (*Meleagris gallopavo***)

The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to North America. Males, known as toms, are particularly notable for their iridescent bronze and green plumage, fan-shaped tails, and wattled necks.

They inhabit mature forests with a mix of open clearings, often foraging on the ground for acorns, nuts, seeds, and insects. While primarily terrestrial, Wild Turkeys can fly short distances to escape predators or roost in trees at night.

Weight: Approximately 88 to 381 ounces (5.5 to 23.8 pounds).
Length: About 43.3 to 45.3 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 49.2 to 56.7 inches.
Habitat: Mature forests with a mix of open clearings.
Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on acorns, nuts, seeds, berries, and insects.
Behavior: Ground foragers; males perform elaborate displays during mating season, including gobbling and fanning their tails.

**7.Canada Goose (*Branta canadensis***)

The Canada Goose is a familiar waterfowl species recognized by its black head and neck, white cheek patches, and brown body.

These geese are highly adaptable, inhabiting a variety of wetlands, lakes, rivers, and even urban parks. They are known for their migratory behavior, often flying in a distinctive V-formation during seasonal movements.

Weight: Approximately 105.8 to 317.5 ounces (6.6 to 19.8 pounds).
Length: About 29.9 to 43.3 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 50 to 75 inches.
Habitat: Wetlands, lakes, rivers, and urban parks.
Diet: Primarily herbivorous; feeds on grasses, grains, and aquatic plants.
Behavior: Known for migratory V-formations; often seen grazing in open fields.

**8.Common Crane (*Grus grus***)

The Common Crane is a tall, elegant bird with predominantly gray plumage, a black neck, and distinctive white facial streaks.

While primarily found across Europe and Asia, they are rare visitors to North America, occasionally sighted in Alaska. These cranes prefer wetlands and open grasslands, where they feed on a varied diet.

Weight: Approximately 140 to 196 ounces (8.75 to 12.25 pounds).
Length: About 39.4 to 51.2 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 71 to 96 inches.
Habitat: Wetlands and open grasslands.
Diet: Omnivorous; consumes plants, grains, insects, and small animals.
Behavior: Known for elaborate courtship dances; migratory species forming large flocks.

**9.Snowy Owl (*Bubo scandiacus***)

The Snowy Owl is a striking bird native to Arctic regions, easily identified by its white plumage with varying amounts of black or brown markings. Males tend to be whiter than females.

During the winter months, some migrate southward into Canada and the northern United States, including parts of Alaska. They favor open habitats like tundra and coastal dunes.

Weight: Approximately 56.4 to 104 ounces (3.5 to 6.5 pounds).
Length: About 20.5 to 27.9 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 49.6 to 57.1 inches.
Habitat: Open tundra and coastal dunes.
Diet: Primarily lemmings and other small mammals; occasionally birds.
Behavior: Diurnal hunters; often perch on elevated spots to survey for prey.

**10.Great Horned Owl (*Bubo virginianus***)

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful predator with prominent ear tufts, or “horns,” and a mottled gray-brown plumage.

They are highly adaptable, residing in various habitats including forests, swamps, deserts, and urban areas. Known for their deep hooting call, these owls are formidable hunters, preying on a wide range of animals.

Weight: Approximately 32.1 to 88.2 ounces (2 to 5.5 pounds).
Length: About 18.1 to 24.8 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 39.8 to 57.1 inches.
Habitat: Forests, swamps, deserts, and urban areas.
Diet: Carnivorous; feeds on mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
Behavior: Nocturnal hunters; known for their distinctive hooting calls.

**11.Osprey (*Pandion haliaetus***)

The Osprey, also known as the sea hawk, is a large raptor with a white underside and head, contrasting with its dark brown back and wings. It has a distinctive black eye stripe that extends to the sides of the neck.

Ospreys are commonly found near coastlines, rivers, and lakes, feeding almost exclusively on fish. They are known for their unique hunting technique, diving feet-first to catch prey.

