Tongass National Forest

Birds in the Tongass

Southeast Alaska has:

Over 300 species of birds (160 breeding species) in Southeast Alaska.

Some of the deepest diving birds in the world:

• Common murre - 630 feet.
• Long-tailed ducks and loons - 240 feet.
• Pelagic cormorants - 480 feet.

10,000 to 15,000 bald eagles. Many stay through winter, may range 200 miles or more for food. Nonbreeders and juveniles more likely to leave the state and go as far south as Washington and Oregon.

Goshawks, birds of prey. Nest and hunt in old-growth forest. Researchers have followed these birds using radio-telemetry to learn more about their habitat requirements.

Marbled Murrelets, small seabirds. Breed and winter in Southeast Alaska, nest in large trees and on the ground up to 20 miles or more inland. Chicks must successfully reach the sea on their first flight.

As many as 30% of local species migrate to the southern U.S., Central America or South America. Some arctic terns, champions of bird migration, travel 11,000 miles between the southern tip of South America and the Arctic.