Many of us may think of Alaska as a frozen tundra, but it actually contains many diverse ecosystems and is home to a variety of bird species. Some of these species live in Alaska all year, others are migratory and only spend the summer or winter in the state. In this article, we’re going to take a look at 24 of the most common backyard birds in Alaska and learn a little about each species.
After that I’ll show you how to attract them to your yard, and give you a crash course in the 10 different types of bird feeders you can use. Lastly, I’ll mention a few birdwatching hotspots in Alaska and some great local birding organizations.
How many different species of wild birds are in Alaska?
It’s difficult to get an exact number on how many bird species are found in North America, the United States, or even in the state of Alaska. However, according to the Alaska Checklist Committee, as of January 2022, there have been at least 534 species of birds seen in the state of Alaska.
Most reputable sources believe there are between around 800 – 1100 species of birds in North America. Here are a few of them:
- National Wildlife Federation – more than 800 species
- Ornithology.com – about 900 species
- Audubon – over 800 species
- Wikipedia – 1125 species
For the purposes of this article we are just going to look at some of the species people would be most likely to see in urban neighborhoods and backyards in Alaska.
24 common backyard birds in Alaska
Below we’ll look at 24 species of backyard birds in Alaska, including some migrants. These obviously aren’t all the species in the state, or even close to it, but they are some of the birds that are most likely to frequent backyards in Alaska. Let’s get to it!