Alaska is a remarkable place for shorebirds, home to some of the most fascinating species in the world. With its vast landscapes and rich habitats, it serves as an essential stopover and breeding ground for migratory birds.
From the Arctic coastlines to sprawling deltas, Alaska’s natural beauty offers a unique chance to observe these incredible creatures up close, making it a must-visit destination for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts.
29 List of Shorebirds in Alaska
1.Western Sandpiper
The Western Sandpiper is a small shorebird, measuring about 5.5 to 6.7 inches in length. It has a slender body with a slightly curved black bill and black legs. During the breeding season, its plumage features rusty-red patches on the head and upper body, while the non-breeding plumage is mostly gray and white with streaks.
Western Sandpipers are commonly found in coastal areas of Alaska, particularly in mudflats, estuaries, and tidal marshes. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and the coastal regions of the Alaska Peninsula are prime habitats during the breeding season.
Western Sandpipers are long-distance migrants, traveling thousands of miles between their breeding grounds in Alaska and their wintering areas along the coasts of Central and South America. They use key stopover sites like the Copper River Delta to rest and refuel during their journey.
2.Red Knot
The Red Knot is a medium-sized shorebird, measuring about 9 to 10 inches in length. During the breeding season, it displays a striking reddish-orange chest and belly, with a mottled brown and gray back. In non-breeding plumage, its feathers turn a pale gray with a white underbelly.
Red Knots are commonly found in the tundra regions of Alaska during the breeding season. They prefer coastal areas and wetland habitats with sparse vegetation.
Renowned for their long migratory journeys, Red Knots travel from their Arctic breeding grounds to wintering areas as far south as South America. Alaska’s coastal stopover sites are critical for fueling their extensive migration.
3.Dunlin
The Dunlin is a small, stocky shorebird, measuring about 6 to 8 inches in length. During the breeding season, it is easily recognized by its reddish-brown back, black belly patch, and slightly downcurved black bill. Outside the breeding season, it turns a more subdued gray and white.
Dunlins are found in Alaska’s coastal wetlands, tundra, and estuarine mudflats. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is a key breeding site.
Dunlins migrate in large flocks, traveling from Alaska to wintering grounds along the Pacific Coast of North America and Asia. They frequently use Alaska’s wetlands as stopover points during their journey.
4.Bar tailed Godwit
The Bar-tailed Godwit is a large shorebird, measuring about 14 to 16 inches in length. It has a long, slightly upturned bill, a streaked brown back, and a cinnamon-colored chest during the breeding season. Its long, pointed wings aid in its remarkable flight abilities.
Bar-tailed Godwits breed in Alaska’s coastal tundra, particularly in the western and northern regions. They are often found near lagoons and tidal flats.
This species is famous for its non-stop migratory flights, covering over 7,000 miles from Alaska to New Zealand and Australia. They rely heavily on the rich food resources in Alaska to prepare for these incredible journeys.
5.Black Turnstone
The Black Turnstone is a medium-sized bird, about 8 to 9 inches long. Its black-and-white plumage with a distinctive white stripe on the wings makes it easy to identify. It also has a short, pointed bill.
Black Turnstones are commonly found along rocky shorelines and coastal areas of southern Alaska. They forage for food by flipping over stones and debris, as their name suggests.
This species migrates relatively short distances, spending winters along the Pacific Coast from southern Alaska to California. They often remain close to their breeding grounds compared to other shorebirds.
6.Greater Yellowlegs
The Greater Yellowlegs is a medium-sized shorebird, about 11 to 14 inches in length. It has bright yellow legs, a long, straight bill, and a mottled gray and white body.
This species is often found in shallow wetlands, ponds, and tidal marshes across Alaska. They prefer areas with standing water where they can forage for insects and small fish.
Greater Yellowlegs migrate from Alaska to wintering areas in the southern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. They are often seen in wetlands and estuaries during migration.
