WESTERN

Vol.40, No. 2, 2009

Western Specialty :

Sooty Grouse

Photo by © Michael A. Schroeder, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Sooty Grouse ( Dendragapus fuliginosus ) male
Near Rockport, Washington, 25 May 2001.

This male displays yellow apteria typical of this coastal species.

Volume 40, Number 2, 2009

Birds of the Ketchikan Area, Southeast Alaska

Steven C. Heinl and Andrew W. Piston 54

Book Reviews Paul Hess, Eugene S. Hunn, and John Thomas .... 145

Featured Photo: Regional Phenotypic Variation in the

Sooty Grouse Michael A. Schroeder, Steven C. Heinl,

Andrew l M. Piston, and Fred C. Zwickel 152

Western Field Ornithologists 34th Annual Meeting 155

Front cover photo by © Andrew W. Piston of Ward Cove,
Alaska: Chestnut-backed Chickadee ( Poecile rufescens ), at
its nest in a cavity in a stump at Vallenar Bay, Gravina Island,
Alaska, 4 June 2006.

Back cover “Featured Photos” by © Michael A. Schroeder of
Bridgeport, Washington: (top) Dusky Grouse ( Dendragapus
obscurus ), male near Turner Valley, Alberta, 14 May 2005.
This male has red apteria on the neck, apparently typical of all
Dusky Grouse; (bottom) Sooty Grouse ( Dendragapus fuligino-
sus ), male south of Terrace, British Columbia, 15 May 2008.
Red apteria appear to be the rule in Sooty Grouse from Terrace
north through southeastern Alaska, rather than yellow as they
are farther south.

Western Birds solicits papers that are both useful to and understandable by amateur
field ornithologists and also contribute significantly to scientific literature. The journal
welcomes contributions from both professionals and amateurs. Appropriate topics
include distribution, migration, status, identification, geographic variation, conserva-
tion, behavior, ecology, population dynamics, habitat requirements, the effects of
pollution, and techniques for censusing, sound recording, and photographing birds in
the field. Papers of general interest will be considered regardless of their geographic
origin, but particularly desired are reports of studies done in or bearing on the Rocky
Mountain and Pacific states and provinces, including Alaska and Hawaii, western
Texas, northwestern Mexico, and the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

Send manuscripts to Kathy Molina, Section of Ornithology, Natural History Museum
of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007. For matters
of style consult the Suggestions to Contributors to Western Birds (at www.wfo-cbrc.
org/journal.html).

Good photographs of rare and unusual birds, unaccompanied by an article but with
caption including species, date, locality and other pertinent information, are wanted
for publication in Western Birds. Submit photos and captions to Photo Editor. Also
needed are black and white pen and ink drawings of western birds. Please send these,
with captions, to Graphics Manager.

WESTERN BIRDS

Volume 40, Number 2, 2009

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA,

SOUTHEAST ALASKA

STEVEN C. HEINL, P. O. Box 23101, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901; steve.heinl@
alaska.gov

ANDREW W. PISTON, P O. Box 1116, Ward Cove, Alaska 99928; andrew. piston @
alaska.gov

ABSTRACT: Historically, the Ketchikan area was visited by ornithologists only
briefly in the early 1900s, and there has been no formally published, comprehensive
treatment of the avifauna of southeast Alaska. Here we outline the status of 260
species of birds that have been recorded in the Ketchikan area, southeast Alaska,
including 70 confirmed or probable breeders and 10 possible breeders, largely on
the basis of our personal observations from 1990 to 2008. The avifauna of the
Ketchikan area is typical of the coastal temperate rainforest but also, as a result of
its location on the inner islands of the Alexander Archipelago, includes elements of
both the open marine environment along the outer coast to the west and mainland
river habitats to the east.

The city of Ketchikan is located on Revillagigedo Island at the southern
terminus of the Alexander Archipelago, just north of Dixon Entrance, in
southeast Alaska (Figure 1). Ketchikan lies near the heart of the coastal
temperate rainforest that stretches from northwestern California north
and west along the Pacific coast to the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island,
Alaska. There has been no formally published, comprehensive treatment
of the avifauna of southeast Alaska, and published information from the
Ketchikan area is particularly limited. Most early ornithological explorations
of southeast Alaska took place in the spring and summer, and ornithologists
often spent only a short time in any one location. The Ketchikan area was
visited briefly by Alexander Wetmore (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), Ira N.
Gabrielson (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), and Harry S. Swarth (1911), who
collected specimens at Gravina Island and at Portage Cove, Revillagigedo
Island. George Willett visited southeast Alaska seasonally beginning in 1912,
and he was the first ornithologist to live year round in southern southeast
Alaska, from 1919 to 1926. His published observations during that time
concerned mainly the avifauna of St. Lazaria Island, Forrester Island, the
Wrangell area, and Craig, Prince of Wales Island; however, he also lived

54

Western Birds 40:54-144, 2009

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

16QWW 150°0'0"W 140WW 130°0'0"W 120WW

Figure 1. Coastal Alaska and British Columbia, showing the location of Ketchikan
within the Alexander Archipelago and southeast Alaska, along with locations
mentioned in the text.

in Ketchikan from the spring of 1924 through the winter of 1925-1926
(Willett 1927, 1928, Howard 1946). Much of the historical ornithological
information on southeast Alaska was summarized by Gabrielson and Lin-
coln (1959) and Kessel and Gibson (1978), the two primary publications
on the status and distribution of birds in Alaska. Our purpose is to provide
a detailed summary of the status and distribution of birds in the Ketchikan
area in southern southeast Alaska.

AREA COVERED

“Southeast Alaska” as a biogeographic region was defined by Kessel and
Gibson (1978) as all of Alaska east of Cape Fairweather and south to Dixon
Entrance, an area approximately 600 km long and 140 to 270 km wide
(Figure 1). Major features include the more than 1000 largely mountainous
islands that constitute the Alexander Archipelago, the sheltered waters of
the Inside Passage, and a narrow strip of the mainland, separated along its
length from the interior of the continent by the rugged Coast Mountains.
Within this region, we consider the Ketchikan area to include the islands
of Revillagigedo, Gravina, Annette, Pennock, Bold, Betton, and Hassler
and the adjacent bodies of water (Behm Canal, Clarence Strait, Nichols
Passage, and Revillagigedo Channel). This area is nearly encapsulated by
the Alaska mainland on the east and an extension of the mainland, the
Cleveland Peninsula, on the north and west (Figure 2). Prince of Wales
Island (Alaska’s second-largest island after Kodiak Island) and smaller islands
to the west separate the Ketchikan area from the Pacific Ocean, more than
100 km to the west.

55

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

132 £, 0'0"W 131°0'0"W

132°0'0"W 131°0’0'’W

Figure 2. Map of the Ketchikan area showing major features and sites mentioned in
the text. 1, sw Annette Island; 2, Metlakatla; 3, Dali Head; 4, Bostwick Inlet; 5, Blank
Inlet; 6, Walden Rocks; 7, Pennock Island; 8, Ketchikan airport/northeast Gravina
Island; 9, Ketchikan; 10, Deer Mt.; 11, Mountain Point; 12, Herring Cove; 13,
Mahoney Mt.; 14, Silvas Lakes; 15, George Inlet; 16, Harriet Hunt Lake; 17, White
River; 18, Dude Mt.; 19, Talbot and Connell lakes; 20, Ward Lake; 21, Ward Cove;
22, Tongass Narrows; 23, Vallenar Bay; 24, Guard Island; 25, Kasaan Peninsula; 26,
Point Higgins; 27, Tatoosh Rocks; 28, Betton Island; 29, Clover Passage; 30, Naha
River; 31, Jordan and Heckman lakes; 32, Margarita Bay and Margaret Lake; 33,
Traitors Cove; 34, Traitors Creek; 35, Neets Bay; 36, Hassler Island; 37, McDonald
Lake; 38, Unuk River; 39, Chickamin River; 40, Portage Cove; 41, Mt. Reid; 42,
Carroll River; 43, Carroll Inlet; 44, Manzanita Lake; 45, Ella Bay; 46, Princess Bay;
47, Thorne Arm; 48, Bold Island; 49, Hog Rocks; 50, Snail Rock.

The vast majority of our bird observations come from the Ketchikan road
system, the western half of Revillagigedo, the northeast shore of Gravina
(including the area around the Ketchikan airport), and the Metlakatla area,
on southwestern Annette (including 35 km of road). The primary feature of
the Ketchikan road system is the Tongass Highway, which runs along the
shore 21 km south and 26 km north from downtown Ketchikan and includes
the small town of Saxman about 3 km south of Ketchikan. Revilla Road
extends 14 km inland from Ketchikan and provides access to logging roads
and several freshwater lakes. Much of the eastern half of Revillagigedo lies
within the Misty Fjords National Wilderness, and it has been little explored
by birders and ornithologists. At the time of the 2000 census, the popula-

56

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

tion of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough was 14,070, and the population
of Metlakatla was 1375.

CLIMATE

High annual precipitation, gray skies, and cool, moderate temperatures
characterize the climate of southeast Alaska. The average annual precipita-
tion at Ketchikan is 387 cm a year, with monthly averages ranging from 17
cm a month in both June and July to a peak of 56 cm in October. Climatic
conditions vary as a consequence of the region’s mountainous terrain (Ala-
back 1982); for example, the average annual precipitation at Metlakatla,
only 24 km from Ketchikan, is 276 cm a year. The average summertime
high and low temperatures at Ketchikan are 18° C and 10° C, the average
wintertime high and low temperatures 5° C and -1° C.

AVIAN HABITATS

Habitats found in the Ketchikan area include most of those described
in Kessel’s (1979) classification of Alaska’s avian habitats. The temperate
climate supports dense coniferous forests dominated by western hemlock
(' Tsuga heterophylla) and Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis), with western redce-
dar ( Thuja plicata) and yellow-cedar ( Cupressus nootkatensis) also present
in wetter areas (Dellasala et al. 1996; Figure 3) (plant names from http://
plants.usda.gov, 15 October 2008.). Blueberry and huckleberry ( Vaccinium
spp.), devil’s club ( Oplopanax horridus), currants ( Ribes spp.), and rusty
menziesia ( Menziesia ferruginea) form a dense understory of shrubs. Birds
that nest primarily in mature coniferous woodland include the Sooty Grouse,
Marbled Murrelet, Barred Owl, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker,
Steller’s Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned
Kinglet, Varied Thrush, Townsend’s Warbler, and Red Crossbill.

The spruce-hemlock woods are naturally fragmented by open Sphagnum
bogs, or muskegs, that include a range of habitats, from wet meadow to dwarf-
shrub meadow, low- to medium-shrub thicket, and dwarf forest (Figure 4).
Muskegs commonly cover fairly level low-lying areas of poor drainage but are
also found on steeper slopes, from sea level to timberline, where drainage is
slowed or impounded (Neiland 1971). They are covered with sparse, scrubby
shore pine ( Pinus contorta ) and shrubs, including stunted yellow-cedar, com-
mon juniper ( Juniperus communis), bog-laurel ( Kalmia polifolia), Labrador
tea ( Ledum groenlandicum), and sweet gale {Myrica gale), interspersed
with isolated dense stands of pine, yellow-cedar, and western and mountain
hemlock ( Tsuga mertensiana) (Pojar and MacKinnon 1994). Virtually the
entire southwestern portion of Annette and the northeastern shore of Gravina
are covered by muskeg. Muskegs and associated woodland are the primary
nesting habitat of the Greater Yellowlegs, Northern Flicker, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco.

The coniferous forests of southeast Alaska have been fragmented by
logging, particularly since the 1950s (Harris and Farr 1974). Clearcuts
and logging roads are common on the larger islands in the Ketchikan area.
Most clearcuts quickly fill with a dense growth of Vaccinium spp., currants,

57

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

salmonberry ( Rubus spectabilis), and conifer saplings (Alaback 1982). These
temporary shrub habitats are used by nesting Orange-crowned Warblers,
Wilson’s Warblers, Fox Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos (Kessler and Kogut
1985, Dellasala et al. 1996), and others, until the conifers close out the
canopy and the shrub understory is eliminated (about 25-35 years after
logging; Alaback 1982).

Deciduous forest is of limited extent in the Ketchikan area and is often
mixed with conifers. Narrow riparian stands of red alder ( Alnus rubra),
with a dense understory of salmonberry, devil’s club, elderberry ( Sambucus
racemosa), and currants, grow along the larger creeks, and patches of
this habitat develop along the margins of salt-water shores, in disturbed
areas around towns, on old logging roads, and in moist areas of clearcuts.
Slides, numerous on the steep hillsides, fill rapidly with Sitka alder ( Alnus
viridis), salmonberry, and devil’s club. These primarily deciduous habitats
are important to nesting Fox Sparrows, Wilson’s Warblers, and Swainson’s
Thrushes.

Lowland meadows and grasslands are limited to estuaries at the mouths of
the largest creeks (e.g., Carroll River and Traitors Creek). Extensive estuarine
meadows and drier grassland are lacking, and most species associated with
this habitat (e.g., Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Short-eared Owl,
Northern Shrike, and Lapland Longspur) are encountered in the Ketchikan
area infrequently.

Alpine heath is found at elevations of 750-900 m and higher on Gravina,
Annette, and Revillagigedo (Figure 5). The most extensive alpine habitat is
found on the northern half of Revillagigedo, where the maximum elevation
is 1400 m at Mt. Reid. Alpine heath is important habitat for the Willow and
Rock ptarmigans and nesting American Pipits.

Marine waters consist of numerous inlets, bays, and passages between
the islands (Figure 6). These protected nearshore waters provide important
wintering habitat for many species of waterfowl, loons, grebes, and alcids
(e.g., Barrow’s Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Western
Grebe, Common Murre, and Marbled Murrelet). Marine spawning sites of
the Pacific herring ( Clupea pallasii) provide important migration stopover
sites for the Surf Scoter. More exposed open water is found to the south and
west of the study area in Clarence Strait and Revillagigedo Channel, both of
which open south into the inshore waters of Dixon Entrance. Shorelines are
generally narrow and rocky, and there are few sandy beaches in the area.
Estuarine substrates also tend to be rocky or muddy, with extensive mud
exposed only at the lowest (minus) tides. Thus many species of shorebirds
are not seen as frequently in the Ketchikan area as they might be elsewhere
in southeast Alaska.

Although lacustrine waters are common, the majority of the large lakes in
the region are oligotrophic, with deep steep-sided basins, and are not always
productive for water birds. The numerous small acidic ponds and lakes in
muskeg bogs are also often unproductive. Thus, with few exceptions, the
density and diversity of breeding waterfowl around Ketchikan is low in com-
parison to that of other areas of Alaska and the interior of British Columbia
to the east (Campbell et al. 1990a), a situation also noted by Swarth (1911).
Lakes with wet sedge meadows and inlet streams bordered by dense low

58

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

thickets of the shrub Spiraea douglasii support breeding populations of the
Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Fluviatile waters and shorelines are also common, and there are many
small to medium-sized creeks throughout the area that provide important
habitat for the Common Merganser and American Dipper. Salmon spawn in
nearly every stream in the Ketchikan area, and many of the larger streams
support hundreds of thousands of spawning pink salmon (Oncorhgnchus
gorbuscha) each fall (Heinl and Geiger 2005). Dead and dying salmon and
their eggs are an important source of food for Bald Eagles, gulls, and some
waterfowl.

Artificial habitats, including buildings and other structures, disturbed
ground, and cut banks next to roads and quarries are used by several species
nesting in the Ketchikan area, particularly the Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher,
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, and European Starling.

ANNOTATED LIST

We outline the status of 260 species of birds, representing 52 families
in 18 orders, that have been recorded in the Ketchikan area as of 31 July
2008. Three additional species, included in brackets, are commensal (Rock
Pigeon; Gibson and Kessel 1997), unsubstantiated in the Ketchikan area
(Golden Eagle; Willett 1927), or unsubstantiated in Alaska (Laughing Gull;
AOU 1998).

Species accounts are based primarily on our personal field notes from
1990 to 31 July 2008, incorporating more than 45,000 observations. In
addition to published data sources, we also included the observations of
other people living in the Ketchikan area, unpublished information on file
at the University of Alaska Museum (UAM), Fairbanks (1960s to present;
courtesy of D. D. Gibson), and unpublished information from George Willett’s
personal notes from the 1920s (primarily January 1924-November 1925;
courtesy of K. L. Garrett, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History
[LACM]). We also included observations published in the quarterly reports
of Audubon Field Notes and its successors American Birds, Field Notes,
and North American Birds. We have cited specific statements on status
and distribution in these reports by the regional editor’s name and year of
publication. In a few instances we provide our original assessments of status
and distribution based largely on information from these quarterly reports.
Written documentation and photographs pertaining to the records discussed
below are on deposit at UAM.

We have included information on subspecies for nearly all polytypic spe-
cies that have been found in the Ketchikan area. Subspecific identity was
determined from specimens archived at UAM, or inferred from Gibson and
Kessel’s (1997) inventory of the species and subspecies of Alaska birds (in
the latter case, subspecies are presented parenthetically in the heading of
the species account). Identification of UAM specimens was made or cor-
roborated by D. D. Gibson. We have also included reference to the Ketchikan
specimens collected by Willett, archived at LACM (specimen data courtesy
of K. L. Garrett), and to Swarth’s specimens, archived at the Museum of
Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ), University of California Berkeley (Swarth 1911).

59

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Nomenclature follows Gibson and Kessel (1997) unless otherwise noted. We
have provided additional specimen information, when it exists, for those
monotypic species that are rare or casual in the Ketchikan area.

We used the following terminology, based on Kessel and Gibson (1978), to
describe the status of each species: Resident — a species present throughout
the year. Migrant — a seasonal transient between winter and breeding ranges.
Breeder — a species known to breed; prefixed by “possible” or “probable”
if concrete evidence of breeding is unavailable. Visitant — a nonbreeding
species, also, in fall, a species not directly en route between breeding and
wintering ranges. Common — the region regularly hosts large numbers of the
species, and it occurs in all or nearly all proper habitats. “Abundant” is used
for several species that sometimes occur in extremely large numbers. Fairly
common — the region regularly hosts substantial numbers of the species but
it occurs in only some of the proper habitat, and large areas of presumed
suitable habitat area occupied sparsely or not at all. Uncommon — species
occurs in the region in relatively small numbers, and it is not observed regu-
larly even in proper habitats. Rare — species within its normal range, occur-
ring regularly but in very small numbers. “Very rare” is used for a species
which occurs more or less regularly, but not every year, and usually in very
small numbers. Casual — a species beyond its normal range that may occur
intermittently over a period of years and in very small numbers.

