Alaska Bird List - 2013

The Birdman of Sitka

2013 has been a good year. Not over yet, but during my five months in Alaska, I've been able to be fairly productive, finding and identifying over 65 species of birds during the hiking and kayaking and other activities that took place in Sitka and Juneau over the summer. Some of my co-workers started calling me the "Birdman of Sitka."

The following list gives the species identified, and most have a date and a specific location attached. Someday soon, we'll see how many of the pictures I took that we can get on this article.

 

Canada Goose - Juneau

Mallard – Juneau

Bald Eagle - Juneau

Rock Dove - Juneau

Mourning Dove – Juneau 

American Robin - Juneau

European Starling – Juneau

Northwestern Crow - 5 月 6日  2013 年 - Juneau

Common Raven - 5 月 6 日 2013 年 - Juneau

Common Raven

Townsend's Solitaire - 5 月 6 日 2013 年 - Douglas Island

Bufflehead - 5 月 6 日 2013 年 – Douglas Island – Scouting Kayak spot

Stellar's Jay - 5 月 7 日 2013 年 - Skater's Cabin - Juneau

Stellar's Jay

Rufous Hummingbird - 5 月 9 日 2013 年 - Thayne Trail - Juneau

Belted Kingfisher - 5 月 14 日 2013 年 - Alaska Raptor Center (No, not inside a cage, what would St. Peter say?) - Sitka 

Song Sparrow - 5 月 19 日 2013 年 – Juneau

Red-breasted Sapsucker – 5 月 24 日 2013 年 - Estuary Trail – Sitka

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Wilson’s Warbler - 5 月 24 日 2013 年 – Estuary Trail – Sitka

Common Merganser - 5 月 24 日 2013 年 – Estuary Trail – Sitka

Yellow Warbler - 5 月 28 日 2013 年 – Perseverance Trail – Juneau

Mew Gull - 5 月 28 日 2013 年 – Kayaking on Gastineau Channel – Juneau

Winter Wren - 5 月 29 日 2013 年 – Glacier pond – Juneau

Chestnut-backed Chickadee - 5 月 30 日 2013 年 – Glacier Trail – Juneau

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5 月 30 日 2013 年 – Glacier Trail – Juneau

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Harlequin Duck - 5 月 30 日 2013 年 – Kayaking from work – Gastineau Channel

Varied Thrush - 5 月 30 日 2013 年 – Glacier Trail – Juneau

Great Blue Heron - 5 月 31 日 2013 年 – Old Dock – Downtown Juneau

Tree Swallow - 6 月 2 日 2013 年 – Swan Lake – Sitka

American Wigeon - 6 月 2 日 2013 年 – Swan Lake – Sitka

Dark-eyed Junco - 6 月 2 日 2013 年 – St. Elmo’s Fire – Sitka

Fox Sparrow - 6 月 4 日 2013 年 – Swan Lake - Sitka

Pigeon Guillemot - 6 月 5 日 2013 年 – Jet-cat Tour – Sitka

White-winged Scoter - 6 月 5 日 2013 年 – Jet-cat Tour – Sitka

Pelagic Cormorant - 6 月 5 日 2013 年 – Jet-cat Tour – Sitka

Marbled Murrelet – 6 月 5 日 2013 年 – Jet-cat Tour – Sitka

Whimbrel - 6 月 9 日 2013 年 – Totem Pole Park – Sitka 
 

Whimbrels feeding

Brant - 6 月 10 日 2013 年 – Kayaking at Lawson Creek – Douglas, Juneau

Black-legged Kittiwake - 6 月 10 日 2013 年 – Kayaking at Lawson Creek – Douglas, Juneau

Barn Swallow - 6 月 11 日 2013 年 – Mendenhall Glacier – Juneau

American Dipper - 6 月 11 日 2013 年 – Mendenhall Glacier – Juneau

Ring-billed Gull - 6 月 11 日 2013 年 – Kayaking at Lawson Creek – Douglas, Juneau

Glaucous-winged Gull - 6 月 11 日 2013 年 – Kayaking at Lawson Creek – Douglas, Juneau