7.Black bellied Plover
The Black-bellied Plover is a large shorebird, about 11 to 13 inches in length. During the breeding season, it displays a striking black face, throat, and belly, with a mottled gray and white back. In non-breeding plumage, it is mostly gray and white.
Black-bellied Plovers breed in Alaska’s Arctic tundra and are commonly seen along coastal mudflats, estuaries, and sandy beaches during migration.
This species migrates vast distances, with some individuals traveling from Alaska to South America. They use key stopover sites in Alaska to refuel during their migration.
8.Semipalmated Sandpiper
The Semipalmated Sandpiper is a small bird, measuring about 5.5 to 6.7 inches in length. It has a short, straight black bill, dark legs, and a brownish-gray body with a white belly.
These birds breed in Alaska’s tundra regions and are often seen in mudflats, marshes, and estuaries during migration.
Semipalmated Sandpipers undertake long migrations, traveling from Alaska to wintering grounds in South America. They congregate in large flocks at stopover sites like the Copper River Delta.
9.Least Sandpiper
The Least Sandpiper is the smallest shorebird, measuring about 5 to 6 inches in length. It has a brown back, white belly, and distinctive yellow-green legs.
In Alaska, Least Sandpipers are found in wetlands, marshes, and along the edges of ponds during the breeding season.
These birds migrate in small flocks, traveling from Alaska to wintering grounds in the southern United States, Central America, and northern South America. They rely on mudflats and wetlands during their migration.
10.Pectoral Sandpiper
The Pectoral Sandpiper is medium-sized, about 8 to 9 inches long. It has a brown-streaked back, white belly, and a distinctively sharp division between the streaked chest and white underparts.
In Alaska, they breed in tundra regions and are often found near freshwater ponds and wetlands.
Pectoral Sandpipers migrate long distances, traveling from Alaska to South America. They are frequently seen in wetland habitats during their journey.
11.Short billed Dowitcher
The Short-billed Dowitcher is a medium-sized bird, about 9 to 11 inches in length. It has a long, straight bill and a mottled brown and gray body during the breeding season.
This species is found in marshes, mudflats, and estuaries in Alaska. They prefer shallow water for foraging.
Short-billed Dowitchers migrate from Alaska to wintering grounds along the coasts of the southern United States, the Caribbean, and Central America. They rely on wetlands as stopover sites.
12.Hudsonian Godwit
The Hudsonian Godwit is a large shorebird, about 13 to 16 inches long. It has a long, slightly upturned bill, a dark brown back, and a reddish chest during the breeding season.
In Alaska, Hudsonian Godwits nest in wetlands and grassy tundra. They are also seen along mudflats and estuaries during migration.
Hudsonian Godwits are long-distance migrants, traveling from Alaska to South America. They rely on rich feeding grounds in Alaska to build up energy for their journeys.
13.Marbled Godwit
The Marbled Godwit is a large shorebird, measuring about 16 to 20 inches in length. It has a long, slightly upturned pinkish bill, cinnamon-buff plumage, and darker streaks on its back.
In Alaska, Marbled Godwits can be found in wetlands, estuaries, and grassy coastal areas during the breeding season.
These birds migrate from Alaska to wintering grounds along the coasts of the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They stop at wetlands to feed during migration.
14.Wilson’s Snipe
Wilson’s Snipe is a medium-sized shorebird, about 10 to 11 inches long. It has a long, straight bill, a mottled brown and buff back, and a striped head. Its rapid wingbeats during flight make it distinctive.
These birds prefer marshes, wet meadows, and bogs in Alaska. They are often found near freshwater wetlands with dense vegetation.
Wilson’s Snipe migrates from Alaska to the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. During migration, they stop at marshy areas to rest and feed.
15.Ruddy Turnstone
The Ruddy Turnstone is a small, stocky shorebird, about 8 to 10 inches long. It has a bold pattern of black, white, and reddish-brown plumage, along with a short, slightly upturned bill.