The initials and names of contributors of original observations are as
follows: (RWB) Robert W. Bale, (CB) Chris Betrus, (CC-B) Cole Crocker-
Bedford, (DB) David Bowers, (GB) Gretchen Blanchard, (JB) Jesse Ball, (MB)
Mike Brown, (JC) Jackie Canterbury, (KOD) Kathy O. Doyle, (PD) Peter
Dwyer, (PSD) Philip S. Doherty, (TJD) Terry J. Doyle, (GLE) Gene and Laura
Eide, (ME) M. Eanes, (CAF) Cheryl A. Fultz, (CJF) Craig J. Flatten, (DDG)
Daniel D. Gibson, (JG) Jack Gustafson, (TLG) Teri L. Goucher, (ABH) Amy
B. Holm, (EBH) E. Brooke Hunt, (JH) John Haddix, (JTH) J. Tom Hunt,
(PSH) Patricia S. Hunt, (SCH) Steven C. Heinl, (SLH) Sharon L. Huffman,
(MEI) Malcolm E. “Pete” Isleib, (ABJ) Andrew B. Johnson, (LMJ) Lane M.
Johnson, (RJ) Randy Jahnke, (BFK) Ben F. King, (DK) D. Kiljegren, (HK)
Halli Kenoyer (JFK) Jerrold F. Koerner, (LK) Lynn Kolund, (BAL) Bert A.
Lewis, (JL) Jeff Lundberg, (JDL) James D. Levison, (JHL) Jim H. Lewis, (KL)
Kris Larson, (NDL) Nancy Dee Lough, (TL) T. Leeman, (CAM) Charles A.
Mackey, (GHM) G. and H. Metcalf, (JM) J. Melton, (JMM) James M. Maley,
(KEM) Ken E. Mix, (PM) Patricia McConnell, (PMe) Phil Meredith, (SJM)
Steve J. McCurdy, (SOM) Stephen O. MacDonald, (DN) Dennis Northrup,
(REN) Rod E. Neterer, (SLN) Sharon L. Norton, (WN) Walter Northrup,
(ALTP) Ardath L. T. Piston, (AWP) Andrew W. Piston, (BTP) Boyd T. Porter,
(DKP) Dave K. Person, (JP) Jeannie Pontti, (JEP) Joe E. Piston, (NP) Nancy
Priebe, (AMR) Anne M. Reynolds, (BR) B. Ringeisen, (DR) Dale Rogers,
(KMR) Kathy M. Ripley, (PMR) Peter M. Roginski, (WFR) William F. Rotecki,
(CS) C. Smout, (DWS) David W. Sonneborn, (JS) Joyce Silberling, (JES)
Jessie E. Swift, (LS) Lyle Stack, (LSw) LoAnn Swanson, (MWS) Mark W.
Schwan, (NS) Nan Story, (RLS) Robert L. Scher, (RS) Richard Schuerger,
(SS) Sandy Skrien, (SSp) Sheila Spores, (KT) Ken Turley, (MAT) Mark A.
Tofeldt, (TGT) Theodore G. Tobish, Jr., (GBV) Gus B. vanVliet, (SV) Sheila
Valentine, (BW) Bruce Wright, (DW) Don Westlund, (HW) Helen West, (JDW)

60

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

J. Dan Webster, (KLW) Kathleen L. Wendt, (LW) L. Wells, (MAW) Michael
A. Wood, (PJW) Peter J. Walsh, (REW) Robert E. Wood, (SBW) Scott B.
Walker, (GZ) Greg Zerbetz, (TPZ) Timothy P Zadina. All unattributed data
are those of the authors.

Abbreviations used in the text: American Birds (AB), British Columbia
(BC), Christmas Bird Count (CBC), Field Notes (FN), Los Angeles County
Museum of Natural History (LACM), Museum of Vertebrate Zoology,
University of California, Berkeley (MVZ), North American Birds (NAB),
photograph (ph.), southeast (se), southwest (sw), U.S. Forest Service (USFS),
and University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks (UAM). Photos were taken by
Heinl or Piston unless otherwise noted. In instances when observers other
than the authors found a bird, documentary photographs by the authors are
indicated by the abbreviation “ph.” following a semicolon after the initials
of the original observer.

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

Anser albifrons frontalis . Greater White-fronted Goose. Common spring migrant,
uncommon fall migrant, and casual summer visitant. This species is conspicuous in
spring, flying north over the area in flocks of a few to 400 birds, often with Canada
Geese ( Branta canadensis ) (earliest, 12 April 2001, KEM). Spring migration peaks 23
April-10 May, and stragglers are observed through mid-May (latest, 29 May 2006).
High counts include 700 over Tongass Narrows 24 April 1993, 2300 over Tongass
Narrows 27 April 2002, 5150 flying over Clarence Strait and sw Annette 28 April
2004, 6800 flying over Tongass Narrows 30 April 2006, 1050 flying north over
sw Annette 1 May 2002, and 715 over sw Annette and 120 over Nichols Passage
6 May 1995. In fall, migrants occur between 3 September (2001) and 25 October
(2003) but are irregular and not observed annually (maximum, 175 on 3 September
2001). A very late bird was at Clover Passage 9-30 November 1993. Single birds
with Canada Geese at Gnat Cove, Carroll Inlet, 19 June 1999 and Clover Passage
15-19 June 2006 (DW) are the only ones recorded in summer. A salvaged specimen
from Gravina (UAM 14168, unsexed adult, 17 May 2001) is A. a. frontalis, the race
that breeds in western Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1997). We suspect that the vast
majority of the birds that we see are this form, although the large, dark race A. a.
elgasi, which breeds in Cook Inlet, may also migrate over our area.

Chen caerulescens (caerulescens). Snow Goose. Uncommon migrant. Observed
in spring from 2 April (1997) to early May, with peak numbers in mid-April (maxima,
170 on 13 April 2002 and 1170 on 17 April 2004) and the latest 18-26 May 2006
(DW). Fall migrants occur from 26 September (1996) to 26 October (1999, ABH;
maxima, 1000 on 9 October 1992, JFK; 750 on 30 September 2001). A late flock
of 100 was reported in “November” 1973 (PM). The Snow Goose is very rarely found
on the ground in the Ketchikan area. Migrants through southeast Alaska belong to
the population that breeds on Wrangel Island, Russia, some of which follow a coastal
migration route and winter on the Fraser and Skagit river deltas in BC and Washington
(Mowbray et al. 2000). These coastal migrants stop annually at the Stikine River delta
in southeast Alaska in both spring (e.g., 10,452 on 13 April 1992; R. E. Lowell,
Alaska Department of Fish & Game, in lift.) and fall (e.g., 2000 on 20 October 1950;
Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Branta bernicla ( nigricans ). Brant. Uncommon spring migrant. Occurs annu-
ally in small numbers, primarily during May (earliest, 18 April 2008 and 27 April
2002; latest, 2-4 June 1987, MEI), with maximum numbers in shallows along the

61

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 3. Coniferous forest, Carroll Inlet, Revillagigedo Island, July 2007. On the
left is old-growth coniferous forest (hemlock, spruce, and cedar), on the right is a
20-year-old clearcut filled with coniferous second growth. Lines of paler red alder
mark the old logging roads. The sedge meadow and Spiraea thickets at the far
end of the small lake are excellent habitat for the Song and Lincoln’s sparrows and
Common Yellowthroat.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

outer shore of sw Annette (e.g., 170 on 1 May 2002, 60 on 6 May 1995). Most of
Alaska’s breeding population migrates to and from the breeding grounds in western
Alaska over the Gulf of Alaska and largely bypasses southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and
Lincoln 1959, Dau 1992).

Branta hutchinsii (minima). Cackling Goose. Only recently recognized as distinct
from the Canada Goose (Banks et al. 2004), the Cackling Goose is likely an uncom-
mon to fairly common migrant in southeast Alaska, though more information is
needed to clarify its status. Bailey (1927) reported seeing flocks migrating by Hoonah
Sound 7-8 May 1920 and another flock in Glacier Bay 11 October 1920. Webster
collected a specimen at Kruzof Island, near Sitka, 30 April 1940 (Webster 1941) and
found migrant flocks near Wrangell 27 April- 16 May 1946, where he collected a
specimen at the Stikine River mouth 16 May 1946 (Webster 1950). This specimen
(California Academy of Sciences 60403) is small and dark-breasted, with a short neck
and small bill (exposed culmen 24.1 mm, fide D. J. Long, California Academy of Sci-
ences), so is clearly B. h. minima. Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) gave a Ketchikan
arrival date of 23 April for minima but provided no further details.

Many of the white-cheeked geese we have observed flying north in late April and
May are smaller than the accompanying Greater White-fronted Geese; some of these
birds are certainly B. h. minima, including 275 on 7 May 2008, 200 on 7 May
2006, and 25 on 25 May 2006. We have found spring stragglers on the ground
at Ketchikan (two, 21-23 May 2006, ph.) and on the adjacent mainland at Hyder

62

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 4. Muskeg or Sphagnum bog habitat at Gravina Island. The wet meadows
and surrounding coniferous growth are the primary breeding habitat of the Greater
Yellowlegs, Northern Flicker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Dark-
eyed Junco.

Photo by J. E. Piston

(single birds on 6 June 2004 and 6-8 June 2006; ph.). One at the Naha River mouth
18 October 1999 provided our only certain fall record of this species at Ketchikan.
All of the birds that we have seen on the ground have been the dark, very small,
purplish-breasted B. h. minima, which is fairly straightforward to identify in the field
(see Delacour 1954).

Branta canadensis (fulua). Canada Goose. Common spring migrant, fairly com-
mon breeder and fall migrant, and common winter visitant. The subspecies fulva
breeds in southeast Alaska and coastal northern BC and is thought to be relatively
sedentary (Campbell et al. 1990a, Gibson and Kessel 1997). It occurs in pairs and
small flocks during the summer (maxima, 25 at Traitors Creek 7 June 2002 and 16
at Carroll Inlet 19 June 2002). Breeding records include a pair with two downy chicks
at Gravina 18 May 2003, a pair with five downy chicks at Talbot Lake 9 June 2004,

63

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

a pair with four half-sized young at Gravina 8 July 2000, a pair with two chicks in
the White River valley 15-22 July 2001, a pair with six nearly full-grown juveniles
at Harriet Hunt Lake 27 July 2000, and a pair with four juveniles at the Ketchikan
airport 29 July 2000. Gabrielson estimated over 1000 birds in Behm Canal and adja-
cent Reflection and Manzanita lakes, Revillagigedo, 24 August 1945 (Gabrielson and
Lincoln 1959), and M. E. Isleib estimated that 200-300 were at sw Annette 10-18
September 1986. This race is common on sheltered salt-water shores from November
to March, particularly at large intertidal areas such as the mouth of the Carroll River,
where 200-400 winter annually (MAW). Winter counts on the Ketchikan road system
range from a few to 50 birds.

This species is a conspicuous spring migrant from late March to mid-May, with
maximum numbers from mid-April to early May, when large flocks are observed
flying north over the area on a daily basis (e.g., 21 flocks totaling 2885 birds in 4
hours on 19 April 1998, 4000 in 1 hour on 23 April 2002, 2200 in 3 hours on 25
April 1999, and 800 over sw Annette 4 May 1996). We do not know the subspe-
cific identity of these geese, as they are observed only while flying over the area. We
identified two medium-sized, pale-breasted geese at sw Annette 28 April 2004 and
one at Gravina 22-29 May 2006 as Lesser Canada Geese ( B . c. paruipes). In the
fall we have observed flocks of migrants only in October and not annually (maximum,
300 on 14 October 1999 and 2001). The timing of these birds coincides with the
movement of white-cheeked geese, including subspecies occidentalis, in the Prince
William Sound area in late September and October (Isleib and Kessel 1989). We
observed a flock of eight medium-sized pale-breasted birds, likely B. c. paruipes, at
Ketchikan on 26 October 2003.

Cygnus buccinator. Trumpeter Swan. Uncommon migrant and winter visitant,
casual summer visitant and breeder. Small numbers winter regularly on open fresh
water and sheltered estuaries (e.g., up to 28 at the Carroll River mouth, winter
1994-1995, and 20 birds there 31 January 1998 and 23 December 1998; all MAW).
The USFS (unpubl. data) conducted eight aerial surveys of Revillagigedo over seven
winters and found an average of 40 birds (range 18-70; maximum, 70 on 22-23
December 1977). An aerial survey of Revillagigedo in March 1945 produced 61
swans (Gabrielson 1946), some of which may have been migrants. The Trumpeter
Swan is a very rare breeder in southeast Alaska, and there is one record of breeding
on Prince of Wales immediately to the west of Ketchikan (Kessel and Gibson 1978).
Orton (1951), and later Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959), implied that this species bred
at lakes in the upper Naha River drainage and wintered at lower lakes in the same
drainage. Orton, however, provided no actual evidence of breeding. In 1999, Piston
also found Trumpeter Swans in the Naha River drainage (three adults at Roosevelt
Lagoon 28 April, one adult there 28 May, and one adult upriver at Jordan Lake 2
June). An adult with two downy chicks in the Traitors Creek drainage 27 July 2005
(ph. PMR) provided the first confirmed breeding record for the area. Four at Manzanita
Lake 1 June 1995 (CJF) and one adult at Ward Lake 28 July 2002 (present for only
one day) represent the only other summer records.

Migrant swans are observed from mid-October to late November (earliest, 13 Octo-
ber 1999) and from early March to mid-April; stragglers occur through late April and
occasionally early May (latest, 6 May 1995 and 21 May 2007). They typically occur
in small groups (the median flock size was four birds; n = 112). Maximum counts are
75 on the beach at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 1 April 2002 (BTP), 30 flying north 2 April
2002 (JEP), and 27 at Heckman Lake March 1943 (Orton 1951) and 28 October
1992 (JC). All of the migrating swans we have heard have been Trumpeter Swans;
however, it is certainly possible that some of the migrant swans we were not able to
identify to species, or that were reported to us by other people, were Tundra Swans
(C. columbianus).

64

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Cygnus columbianus ( columbianus ). Tundra Swan. This species is primarily a
migrant in southeast Alaska; however, its full status has been clouded by the difficulty
of distinguishing it from the Trumpeter Swan in the field (Gabrielson and Lincoln
1959). We have only three certain records: one immature with Trumpeter Swans at
Ketchikan 6 January 1995 (ph.), two adults at Ward Lake 10-11 November 1999,
and two adults at Ward Lake 26 February-9 March 2005.

Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. Casual. This species was considered casual in Alaska
through the early 1990s but has since occurred in southeast Alaska nearly annually
and at all seasons. Eight Ketchikan records: female 2-9 November 1991 (DB; ph.),
female 1-16 May 1999 (ph. NAB 53:315), pair 16 December 2000-18 March 2001
(ph. NAB 55:213), flock of three males and two females 13 November-23 December
2001 (ph.), male 18 September 2006 (REN), male 28 November-16 December 2006
(ph. PMR; Figure 7), male 16-17 April 2007 (ph. MAT), pair December-6 February
2008 (ph. LSw, WFR).

Anas strepera ( strepera ). Gadwall. Uncommon winter visitant, rare spring migrant,
and casual summer visitant. This species is present in very small numbers from October
to March (earliest, 18 October 2000; maximum, 8 on 16 December 1995), and a
few are found in spring through early May (latest, 27 May 2002 and 31 May 2000).
A drake at Ketchikan 15 June 2008 provided the only summer record.

Anas penelope. Eurasian Wigeon. Rare spring migrant and casual winter visitant.
We have one winter record (pair 17 February 1973; Kessel and Gibson 1978) and nine
spring records, 3 April (1997) to 6 May (2001). This species is a rare spring migrant
and casual winter visitant in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Anas americana. American Wigeon. Fairly common migrant and rare winter visi-
tant. Spring migrants are observed from 3 April (1997) to 3 June (2003) (maxima,
122 on 27 April 2002 and 82 on 28 April 2004). Fall migrants are observed from
24 August (2001) to late October (maxima, 92 flying south over Tongass Narrows 30
September 2001, 60 at Traitors Cove 12 September 1996, and 45 at sw Annette
11 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT). A few winter annually with flocks of Mallards
(e.g., one to three birds along the Ketchikan road system; maximum, 21 at the Carroll
River mouth 7 February 2003).

Anas platyrhynchos (platyrhynchos). Mallard. Common migrant and winter
visitant, uncommon breeder. Fall migrants arrive in mid-August (earliest, 14 August
1998), and the species is common by mid-September, particularly at salmon spawning
streams, where the birds feed on salmon carcasses and loose eggs. Small flocks winter
on fresh water and along coasts, with the largest concentrations at sheltered estuaries
(e.g., the Carroll River mouth: 500 on 23 December 1998, 400 on 31 January 1998
and 23 December 2000, MAW). Spring migration begins in late March and peaks
in April (e.g., 215 at the Ketchikan airport 27 April 2002), with smaller numbers
through early May. The Mallard is uncommon during June and July (maximum, 20 at
Traitors Cove 5 June 2000). Breeding records are of a female with eight chicks at sw
Annette 3 June 1987 (MEI), a female with eight chicks along the upper White River
22 June 2003, a female with chicks near Traitors Cove 22 June 2004 (CJF), and a
female with a half -grown chick at the Ketchikan airport 28 June 2001. Resident feral
Mallards also breed at Ward Lake, near Ketchikan.

Anas discors. Blue-winged Teal. Uncommon spring migrant and rare fall migrant.
Spring migrants occur annually in very small numbers from mid-May to early June
(earliest, 30 April 2003; latest, 16 June 2002; maximum, nine at Vallenar Bay 19
May 2004). Three fall records: one at Ward Lake 2-9 September 1995, four at Car-
roll Inlet 16 September 2002 (including UAM 19367, immature male, REN), and
one at Ketchikan 23 August 2004 (REN).

65

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 5. Extensive alpine habitats support breeding Rock and Willow ptarmigan,
American Pipit, and possibly Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (975 m, Mahoney Mt.,
Revillagigedo, June 2005).

Photo by A. W. Piston

Figure 6. Gray skies, sheltered nearshore waters, and mountainous islands blanketed
with dense coniferous forest characterize the Alexander Archipelago of southeast
Alaska. View looking south down Nichols Passage on a typical summer day, with
Annette Island on the left, Gravina Island on the right, and Pennock Island in the
foreground.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

66

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 7. Drake Wood Duck at Ketchikan Creek 11 December 2006. This species
is casual in Alaska but has occurred with increasing frequency and at all seasons over
the past decade.

Photo by A. W. Piston

Anas cyanoptera (septentrionalium) . Cinnamon Teal. Casual. One Ketchikan
record: one male 15 May 2007 (PD, ph.). This species is a rare spring migrant to
southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Anas clypeata. Northern Shoveler. Fairly common migrant, casual summer and
winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed from 22 April (2000 and 2002) to 31
May (2001); maximum, 293 flying north at Ketchikan 5 May 2001. One at Gravina
16 June 2002 and six at Traitors Cove 27 July 2001 are the only ones recorded in
summer. Fall migrants are observed from 14 August (1998) to 18 October (1995);
maxima, 40 flying south over Tongass Narrows 1 October 2000 and 20 at Traitors
Cove 12 September 1996. One at the mouth of the Carroll River 28 October-2
November 1996 was very late (MAW). A pair at Ketchikan in late January 1974
(Kessel and Gibson 1978) and a female at Herring Cove 10 January-8 April 2003
(JL) are the only ones recorded in winter.

Anas acuta. Northern Pintail. Fairly common migrant and rare winter visitant.
Spring migrants are observed flying north over the area from 31 March (1991) to
mid-May (latest, 31 May 2000). High counts over Tongass Narrows include 130 on
29 March 2004, 150 on 19 April 2002, 180 on 29 April 2001, and 115 on 4 May
2002. Fall migrants are observed primarily from August (earliest, 23 July 2003) to
late October (maxima, 100 flying south over Tongass Narrows 2 September 1996 and
300 flying south 30 September 2001). A few winter annually with flocks of Mallards
(e.g., one to four birds along the Ketchikan road system).