Glaucous Gull - 6 月 11 日 2013 年 – Kayaking at Lawson Creek – Douglas, Juneau

Spotted Sandpiper - 6 月 15 日 2013 年 – Douglas Island, Kayaking home, Juneau

Herring Gull - 6 月 16 日 2013 年 – Allen Marine – Juneau

Chipping Sparrow - 6 月 18 日 2013 年 – Glacier Bus Trail - Juneau

Arctic Tern - 6 月 20 日 2013 年 – Mendenhall Glacier – Juneau

Downy Woodpecker - 6 月 21 日 2013 年 – “The View” Trail - Sitka

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 6 月 27 日 2013 年 – Glacier Trail – Mendenhall Glacier – Juneau

Red-winged Blackbird - 7 月 3 日 2013 年 – Swan Lake – Sitka

Cedar Waxwing - 7 月 3 日 2013 年 – Swan Lake – Sitka

Cedar Waxwing

Orange-crowned Warbler - 7 月 5 日 2013 年 – Sitka Bus Yard – Sitka - *Rescued!!

Black Oystercatcher - 7 月 5 日 2013 年 – St. Lazaria Boat Tour – Sitka

Tufted Puffin - 7 月 5 日 2013 年 – St. Lazaria Island – Sitka

Common Murre - 7 月 5 日 2013 年 – St. Lazaria Island – Sitka

Thick-billed Murre - 7 月 5 日 2013 年 – St. Lazaria Island – Sitka

Black Oystercatcher - 7 月 5 日 2013 年 – St. Lazaria Boat Tour – Sitka

Rhinoceros Auklet - 7 月 5 日 2013 年 – St. Lazaria Island – Sitka

Bonaparte’s Gull - 7 月 17 日 2013 年 – Gastineau Channel - Juneau

White-Tailed Ptarmigan - 7 月 18 日 2013 年 – Mt. Robert’s Tram Trail

Townsend’s Warbler - 8 月 2 日 2013 年 – Fortress of the Bears - Sitka

Lesser Yellowlegs - 8 月 30 日 2013 年 – Fortress of the Bears - Sitka

Golden-crowned Kinglet – 8 月 31 日 2013 年 – Totem Pole Park – Sitka

Blue Grouse – 9 月 3 日 2013 年 – Mt. Jumbo – Douglas - Juneau
 

Blue Grouse

Hairy Woodpecker- 9 月 3 日 2013 年 – Mt. Jumbo – Douglas - Juneau

Sharp-shinned Hawk - 9 月 9 日 2013 年 – Mt. Juneau - Juneau

Keel-billed Toucan

Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Range: Southern Mexico and Central America to Venezuela and Columbia

Keel-billed Toucan in flight -- Finca Ixobel, Guatemala

The Keel-billed Toucan, known also as the Rainbow-billed Toucan and the Sulfur-breasted Toucan, is a flashy member of the toucan family that resides in Latin America, as well functioning as the national bird of Belize. 

Description:

The keel-billed toucan is easily recognizable by its brilliant, multi-colored bill. Though generally thought to be oversize and unwieldy, the keel-billed toucan’s bill is surprisingly light, being hollow and sponge-like, and covered in a substance known as keratin, a very hard and lightweight protein. The bill is generally 5-6 inches, or, about one-third of the length of the entire bird, which generally grows to between 17 and 22 inches in length. And for as large and heavy as they look, the keel-billed toucan usually weighs in at roughly a pound (13-17 oz).

Mostly black, these toucans have a bright yellow neck and breast, with a sash of red around the vent and a touch of white on the rump. To finish off the rainbow of colors, this particular toucan has blue feet. The keel-billed toucan has zygodactyl feet, meaning that the toes of the feet point in different directions. In the case of the keel-billed toucan, there are two toes that face forward, and two that face backward. As these toucans spend a lot of their times in trees, this helps these birds to stay in and hop around the canopy. Contrary to popular belief, this particular toucan is actually a very poor flier because of its heavy wings, preferring instead to hop and glide throughout the Central American canopy.