Weight: Approximately 63.5 ounces (3.97 pounds).
Length: About 21.3 to 22.8 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 59.1 to 70.9 inches.
Habitat: Near coastlines, rivers, and lakes.
Diet: Primarily fish.
Behavior: Known for their unique hunting technique, diving feet-first to catch prey.

**12.Great Egret (*Ardea alba***)

The Great Egret is a large, elegant wading bird with all-white plumage, a long, slender neck, and a sharp yellow bill. During the breeding season, they develop delicate plumes on their backs.

Great Egrets inhabit wetlands, marshes, and shores, feeding on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. They are known for their graceful hunting technique, standing still or slowly stalking prey in shallow waters.

Weight: Approximately 60 ounces (3.75 pounds).
Length: About 37 to 41 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 51.6 to 57.1 inches.
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and shores.
Diet: Fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Behavior: Known for their graceful hunting technique, standing still or slowly stalking prey in shallow waters.

**13.Turkey Vulture (*Cathartes aura***)

The Turkey Vulture is a large scavenger bird with a bald red head and dark brown to black plumage. They have a keen sense of smell, allowing them to locate carrion from great distances.

Turkey Vultures are commonly found in open and semi-open areas, including forests and deserts. They are known for their soaring flight, often seen gliding with minimal wingbeats.

Weight: Approximately 51.2 ounces (3.2 pounds).
Length: About 25.2 to 31.9 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 63 to 70.1 inches.
Habitat: Open and semi-open areas, including forests and deserts.
Diet: Carrion.
Behavior: Known for their soaring flight, often seen gliding with minimal wingbeats.

**14.Rough-legged Hawk (*Buteo lagopus***)

The Rough-legged Hawk is a medium to large raptor with a feathered tarsus, giving it its name. They have a broad wingspan and exhibit a variety of color morphs, typically showing dark belly patches and wrist markings.

These hawks breed in Arctic regions and migrate south to open fields and marshes during winter. They are known for their hovering flight while hunting for small mammals.

Weight: Approximately 49.4 ounces (3.1 pounds).
Length: About 18.5 to 20.5 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 52 to 54.3 inches.
Habitat: Open fields and marshes.
Diet: Primarily small mammals.
Behavior: Known for their hovering flight while hunting.

**15.Glaucous-winged Gull (*Larus glaucescens***)

The Glaucous-winged Gull is a large gull with a pale gray back and wings, and white head and underparts. They have pink legs and a yellow bill with a red spot near the tip.

These gulls are commonly found along the Pacific coast, frequenting beaches, estuaries, and urban areas. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a varied diet including fish, invertebrates, and human refuse.

Weight: Approximately 42.3 ounces (2.64 pounds).
Length: About 24.4 to 27.6 inches.
Wingspan: Ranging from 47.2 to 57.5 inches.
Habitat: Beaches, estuaries, and urban areas along the Pacific coast.
Diet: Fish, invertebrates, and human refuse.
Behavior: Opportunistic feeders; often seen in large flocks near food sources.

FAQs

What is the largest bird species in Alaska?

The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest bird species in Alaska, with individuals weighing up to 401.6 ounces (approximately 25 pounds), measuring up to 72 inches in length, and having a wingspan of up to 102 inches.

Are Bald Eagles common in Alaska?

Yes, Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are quite common in Alaska. The state hosts the largest population of Bald Eagles in the United States, with an estimated 30,000 birds.

Which is the largest bird of prey in Alaska?

The Bald Eagle is Alaska’s largest resident bird of prey, with a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) and weights ranging from 8 to 14 pounds (3.6 to 6.4 kilograms).

Do Golden Eagles reside in Alaska?

Yes, Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are found in Alaska. They inhabit open and semi-open areas such as mountains and tundra, where they hunt mammals and other birds.

Are there any rare large bird species in Alaska?

Yes, the Common Crane (Grus grus) is considered an accidental species in Alaska, meaning it is extremely rare in the state. There have been occasional sightings, such as around King Island in 2022.

15 Largest Birds in Alaska: A Comprehensive Guide