Anas crecca ( carolinensis ). Green-winged Teal. Fairly common migrant, rare sum-
mer visitant and possible breeder, and uncommon winter visitant. Spring migrants are
observed from mid-April to 21 May (2001), with largest numbers during late April
and early May (e.g., 80 at the Ketchikan airport 27 April 2002, 140 flying north over

67

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Tongass Narrows 28 April 2001, and 120 flying north over Tongass Narrows and 90
at sw Annette 28 April 2004). Summer records include two at the Naha River to 5 June
1999, a male at northeastern Gravina 11 June 2005, three sightings of one to three
birds at the mouth of Traitors Creek between 28 June (2001) and 20 July (2000), and
nine at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 14 July 2007. A female that exhibited agitated behavior
in a small pond at Gravina 28 June 2008 provided our only breeding evidence for this
species. Fall migrants are observed from mid-August (earliest, 2 August 2002) to late
October, when small numbers are found at tidal flats with other dabblers (maxima, 50
at Traitors Cove 22 August 2000 and 60 there 6 September 2001). A few birds winter
annually (maxima, 15 at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 1 February 2003, 12 near the Ketchikan
airport 2-15 March 1999, and 10 at Carroll Inlet 7 February 2003). Gabrielson and
Lincoln (1959) reported 50 near Ketchikan 11 March 1944. We identified a male at
Ketchikan 21 April 2002 (ph.) as Eurasian A. c. crecca ; this race breeds in the Aleutian
Islands (Gibson and Kessel 1997) and is a rare, regular winter visitant along the Pacific
coast south of Alaska (Campbell et al. 1990a, Marshall et al. 2003).

Aythya ualisineria. Canvasback. Casual. Three records: one at Ward Lake 2-3
November 1985 (MEI, RLS, TGT), two in Tongass Narrows 9 October 1992, and
one at northeast Gravina 7 May 2006 (REN). This species is a rare migrant and casual
winter visitant in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Aythya americana. Redhead. Casual. Three records: three in Tongass Narrows 9
October 1992, a pair at Ward Lake 12-15 June 1999, and a female at sw Annette
30 April 2003. This species is a rare spring migrant, very rare fall migrant, and casual
summer and winter visitant in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Aythya collaris. Ring-necked Duck. Uncommon migrant, rare winter and summer
visitant, and possible breeder. Migrants are observed from late April to May and from
September to November, occurring almost exclusively on lakes and ponds (maxima, 19
at sw Annette 30 April 2003, 13 there on 6 May 1994, and 1 1 there on 16 September
1986, MEI, RLS, TGT). A few remain to winter in some years (maximum, 13 at Ward
Lake 18 January 1999). Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered this species to be a very
rare breeder in southeast Alaska, and it breeds on Prince of Wales to the west (M. A.
Archie pers. comm, and pers. obs.). To date we have no evidence of breeding for the
Ketchikan area, but 10 on various ponds and small lakes at sw Annette 2 June 1987
(MEI) and a pair at northeast Gravina 11 June 2005 suggest possible breeding.

Aythya marila ( nearctica ). Greater Scaup. Fairly common migrant and uncommon
to fairly common winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed from late March to
May. Maximum numbers have been found at the Pacific herring’s spawning areas,
e.g., at sw Annette (350 on 30 April 2003, 160 on 1 May 2002), and in Tongass
Narrows (250 on 23 April 1999, 150 on 19-22 April 2002). Stragglers are found
into late May and June (latest, female at Ward Lake, 13 June 2000). Fall migrants
are observed primarily in October and November (earliest, 12 September 1986; MEI,
RLS, TGT). Small numbers winter along the Ketchikan road system, where counts
have ranged from a few to 20 birds, but the Greater Scaup appears to be more com-
mon in winter at sw Annette, where there are extensive shallow bays (maximum, 60
on 25 February 1992).

Aythya af finis. Lesser Scaup. Uncommon migrant and winter visitant. This species
is rarely found in any numbers, and in winter, fall migration (October-November; earli-
est, 5 October 1997), and spring migration (April-May; latest, 21 May 2007) typical
counts are of one to eight birds. It is occasionally found in larger numbers during the
winter, e.g., 40 at Skaters Lake, sw Annette, 25 February 1992, 21 at Thomas Basin,
Ketchikan, 10 January 2002, and 15 there on 4 January 1997.

Polysticta stelleri. Steller’s Eider. Casual. Two records: an immature female at
Ketchikan 1 1 February-1 April 2001 (ph.) and an adult male at Vallenar Bay, Gravina,

68

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

10-15 May 2003 (ph.). The regular winter range of this species extends east along
the Pacific coast only to Kodiak Island and lower Cook Inlet (Gibson 1984).

Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. Fairly common migrant and winter
visitant, uncommon summer visitant. Flocks of up to 20 birds are found along rocky
shores from September to mid-May; e.g., 75 at sw Annette 10-18 September 1986
(MEI, RLS, TGT), 50 along the south shore of Gravina 10 March 1993, 75 at Val-
lenar Bay, Gravina, 10 April 2004, and 60 at sw Annette 6 May 1995. Maximum
counts have been in the spring at the Pacific herring’s spawning sites (e.g., 230 in
lower west Behm Canal 2 May 1995). Swarth (1911) found “a great many” at the
mouth of Portage Cove 28 June-4 July 1909. Although the Harlequin Duck is found
regularly on salt water during the summer (e.g., 37 at sw Annette 3-4 June 1987,
MEI; 50 at Dali Head, Gravina, 26 June 1993), we have no evidence for breeding.
It is more common on the outer coast of southeast Alaska, as suggested by the large
numbers that are attracted to herring spawning areas near Craig, Prince of Wales
(e.g., 1500 at Fish Egg Island 21-26 March 1992).

Melanitta perspicillata. Surf Scoter. Common or abundant migrant and winter
visitant, uncommon to fairly common summer visitant. The Surf Scoter is most
abundant during spring migration, which begins in late March (e.g., 2000 along the
Ketchikan road system 27 March 1997). Migration peaks from late April to early
May, when flocks of up to 300 birds are frequently observed flying north over Tongass
Narrows, at times in a nearly constant procession. High counts include 9200 in 6
hours on 27 April 2002, 8970 in 6 hours on 28 April 2001, 4000 in 1 hour on
24 April 2001, and 3450 in 2 hours on 4 May 1996. Large numbers congregate
at herring spawning areas. On 2 May 1995, Heinl estimated a total of 60,000 at
extensive herring spawn in lower west Behm Canal (10,000 at Smugglers Cove,

30.000 at Mike Point, and 20,000 at Tatoosh Rocks). Other large counts at herring
spawning areas include up to 15,000 at Point Higgins from late April to early May
1996 and 23 April 1999, 14,000 at Clover Passage 27 April 2008 (Figure 8), and

10.000 at Mountain Point 27 April 2000. Recent, as yet unpublished, studies of the

Figure 8. Part of an estimated 14,000 Surf Scoters at Clover Passage, near Ketchikan,
gathered to take advantage of herring spawn deposited along the shorelines 27 April
2008. The sheltered waters of Clover Passage are also an important wintering site for
loons, gulls, and alcids, particularly the Marbled Murrelet, which sometimes numbers
in the thousands when feed is concentrated in the area.

Photo by A. VJ. Piston

69

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Surf Scoter along the Pacific coast have revealed that herring spawning areas around
Ketchikan (particularly in west Behm Canal and around Annette Island) are some of
the species’ most important stopover sites in southeast Alaska (E. K. Lok, Simon
Fraser University, pers. comm.). Small numbers of nonbreeders are found during the
summer (maximum, 105 at Ketchikan 5 June 2001).

Fall migrants begin to arrive in mid-September. We observed large numbers of
birds flying south over Tongass Narrows 17-30 September 2001 (maximum, 1350
in 1 hour on 21 September 2001). We have not observed this kind of movement in
other years, however, and the species is less numerous in the fall than in the spring.
In winter it occurs throughout the area in flocks of up to 150 birds (100-500 along
the Ketchikan road system).

Melanitta fusca deglandi. White-winged Scoter. Common winter visitant and un-
common summer visitant. The White-winged is less numerous in the Ketchikan area
than the Surf Scoter. Fall migrants begin to arrive in September, and the species is
common from October to March (up to 300 birds along the Ketchikan road system).
Numbers decline through April and May (e.g., we saw only one bird flying north at
Ketchikan 28 April 2001, the same day we recorded 8970 Surf Scoters). Although
large numbers have been found at herring spawn on the outer coast of Prince of
Wales (e.g., 2500 at Fish Egg Island 20-26 March 1992), herring spawning areas
on inside waters near Ketchikan have not attracted large concentrations of this spe-
cies (maximum, 360 at sw Annette 4 May 1996). Small numbers of nonbreeders are
found annually in summer (e.g., 10 at Ketchikan 8 June 1977, JDW; 14 with Surf
Scoters near Ketchikan 31 May 1987, MEI; 52 at Betton Island 4 June 2001; 10 at
Gnat Cove, Carroll Inlet, 19 June 1999). One LACM specimen.

Melanitta nigra (americana). Black Scoter. Uncommon migrant and winter visitant,
casual summer visitant. This species is observed from October to May (earliest, single
birds 8 September 1991, 14 September 2003, and 21 September 1996; latest, 10
flying north 20 May 1991 and one on 26 May 1999). Typical counts along the Ket-
chikan road system are of fewer than 10 birds (maximum, 15 on 3 January 1992).
The Black Scoter appears to favor exposed rocky shores with strong tidal surge and
is more common away from the Ketchikan road system (e.g., 45 at Walden Rocks,
Nichols Passage, 9 February 1997). One in Revillagigedo Channel south of Ketchikan

14 June 1991 provided our only summer record.

Clangula hyemalis. Long-tailed Duck. Common winter visitant and casual summer
visitant. Observed from October to May (earliest, three on 21 September 2005 and
single birds on 28 September 1999 and 30 September 2001; latest, 21 May 2001
and 29 May 2006). It favors the Ketchikan waterfront adjacent to the fish-processing
plants, where peak winter counts 2001-2005 averaged 1000 (maximum, 1400
from 9 to 19 February 2001). Fair-sized flocks are also encountered away from the
Ketchikan waterfront (e.g., 80 in Clover Passage 8 February 1998, 100 there 11
November 1999, 200 in Nichols Passage 13 November 1997, and 80 at Metlakatla
7 February 1992). There are three summer records: a female at Princess Bay 19-22
July 1994 (TL, LW), and a male and two females there 10 June 1995 (CS, JM), and
a male at Carroll Inlet 3-5 July 1999.

Bucephala albeola. Bufflehead. Common migrant and winter visitant, casual sum-
mer visitant. Observed from mid-October to late April (earliest, 9 October 1997 ; latest,
10 at Traitors Cove 21 May 2001 and four at a pond near Vallenar Bay, Gravina,
28 May 2005, JEP). The Bufflehead is widespread and occurs in flocks of a few to

15 birds on open fresh water and sheltered shores, particularly at creek outfalls and
estuaries (e.g., 80 at sw Annette 25 February 1992, 105 at Vallenar Bay, Gravina,
10 April 2004, and 205 in Carroll Inlet 7 February 2003). Single birds at Gravina 24
June 2007 and 4 July 2003 and at Snow Lake, Revillagigedo, 26-29 August 1975
(MWS) provided the only summer records.

70

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Bucephala clangula ( americana ). Common Goldeneye. Fairly common migrant
and winter visitant, casual summer visitant. Observed from late October to late April
(earliest, 19 October 1999; latest, 10 May 2000 and 27 May [year not specified,
Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959]). The Common does not congregate in large flocks as
does the Barrow’s Goldeneye, and it is generally found in small, loose groups of up
to 10 birds along sheltered shores and on open fresh water. Winter counts along the
Ketchikan and Metlakatla road systems have ranged up to 50 birds. Thus Gabrielson
and Lincoln’s report (1959) of 250 “in the harbor at Ketchikan” 11 March 1944 is
of interest given the species’ current status in the area. The Common Goldeneye is
apparently a rare breeder on the southeast Alaska mainland (e.g., female with downy
chicks at McDonald Lake 8 June 2005); however, we have only two summer records
for the Ketchikan area: an adult male on a pond at sw Annette 2-4 June 1987 (MEI)
and up to two females on a small pond in the White River valley, near Ketchikan,
15 and 22 July 2001.

Bucephala islandica. Barrow’s Goldeneye. Common migrant and winter visitant,
rare summer visitant. Fall migrants arrive in early October (earliest, single birds 2
September 1995 and 21 September 2005) and are common by late October. Migrants
are sometimes attracted to salmon spawning streams in October, where they feed
on loose salmon eggs (e.g., 125 at Ward Lake 25 October 1999, 100 at Roosevelt
Lagoon 26 October 1999). During the winter, Barrow’s Goldeneyes congregate along
sheltered rocky shores in tight flocks of up to 100 birds. Up to 500 birds wintered
along the Ketchikan road system in 1992. On 7 February 2003, we counted 875
birds in 47-km-long Carroll Inlet. Large numbers are often attracted to herring spawn
in April (maximum, 500 at herring spawn at Point Higgins 18 April 1999), and a few
linger on salt water to mid-May (latest, three birds at Traitors Cove 21 May 2001,
one there 13 June 2002). A few birds have been observed on freshwater lakes in
May and even June, though we have no evidence of breeding. Observations include
a male and two females at Harriet Hunt Lake 1 June 1987 (MEI), a female there 12
August 1990, two pairs on the White River 16 May 2000, a lone female there 19
May 2000, a male at Talbot Lake 25 May 2002, a female at Jordan Lake 25 June

1995, three at Patching Lake 1 June 2002, a male at Ward Lake 6 June 2003, and
a pair on a small pond in the upper White River valley 31 June 2007.

Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooded Merganser. Uncommon migrant and winter visi-
tant, casual summer visitant. This species is observed most frequently from September
to late March, when single birds or groups of up to four are found on ponds and
lakes and along sheltered shores at creek outfalls and estuaries (maxima, 24 in Carroll
Inlet 7 February 2003; 15 at Shoal Cove, Carroll Inlet, 22 October 2007, MAW; 12
in Carroll Inlet 23 December 1998, MAW). Although the Hooded Merganser is an
uncommon resident and breeder in mainland southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson
1978), we have no evidence of breeding for the Ketchikan area. We have seen this
species at sw Annette three times in May and at the Naha River 23 May 2006; a
basic-plumaged bird at a small muskeg pond on Gravina 7 July 2001 provided our
only summer record.

Mergus merganser (americanus) . Common Merganser. Common winter visitant
and fairly common breeder. This species is one of the most conspicuous water birds
in the area from November to mid-April. Flocks of up to 100 birds winter along virtu-
ally all sheltered shorelines (e.g., 885 along the Ketchikan road system 21 January

1996, 880 on 17 January 2000). Large numbers are also attracted to Ketchikan’s
fish-processing plants (maximum, 1000 on 27 November 2001). Smaller numbers
winter on open fresh water. Numbers decline through April, and few are found on salt
water after early May. Swarth (1911) found young at Revillagigedo in July. Pairs and
small groups are found on fresh water throughout the breeding season, and females
with downy chicks are frequently observed between 24 May (2008; JHL) and 28 July

71

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

(2002). Family groups are fairly common into September. Fall migrants appear on
fresh water during September and on salt water by mid-October.

Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. Fairly common migrant and winter
visitant, casual summer visitant. Fall migrants arrive in mid-October, and the species is
fairly common by November (earliest, seven at sw Annette 12 September 1986, MEI,
RLS, TGT; six there 28 September 1994). Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) reported
this species to be common in the Ketchikan area in late February and early March
1944. It is found in flocks of up to 35 birds on shallow bays, with maximum counts
of 60 at sw Annette 25 February 1992 and 65 along the south shore of Gravina 10
March 1993. Typical counts along the Ketchikan road system, where there is little
shallow water, range from a few to 40 birds. Numbers increase during spring migration
in April (maxima, 210 at sw Annette 6 May 1995 and 135 at herring spawn at the
Whipple Creek mouth 13 April 1997; latest, 17 May 1999 and 2003). We have not
recorded this species on fresh water, and one at Port Stewart, Cleveland Peninsula,
4 July 2003, provided our only summer record.

Oxyura jamaicensis ( rubida ). Ruddy Duck. Casual. One record: immature at
Ward Lake 19 October 1998. This species is a casual migrant and winter visitant to
southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Lagopus lagopus alexandrae. Willow Ptarmigan. Fairly common resident. During
the breeding season this species is found in brushy alpine habitat, generally above 750
m elevation. We have breeding records from Revillagigedo, at both Deer Mountain
(e.g., pair with 10 tiny chicks 18 June 1995, CJF, SCH; female with five young 31
July 1994, CJF; female with five young August 1994, TLG) and Dude Mountain
(female with six downy chicks 14 July 2002 and a pair with 10 juveniles 17 August
2002). The Willow Ptarmigan has also been found on Achilles Mountain and Mt.
Reid (KL), Revillagigedo, and on California Ridge, Gravina (MAW, JEP). It probably
occurs in alpine habitat throughout the area. Some move to lower elevations in the
winter, e.g., single birds on Deer Mountain, below treeline at 750 m, 13 January
2002 and at 500 m in heavy timber 18 February 2002 (BAL), three at the Ketchikan
airport November 1994 (RJ), and one found dead at Mountain Point 20 February
1995 (KL). One UAM specimen.

Lagopus muta ( dixoni ). Rock Ptarmigan. Uncommon resident. We have five re-
cords of this species, all from alpine heath at high elevation on Revillagigedo: three
males near Mahoney Mountain 22 July 2001 (ph. KL), a female with six downy
chicks near Mahoney Mountain 26 June 2005 (Figure 9), a female with two nearly
full-grown chicks at 975 m, 2.4 km southeast of Mt. Reid, 4 August 2001 (JH, KL),
a male on Dude Mountain 6-7 July 2002 (ph.), and two males on Dude Mountain
11 June 2005 (ph. REN). The Rock Ptarmigan is found in southeast Alaska on the
northern islands (Chichagof, Baranof, and Admiralty) and along the Coast Mountains
of the mainland (Gibson and Kessel 1997). The northern portion of Revillagigedo
has extensive alpine habitat to 1400 m, but it has not been visited by ornithologists.
There are no previously published reports of this species in southeast Alaska south of
Baranof and Admiralty islands in the archipelago and Wrangell Peak on the mainland
(Webster 1950), but it is a rare to very rare resident in the adjacent western mountains
of BC south of 56° N (Campbell et al. 1990b).