Ecology and Breeding:

The keel-billed toucan can be found in tropical, sub-troipcal, and lowland rainforests from southern Mexico, throughout Central America down into the top of Columbia and Venezuela.

It prefers to remain in the canopy of the forests, looking for cavities in trees or holes created by woodpeckers to roost in. To conserve space in cramped quarters with other toucans, these birds will tuck both their beak and tail under their body while sleeping. Like most toucans, the keel-billed is a very social bird, and will travel and roost in flocks of six to twelve birds. Within these groups there is a family-like organization, and these birds will often use their beaks to "duel" with each other, as well as toss pieces of fruit to other toucans and to themselves. Eating mostly fruit, the keel-billed toucan has been known to eat insects, small reptiles, eggs, and even hatchlings of other birds. Toucans eat fruit whole, and later regurgitate the seeds and pits, spreading them throughout the forest. 

A female toucan will lay between 1 and 4 eggs in a cavity in a tree, and after 15-20 days of being incubated and protected from other birds, weasels, and snakes by both the male and female, both parents continue to care for the hatchlings. Born feather-less and sight-less, the young toucans stay in the nest between eight and nine weeks before fledging.

I can remember well the first toucan I ever saw, a gorgeous keel-billed toucan. Our study abroad group was traveling through Chiapas, Mexico and had taken a brief stop at Agua Azul, then pressed on to a waterfall known as Miso Ha. During our exploration of the gorgeous rainforest cascade, some of the other birders in the group said they had seen a toucan. I hadn't, and was crestfallen that I had missed such an exciting find. As we were getting ready to re-load ourselves once again on the coach, ready to be whisked off to another adventure, another was spotted in the trees. Even without very good lighting, I started excitedly snapping pictures of the bird pictured below.

Later on the tour, at a country area of Guatemala known as "The Farm," a couple of young ladies on the tour spotted a flock of eight toucans on an early morning birding expedition for the ornithology class. After watching them for a few minutes, the toucans glided out of sight, and as the last toucan melted into the canopy, I was able to grab a shot of one just above the trees in full flight. 

Keel-billed Toucan at Miso Ha

Releasing an Eagle

We here at The Bird Nerd Inc. (mainly me) interrupt our normal programming and posts about the birds that I've been able to see out in the world, in order to announce an exciting development in the life of a wanna-be amateur ornithologist. (Coming up next in the usual posts, the Keel-billed Toucan!)

Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka

I am currently working in Alaska with my brother, Bryce, and our company has been bouncing us back and forth between Juneau and Sitka this summer. Sitka is the home of the Alaska Raptor Center, a fantastic center focused on doctoring injured birds, educating people about these amazing creatures, and when possible, releasing rehabilitated birds back into the wild. The dedicated staff at the Raptor Center teach over thirty thousand people a year about these birds and the mission of the center. I signed up to volunteer there on my days off, learning how to clean out the bird's cages, as well as the most efficient way of cutting up dead rats.

On June 22nd, 2013 (today), I was privileged for the first time to see a mature bald eagle that suffered a fractured wing be released back into the wild. The bird was hooded to keep it calm, and when the time came, the hood was taken off, and the bird took off for the trees. I was able to photograph the event, and was pleased to hear that they would be releasing another bird in another 15 minutes. I asked my tour group if they wanted to stay for the release of the next bird, and they were eager to see another eagle released.

Removing the hood

Releasing the eagle

At the appointed time, we moseyed over towards the release point. On the way back up to the trail where the previous excursion took place, the Raptor Center Director called my name. I hurried over to her, where she ordered me to give my camera, a Nikon D-50 that I've loved for 7 years, to one of the staff. I was momentarily confused, until she said "You're gonna release this next one."

