19 White Birds In Alaska
Alaska is home to many striking white birds, from the graceful Tundra Swan to the rare Ivory Gull. These birds thrive in Alaska’s unique habitats, using their white plumage for camouflage in snowy landscapes. Exploring Alaska provides a chance to see these beautiful creatures in the wild.
List of 19 White Birds In Alaska
1.Tundra Swan
The Tundra Swan is a large bird with pure white feathers, a long neck, and a black bill. Measuring up to 58 inches long, it has an impressive wingspan of 77 inches. These swans breed in Alaska’s wetlands and tundra, migrating south in winter. Their elegant presence is a highlight of Alaska’s wild landscapes.
2.Snow Goose
The Snow Goose is a medium-sized bird known for its bright white body and black wingtips. Reaching up to 33 inches in length, it has a wingspan of 65 inches. These geese are often seen in large flocks during migration, resting in Alaska’s coastal wetlands and tundra before continuing their journey to wintering grounds.
3.Trumpeter Swan
The Trumpeter Swan is North America’s largest swan, with a length of up to 65 inches and a wingspan of 90 inches. Its all-white plumage and black bill make it unmistakable. These swans breed in Alaska’s lakes and ponds, where their loud, trumpet-like calls echo through the wilderness, symbolizing the beauty of untamed nature.
4.Glaucous Gull
The Glaucous Gull is a large seabird with white plumage and pale gray wings, growing up to 31 inches long with a 65-inch wingspan. Found along Alaska’s coasts and near rivers, these opportunistic scavengers are adaptable and bold, feeding on fish, carrion, and scraps. Their striking appearance stands out in Arctic environments.
5.Ivory Gull
The Ivory Gull is a rare, elegant bird with pure white feathers, a small black bill, and black legs. Measuring up to 18 inches in length with a 47-inch wingspan, it is often found near pack ice and coastal waters. This Arctic specialist thrives in cold regions, scavenging near polar bears and seals.
6.Gyrfalcon (White Morph)
The Gyrfalcon, in its white morph, is a powerful Arctic predator with almost entirely white plumage. Reaching up to 25 inches long and a wingspan of 63 inches, it hunts small mammals and birds in Alaska’s tundra. Nesting on cliffs, it is a symbol of strength and adaptation in harsh Arctic environments.
7.Willow Ptarmigan (Winter Plumage)
The Willow Ptarmigan transforms into pure white plumage during winter, blending seamlessly into snowy landscapes. It grows up to 17 inches in length with a wingspan of 26 inches. Common in Alaska’s tundra and shrubby areas, this bird is well-adapted to extreme cold, relying on its camouflage to avoid predators.
8.Rock Ptarmigan (Winter Plumage)
The Rock Ptarmigan turns completely white in winter, allowing it to hide in snowy, rocky tundra habitats. It measures up to 15 inches in length with a wingspan of 24 inches. Smaller than its cousin, the Willow Ptarmigan, it thrives in higher elevations, adapting to Alaska’s challenging, icy landscapes.
9.Ross’s Goose
The Ross’s Goose is a small, compact white goose with a stubby bill, reaching up to 25 inches in length and a wingspan of 45 inches. It breeds in Arctic tundra and is occasionally seen in Alaska during migration. Its cheerful presence in flocks adds vibrancy to Alaska’s wetlands and open fields.
10.Northern Fulmar (White Morph)
The Northern Fulmar, in its white morph, has a bright white body and grayish wings. Measuring up to 19 inches long with a wingspan of 44 inches, it is commonly found near Alaska’s coastal cliffs and open seas. This seabird is a skilled glider, perfectly adapted to life in windy, remote environments.
11.Pacific Golden Plover
The Pacific Golden-Plover is a striking bird with golden-spotted feathers and a black face, throat, and belly during the breeding season. It grows up to 11 inches long with a wingspan of 25 inches. Found in Alaska’s tundra, this bird migrates thousands of miles to wintering grounds in Hawaii, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
12.American Golden Plover
The American Golden-Plover features a black face and belly with gold-speckled plumage during breeding. Reaching up to 11 inches in length and a 26-inch wingspan, it breeds in Alaska’s Arctic tundra. Known for its remarkable migrations, this bird travels vast distances to its wintering grounds in South America.
13.Sanderling
The Sanderling is a small shorebird with white plumage and gray markings, particularly on its back. Measuring up to 8 inches long with a wingspan of 14 inches, it is often seen chasing waves along Alaska’s sandy beaches. These birds migrate long distances, traveling from Arctic breeding grounds to tropical wintering areas.
14.Baird’s Sandpiper
Baird’s Sandpiper is a slender bird with brownish-gray plumage and white underparts, growing up to 8 inches in length with a wingspan of 18 inches. It breeds in Alaska’s dry tundra and migrates to South America. Often spotted in mudflats and wetlands during migration, it is a long-distance traveler.
15.Buff breasted Sandpiper
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a medium-sized bird with buff-colored underparts and light brown upperparts. Measuring up to 9 inches in length with a wingspan of 18 inches, it prefers grassy tundra habitats in Alaska. This bird is a rare treat to see, as it migrates between Arctic breeding grounds and South America.
16.Killdeer
The Killdeer is a medium-sized bird with brown upperparts, white underparts, and two distinctive black bands across its chest. Growing up to 11 inches long with a 24-inch wingspan, it frequents open fields, mudflats, and even human-made spaces like gravel parking lots in Alaska. Its loud, high-pitched call is unmistakable.
17.Spotted Sandpiper
The Spotted Sandpiper is a small bird with a brown back, white belly, and distinct black spots during the breeding season. It measures up to 8 inches in length with a 14-inch wingspan. Commonly seen along rivers and lake shores in Alaska, it’s known for its constant tail-bobbing behavior.
18.Northern Hawk Owl
The Northern Hawk Owl is a medium-sized owl with a mix of white and brown plumage and a long tail. Reaching up to 16 inches in length with a wingspan of 28 inches, it inhabits boreal forests and open woodlands in Alaska. Known for hunting during the day, it is a unique sight.
19.Rock Sandpiper (White Winter Morph)
The Rock Sandpiper in its winter plumage has predominantly white feathers with some gray markings. It grows up to 9 inches long with a 16-inch wingspan. Found along Alaska’s rocky coastlines, it is one of the few shorebirds that can endure the state’s harsh winters, feeding on invertebrates and plant material.
FAQs
Why are there so many white birds in Alaska?
White plumage helps birds blend into snowy and icy environments, providing camouflage from predators. This adaptation is crucial for survival in Alaska’s tundra, coastal, and Arctic habitats, where snow and ice dominate much of the landscape.
What is the largest white bird found in Alaska?
The Trumpeter Swan is the largest white bird in Alaska, measuring up to 65 inches in length with a wingspan of 90 inches. It is the largest native waterfowl species in North America.
Where can I see white birds in Alaska?
Some of the best places to spot white birds in Alaska include the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and Copper River Delta. Coastal areas and tundra habitats are prime locations for birdwatching.
Do all white birds in Alaska migrate?
Not all white birds migrate. Species like the Willow Ptarmigan and Rock Ptarmigan remain in Alaska year-round, adapting to harsh winters by changing their plumage to white for camouflage.
5. Are any white birds in Alaska endangered?
Some white birds, such as the Ivory Gull, face threats due to climate change and habitat loss, making them rare and vulnerable. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their Arctic habitats and ensure their survival.