In Alaska, Ruddy Turnstones are often found along rocky shorelines and gravel beaches, where they forage by flipping over stones and debris.
These birds migrate from Alaska to wintering grounds as far south as South America, stopping at coastal habitats along the way.
16.American Golden-Plover
The American Golden-Plover is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 9 to 11 inches in length. During the breeding season, it has a striking black face, throat, and belly, with golden-spotted plumage on its back.
This species breeds in the Arctic tundra of Alaska and is commonly found in open, grassy areas.
American Golden-Plovers are long-distance migrants, traveling from Alaska to South America. They rely on grassy fields and wetlands during migration for rest and feeding.
17.Long-billed Dowitcher
The Long-billed Dowitcher is similar in size to its short-billed counterpart, about 11 to 13 inches long. It has a long, straight bill, reddish underparts during breeding, and grayish plumage in the non-breeding season.
These birds are found in wetlands, marshes, and mudflats across Alaska, particularly near freshwater sources.
Long-billed Dowitchers migrate from Alaska to wintering grounds along the southern United States, Central America, and parts of South America. They depend on wetland habitats as stopover sites.
18.Northern Phalarope (Red-necked Phalarope)
The Northern Phalarope is a small, slender shorebird, about 7 to 8 inches in length. During the breeding season, females are more colorful, with reddish necks and gray and white plumage. Non-breeding birds are pale gray and white.
Northern Phalaropes are found in Alaska’s tundra ponds and coastal waters during the breeding season. They are often seen swimming in circles to create small whirlpools while feeding.
These birds migrate from Alaska to tropical oceans, where they spend their winters. They are unique among shorebirds in that they are pelagic (spending much of their time at sea).
19.Rock Sandpiper
The Rock Sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird, about 7 to 9 inches long. It has grayish-brown plumage with a white belly and dark markings, which help it blend into rocky shorelines.
These birds are common along rocky coastlines and tidal flats in Alaska, especially during the winter months.
Rock Sandpipers are relatively short-distance migrants, often staying in Alaska year-round or moving to nearby regions along the Pacific Coast during the colder months.
20.Stilt Sandpiper
The Stilt Sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird, about 8 to 9 inches long. It has a slender body, long greenish legs, and a slightly curved bill. Breeding plumage includes a reddish-brown chest and barred flanks.
In Alaska, they breed in tundra wetlands and are often seen in shallow ponds and marshes during migration.
Stilt Sandpipers migrate from Alaska to wintering grounds in South America. They rely on wetlands for feeding during their long journey.
21.Surfbird
The Surfbird is a chunky shorebird, about 9 to 10 inches long. It has grayish-brown plumage, a short, straight yellow bill, and white underparts with black spotting.
Surfbirds are found along rocky coastlines in Alaska during the breeding season and are often seen near wave-exposed areas.
Surfbirds migrate along the Pacific Coast, wintering as far south as South America. They are highly reliant on rocky shorelines during migration.
22.Sanderling
The Sanderling is a small shorebird, about 7 to 8 inches long. It has a pale gray and white plumage during non-breeding seasons, while breeding birds have a rust-colored back and head. Its black legs and short, straight black bill are distinct.
Sanderlings are commonly found on sandy beaches and mudflats along Alaska’s coasts. During migration, they can be seen running along the shoreline, chasing waves.
These birds migrate from Alaska to wintering grounds along the coasts of Central and South America, with some reaching as far as Africa. They stop at sandy beaches and coastal mudflats during migration.
23.Baird’s Sandpiper
The Baird’s Sandpiper is a small, slender bird, about 7 to 8 inches long. It has a brownish-gray back, a white belly, and a slightly longer wing projection compared to other sandpipers.
In Alaska, Baird’s Sandpipers breed in dry tundra areas near wetlands. During migration, they are seen in open fields and mudflats.
These birds undertake long migrations, traveling from Alaska to South America. They are known for using stopover sites in North America’s interior grasslands and wetlands.