Lila, an Immature Bald Eagle

I almost passed out from excitement. I couldn't believe it. A staff member took me over to an area where I put on a leather jacket and a pair of Xtratuf rain boots. Getting to the appointed area, I was hustled over to a gentleman holding a hooded immature bald eagle known as Lila. Picked up on last December 24th, it is not known exactly what was wrong with her. Some locals reported seeing her lying on the ground for a couple of days, and she was taken to the center where she was given a complete physical examination.

Lila was transferred to my arms, and the transition must have startled her, for she tried to flap her wings and struggled to get away. I quickly learned just how strong these birds are. Despite only weighing 7-14 lbs, eagles are incredibly powerful birds. As gently as possible, two staff helped me get her into a comfortable position, where she calmed back down.

At the appointed time, I squatted down towards a lump of muskeg where we would be releasing her. A staff member untied the hood, and when sure that I was in position, pulled the hood off. With 50 or so people watching, I immediately started to put Lila on the muskeg. Alas, she had other plans. Before I could get her there, she realized that she had been freed, and with a mighty flap, and possibly slightly disoriented, took off and circled towards the boardwalk where tourists and staff were standing with cameras. She quickly figured out that she wanted to get further away from people, not closer, and swooped around and landed in the muskeg fifty ft. away to get her bearings. She sat there for two or three minutes, and then headed towards the tops of the trees and out of sight.

It was an incredible experience, and I will never forget the majesty of seeing a wild creature take off back into the habitat that they belong in. Ours is the duty, when possible, to allow these birds to live in the environment that they were born in. And the dedicated staff at the Alaska Raptor Center made that happen for two beautiful bald eagles here in Sitka, Alaska.

Removing the Hood

Raptor Release

Raptor Returning Home

Vermilion Flycatcher

 Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Range: Southern United States to Central Argentina 

Male Vermilion Flycatcher

Flycatchers are generally considered to be a rather drab group of birds. However, the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) stands as a brilliant exception, with a striking scarlet plumage that many birders enjoy. A member of the Tyrant flycatcher family, there are twelve subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher that range from the southern tip of the United States from Southern California across to Texas and as far down into South America as central Argentina. They also inhabit the Galapagos islands, and as such, are occasionally called Darwin’s Flycatcher or the Galapagos Flycatcher.

Description:

This species of flycatchers grows 6-7” in length. Is a dimorphic species. Males have a stunning scarlet crown, throat and belly, with a brownish black tail, back and wings. The females have a lighter brown head and back than the males, and have a pink belly that are not as flashy as the males, but nonetheless more colorful than most other flycatchers. These birds are known to live for up to five and a half years in the wild, and could possibly live slightly longer. 

Habitat and Breeding:

Vermilion Flycatcher Range Map

Flycatchers seem to prefer somewhat open areas in riparian woodlands, savannah and agricultural areas, and if a water source is nearby, can be found in areas of scrub or even desert. They eat mainly insects, usually hunting from an exposed perch, where they can dart out to snatch passing prey. 

Male Vermilion Flycatchers often initiate copulation by presenting a showy insect, such as a butterfly, to the female. These flycatchers are monogamous, and the female will lay 2-4 eggs in a nest made of roots, twigs and stems, followed by a two-week incubation period. Both parents help feed the young fledglings for an additional 15 days until the young   are ready to leave the nest. A mated pair of Vermilion Flycatchers can raise up to two broods per year.  

The first time I encountered a Vermilion Flycatcher was on a study abroad in Central America. Down at the site of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan in Central Mexico, those of us in the ornithology class noticed a small, red bird outside the bus just as we arrived at the ruin site. As all we had seen previously were grackles, pigeons, and sparrows in Mexico City, we were very excited to do some "real" birding and identify something out of the ordinary, and out of the city. We spilled off of the bus and got to work photographing and generally geeking out over this important find. The Vermilion Flycatcher was the first real venture into birdwatching in Central America for many of us, and thus I have a bit of a soft spot for these brilliant birds. 

Vermilion Flycatchers stand out against the foliage