Dendragapus fuliginosus sitkensis. Sooty Grouse. Fairly common resident. We
have found this species on Revillagigedo, Annette, Gravina, and Betton islands.
Males begin courtship displays in late March or early April, are calling in full force by
mid-April (earliest, 12 March 2005, and 20 March 1993, MAW; exceptionally 13
February 1995), and continue to display through mid-July (latest, 30 July 1996 and 17
August 2004). They are most often heard calling from stands of mature hemlock and
spruce, but we have also found them calling from the ground at the edge of clearcuts

72

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

and from scrubby stands of pine and cedar in muskeg bogs. Breeding records include
a female with five chicks near Ketchikan 4 July 2005 (KLW), a female with chicks at
Princess Bay 8 July 1995 (CS, JM), a female with two chicks along the White River
road 15 July 2001, a female with three chicks on Dude Mountain 16 July 2002, a
female with three chicks on Gravina 3 August 2003, and a female with eight half-
grown chicks on Dude Mountain 17 August 2002. Full-grown juveniles and adults
are sometimes found along roads from August to September (e.g., six juveniles at sw
Annette 4 September 1995), occasionally later (single birds at sea level in Ketchikan
on 2 November 1996, 9 November 1993, and 19 December 1998). One LACM
and five UAM specimens.

The Sooty Grouse and the Dusky Grouse (D. obscurus) were only recently
recognized as separate species (Banks et al. 2006), on the basis of genetic studies
(Barrowclough et al. 2004). The study by Barrowclough et al. (2004) did not include
samples from populations north of southern BC, excluding over 1000 km of this
species’ range, including the entire range of D. /. sitkensis. Males in the Ketchikan
area and elsewhere in southeast Alaska, including Gustavus (N. K. Drumheller, in litt.)
and Juneau (P. M. Suchanek in litt.), vocalize like the Sooty Grouse but their necks
have the reddish apteria of the Dusky Grouse (Figure 10).

Gavia stellata. Red-throated Loon. Fairly common migrant, uncommon breeder,
and rare winter visitant. Alternate-plumaged birds arrive in late March (earliest, 17
March 1991). From April to August, single individuals and pairs occur on both salt
water and freshwater ponds and lakes, e.g., five displaying birds at Jordan Lake 2-5
May 1991, pair at Harriet Hunt Lake 3 May 1995, pair displaying there 6 July 1990,
one at Talbot Lake 29 April 1995, three there 13 June 1999, two pairs at Ward Lake
25 May 2002, pair there 31 May 1987 (MEI), pair on a small lake on Gravina 13 May
2000 and 7 July 2001. Nesting has been documented twice: an adult on a nest in a
small muskeg pond near Traitors Cove 11 June 1999 (MB) and a pair of adults with
two half-grown downy chicks on a small muskeg pond on northeastern Gravina 8 and
15 July 2000. One pair on a small pond at Gravina 24 May 2006 appeared to be
prospecting for nest sites — over 40 minutes, the birds swam together and repeatedly
pushed up on shore for a minute or so at three different sites; the birds checked each
site up to three times. During the summer adults are frequently observed and heard
flying overland, presumably between breeding sites on fresh water and feeding areas on
salt water. Fall migrants move through the area to at least mid-November. Gabrielson
and Lincoln (1959) reported “a high number” near Ketchikan on 11 March 1944;
however, this species is typically rather scarce in winter, when it is the least common of
the loons (maxima, 15 on 21 January 2008, two on 13 January 1992 and 21 February
1995). The Red-throated Loon also breeds south along the coast of BC (including the
Queen Charlotte Islands) to Vancouver Island (Campbell et al. 1990a).

Gauia pacifica. Pacific Loon. Fairly common migrant, common winter visitant,
and uncommon summer visitant. Spring migrants are observed from mid-April to
early June (maxima, 400 at sw Annette 4 May 1996; 222 at Vallenar Bay, Gravina,
10 May 2003; 150 there 25 May 2006; 100 in Revillagigedo Channel 14 June
1991). Small numbers occasionally linger to early July (latest, 16 July 2005). Fall
migrants arrive in early September (earliest, 24 August 2003) and are common by
early October. Typical winter counts along the Ketchikan road system range from
20 to 250 birds; however, the species is sometimes present in larger numbers (e.g.,
512 in Tongass Narrows 5 February 2000, 460 at Ward Cove 8 January 2000).
Numbers during winter 2007-2008 were exceptional: the maximum count of 1760
on 21 January 2008 included a single flock of 1400 birds. Wintering birds begin to
disperse in mid-March.

Gauia immer. Common Loon. Uncommon migrant, breeder, and winter visitant.
Alternate-plumaged birds arrive in mid-April (earliest, 18 April 1990 and 2002), and

73

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

typical spring counts are of one to five birds a day (maximum, 30 at sw Annette 1
May 2001 and 1 May 2002). Adults (one to three individuals) have been observed on
lakes from April to August on Revillagigedo (Roosevelt Lagoon, Margaret, Connell,
Talbot, Ketchikan, and Chamberlain [MWS] lakes), Annette (Purple, Tamgas, and
Trout lakes; MEI), and Bold Island. Single nests with two eggs were found at Margaret
Lake, Revillagigedo, on 18 May 1995 and 11 May 1996; however, both nests were
reportedly abandoned (BW, SJM). Basic-plumaged nonbreeders are also observed
on sheltered bodies of water during June and July (e.g., two at Dali Head, Gravina,
4 July 1992; one at Traitors Cove 23 July 1996). Numbers are fairly constant from
September to November, and it is difficult to separate migrants from summer and
winter visitants. Maximum winter counts are of 10 at sw Annette 25 February 1992
and seven at Ketchikan 31 December 2000.

Gavia adamsii. Yellow-billed Loon. Rare migrant and winter visitant, casual sum-
mer visitant. This species arrives in mid-October (earliest, 12 September 1993 and
29 September 2003) and is present in variable numbers through mid-April (latest,
1 May 2002 and 2 May 2007). We have recorded one-day counts of three or four
birds on numerous occasions between 13 November and 21 February. Numbers are
variable, however, and only single birds were recorded in winters 2000-2001 and
2001-2002. Nearly all birds observed closely have been in first-winter plumage.
Conversely, we have three summer records, all of single birds in alternate plumage:
Anchor Pass 11 June 1999 (JTH, PSH), Carroll Inlet 20 June 1999, and Clarence
Strait, Gravina, 9 July 2005.

Podilymbus podiceps podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. Rare fall migrant, very rare
winter visitant, and casual spring migrant and breeder. This species was first recorded
in Alaska when Gabrielson observed one at Ward Lake, near Ketchikan, 23 August
1944 (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). Single birds were subsequently recorded at
Ketchikan in March 1973, November 1973, 22-24 October 1976 (Kessel and Gibson
1978), and 7 February 1982 (REW; AB 36:321). Since then, the Pied-billed Grebe
has proven to be a nearly annual fall migrant from late August to early December (e.g.,
at least five at sw Annette 11-16 September 1986; MEI, RLS, TGT) and sporadic
winter visitant through March (latest, 13 April 2001, TLG). We have found at least
29 birds since 1990, including the first Alaska specimen (UAM 9360, adult male, 13
November 1998, Blank Inlet).

We have few records outside of fall and winter. A pair was feeding three nearly
grown juveniles on a small muskeg pond at sw Annette 4 September 1995 (SCH,
TJD, KOD). A singing bird in alternate plumage was on that same pond 4 May 1996,
and a pair was there on 14 May 2003. An alternate-plumaged bird at Ward Lake
3-5 May 1995 provided our only other May record. The only other published Alaska
breeding record is from the Copper River delta in 1978 (Isleib and Kessel 1989). The
Pied-billed Grebe is considered very rare in coastal BC north of Vancouver Island and
has not been found breeding there (Campbell et al. 1990a).

Podiceps auritus cornutus. Horned Grebe. Uncommon migrant and winter visi-
tant. Fall migrants arrive in mid-September (earliest, 4 August 1990 and 4 September
1995; maximum, 1 10 at sw Annette 28 September 1994). The species winters most
numerously on sheltered, shallow bays and inlets (e.g., 20 at Blank Inlet 22 Novem-
ber 1992; 23 at sw Annette 25 February 1992; 16 at Goat Cove, Thorne Arm, 22
March 1999). Gabrielson found the Horned Grebe to be “common on waters near
Ketchikan” on 11 March 1944 (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). Spring migrants are
found through mid-May (maxima, 55 at sw Annette 1 May 2001 and 25 there 4 May
1996; latest, 14 May 1991). Two LACM specimens.

Podiceps grisegena ( holboellii ). Red-necked Grebe. Fairly common migrant and
winter visitant, casual summer visitant. Fall migrants arrive in early September (earli-
est, 44 at Bostwick Inlet 30 August 1992, 12 at sw Annette 4 September 1995).

74

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Maximum fall counts are from sw Annette (e.g., 80 on 14 September 1986, 100 on
16 September 1986; MEI, RLS, TGT). Winter counts along the Ketchikan road system
range from a few up to 35 and, exceptionally, 75 on 12 January 2008. Gabrielson
recorded 300 in George and Carroll inlets in late February and early March 1944
(Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). Spring migrants are observed from late April through
mid-May (maximum, 35 at sw Annette 6 May 1995; latest, four at Ketchikan 20 May
1924, G. Willett, one at Ketchikan 20 May 2000, and two at Clover Passage 30
May 2007). Single birds on salt water at Princess Bay 10 June 1995 (CS, JM) and
Ella Bay 16 June 1999 (MB) represent the only summer records.

Aechmophorus occidentahs occidentahs. Western Grebe. Locally common winter
visitant and casual summer visitant. Kessel and Gibson (1978) described this species as
a locally common winter visitant in southern southeast Alaska, occurring in flocks of
100-300 birds. Such flocks winter annually in the Ketchikan area from mid-September
(earliest, 5 September 2004) to mid-May (latest, 23 May 2002; MAW). Favored lo-
cations include upper Blank Inlet, lower Carroll Inlet, Tongass Narrows near Totem
Bight, Clover Passage near Back Island, Bostwick Inlet, Annette Bay, and Revillagigedo
Channel near Bold Island. The Western Grebe is uncommon away from those loca-
tions. Maximum counts are of flocks of 1100 at the mouth of Carroll Inlet 4 March
2004, 635 at Carroll Inlet 11 April 2003, 410 at Totem Bight 14 February 1992,
and 400 at Bold Island 28 December 2002. Numbers at each location vary annually
(e.g., only 78 birds at Totem Bight on 19 January 1998). Gabrielson recorded over
200 and collected a specimen (U.S. National Museum 587940) in Carroll Inlet 11
March 1944 (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). Single birds at Metlakatla 2 June 1987
(MEI) and at Carroll Inlet 2 July 1999 are the only ones recorded in summer. Clowater
(1998) found that Western Grebes wintering near southern Vancouver Island, BC,
rested together in dense flocks during the day; the flocks dispersed at dusk, and solitary
birds fed nocturnally on pelagic fish, likely juvenile herring. We have observed that
wintering birds in our area are nearly always resting in tight flocks during the day (they
appear to be sleeping) and suspect that they must also feed primarily at night.

Fulmarus glacialis (rodgersii). Northern Fulmar. Casual. One record: One found
dead after a storm 22 December 2003 (LS; ph.). This species is common off the
outer coast of southeast Alaska and BC (Willett 1915, Sanger 1972, Campbell et
al. 1990a).

Puffinus griseus. Sooty Shearwater. Casual. Three fall records: single birds in Felice
Strait 12 September 1993, at Mountain Point 29 September 1994 (PSD), and in
Clarence Strait, near Guard Island, 15 September 2002. This species is common off
the outer coast of southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Oceanodroma furcata (furcata). Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel. Rare, irregular visitant.
This species has been found on the Ketchikan waterfront primarily in September and
October (earliest, 17 August 2004, TLG; latest, 5 November 1999). It usually occurs
singly, often following a storm; however, larger numbers were present for extended
periods during the falls of 1995, 1999, 2001, and 2007 (e.g., 3 October-5 November
1999; maximum, 120 on 27 October 1999). One found after a storm on 22 Decem-
ber 2004 (HK) was very late. There are few records at other times of the year: one
found dead at Ketchikan 27 April 1999 (MB), one at Ketchikan 30 April 2006, up
to seven at Ketchikan 3-22 May 2001, and one in Clarence Strait, between Gravina
and the Kasaan Peninsula, 13 June 1975 (DDG, TGT). The Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
breeds commonly on small islands off the coasts of southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and
Lincoln 1959) and the Queen Charlotte Islands, BC (Campbell et al. 1990a).

Oceanodroma leucorhoa (leucorhoa). Leach’s Storm-Petrel. Casual. Five records,
all of single birds in fall: at Ketchikan 8 November 1996, 10 October 2001, 15
December 2002 (JDL), and 21 October 2003, and in Revillagigedo Channel, near

75

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Thorne Arm, 13 October 2001 (BAL). This species is a common breeder on offshore
islands on the outer coasts of southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) and the
Queen Charlotte Islands, BC (Campbell et al. 1990a), but it occurs on inside waters
much less frequently than the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. American White Pelican. Casual. A single bird was
observed on the Gravina shore, near the Ketchikan airport, 25-26 June 1993 (LSw,
WFR). There are only two other Alaska records of this species (one at Petersburg
2 May-13 July 1981, Gibson and Kessel 1992; one at Klawock, Prince of Wales,
23-27 June 1993, AB 47:1138), and it is casual on the northern BC coast (Campbell
et al. 1990a).

Pelecanus occidentalis {calif ornicus). Brown Pelican. Casual. Two birds photo-
graphed near Ketchikan 23 May 2003 (immature, Clarence Strait, KT) and 24-28
May 2003 (adult, Clover Passage; ph. NAB 57:390; Figure 11), provided Alaska’s
first substantiated records (Gibson et al. 2008). Prior records are of a tame subadult
at Ketchikan 18 April 1996 (captured and shipped to a rehabilitation center — it was
later determined that the bird had landed on the vessel in BC “two to three days
south of Ketchikan” and hitched a ride north; Tobish 1996) and a well-described
immature at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 21 December 2002 (LMJ). Numbers of the
Brown Pelican have increased steadily along the coast of the Pacific Northwest since
the 1970s (Campbell et al. 1990a, Gilligan et al. 1994, Wahl and Tweit 2000). It
may be worth noting that unprecedented numbers of pelicans lingered in Oregon
well into December 2002 (NAB 57:247), and they moved north earlier than normal
the following spring to both Oregon (arrived March) and Washington (arrived April;
NAB 57:394), perhaps in response to the moderate El Nino-Southern Oscillation of
2002-2003 (McPhaden 2004).

Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt’s Cormorant. Uncommon winter visitant.
One in Revillagigedo Channel 16 November 1980 established the first record for the
Ketchikan area (MEI; AB 35:214). More recently, we have found this species annually
in very small numbers, from 2 November (2002) to 20 May (2006), primarily in the
more exposed waters of Revillagigedo Channel and Nichols Passage, just south of
Ketchikan (including one UAM specimen; Heinl and Piston 2007). Maximum counts
have been 15 in a roosting flock of 200 cormorants at Hog Rocks, Revillagigedo
Channel, 11 February 2000 (SCH, JTH, AWP, RLS, DWS), 15 at Snail and Black
rocks, Revillagigedo Channel, 21 April 2006, and 10 at Ketchikan 17 January 2008.
Our observations include both immature and adult birds, and many of the adults are
in alternate plumage by February. These are Alaska’s only winter records (Heinl and
Piston 2007).

Phalacrocorax auritus ( cincinatus ). Double-crested Cormorant. Fairly common
migrant and winter visitant. This species arrives in late September (earliest, 19 Au-
gust 1992 and 7 September 1996) and is most numerous from October to March,
though it is not as common as the Pelagic Cormorant {P. pelagicus). Maximum
counts at roosts are generally of 15 or fewer but have ranged up to 135 at Ward
Cove 24 January 1992 and 45 at Hog Rocks 11 February 2000. Spring migrants
are regularly observed to mid-May, with stragglers into June (latest, 4 June 2001 and
2002, 7 June 1991).

Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus. Pelagic Cormorant. Fairly common migrant
and winter visitant, very rare summer visitant. This species arrives in late August (earli-
est, 10 August 2004) and is found in nearly all areas of open water from September
through May, with stragglers into early June. Counts along the Ketchikan road system
are typically up to 30 birds (maximum, 120 on 14 February 1992). High counts at
roosts are of 80 at Tatoosh Rocks, Behm Canal, 7 April 1998, 60 at Walden Rocks,
Nichols Passage, 8-23 March 1997, and 150 at Hog Rocks 11 February 2000.

76

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Single birds 21 June 2003 and 26 June 1993 and two birds 17 July 2003 are the
only ones recorded in summer. One UAM specimen.

Ardea herodias fannini. Great Blue Heron. Uncommon resident and slightly more
common winter visitant. This species is present year round but is most numerous
from September to early May, when 5 to 15 birds can typically be found along the
Ketchikan road system. In some past winters, large numbers were found on the log
rafts in Ward Cove (where the Ketchikan Pulp Co. operated a large mill), probably
attracted to herring; maxima, 57 on 14 February 1992 and 48 on 15 December 1990
(GLE). Although the Great Blue Heron probably breeds in our area, to date we have
no evidence of breeding. Small numbers are present through the summer, including
two fresh juveniles at Traitors Cove 17 July 2001. One UAM specimen.

Bubulcus ibis ibis. Cattle Egret. Casual. Four at Ketchikan 11-20 November
1981 provided the first Alaska record, including two UAM specimens, one of which
had been banded as a nestling at the Salton Sea, California, 11 June 1981 (Gibson
and Hogg 1982). Three additional Ketchikan records: single birds 7-10 November
1984, 3-13 December 1989 (Gibson and Kessel 1992), and 28 October 1998
(JFK; ph.). Nominate B. i. ibis is a casual fall visitant to southeast Alaska (Gibson and
Kessel 1992), the northern BC coast, and Queen Charlotte Islands (Campbell et al.
1990a). The Cattle Egret at Ketchikan in 1998 is the only one recorded in Alaska
since 1993.

Cathartes aura ( meridionalis ). Turkey Vulture. Casual. One at Clover Passage,
near Ketchikan, 25-27 April 1996, established the first record for southeast Alaska
and the earliest record for the state (DN, CJF, JFK). The same bird, identified by
scattered white feathers on the back and neck, returned to the same location late
May-13 June 1997 (WN, ph. FN 51:911). The Turkey Vulture occurs regularly on
the Pacific coast only as far north as Vancouver Island, BC (Campbell et al. 1990b),
and is a casual visitant to Alaska, from May to September (Gibson and Kessel 1992).
The only Alaska specimen has been identified as subspecies meridionalis (Gibson
and Kessel 1997)

Pandion haliaetus ( carolinensis ). Osprey. Uncommon migrant, rare summer
visitant and possible breeder. Spring migrants are observed in April and May (earliest,
19 April 1998; maximum, four birds flying north over Ketchikan 28 April 2001), fall
migrants primarily in September (earliest, 13 August 2000; latest, 4 October 2001,
except for two at Perseverance Lake 2 November 2002, PD). We observed 15 mi-
grating south along a ridge above Traitors Cove in 3 hours on 18 September 2002;
otherwise, the maximum daily count in fall is two. There are no breeding records, but
single birds at the Naha River 27 April-26 May 1999 (observed carrying sticks on
the last date, AWP), Jordan Lake 28 May 1993 (CJF), Hassler 3 June 2000 (CJF),
and Ella Bay 15 June 1999 (MB) suggest that this species may prove to be a very
rare breeder. The Osprey breeds locally in Alaska, generally north of southeast Alaska
(Tobish 1999). Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) cited a breeding record for Sitka (Dali
and Bannister 1869) as the only one for southeast Alaska.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus ( alascanus ). Bald Eagle. Common migrant and resident.
The Bald Eagle is conspicuous year round, so seasonal movements are difficult to
discern. Prior to its closure in 1995, the Ketchikan dump attracted 30-100+ eagles
daily from November to March (maximum, 237 on 4 January 1994); very few fed at
the dump at other times of the year. During migration (March-April and September-
November), eagles are nearly a constant sight circling in thermals and flying over
ridgelines. This species is attracted to herring spawning areas during spring migration
(maximum, 100 at Point Higgins 9 April 2000), and salmon spawning streams during
fall migration. At fish-processing plants in Ketchikan large numbers are attracted to
offal in late spring (e.g., 85 on 16 May 2001, 55 on 1 June 2001), smaller numbers

77

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

during the winter, but the eagles do not take advantage of that food source during
the late summer and fall. The species is a common breeder in southeast Alaska (Ga-
brielson and Lincoln 1959) and nests commonly in the Ketchikan area, typically in
large trees close to salt water.