24.Buff-breasted Sandpiper
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a medium-sized bird, about 8 to 9 inches long. It has a buff-colored chest and belly, a light brown back, and a small, straight bill.
These birds breed in Alaska’s tundra, often in drier areas compared to other shorebirds. They are sometimes found in grassy meadows near wetlands.
Buff-breasted Sandpipers migrate from Alaska to South America, particularly the Pampas region. They prefer open fields and grasslands during migration.
25.Killdeer
The Killdeer is a medium-sized shorebird, about 9 to 11 inches long. It has a brown back, white belly, and two distinct black bands across its chest. Its loud, high-pitched call is a signature sound.
In Alaska, Killdeer are found in open fields, mudflats, and gravelly areas near water. They are also known to nest in agricultural fields and even parking lots.
Killdeer migrate from Alaska to southern parts of the United States and Central America. Some populations may remain in warmer regions year-round.
26.Spotted Sandpiper
The Spotted Sandpiper is a small shorebird, about 7 to 8 inches long. During the breeding season, it has bold black spots on its white belly and a brown back. Non-breeding birds lose the spots and appear plainer.
These birds are commonly found along streams, rivers, and lake shores in Alaska. They are often seen bobbing their tails while walking.
Spotted Sandpipers migrate from Alaska to Central and South America. They use a variety of freshwater and coastal habitats as stopovers during migration.
27.Pacific Golden-Plover
The Pacific Golden-Plover is a medium-sized bird, about 9 to 11 inches in length. It has a striking black face, throat, and belly during the breeding season, with golden-spotted plumage on its back.
These birds breed in Alaska’s tundra regions, often in open grassy areas.
Pacific Golden-Plovers are long-distance migrants, traveling from Alaska to wintering grounds in Hawaii, Australia, and Southeast Asia. They rely on coastal and grassland habitats during migration.
28.Greater Sand-Plover
The Greater Sand-Plover is a medium-sized bird, about 9 to 10 inches long. It has a gray-brown back, white underparts, and a distinctive black band across its chest during the breeding season.
Although rare in Alaska, they can occasionally be spotted in coastal wetlands and mudflats during migration.
Greater Sand-Plovers travel from their breeding grounds in Asia and occasionally pass through Alaska as part of their migratory routes to tropical regions.
29.Common Ringed Plover
The Common Ringed Plover is a small bird, about 7 to 8 inches long. It has a black band around its neck, a white belly, and a brown back, with an orange bill tipped in black.
In Alaska, they are found along sandy beaches and gravelly shores, particularly during migration.
These birds migrate from Alaska to wintering grounds in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. They often stop at coastal mudflats during their journey.
Real also: 19 White Birds In Alaska
FAQs
What are shorebirds, and why are they important in Alaska?
Shorebirds are a group of birds typically found near wetlands, coasts, and tundra. They play a vital role in Alaska’s ecosystem by controlling insect populations and serving as prey for larger predators. Additionally, Alaska is a crucial breeding ground and stopover site for migratory shorebirds.
When is the best time to see shorebirds in Alaska?
The best time to see shorebirds in Alaska is during their migration seasons, typically in spring (late April to early June) and fall (August to September). During these times, large flocks can be seen resting and feeding in wetlands and coastal areas.
Where are the best places to spot shorebirds in Alaska?
Top locations for shorebird viewing include the Copper River Delta, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Coastal mudflats, estuaries, and tundra regions are also ideal for spotting various species.
What challenges do shorebirds face in Alaska?
Shorebirds face threats such as habitat loss due to climate change, human disturbance, and predation. Changes in the timing of food availability during migration and breeding can also impact their survival.
How can I help protect shorebirds in Alaska?
You can help protect shorebirds by supporting conservation programs, avoiding disturbing nesting or feeding sites, reducing plastic use, and participating in local birdwatching events to raise awareness about their importance.