Circus cyaneus (hudsonius). Northern Harrier. Uncommon migrant. This species
is annual in small numbers in spring, from 11 April (1972; SOM) to 29 May (2006),
and fall, from 29 August (1998; MAW) to 19 November (2007). It typically occurs
singly (maximum, five at the Ketchikan airport 27 April 2002). Extensive fields and
marshy habitat favored by the harrier are generally lacking in the Ketchikan area.

Accipiter striatus perobscurus. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Uncommon migrant, rare
winter visitant, and rare breeder. Migrants are observed in spring from mid-March to
mid-May, in fall from August to November (maximum, 10 at Ketchikan 16 April 2002,
including six observed flying over George Inlet in 1 hour). The species is rare in the
summer, and we have no reports of actual nests, but several late spring and summer
observations almost certainly indicate nesting. Four very vocal birds at Ward Creek
19 July 1994, and again in the same vicinity on later dates, strongly suggested a nest
in the area (MAW). Three birds along the White River road, near Ketchikan, 22 July
2001 included two flying juveniles that gave food-begging calls for over 15 minutes.
An adult was observed carrying food in the same vicinity 14 July 2002. Adults were
observed repeatedly at the mouth of Traitors Creek during July 1996, and a juvenile
gave food-begging calls throughout the day from a tree top at the mouth of the creek
on 30 July 1996. A few individuals winter annually, most associated with bird feeders
in residential areas (e.g., up to six birds, winter 2001-2002). Willett (1927) collected a
female at Ketchikan 9 February 1926. Eight UAM specimens are all A. s. perobscurus,
the southeast Alaska breeding race (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Accipiter gentilis laingi. Northern Goshawk. Rare resident, present in very small
numbers year round. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game studied the southeast
Alaska breeding form, A. g. laingi, from 1991 to 1999, finding four active nests in the
Ketchikan area, all in mature spruce-hemlock forest (three on Revillagigedo and one
on Hassler; Flatten et al. 2001). Adults or juveniles (but no nests) were also reported
during the breeding season at several other areas on Revillagigedo and Gravina (C.
J. Flatten, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, pers. comm.). Radio-tagged adults,
particularly males, generally held their home ranges year round. Most juveniles, how-
ever, dispersed soon after fledging in August (Flatten et al. 2001). During migration
and winter goshawks are occasionally attracted to bird feeders and chicken coops in
residential areas. One specimen each in UAM and LACM.

Buteo jamaicensis alascensis. Red-tailed Hawk. Uncommon migrant, rare prob-
able breeder, and very rare winter visitant. Migrants are observed in spring from late
March to early May, in fall from mid-August to November. Maximum counts have
been 20 in 1 hour flying across George Inlet, from Carroll Point to Mountain Point,
on 16 April 2002, 15 flying across George Inlet in the same area in 2 hours on 3
April 2003, and 12 observed in 3 hours migrating south along a ridge above Traitors
Cove on 18 September 2002. There are many observations of adults from mid-May
to early August, indicating probable nesting in the area, but a juvenile giving food-
begging calls near Deer Mountain 18 August 1994 (CJF) is to date the only evidence
of breeding. A specimen from Ketchikan (UAM 7851, adult male, 24 April 1996) is
subspecies alascensis, the southeast Alaska breeding race (Gibson and Kessel 1997).
Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) reported this race as scarce and “probably resident"
in southeast Alaska but listed only one midwinter record. It has recently proven to
be a very rare winter visitant at Ketchikan, with thirteen December-February records
since 1990, although several late February-early March records could refer to early
migrants. We identified a light-morph bird at Ketchikan 27 February 2006 as an im-

78

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

mature Harlan’s Hawk B. j. (harlani), which provided our only record of this form.
Our identification was corroborated by B. K. Wheeler (in litt.) on the basis of our
photograph and notes.

Buteo lagopus (sanctijoharmis). Rough-legged Hawk. Casual. One record: im-
mature at Ketchikan 10 November 1995. This species is an uncommon migrant in
southeast Alaska, primarily on the mainland, and its scarcity in the Ketchikan area is
likely due to the lack of suitable foraging habitat.

[Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle. Willett (1927) reported seeing the feet of a bird
that had been shot for bounty “near Ketchikan” 15 January 1924. Gabrielson and
Lincoln (1959) made no mention of Willett’s report but did list a specimen taken at
Prince of Wales Island 8 February 1944. The Golden Eagle is known to breed on the
mainland of northern southeast Alaska, near Juneau (Tobish 1998).]

Falco sparverius ( sparuerius ). American Kestrel. Very rare migrant. We have
nine spring records from 3 April (2008) to 28 April (2001) and five fall records from
4 September (2003; JFK) to 9 November (2000; JFK). This species is found more
regularly during migration on the mainland of southeast Alaska (e.g., it is a fairly
common migrant in the Juneau area; P. M. Suchanek pers. comm.), and it is much
less numerous in the Alexander Archipelago. It is very rare on the northern mainland
coast of BC and casual on the Queen Charlotte Islands (Campbell et al. 1990b).

Falco columbarius ( suckleyi ). Merlin. Uncommon migrant and very rare winter
visitant and breeder. Migrants are observed in spring from late March to early May, in
fall from late August through October (earliest, 17 August 2003). The species usually
occurs singly; maximum, four on 27 April 2002. We have 11 records from December
through February, but it is not recorded annually during the winter. A pair was found
nesting in an old crow nest approximately 20 feet high in a western hemlock at
Margarita Bay 29 June 1997 (CJF, CCB, SCH). The nest was in a 30-year-old stand
of second-growth hemlock with an overstory of scattered older trees. Four recently
fledged juveniles were observed perched in the top of the nest tree. An active colony
of Northwestern Crows ( Coruus caurinus) occupied the same stand of trees, and old
crow nests were scattered throughout the stand. The same pair and a juvenile were
observed there the following year, 18 June 1998 (CJF, SCH). The blackish upper
parts and heavily streaked under parts of the juveniles suggested F. c. suckleyi, the
breeding race in southern southeast Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1997). Gabrielson
and Lincoln (1959) reported that Swarth found a “nest and eggs” of this species at
Three Mile Arm, Kuiu Island, 3 May 1909; however, Swarth (1911) reported only
an adult and an empty nest that “appeared to belong to this bird.”

Falco peregrinus. Peregrine Falcon. Rare migrant and casual or very rare winter
and summer visitant. Migrants have been observed in spring from 14 March (1996;
MB) to 20 May (1991) and in fall from 21 August (2005) to 9 December (2005).
Single birds in winter 1996-1997 and winter 1999-2000, and another on 21 January
2008 represent our only winter records. One at Ketchikan 18 July 1993 represents
our only summer record. We have not identified most birds to subspecies, though a
few dark immature birds were likely F. p. pea lei, which breeds on islands off the coast
of southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) and the Queen Charlotte Islands,
BC (Campbell et al. 1990a).

Rallus limicola ( limicola ). Virginia Rail. Casual. One record: one at Ward Lake 7
November 2006 (JFK). One found dead at Prince of Wales 17 February 1986 estab-
lished the first Alaska record of this species (Gibson and Kessel 1992). There are at
least nine additional records (seven summer and two winter, including two UAM speci-
mens), all from the southeast Alaska mainland at the Stikine River, Haines, Juneau,
and Gustavus. This species breeds and winters as close as southern BC, and there is
one winter record for the Queen Charlotte Islands (Campbell et al. 1990b).

79

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Fulica americana ( americana ). American Coot. Rare fall migrant and winter visitant
and casual spring migrant. One at Ketchikan 24 December 1971-12 April 1972
established the first local record (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Fall migrants are found
nearly annually from October to November on lakes, sheltered coves, and boat harbors
(earliest, two at sw Annette 14-16 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT; maximum,
five birds, fall 1991 and fall 1998). Wintering birds have lingered to March or early
April (maximum, five birds, winter 1991-1992; latest, 12 April 1972 and 1990).
One at sw Annette 1 May 2001 and one at Ward Lake 25 May 2002 are the only
ones recorded in spring.

Grus canadensis. Sandhill Crane. Rare migrant and summer visitant; possible
breeder. We have observed migrant cranes mostly in ones or twos or, rarely, in groups
of up to six birds during April and September (maxima, 12 on 13 April 1997, 10 on
19 April 2002, and three flocks totaling 50 on 23 September 2001). Three flying
south over Ketchikan 15 October 2005 were late. Pairs are regularly found on and near
extensive muskegs on Gravina and Annette, where they possibly breed, from 5 April
(1997; JEP) through August. These birds, and others breeding in the southern Alexan-
der Archipelago (Tobish 1998), are very large and are thought to be Greater Sandhill
Cranes, either G. c. tabida or G. c. rowani; however, subspecies identification has not
been confirmed from specimens (Gibson and Kessel 1997). Cranes breeding on the
Queen Charlotte Islands, BC, are thought to be G. c. rowani (Campbell et al. 1990b).
Ivey et al. (2005) captured eight Sandhill Cranes wintering in the lower Columbia River
region of Washington and Oregon and tracked their movements with satellite transmit-
ters, including those of two birds that migrated north to southeast Alaska. On the basis
of measurements they identified all of the birds they captured as G. c. rowani, further
suggesting that cranes breeding in southeast Alaska are Greater Sandhill Cranes.

A late immature at Saxman 31 October-1 December 2004 (ABH; ph.) was very
small and likely a Lesser Sandhill Crane (G. c. canadensis ). Ketchikan is just west of
a regular mainland spring migration route of G. c. canadensis along the Coast Range
(e.g., flock of 250 flying north over Hyder 21 April 1991, and 500 in two flocks flying
over the Unuk River 22 April 2000; see Petrula and Rothe 2005).

Pluvialis squatarola. Black-bellied Plover. Fairly common spring migrant, rare fall
migrant, and casual winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed from 10 April (2004)
to 17 May (1999, 2006). Maximum counts include 55 at the Ketchikan airport 27
April 2002, 45 in two flocks flying north over Tongass Narrows 23 April 2002, and
40 at sw Annette 4 May 1996. Fall migrants are observed from 7 September (2003)
to 9 October (1994; maximum, six on 5 October 1994). We have one winter record
of a single bird at Ketchikan 24 December 2002-22 March 2003. One at Seward to
17 January 1988 established Alaska’s only prior mid-winter record (AB 42:308).

Pluvialis apricaria. European Golden-Plover. One at Gravina 13-14 January 2001
provided the first documented record of this species in Alaska and the Pacific basin
and the first winter record in the New World (UAM 12100; Piston and Heinl 2001).
There was one previous sight record for Alaska: one at Point Barrow 13 June 1980
(AOU 1998, Gibson et al. 2003). This species winters primarily in the British Isles,
western Europe, and North Africa (Vaurie 1965).

Pluvialis dominica. American Golden-Plover. Casual. One record: one at sw An-
nette 15-16 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT).

Pluvialis fulva. Pacific Golden-Plover. Rare migrant. We have seven spring records
of one to three birds from 28 April (2004, SSp; 2006, JFK) to 13 June (2008)
and five fall records from 29 August (1995) to 15 September (maximum, six on 15
September 1997).

Charadrius semipalmatus. Semipalmated Plover. Fairly common migrant. Spring
migrants are observed from 24 April (2008) to 27 May (2002). Maximum spring

80

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

counts have been at sw Annette (e.g., 60 on 4 May 1996, 43 on 28 April 2004, and
40 on 1 May 2001). Fall migrants are observed from 14 July (2007) to mid-September
(latest, 30 September 2001; maximum, 20 on 3 September 2001).

Charadrius vociferus uociferus. Killdeer. Locally uncommon migrant, winter
visitant, and breeder. This species is present year round in small numbers but is most
numerous from mid-March to November. It can be found on beaches but favors
extensive open disturbed ground, such as gravel lots and industrial areas. Maximum
counts include 14 at Ketchikan 12 November 2007 (fide CAF) and 13 at Ketchikan
8 September 2005. Our breeding data include a copulating pair at Ketchikan 4 April
2007, a nest with three eggs at Ketchikan 28 April-16 May 2005 (the adults had
two downy chicks on 21 May 2005), a nest with two eggs at Saxman 20 May 2002,
a nest with four eggs 28 May 2007, a pair with two downy chicks at Ward Cove 4
June 2002, a dead half-grown chick at the Ketchikan airport 1 July 2001 (JMM),
and a juvenile with downy tips to the central rectrices, accompanied by an agitated
adult, at the Ketchikan airport 19 August 1998. A well-observed nest at Ketchikan
held four eggs on 12 April 2006 (see Figure 12); three of the eggs hatched on 5 May
2006 (fide CAF). The same pair double-brooded and built another nest in nearly the
same location as the first. The second nest contained four eggs on 30 May 2006
(fide CAF). A few Killdeer winter annually (maximum, nine at Clam Cove, Gravina,
16 February 2003, RS). One UAM specimen.

Haematopus bachmani. Black Oystercatcher. Rare visitant. This species breeds
along the exposed, outer islands of southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959)
but is found only rarely at Ketchikan (10 records, March-August; maximum, flock of
eight flying north over Ketchikan 23 April 1999). It is known to nest as close as Snail
Rock, Revillagigedo Channel, 51 km southeast of Ketchikan (SBW).

Actitis macularius. Spotted Sandpiper. Fairly common migrant and breeder.
Spring migrants arrive in early May (earliest, 28 April 2001 and 2 May 1995 and
1998) and can be fairly numerous on salt-water shores the last half of the month (e.g.,
flock of 10 at Herring Cove 11 May 2001, flock of eight at the Ketchikan airport 27
May 2002). During the summer the Spotted Sandpiper frequents streams and lakes
with rocky or sandy shores. Swarth (1911) took one specimen (MVZ) at Portage
Cove 1 July 1909. Breeding data include a pair of agitated adults at Ward Cove 29
June 2003, an adult with a downy chick at Ketchikan Lake 9 July 2004 (TLG), a
nest with three eggs and one newly hatched chick at the White River 15 July 2001,
an adult with a downy chick at Upper Silvas Lake 15 July 1993, an adult with two
nearly full-grown chicks at Traitors Creek 24 July 1996, and an adult with a downy
chick at Ketchikan 7 August 2007 (JHL). Fall migration peaks from mid-August to
mid-September (maximum, 12 at the Ketchikan airport 20 August 1995; latest, 5
November 1999 and 1 December 2002).

Tringa solitaria ( cinnamomea ). Solitary Sandpiper. Rare fall migrant and very rare
probable breeder. This species is known as an uncommon migrant in southeast Alaska
and as an uncommon to rare summer visitant and breeder on the southeast Alaska
mainland (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) reported that
Wetmore found this species in “numbers” at Ketchikan 1 September 1911. We have
found it rarely in the fall from 28 July (1996) to 18 September (1996; maximum, three
at Traitors Creek 1-4 August 2002). We have several records of defensive adults in
muskegs on Gravina: one 17 July 2005 (JEP), one 3 June 2007 (JEP), and a pair 24
June and 22 July 2007 (JEP). In all cases, the defensive behavior of the birds (calling
incessantly and alighting in tree tops near the observers) suggested probable nesting.

Tringa incana. Wandering Tattler. Uncommon migrant. Observed in spring from
28 April (1999) to 7 June (1925; G. Willett) and in fall from 16 July (2001) to 19
September (1995). All records are of one to three birds. This species is probably more

81

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

common along the outer coast, and Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered it to be a
fairly common coastal migrant in southeast Alaska.

Tringa melanoleuca. Greater Yellowlegs. Fairly common spring migrant, uncom-
mon breeder, and uncommon fall migrant. This species breeds throughout southeast
Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Piston and Heinl 2006). Spring migrants are
observed from early April through May (earliest, 21 March 2004, JTH; 23 March
2002 and 30 March 2003, JTH); maxima, 27 on 23 April 2002 and 19 on 27 April
2002, all flying north over Tongass Narrows. Some birds set up territories by mid-April,
making it difficult to distinguish migrants from breeding birds. We have regularly found
this species in small groups near ponds and marshes in open muskeg bogs during the
breeding season, April-July. We have recorded nesting three times and frequently
encounter agitated, defensive adults (Piston and Heinl 2006; Figure 13). Fall migrants
are observed from early July (earliest, three flying south over Deer Mountain 10 July
1993; earliest juvenile 17 July 2001) to late September (maximum, 12 at sw Annette
11 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT; latest, one, 20 October 2002).

Tringa flavipes. Lesser Yellowlegs. Rare spring migrant and uncommon fall
migrant. Observed in spring from 27 April (2006) to 11 May (2000; six records).
More numerous in fall from 16 July (2003) to 4 September (1997; maximum, 40 at
Traitors Creek, 30 July 2002).

Bartramia longicauda. Upland Sandpiper. Casual. One record: one at sw Annette
17 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT). This species is a casual fall migrant in southeast
Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Numenius phaeopus ( hudsonicus ). Whimbrel. Uncommon spring migrant and
rare fall migrant. Observed in spring from 28 April (2001) to 21 May (2006), in fall
from 31 August (2002) to 12 September (1986; maximum, three flocks totaling 75
birds, 20 May 1991).

Limosa fedoa (beringiae). Marbled Godwit. Rare spring migrant. We have observed
this species in spring from late April to early May (earliest, 17 April 2004 and 21
April 2001; latest, 15 May 2004), when it occurs usually in flocks of up to five birds;
maxima, 23 at sw Annette 28 April 2004 (Figure 14), flock of 15 flying north up
Tongass Narrows and eight at sw Annette 1 May 2002, and three flocks totaling 16
birds on 17 April 2004. Southeast Alaska migrants are presumably from the small
population breeding on the Alaska Peninsula (L. /. beringiae), which winters from
western Washington to central California (Gibson and Kessel 1989). This subspecies
migrates to and from the breeding grounds primarily via a trans-Gulf of Alaska flight
(Gibson and Kessel 1989) but in spring it is also found along the south coast of Alaska
(Kessel and Gibson 1978, Andres and Browne 1998). The only southeast Alaska
specimen is an adult female (Gravina, 5 May 2002, UAM 17703) and cannot be
identified with certainty to subspecies (see Gibson and Kessel 1989).

Arenaria interpres ( interpres ). Ruddy Turnstone. Rare migrant. Observed in spring
from 1 May (2002) to 14 May (2003), in fall from 30 August (1992, JP) to 28 October
(1990). Maximum, 11 on 10 May 2002.

Arenaria melanocephala. Black Turnstone. Common migrant and winter visitant.
This species is widespread on exposed rocky shores from mid-July (earliest, 2 July
2005) to mid-May (latest, 17 May 1999), making it difficult to determine migration
timing. We routinely encountered flocks of up to 60 birds, often accompanied by
Surfbirds [Aphriza virgata) and Rock Sandpipers ( Calidris ptilocnemis); maxima,
600 at Herring Cove 6 May 2008, 510 at Carroll Inlet 7 February 2003 (AWP, SCH,
MAW), and 370 at sw Annette 30 April 2003.

Aphriza virgata. Surfbird. Fairly common migrant and uncommon winter visitant.
Migrants are observed in the spring during April and early May (latest, 13 May 2008)

82

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

and in the fall from July through December (earliest, 2 July 2005). The Surfbird is usually
encountered in flocks of up to 50 birds. Exceptional counts include 3000 at Hog Rocks
14 April 2001 (at herring spawn on nearby Annette), 950 at Saxman 9 May 2008,
800 at Saxman 13 November 1994, 400 at Whipple Creek 19 December 1998, and
350 at Herring Cove 6 May 2008. During the winter the species is found on exposed
rocky shorelines in small flocks with Black Turnstones and Rock Sandpipers (maxima,
120 at Ward Cove 10 February 2002, and 115 at Walden Rocks 9 February 1997).

Calidris canutus ( roselaari ). Red Knot. Rare spring migrant and casual fall migrant.
We have observed this species in spring from 1 May (2001, 2002) to 14 May (2003;
five records; maximum, 10 at sw Annette 14 May 2003). One near Ketchikan 4
September 2001 provided our only fall record.

Calidris alba. Sanderling. Uncommon migrant and casual winter visitant. Migrants
are observed in spring from 30 April (1992), exceptionally 5 April (1992) to 27 May
(2002; maximum, nine at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 19 May 2006) and in fall from 19
August (1999), exceptionally 14 July (2007) to 1 October (2001; maximum, seven
at sw Annette 14 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT). One at Ketchikan 9 November
2005 was extremely late, and two at Ketchikan 23-29 December 1999 and one
there 6-12 January 2003 provided the only winter records.

Calidris pusilla. Semipalmated Sandpiper. Rare migrant. Observed in spring from
8 May (2000) to 17 May (2001; maximum, three at the Ketchikan airport 10 May

2000) , in fall from 3 July (2001) to 13 September (1986, MEI, TGT, RLS). Maxima,
eight adults at Traitors Creek 16 July 2003 and five juveniles there 14 August 1998,
including specimen UAM 9184.

Calidris mauri. Western Sandpiper. Common spring migrant and fairly common
fall migrant. This species is conspicuous in spring from late April to late May (earli-
est, 18 April 2004; latest, 25 May 1991), with a peak during the first week of May
(maxima, 10,000 flying north over Tongass Narrows during 2 hours on 4 May 1996,
3500 at sw Annette 4 May 1996, and 1700 there 1 May 2001). It is not as numer-
ous during fall migration, from July (earliest adult, 3 July 2001 and 2005; earliest
juvenile, 16 July 2003) to late September (latest, 8 October 2003). Maximum fall
counts are of 300 adults at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 15 July 2007 and 300 juveniles
at Traitors Cove 14 August 1998.

Calidris minutilla. Least Sandpiper. Fairly common migrant. Spring migration
takes place from late April to late May (earliest, 17 April 2004; latest, 24 May 2001)
and peaks during the first two weeks of May (maxima, 850 at sw Annette 1 May 2001
and 550 there 4 May 1996). Fall migrants are observed from July (earliest adult, 26
June 2001, JMM; earliest juvenile, 17 July 2003) to late September (latest, 4 October
1999). Maximum fall counts are of 445 at Traitors Cove 10 July 2003, 250 there 7
August 2001, and 200 there 14 August 1998. A color-banded adult at Ketchikan 10
May 2003 had been banded as an adult at Sidney Island lagoon, BC, 21 July 2000
(M. Lemon, Canadian Wildlife Service, pers. comm.).

Calidris bairdii. Baird's Sandpiper. Rare fall migrant. We have observed this species
only irregularly in the fall from 3 August (1998) to 17 September (1986; maximum,
five at sw Annette 11-17 September 1986, MEI, TGT, RLS). Baird’s Sandpiper is a
rare migrant in southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Calidris melanotos. Pectoral Sandpiper. Uncommon migrant. Observed in spring
from 8 May (1993) to 20 May (2004; maximum, 31 at North Point Higgins 17 May

2001) . In fall, earliest adult 28 July (2000), earliest juveniles 6 August (2003), and
latest juveniles 1 October (2000). Maximum, 33 at sw Annette 13 September 1986
(MEI, TGT, RLS).

Calidris ptilocnemis {tschuktschorum) . Rock Sandpiper. Uncommon migrant

83

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

and winter visitant. This species is present from late October to early May (earliest,
21 October 1990; latest, 11 May 2001). It is found on exposed rocky shorelines,
and most sizable flocks of Black Turnstones or Surfbirds also contain Rock Sandpip-
ers, usually a few to 25 birds (maxima, 65 at Ketchikan 24 January 1992 and 40 at
Ketchikan 22 November 1992, 19 December 1998, and 10 March 1993). Subspe-
cies C. p. tschuktschorum winters from south-central Alaska to northern California
(Gill et al. 2002).

Calidris alpina (pacifica). Dunlin. Common spring migrant, very rare fall migrant,
and uncommon winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed from late April to late
May (earliest, 14 April 2002; latest, 30 May 1999), with a peak the last few days of
April through the first week of May (maxima, 3700 at sw Annette 4 May 1996 and
670 at Ketchikan airport 27 April 2002). Earliest fall migrant, one at sw Annette
12 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT). The Dunlin winters locally in sheltered bays
(e.g., 65 at Bostwick Point, Gravina, 10 March 1993; 40 at Blank Inlet, Gravina, 14
November 1998; 25 at Carroll Inlet, 7 February 2003).

Calidris himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. Casual. One record: one juvenile at Traitors
Cove, Revillagigedo, 22 August 2005 (ph. ; Figure 15). This species is a casual migrant
in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Tryngites subruficollis. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Casual. One record: one juvenile
at sw Annette 14 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT). This species is a casual migrant
in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Philomachus pugnax. Ruff. Casual. One record: a male at sw Annette 14 May
2003 (ph.). There are three prior reports of this Eurasian species in southeast Alaska,
all in spring, of single birds at Juneau 14 May 1982 (AB 36:885), Sitka 1-8 May
1990 (AB 44:480), and Juneau 15 May 2000 (NAB 54:316). The Ruff is casual in
spring and very rare in fall along the Pacific coast south of Alaska (Campbell et al
1990b, Paulson 1993, AOU 1998).

Limnodromus griseus ( caurinus ). Short-billed Dowitcher. Fairly common spring
migrant and rare fall migrant. This species is observed in spring from 18 April (2004)
to 29 May (2006; maxima, 750 at sw Annette 4 May 1996, 450 there 1 May 2002,
and 350 there 28 April 2004). We have seven fall records from 9 July (2005) to 19
September (1999).

Limnodromus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. Uncommon spring migrant
and rare fall migrant. Observed in spring from 6 May (1995) to 21 May (2006; maxi-
mum, 95 at the Ketchikan airport 10 May 2002). Observed in fall from 15 July (2000)
to 6 October (1996; maximum, 12 adults at Traitors Cove 14 August 1998).

Gallinago delicata. Wilson’s Snipe. Fairly common migrant and very rare winter
visitant. Spring migrants are observed from mid-March to early May (latest, one at
Ketchikan 17 May 1999 and one at the Naha River 25 May 1999; maxima, 23 at the
Ketchikan airport 14 April 2002 and 18 there 28 April 2001). Two displaying birds at
sw Annette 6 May 1995 are the only suggestion that this species might breed in the
area. Fall migrants are observed from September through November, occasionally into
December (earliest, 10 August 2004 and 28 August 2005; maximum, 14 birds on 25
October 2003 and 14 November 2005). Willett found one at Ketchikan 15 January
1924, and we have found this snipe irregularly in January-February (maxima, seven at
the Ketchikan airport 15 January 2006 and four at Ketchikan 16 January 2003).

Phalaropus lobatus. Red-necked Phalarope. Common or abundant migrant.
Recorded as early as 15 April (2005, CAF) and 29 April (2000 and 2003), this spe-
cies is conspicuous during May, when it is often observed feeding in large rafts along
tide rips (e.g., 7000 in west Behm Canal 29 April 2003; 5000 in Clarence Strait

84

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 9. Prior to 2001, the Rock Ptarmigan was not known from the southern
islands of the Alexander Archipelago. This female with downy chicks was found at
975 m elevation on Mahoney Mt., Revillagigedo Island, 26 June 2005.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

Figure 10. Displaying male Sooty Grouse ( Dendragapus fuliginosus sitkensis) at
Gravina Island 17 April 2004. Like all Sooty Grouse in the Ketchikan area, this bird
gave six to eight very loud call notes characteristic of this species; however, it exhibited
the reddish apteria of the interior species, the Dusky Grouse (D. obscurus ), rather
than yellow apteria typical of the coastal Sooty Grouse.

Photo by A. W. Piston

85

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 11. Adult Brown Pelican at Ketchikan 25 May 2003; this species has only
recently been reported in Alaska.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

between Guard Island and Kasaan Peninsula 9 May 2001, TPZ; 2000 near Guard
Island, Tongass Narrows, 5 May 1996; 2000 in Tongass Narrows 7 May 1999,
TLG) and small flocks are observed flying north up Tongass Narrows (e.g., 3500 in
flocks of up to 400 birds 12 May 2001; 2600 on 1 May 2001). On 30 April 2003
we found a large concentration of phalaropes in the waters of Port Chester, Annette,
and adjacent Nichols Passage that we estimated to be 35,000 birds. This species has
also been found in large concentrations on the BC coast during spring migration,
including a maximum flock of 20,000 off Cleland Island on 15 May 1969 (Campbell
et al. 1990b). Spring migrants occasionally linger into June (e.g., 50 on 1 June 1987,
MEI). Fall migrants begin to arrive in early July and peak from late July through Au-
gust, when the species is sometimes abundant (earliest, 3 July 2003; maxima, 3200
at Ketchikan 28 August 2001 and 800 there 9 August 1990). Numbers decrease
through September (latest, 18 October 2001).

Phalaropus fulicarius. Red Phalarope. Casual. Three fall records: one in Nichols
Passage 10 September 1986, (MEI, RLS, TGT), one at Mountain Point 13 October
1995, and up to 25 at Ketchikan following a storm 21-26 October 2003. One near
Ketchikan 31 December 2002 and two there on 6 January 2003 were very late; the
latest date for coastal BC is 17 December 1982 (Campbell et al. 1990b), and we
know of no prior winter records for Alaska. This pelagic species occurs primarily well
offshore of southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Rissa tridactyla (pollicaris). Black-legged Kittiwake. Fairly common migrant,
rare summer visitant, and very rare winter visitant. This species is most numerous
during the fall from late August to late November (maximum, 200 at Bostwick Inlet
15 September 1990). It is a regular spring migrant from mid-March to early June,
when largest numbers have been of subadults in late spring (maxima, 185 at Betton
Island 4 June 2001, 150 at Nichols Passage 30 May 2002, and 120 at Nichols Pas-
sage 18 May 2003). Nonbreeders are occasionally found in the summer (e.g., 75 at
Dali Head 26 June 1993 and 45 there on 17 July 1993). Willett (1927) found an
immature at Ketchikan 23 January 1925, and we have found this species sporadi-

86

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

cally from December to early March (maximum, three birds 17 December 2002-19
February 2003).

Xema sabini. Sabine’s Gull. Casual. This species occurs primarily on pelagic waters
off the outer coast (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). We have three fall records, all of
juvenile birds at Ketchikan: one on 18 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT), three on
12 October 1995, and one on 30 September 2001. We have also recorded Sabine’s
Gulls, all adults, four times in the spring: one at Ketchikan 3 May 2001, one at Clover
Passage 3 June 2001, a flock of 225 near Saxman following a large storm 30 May
2002, and three in Nichols Passage 8 June 2003.

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia. Bonaparte’s Gull. Common or abundant migrant,
uncommon summer visitant, and rare winter visitant. Spring migrants arrive in late
March (earliest, 14 March 1999) and are conspicuous from April to early May. We
have observed flocks of up to 200 birds flying north up Tongass Narrows in a nearly
continuous stream during mid-April (e.g., 1200 flying north in 5.5 hours on 28 April
2001). Large numbers congregate at herring spawning areas (maxima, 12,000 at
Clover Passage 20 April 2008, 4500 in Tongass Narrows 18 April 1999 and 9 April
2000, and 3000 in Tongass Narrows 19 April 2002). Also, 1500 were observed
feeding on krill in Clover Passage 14 April 1993. Subadults are often numerous
through the end of May (e.g., 1000 in Nichols Passage 16 May 1999 and 500 there
19 May 2001 were nearly all subadults), and small numbers linger through June and
July. Swarth (1911) found a flock of 100+ subadults in Behm Canal between Portage
Cove and the mouth of the Chickamin River 28 June 1909.

Fall migrants arrive in mid-July (earliest juvenile, 19 July 2003) and are most com-
mon from September through November (maxima, 2000 in Revillagigedo Channel
16 November 1980, MEI; 1500 at Clover Passage 14 October 1995; 1500 at Blank
Inlet 13 November 1998; 1000 at Traitors Cove 18 August-13 September 1996).
The Bonaparte’s Gull generally departs by mid-December, but it has lingered into
January-February in eight years since 1990 (maximum, 110 on 3 January 1994;
latest, 17 February 2001).

Hydrocoloeus minutus. Little Gull. Casual. One record: an adult at Ketchikan
28 April-13 May 2001 established the first documented Alaska record (ph. NAB
55:340; Gibson et al. 2003). This species is a casual migrant and summer visitant
to Alaska (Gibson et al. 2003).

[Leucophaeus atricilla. Laughing Gull. One sight record at Ketchikan 4 July 1976
(AOU 1998). We do not believe that the brief description of the bird (a subadult) on
file at UAM was adequate to eliminate the similar Franklin’s Gull (L. pipixcan ) from
consideration. This species has yet to be substantiated in Alaska.]

Leucophaeus pipixcan. Franklin’s Gull. Rare fall migrant and casual summer
visitant. This species was first recorded at Ketchikan 10-20 September 1986 (MEI,
RLS, TGT), and we have found it nearly annually during fall migration since 1990. At
least 33 birds have been seen between 6 August (1994) and 12 October (2001); two
UAM specimens (Heinl 1997). The maximum one-day count is of three individuals
(10 September 1994, 27 August 1998, 3-21 September 2001, and 7 September
2003). All fall records involve first-year birds, with the exception of one adult 30 Au-
gust 1992. There are four summer records: single second-year birds 24 June 1991
and 17 July 1994 and single adults 2 July 2005 and 1 June 2008. Franklin’s Gull is
a casual migrant and summer visitant elsewhere to coastal Alaska.

Larus crassirostris. Black-tailed Gull. Casual. Four records: one third-year bird
21 August-8 October 1992 (ph. AB 47:166; Heinl 1997) and single adults 5 July
1993 (Heinl 1997), 28 September-1 October 2002 (ph. NAB 57:103), and 1-2
October 2003 (ph. NAB 58:126). This Asian species is a casual visitant to Alaska
(Gibson and Kessel 1992).

87

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 12. Nest and eggs of the Killdeer at Ketchikan 2 May 2006. This species is a
locally uncommon breeder in southeast Alaska.

Photo by A. W. Piston

Lams heermanni. Heermann’s Gull. Casual. One juvenile at Ketchikan 22 August
1991 established the first Alaska record (ph.; Gibson and Kessel 1992). Three ad-
ditional Ketchikan records: one first-year bird 16 August-23 September 1994 (ph.;
Heinl 1997), four first-year birds 9-28 August 1999 (ph.), and one second-year bird
28 August 2001. There are at least two additional Alaska records from Sitka 15-16
September 1996 (two birds; UAM specimen, TJD; FN 51:103) and 22-31 August
1999 (NAB 54:90).

Larus canus brachyrhynchus. Mew Gull. Common winter visitant, abundant mi-
grant, fairly common summer visitant, and uncommon breeder. Fall migrants arrive in
mid-July (earliest juvenile 17 July 1994). Peak counts on the Ketchikan waterfront have
ranged from 3000 to 9000 birds, from mid-August to early September. The Mew Gull
is common at salmon spawning streams from August to October (e.g., 3000 at Trai-
tors Cove 4 September 1996 and 2000 there 6 September 2001). Numbers decline
in October, although migrants move through the area well into November (e.g., small
flocks totaling 300 birds moving south down Tongass Narrows 28 November 1998).
Typical winter counts on the Ketchikan road system range from 100 to 400 birds,
but large numbers often congregate at feed (maxima, 3000 in Tongass Narrows 6
January 2003, 1500 at Clover Passage 4 January 1997, and 1000 on the Ketchikan
waterfront 8 February 2001). Spring migration peaks during April, when small flocks
move continuously north up Tongass Narrows and large numbers are attracted to
spawning herring (e.g., 10,000 in Tongass Narrows 18 April 1999 and 7-9 April
2000; 5000 in Tongass Narrows 19 April 2002). Migration continues well into May,
when most birds are subadults (e.g. , 1000 in Nichols Passage 16 May 1999 were nearly
all subadults), and smaller numbers are present during June and July (maxima, 150 in
Nichols Passage 2 June 1987, MEI; 110 at Ward Cove 19 June 1993).

88

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 13. Greater Yellowlegs in muskeg habitat at Gravina Island 24 June 2007.
This bird was highly agitated and likely had chicks nearby.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

Isleib found pairs of Mew Gulls attending nests on small islets in Melanson, Trout,
and Purple lakes, Annette, 2-4 June 1987. We have also found Mew Gulls nesting
at several locations on Revillagigedo: Connell Lake (nest with two chicks, mid-June
1996, AMR; up to nine adults and at least three nests 6 May-10 June 2001; nest
with three chicks 22 June 2005, KEM), Lower Silvas Lake (two nests, one with two
chicks, 13 June 2004), Jordan Lake (adult on nest 24 May 2006 and 22 May 2008),
and Traitors Cove (adult sitting on nest in small muskeg lake 23 July 2004, CJF). This
species nests along the coasts of BC (Campbell et al. 1990b) and mainland southeast
Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) but was not previously known to nest in the
Alexander Archipelago. One LACM specimen.

Larus delawarensis. Ring-billed Gull. Uncommon fall migrant, very rare spring
migrant and summer visitant (Heinl 1997; two UAM specimens), and casual winter
visitant. Fall migrants are observed from late July to mid-October (earliest, 25 July
1994). Peak counts on the Ketchikan waterfront from late August to early September
usually range from a few to 30 birds (maximum, 48 on 27 August 1998). Stragglers
lingered to 11 November 1999 and 2005, 15 November 2003, and 2 December
1974 (Kessel and Gibson 1978). An adult at Ketchikan 31 January 2003 provided
our only winter record. The Ring-billed Gull is much less numerous in spring and
summer, when not found annually (earliest, 23 April 1990; maximum, one or two
birds). Hersey (1916a, b) reported that this species was common at Ketchikan 16 May
1914, but Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) considered Hersey’s report to be mistaken.
Indeed, Willett, a careful observer who never reported the Ring-billed Gull in Alaska,
listed the Mew Gull as “fairly common” at Ketchikan in his personal notes on 21 May
1914, only five days after Hersey was there.

Larus occidentalis occidentals. Western Gull. Rare fall visitant, very rare winter
visitant, and casual spring visitant. Maximum numbers were found prior to the closure

89

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 14. Part of a flock of 23 Marbled Godwits at Annette Island 24 April 2004.
Marbled Godwits migrating through southeast Alaska are presumably from the small
Alaska Peninsula breeding population (L. f. beringiae ) that winters from western
Washington to central California. Much like the Brant, this race migrates to and from
the breeding grounds primarily via a trans-Gulf of Alaska flight, but it is found in small
numbers along the south coast of Alaska during the spring migration.

Photo by A. W. Piston

of the Ketchikan dump in 1995 (e.g., 18 birds from 26 August to 6 November 1992;
maximum one-day count, six birds 27-29 October 1993; Heinl 1997). Since 1995,
we have found a few annually in the fall, primarily during October and November
(ph. NAB 58:127; earliest, 19 August 1990), and single birds irregularly during
the winter through March. There are seven late April-May records (latest, 17 May
1991). The vast majority of the birds that we observed have been hybrid Western
x Glaucous-winged gulls (three UAM specimens include two hybrids and one pure
Western Gull, L. o. occidentalism Heinl 1997). Hersey (1916a, b) reported that this
species followed his ship north out of Seattle and that four were still with the boat
when it arrived at Ketchikan 16 May 1914; Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959), however,
considered Hersey’s report hypothetical.

Larus californicus. California Gull. Common fall migrant, uncommon spring mi-
grant and summer visitant, and casual winter visitant (Heinl 1997). Fall migrants are
observed from late July to late November (earliest juvenile 19 July 1994), and migration
peaks from late August to early September. Our maximum counts on the Ketchikan
waterfront are of 3500 on 28 August 2001, 2500 on 28 August 1999, and 2100
on 31 August 1996. The California Gull is also common at salmon spawning streams
from August to September. We have found only three birds in December or later (single
birds at Ketchikan 14 December 1991-11 January 1992, 14 December 1991, and
2 December 2002). Small numbers, mostly adults, are found annually in spring from
mid-March to late May (earliest, 23-24 February 1998 and 10 March 2000; maxima,
100 at Ketchikan on 30 April 2006, 100+ at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, on 18 May 2006,
and 90 at Clover Passage on 13 April 2008). Small numbers, primarily subadults, are
found annually during June and July (typically 10-20 birds on the Ketchikan water-
front; maximum, 150 at Betton Island 4 June 2001). Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959)
questioned Hersey’s (1916a, b) report of this species at Ketchikan 16 May 1914.

90

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

After breeding the Great Basin subspecies, L. c. californicus, disperses north and
west to the Pacific Northwest (Campbell et al. 1990b, Pugesek et al. 1999) and north
to southern southeast Alaska (Heinl 1997). All fall specimens from the Ketchikan area
appear to be this small, dark-mantled race (Gibson and Kessel 1997), and one bird
observed at Ketchikan 25 October 1993 had been banded as a nestling in Nevada
in 1991 (Heinl 1997). Conversely, we believe that most of the breeding-condition
adults that occur in the spring are L. c. albertaensis, the larger, paler-mantled race
breeding east of the Rocky Mountains from the Northwest Territories south to the
Dakotas (Jehl 1987). We base this conclusion on the noticeably paler mantle of
spring migrants and our limited specimen evidence, though we agree with Patten et
al. (2003) that field identification of these two forms is tentative. We have collected
only two spring specimens, one of which is a clear example of L. c. albertaensis
(UAM 19064, male, Hog Rocks, near Ketchikan, 14 April 2001). Our other speci-
men (UAM 19372, male, Carroll Inlet, 11 April 2003) is large and by Jehl’s (1987)
formula measures to L. c. albertaensis; it has a mantle color similar to that of the
specimens of L. c. californicus specimens at UAM, though apparently the mantle
color of the two races overlaps (Howell 2003). A California Gull collected at Wrangell
25 July 1974 is the only other Alaska specimen of L. c. albertaensis (UAM 2802;
Kessel and Gibson 1978, Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Larus argentatus smithsonianus. Herring Gull. Common migrant, uncommon
summer visitant, and rare winter visitant. Fall migrants begin to arrive in late July,
and migration peaks from mid-August through early October (maximum, 2200 at
Ketchikan 28 August 2001); the Herring Gull is common at salmon spawning streams
during that time (e.g., 2000 at Traitors Cove 6 September 2001 and 1000 there on
12 and 13 September 1996). Numbers decrease through October, and in winter the
Herring is greatly outnumbered by the Iceland Gull (L. glaucoides thayeri). Nearly all
adult Herring-type gulls found during the winter betray signs of hybridization with the
Glaucous-winged Gull, and pure Herring Gulls are rare from December to February
(Heinl 1997 ; Figure 16). Spring migration begins in mid-March and peaks in April when
large numbers often gather at herring spawning areas (e.g., 5000 in Tongass Narrows
18 April 1999). Most adults have migrated through by early May; however, subadults are
common through the end of May (e.g. , up to 300 subadults on the Ketchikan waterfront
into early June 1999). Swarth (1911) observed subadults at Ketchikan 15 June 1909,
and we have observed a few annually through July. One UAM specimen.

Larus glaucoides thayeri. Iceland Gull. Common migrant and fairly common winter
visitant. The specific status of the taxa in the Iceland Gull complex are “unstable and
controversial” (Snell 2002; see also Banks and Browning 1999). We follow Godfrey
(1986), Snell (1989, 2002), Sibley and Monroe (1990), and Patten et al. (2003) in
treating Thayer’s Gull as a subspecies of the Iceland Gull rather than as a full species
(AOU 1973, 1983, and 1998), and it is currently maintained as such on the Alaska
checklist (Gibson and Kessel 1997). Fall migrants arrive annually by the third week
of August (earliest, 3 August 2004 and 16 August 1994), and numbers peak in
mid to late September (maximum, 1500 at Ketchikan 18 September 1991 and 16
September 1993; Heinl 1997). In contrast to other species of large gulls, typically
only a few can be found in the large flocks of gulls that frequent salmon spawning
streams in the fall. During the winter this species favors creek outfalls on protected
shores, and counts along the Ketchikan road system typically range from 10 to 200
birds (maximum, 1000 in Tongass Narrows 6 January 2003). Willett collected one
at Clover Passage 10 January 1926 (LACM 21601, ad. female). Spring migrants
are observed in April and May (latest, 24 May 2001) and can be quite common at
herring spawning sites in April (e.g., 1000 in Tongass Narrows 18 April 1999; 500
in Tongass Narrows 13 April 1997 and 19 April 2002). During the fall and winter
we have also observed some paler individuals, several of which we identified as L.
g. kumlieni , including an adult in late October 1993 (ph.), two first-winter birds 6

91

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

February-20 March 2007 (ph. NAB 61:312; Figure 17), and one second-winter bird
7 December 2007-10 January 2008 (ph.).

Larus schistisagus. Slaty-backed Gull. Very rare fall migrant and winter visitant;
casual spring migrant. From 1990 to 1995, we found this species at Ketchikan an-
nually (16 records; two UAM specimens, Heinl 1997; ph. FN 50:98), mostly during
fall migration from 19 August (1990) to 17 December (1994; maximum, three on 4
November 1993), but also rarely in winter through mid-March (latest, 19 March 1994).
Since the closure of the Ketchikan dump in 1995, we have found only seven additional
birds, including an adult 27-29 March 1997 that appeared to be a spring migrant.

Larus glaucescens. Glaucous-winged Gull. Common migrant and winter visitant;
rare summer visitant. Fall migrants begin arriving in late July (earliest juvenile 4 August
1990) and are most numerous from September to early December (e.g., peak counts
at the Ketchikan dump were up to 2000 birds, 30 September+). They are common
at salmon spawning streams from September to October. Numbers decline into the
winter months, and typical counts on the Ketchikan road system are of less than
1000 birds, although large flocks are sometimes found at feed (e.g., 1500 attracted
to seafood-processing plants in Ketchikan 23 January 2001). Small flocks of spring
migrants move continuously north up Tongass Narrows from late March to early May,
at which time large numbers are also attracted to herring spawning areas (e.g., 1500
in Tongass Narrows 18 April 1999). Numbers drop considerably after mid-May, and
only a few nonbreeders are found during June and July (maximum, 10 at Betton 4 June
2001). The Glaucous-winged Gull breeds primarily on the outer coast of southeast
Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) and is known to nest as close as Snail Rock,
Revillagigedo Channel, 51 km southeast of Ketchikan (SBW).

Larus hyperboreus barrovianus. Glaucous Gull. Rare migrant and winter visitant.

Figure 15. Juvenile Stilt Sandpiper and juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs at Traitors Creek,
Revillagigedo Island, 22 August 2005. The Stilt Sandpiper is casual in southeast
Alaska, and this bird provided the first record for the Ketchikan area.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

92

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 16. Pure Herring Gulls are very rare during the winter in the Ketchikan area,
and most Herring-type birds exhibit signs of hybridization with the Glaucous-winged
Gull. This adult at Ketchikan 5 March 2007 was most similar to a Glaucous-winged
Gull (large size, heavy bill, dark eye, and pink eye ring) but had extensively slate-gray
outer primaries.

Photo by A. W. Piston

Fall migrants typically arrive in early October (earliest adult 28 August 1992; earliest
second-year bird 30 August 1996; earliest first-winter bird 13 September 1994).
We recorded maximum counts prior to the closure of the Ketchikan dump in 1995:
10 on 24 January 1992 and eight on 9 December 1990 (Heinl 1997). Since then,
we have found only one to three annually during fall and winter through late March
(latest, 17 May 1991). One UAM specimen.

Hydroprogne caspia. Caspian Tern. Rare migrant and summer visitant. This spe-
cies only recently became a regular visitant and a rare breeder in Alaska (Gibson and
Kessel 1992, McCaffery et al. 1997, Gill 2008, Johnson et al. 2008, Lohse et al.
2008), following a long population expansion on the Pacific coast (Gill and Mewaldt
1983, Suryan et al. 2004). Four birds at Ketchikan 2-4 June 1981 provided the first
Alaska record (Gibson and Kessel 1992). Currently, the Caspian Tern occurs primarily
in ones or twos from late April to early September (more than 25 records; maximum,
six on 3 June 2006, CAF). Our extreme arrival (20 April 2006) and departure (22
September 2001) dates are among the earliest and latest records for Alaska.

Sterna paradisaea. Arctic Tern. Very rare migrant and summer visitant. We have
six records between 1 May (1998) and 17 September (1995); maximum, two near
Ketchikan 8 June 2003. This species breeds at glacial river systems on the mainland of
southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) but is apparently only rarely observed
on inside waters away from those locations.

93

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 17. First-winter Kumlien’s-type gull ( Larus glaucoides kumlieni), with Thayer’s
(L. g. thayeri), Mew, and Glaucous-winged gulls at Ketchikan 16 February 2007. In
addition to its small size, round head shape, and short, slender bill in comparison to the
adjacent Thayer’s Gulls’, this bird had completely barred rectrices (not visible) and tertials,
and dark pigmentation in its outer primaries was limited to subterminal markings.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

Stercorarius pomarinus. Pomarine Jaeger. Very rare migrant and summer visitant.
An injured bird was found at Ketchikan 5 March 1993 (UAM 7702, adult female,
JC). There are five other records: single birds in west Behm Canal 21 October 1995
(MAW) and 23 August 2002; three at Point Alva 25 May 1999 and one there on 8
June 1999 (CB); one at Ketchikan 30 September 2001. This species probably occurs
more frequently in the open waters of Clarence Strait and Dixon Entrance.

Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger. Rare migrant and summer visitant. In
the Ketchikan area the Parasitic Jaeger occurs in very small numbers from late May
(earliest, 14 May 2003) to October (latest, 20 October 1999; maximum, three on
24 May 2001). It occurs more frequently in the open waters of Clarence Strait and
Dixon Entrance.

Stercorarius longicaudus ( pallescens ). Long-tailed Jaeger. Casual. One record:
juvenile at Ketchikan 7-10 September 1991 (ph.). In southeast Alaska this species oc-
curs primarily on pelagic waters off the outer coast (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Uria aalge ( inornata ). Common Murre. Common winter visitant and rare summer
visitant. The Common Murre arrives in late August and is common from September
to February in most years, sometimes being locally abundant in favored bays and
passes (e.g., Clover Passage: 600 on 14 February 1992, 520 on 12 January 2003,
470 on 3 January 1994, and 450 on 1 December 1992). Unusually large numbers

94

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

were found throughout the area during the winters of 1997-1998 (e.g., 1200 in
Clover Passage 8 February 1998) and 2002-2003 (e.g., 3500 in northern Nichols
Passage 28 December 2002, including 2500 in Annette Bay; 620 still present there
30 April 2003). Common Murres begin to depart the area in mid-March, and only
small numbers usually remain through mid-May. Nonbreeders are occasionally found
during the summer (maxima, 50 at Vallenar Bay 9 July 2005 and 20 at Dali Head
4 July 1992).

Cepphus columba (columba). Pigeon Guillemot. Fairly common summer visitant
and local breeder; rare winter visitant. Alternate-plumaged birds arrive in March
(earliest, 25 February 2007), and the species is widespread on open waters through
September. There are two small breeding colonies near Ketchikan where birds nest
in rock crevices: Tatoosh Rocks in west Behm Canal and Guard Island, at the north
end of Tongass Narrows. Breeding evidence at Tatoosh: 75 on 7 May 2003, including
birds displaying and landing on the cliffs; 40 on 4 June 2001, including birds display-
ing, two pairs copulating, and several birds that entered crevices under overhanging
turf; adults carrying fish to crevices at seven different nest sites on the cliff 23 July
and 23 August 2002. On 13 July 2008, 120 birds were at the Guard Island colony,
including up to 40 standing on the rocks; at least 10 birds were observed to enter
nest crevices. This species does not nest on the piling foundations of waterfront
docks and buildings at Ketchikan as it does at Petersburg and Wrangell (pers. obs.).
Although Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) considered the Pigeon Guillemot a common
winter resident of southeast Alaska, perhaps it is more numerous on open waters
away from the immediate Ketchikan area, as we have only four January-February
records, all for Nichols Passage.

Brachyramphus marmoratus . Marbled Murrelet. Common resident and probable
breeder. This species is found in loose flocks of a few to 200 birds on sheltered wa-
ters throughout the year, though it is most conspicuous during the winter, when it is
sometimes found in very large congregations. Maximum counts have been at Clover
Passage: 4000 on 3 January 1994, 2300 on 14 February 1992, and 1000-2000
on nine other occasions between November and February. We have also encountered
large numbers in Nichols Passage (e.g., 500 on 3 March 1998 and 1 1 February 2000,
450 on 14 March 1992, and 340 on 21 January 2001) and Tongass Narrows (e.g.,
350 on 12 January 2003 and 250 on 24 December 2002). We know of no nests
found in the area, but adults are often heard flying over mature coniferous forest dur-
ing the breeding season, and juveniles are regularly observed with adults on salt water
by the end of July (earliest, 19 July 1990; specimen UAM 9192, juvenile with egg
tooth, 25 July 1998, Traitors Cove). The Marbled Murrelet is common throughout
southeast Alaska (Agler et al. 1998), and nesting has been documented on Prince of
Wales, just west of the Ketchikan area (Ford and Brown 1995).

Synthliboramphus antiquus. Ancient Murrelet. Rare visitant. This species is most
frequently found during summer and fall; maximum, four on 9 July 2005. We have
one winter record (one in Nichols Passage 21 January 2002) and two spring records
(two in Nichols Passage 15 April 2003 and two in Revillagigedo Channel 21 April
2006). The Ancient Murrelet breeds commonly on islands along the outer coast of
southeast Alaska and BC (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Campbell et al. 1990b). A
pair with a large downy chick in Clarence Strait, between Gravina and the Kasaan
Peninsula, Prince of Wales, 13 June 1975 (DDG, TGT) likely came from one of those
outer-coast breeding locations.

Ptychoramphus aleuticus ( aleuticus ). Cassin’s Auklet. Very rare visitant. We have
only four fall records, July-October, and one spring record (two in Nichols Passage
14 May 2003). Although Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) listed no winter records for
Alaska, this species is casual in winter along the north coast of BC (Campbell et al.

95

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

1990b), and we have three winter records: one in Nichols Passage 13 December

1991, two at Clarence Strait, near Gravina, 24 December 2002, and, remarkably, 32
in Clarence Strait 14 January 2006, with some remaining to 20 February 2006. The
Cassin’s Auklet breeds at Forrester Island and the Hazy Islands off the outer coast of
southeast Alaska (Manuwal and Thoresen 1993), and it has been reported on more
open waters elsewhere in southeast Alaska in mid-summer and fall (Gabrielson and
Lincoln 1959).

Cerorhinca monocerata. Rhinoceros Auklet. Uncommon spring, summer, and fall
visitant; casual winter visitant. The Rhinoceros Auklet occurs in ones or twos from
mid-April (early alternate-plumaged bird 8 March 1997) to mid-November (latest, 18
November 1993), most commonly in the open waters of Clarence Strait (e.g., 25
near Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 8 September 2007, 20 at Dali Head, Gravina, 4 July

1992, and 20 near Vallenar Bay, Gravina, 9 July 2005). Single birds near Ketchikan
23 December 1993, 6 February 2000, 20 February 2005, 20 February 2006, and
25 February 2007 provided our only winter records. This species breeds on the outer
coast of southeast Alaska, primarily at Forrester and St. Lazar ia islands (Gabrielson
and Lincoln 1959), and on islands along the coast of BC (Campbell et al. 1990b).
The 1907 egg record attributed in error by Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) to “Lucy
Island near Metlakahtla [= Metlakatla],” Alaska, was instead based on an egg collected
at Lucy Island, near Metlakatla, BC (Drent 1961).

[Columba livia. Rock Pigeon. Locally common resident. Gibson (1990) considered
the Rock Pigeon to be a “locally introduced, quasi-wild, non-migratory commensal of
man” in Alaska, and it is not considered part of the wild avifauna of the state (Gibson
and Kessel 1997). It is common at Ketchikan, where it occurs in the hundreds and
nests along the waterfront in buildings and on pilings under buildings. It is found
strictly near human settlements, and we have yet to record it away from the immedi-
ate vicinity of the Ketchikan or Metlakatla road systems (maximum at Metlakatla: 15
on 7 February 1992).]

Patagioenas fasciata ( monilis ). Band-tailed Pigeon. Rare to uncommon summer
visitant and probable breeder. This species was first reported in the Ketchikan area in
1972 (25 at Margarita Bay 12 July 1972; Olson 1974) and has since been found in
small flocks at favored locations. It typically arrives in early April (earliest, 20 March
1994 and 22 March 2006, PSD; 28 March 1997, ABH) and departs by late Sep-
tember (latest, 4 October 1996, ABH). From Revillagigedo we have records of this
species at Francis Cove (up to 23, late July-1 September 1973, Kessel and Gibson
1978; 10 there on 21 July 1994, JG), Shelter Cove (four on 8 June 1998 and 21
July 1999, JG), and Traitors Cove (one, 10 July 2003). The Band-tailed Pigeon is also
found annually at feeders along the Ketchikan road system, where maximum counts
are of flocks of 28 on 12 May 2008 (CAF), 21 on 12 April 1997 and 20 April 2003
(ABH), and 20 on June 1995 (CJF). Three juveniles accompanied by adults at a feeder
near Ketchikan 18 June 1998 constitute our only evidence of breeding (ABH). This
species reaches the northern limit of its range in southern southeast Alaska, where it
occurs on the mainland and on islands near the mouths of the mainland rivers (Kessel
and Gibson 1978).

Streptopelia decaocto. Eurasian Collared-Dove. Casual. Two records: single birds
at Ketchikan 15 June 2007+ (RWB; ph.) and 15-19 June 2008 (KMR; ph.). This
introduced species expanded its range rapidly following release in the Bahamas in the
1970s (Smith 1987, Romagosa 2002). It is being found with increasing frequency in
the Pacific Northwest (e.g., NAB 60:429) and was first reported in Alaska in 2006 and
2007 (Gibson et al. 2008). As noted by Romagosa and McEneaney (1999), however,
this species is kept in captivity, and individual doves found in the wild might be the
result of local introduction. In at least one case in Alaska (three birds at Petersburg 20
July 2006), birds were determined to have been local escapes (Gibson et al. 2008).

96

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Zenaida macroura (marginella). Mourning Dove. Rare fall migrant; casual spring
migrant and summer visitant. We have found this species nearly annually in the fall
from 23 August (1992) to 31 October (2004, TLG; maximum, three on 19 September
1998). One at a feeder near Ketchikan 2-9 December 2007 was very late (JFK). We
have two spring records (26 May 2001, ph. TPZ; 25-30 April 2003, JFK) and two
summer records (6-9 June 2003, SS; 9 July 2003, KLW), all of single birds. The
Mourning Dove is a rare visitant along the south coast of Alaska, primarily in the fall
(Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Coccyzus americanus occidentals. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Casual. Two Ketchikan
records, both of birds found dead: 18 August 1991 (first Alaska record, SLN; UAM
5932, adult female; Gibson and Kessel 1992, 1997) and 30 August 1997 (window
strike, HW; UAM 7059, adult female). A salvaged specimen from Juneau provided the
only other Alaska record (UAM 6953, adult female, 11 July 1996). The western race,
C. a. occidentals, which occurred north to southern BC until the 1920s (Campbell
et al. 1990b) and to western Washington until the 1930s (Hughes 1999), is now
endangered through most of its range (Laymon and Halterman 1987). It is accidental
in BC (Campbell et al. 1990b) and breeds locally in very small numbers only as close
as southeastern Idaho (Taylor 2000) and southeastern Montana (Hughes 1999).

Megascops kennicottii kennicottii. Western Screech-Owl. Rare resident. Willett
found one at Ketchikan 10 January 1924. Territorial birds have been heard in spring
from 20 March (1995) to 27 June (1995). A pair of adults with up to three fledglings
was conspicuous at Herring Cove late June-early July 2000 (SLH, GBV), and a pair
of adults and two fledglings were at Clover Passage 14 September 2007 (CAF). Our
only other breeding evidence is a nearly full-grown downy juvenile found dead near
Ketchikan 28 August 1992 (KEM). One UAM specimen.

Bubo uirginianus saturatus. Great Horned Owl. Although resident throughout
much of Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), this species is rather scarce in the
Ketchikan area, and we have only two records, of one collected at Ketchikan 9 Feb-
ruary 1946 (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) and a feather belonging to this species
found at the Ketchikan airport 20 August 1995.

Bubo scandiacus. Snowy Owl. Casual. Willett collected a female (LACM) at Grant
Island 23 November 1925 (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). There are five additional
records of single birds at Ketchikan (fall 1984, AB 39:91; 31 October 1992; 8 No-
vember 1996; 7 November 2001, BTP; and 11-20 November 2005), and two at sw
Annette (early November 1992 and 1 December 2005). This species is an irregular
visitant to southeast Alaska, primarily in late fall (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Surnia ulula caparoch. Northern Hawk Owl. Casual. One record: one found dead
at Ketchikan 18 November 1999 (BR; UAM 14154, male). This species occurs in
southeast Alaska irregularly (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Tobish 2001).

Glaucidium gnoma grinnelli. Northern Pygmy-Owl. Rare fall, winter, and spring
visitant; possible breeder. We have found this species regularly from late August
(earliest, 19 August 2000) through early April. It occurs in very small numbers, with
usually fewer than three observations at Ketchikan per season. Occasionally, however,
it has occurred in larger numbers, primarily in the fall (e.g., at least 15 observations
at Ketchikan in fall 2005). Possible breeding in the Ketchikan area was indicated by
a pair at Roosevelt Lagoon, Naha River, 10-26 April 1999 and single birds calling at
Gravina 7 May 2005 and 14 May 2000 (JEP), White River 31 May 2007, Ketchikan
14 June 2005, and Traitors Creek 19 July 2001 . Four fall and winter UAM specimens
are the coastal race G. g. grinnelli. Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered the Northern
Pygmy-Owl to be a rare fall, winter, and spring visitant to southeast Alaska. Only
one nest has been documented for Alaska (Mitkof Island; Walsh 1990), but a juvenile
picked up alive at Haines 19 June 1988 (female, UAM 5600) and late spring and

97

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

summer records the length of mainland southeast Alaska (Haines, Juneau, Gustavus,
Taku River, Stikine River, Unuk River, and Chickamin River) and on islands adjacent
to the mainland (Kupreanof, Kuiu, Mitkof, Revillagigedo, and Gravina; Am. Birds,
Field Notes, and N. Am. Birds) suggest the species breeds throughout this region.
Its being found much more regularly in the Ketchikan area during the nonbreeding
season suggests that some of these birds dispersed from breeding areas elsewhere
in southeast Alaska. Short-distance or elevational movements have been observed
elsewhere in the species’ range (Holt and Petersen 2000).

Strix uaria ( uaria ). Barred Owl. Uncommon resident. This species was discovered
in Alaska only as recently as 1977, but it has since been found throughout southeast
Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978, Gibson and Kessel 1992). The first local record,
and first Alaska breeding record, was established when a nest with two downy young
was discovered in a felled tree 16 km east of Ketchikan 1 June 1988 (ph. REW; AB
42:1330). The Barred is the most vocally conspicuous nocturnal owl in the area,
and we have found it regularly in the Ward Creek, Traitors Creek, and Naha River
drainages (including a pair at Orton Ranch 13 April-6 June 1999). An adult with
a begging juvenile was at Ward Creek 28 July 2004 (DKP). There are also records
of calling birds at Margaret Lake, Alava Bay, Carroll Inlet, Vallenar Bay (Gravina),
Tamgass Harbor (sw Annette, including a pair calling together on 18 February 2005),
and at multiple locations along the Ketchikan road system.

Asio flammeus flammeus. Short-eared Owl. Very rare migrant and winter visitant.
The scarcity of this widespread species is almost certainly due to the lack of suitable
foraging habitat. One flying north over Tongass Narrows 27 April 2002 provided
our only spring record. In addition, there are six fall records between 1 November
(1991) and 14 December (1999; MB) and one winter record (2 February 1994).
One UAM specimen.

Aegolius funereus richardsoni. Boreal Owl. Casual. Two records: one found long
dead at Harriett Hunt Lake, near Ketchikan, late April 1996 (DR; UAM 14219) and
one found recently killed and partially eaten at Ketchikan 28 February 2000 (EBH, JB).
This species has been considered casual in southeast Alaska, primarily in the winter
on the mainland, but its status in the region is poorly known (Tobish 2000).

Aegolius acadicus acadicus. Northern Saw-whet Owl. Rare or uncommon resident
and probable breeder. Although the saw-whet owl is an uncommon breeder in south-
east Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978), territorial birds singing from mature coniferous
forest during April and May (earliest, 23 March 1991) constitute our only evidence of
breeding. We have few fall and winter observations. Four UAM specimens.

Chordeiles minor (minor). Common Nighthawk. Casual. Two Ketchikan records:
single birds on 9 September 1997 and 13 June 2008 (TLG). This species is a very
rare summer visitant and rare fall migrant at and near the mouths of rivers in mainland
southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978) and has nested on the mainland near
Haines (Johnson et al. 2008).

Cypseloides niger borealis. Black Swift. Very rare summer visitant. Swarth (1911)
found this species at Portage Cove, on the east side of Revillagigedo, in late June and
early July 1909. He reported seeing a few individuals “nearly every evening at dusk,
flying about until dark,” and he collected two specimens on 1 July (both males; MVZ).
We have two recent records: two at the Deer Mountain summit, near Ketchikan, 18 July
1992, and one at Ketchikan 17 June 2004. These few records, particularly Swarth’s,
suggest that this species might be found more regularly on the remote, eastern portion
of Revillagigedo. The Black Swift is a locally uncommon summer visitant and probable
breeder along the rivers of mainland southeast Alaska from the Stikine River south
(Swarth 1911, Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, UAM unpublished data).

98

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Chaetura uauxi ( vauxi ). Vaux’s Swift. Uncommon migrant, summer visitant, and
probable breeder. This species arrives in late May (earliest, 19 May 2000), and it is
found throughout the area during June and July usually in groups of up to five birds
(maximum, 40 in the Naha River drainage 25 June 1995). Swarth (1911) found this
species at Portage Cove in late June and early July 1909. Our only breeding evidence
is a pair at the White River 15 June 2002 that repeatedly broke small twigs from the
top of a dead hemlock and carried them away. Small flocks (usually <20) of migrants or
post-breeders, accompanied by juveniles, are observed August-September (maxima,
70 at Talbot Lake 5 September 1994 and 40 at Traitors Cove 5 September 2001;
latest, 27 September 2003 and 4 October 2005).

Calypte anna. Anna’s Hummingbird. Very rare fall and winter visitant; casual
spring and summer visitant. A female at Ketchikan in mid-December 1974 estab-
lished the first local record (Kessel and Gibson 1978). There have since been about
15 records, nearly all from hummingbird feeders. Most are of birds that arrived in
the fall (September-October), a few of which stayed the entire winter (latest, 17 April
1996, JP). We have two spring records (29-30 April 1996 and 11-13 May 1990).
One male was observed from 2 October 1994 to 29 March 1995 and again from 6
July 1995 to 17 April 1996; possibly it remained over the entire 19-month period
(JP). The latter bird, and one at North Point Higgins 9 June 2000 (JFK), provide the
only summer records.

Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingbird. Fairly common spring migrant and
breeder. This species arrives regularly in late March or early April and it is numerous
by mid-April (earliest, 16 March 2005, NP; 21 March 2003, ALTP; 23 March 1995,
JP). Our latest arrival date is 1 1 April (2002). Males are commonly observed displaying
by early May (earliest, 24 April 2003). Females were observed collecting nest material
(dog fur) on 10 May 2008 and 22 June 2008. Nest records include a female on a
nest at Ketchikan 30 April-11 May 2007 (NDL), a nest with two eggs at Ketchikan
2 July 2001 (SV), and a nest with two nestlings at Princess Bay 13 July 1994 (TL,
LW). Males depart by the end of June (latest, 7 July 2002). Females and immatures
are fairly common through early August, after which time this species is rare (latest,
9 September 2007 and 12-13 September 1986 at sw Annette, MEI, RLS, TGT).

Megaceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. Uncommon resident. Although not numer-
ous, this species is widespread (e.g., up to five birds per day along the Ketchikan road
system). The birds are paired up by April, when they are observed inspecting potential
nest sites, often cut banks next to roads or quarries (earliest, 6 April 2001). Artificial
habitats such as these have certainly increased the availability of nesting sites for this
species in southeast Alaska. Isleib reported “active” nests at both Ketchikan and sw
Annette 31 May-4 June 1987. We found active nests in cut banks along roads at the
White River 10 June 2001 and at Ketchikan 5 June 2005.

Sphyrapicus ruber ruber. Red-breasted Sapsucker. Fairly common migrant and
breeder; uncommon winter visitant. Spring migrants begin to arrive in early to mid-
March and are fairly common in mature spruce-hemlock forest by early April. Willett
(1928) found a nest with newly hatched young at Betton 26 May 1926. We have
found eight active nests near Ketchikan 7 May (2003)-15 June (2003). Seven were
in snags and one was in a telephone pole. Lone juveniles are regularly observed in
July (earliest, 26 June 1993 and 2005). Numbers decrease after mid-September,
and a few probable migrants are found to mid-November. One to five birds have
been recorded nearly annually December-February, when the species is usually more
difficult to detect (specimen, UAM 6968, male, 31 January 1996). Numbers were
unusually large during a period of subfreezing weather in January 2005, with 35
along the Ketchikan road system 9-15 January, primarily in coniferous forest fringing
beaches. Sixteen were along approximately 1 km of beach fringe 15 January 2005,

99

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

suggesting many more birds were likely in the area. The previous maximum winter
count was seven on the Ketchikan CBC 16 December 2000. These observations
suggest that the Red-breasted Sapsucker may be more common in the winter than
previously known. One LACM and five UAM specimens.

Picoides pubescens (glacialis ). Downy Woodpecker. Rare migrant and winter
visitant. Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) considered the Downy Woodpecker to be an
uncommon resident of coastal Alaska east of the Kenai Peninsula. It has proven to
be rather scarce in the Ketchikan area, however, and is certainly not resident. It is
found in alder habitat during migration from mid-March to April (earliest, 17 March
2003, JFK; latest, 1 May 2001) and from late August to November (earliest, 24 Au-
gust 1993). It typically occurs singly; maximum, up to three birds daily at sw Annette
10-18 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT). We have 10 records between December
and February, most of birds at feeders. All of the birds that we have closely observed
in the field had the smoky underparts and heavily barred rectrices of subspecies gla-
cialis, which is found along the coast from Prince William Sound east to southeast
Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Picoides villosus ( sitkensis ). Hairy Woodpecker. Uncommon resident. This species
begins drumming typically in late March (earliest, 22 February 2003 and 22 March
1998 and 1999), and calling birds are frequently detected through September. Our
breeding data include active nests at Patching Lake (1 June 2002) and Ward Lake (6
June 2003; 1 June 2005, TLG). We have recorded the Hairy Woodpecker much less
frequently from December to February, and it is uncommon at best during the winter.
Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) considered P. v. sitkensis to be a resident in southeast
Alaska, but it is possible that some of the population departs for the winter.

Picoides dorsalis (fasciatus ). American Three-toed Woodpecker. Very rare resi-
dent. Our records of this species are all from pine-cedar muskeg habitat. We have
three from Princess Bay: a female with a brood patch banded 21 July 1994 (TL, LW),
a male banded 3 August 1994 (TL, LW), and two adults attending a nest with one
nestling 17 June 1996 (MB). We have four other records of single birds: at Tamgass
Harbor, sw Annette, 2 June 1987 (MEI); an immature at Traitors Creek 16 August
1995; at Manzanita Lake 22 June 2000 (MB); near Ketchikan 1 July 2001.

Picoides arcticus. Black-backed Woodpecker. Casual. One record: a male at the
mouth of Thorne Arm, Revillagigedo, 14 September 1999 (TLG). This interior spe-
cies is casual along the BC coast (Campbell et al. 1990b), and it occurs irregularly in
southeast Alaska (Gibson 1986).

Colaptes auratus. Northern Flicker. Uncommon migrant, breeder, and winter
visitant. Willett (1928) described this species as fairly common in southern southeast
Alaska and stated that it “might be seen or heard almost daily at Ketchikan.” It is
present year round but most numerous during migration, from mid-March to May
and again from September to October (maxima, 10 at sw Annette 14-16 Septem-
ber 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT; eight at northeast Gravina 14 April 2001). During the
breeding season it favors coniferous woods at the edges of open areas in muskegs,
clearcuts, and residential areas. Territorial behavior begins in early April (e.g., a male
singing and drumming 4 April 2003). Swarth (1911) found a nest at Portage Cove,
Revillagigedo, 2 July 1909, and M. E. Isleib reported up to three birds a day at sw
Annette, including an active nest 2-4 June 1987. Our breeding data include a pair
digging a nest hole at sw Annette 1 May 2001, a nest with a nearly fledged chick at
Gravina 7 July 2001, a nest with a nearly fledged chick in a piling near Ketchikan 6
July 2005, a nest with two chicks in a piling near Ketchikan 1-14 July 2007 (one
chick fledged 12 July, the other 14 July), and a pair attending just-fledged juveniles
20 July 2002. Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) referred to the flicker as an occasional
winter visitant, but we have found it wintering annually in small numbers, primarily

100

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

in residential areas of Ketchikan, often at feeders (maximum, 25 on the Ketchikan
CBC 17 December 2005; also, at least 13 birds winter 2001-2002).

Yellow-shafted C. a. luteus breeds in central, southcoastal, and mainland southeast
Alaska, while red-shafted C. a. cafer breeds in the southern Alexander Archipelago
and on the adjacent mainland, where intergrades with C. a. luteus are known (Gibson
and Kessel 1997). Swarth (1911) collected a male at Gravina 15 June 1909 and a pair
at a nest at Portage Cove 2 July 1909. The specimen from Gravina (MVZ 9729) and
the male from Portage Cove (MVZ 9731) are intergrades. At Grant Island 3 October
1925 Willett (1927) collected an intergrade closer to C. a. luteus in appearance. Most
of the birds that occur in the Ketchikan area are closest to C. a. cafer, but nearly all
birds that we have examined closely betray signs of intergradation with C. a. luteus.
We have identified intergrades at all times of the year, including the breeding season.
For example, two chicks at a nest on 1 July 2007 (above) both had red underwings
and red nuchal patches, and one bird had a buff throat (Figure 18). Flickers are much
easier to examine closely in winter when they visit feeders, and 13 of 16 birds that we
studied closely in winters 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 showed a partial or complete
red nuchal patch, and some of these also showed tan coloration on the face or pale
orange or yellowish quills. In winter we have observed several birds that approached
C. a. luteus in plumage but also showed signs of intergradation.

Contopus cooper i cooperi. Olive-sided Flycatcher. Uncommon migrant and prob-
able breeder. Spring migrants are observed from mid-May to early June (earliest, one
collected by Willett at Ketchikan 5 May 1926, Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959; latest,
11 June 1999, MB). During the summer this species is found in open coniferous for-
est, generally above 150 m elevation, often foraging from large snags at the edge of
clearcuts (e.g., one near Margaret Lake 18 June 1998; several on Brown Mountain

15 June-17 August 2002; pair at the White River 24 July 1993 and 3 July 1998).
We have only four records of fall migrants (latest, 13 September 1998). Single LACM
and UAM specimens.

Contopus sordidulus ( saturatus ). Western Wood-Pewee. Rare migrant. This
species occurs in ones or twos in spring from 7 May (1992 and 2005) to 16 June
(2008; JFK) and less commonly in fall from 14 August (1998) to 7 September (1998).
Subspecies saturatus is an uncommon migrant and breeder in mainland southeast
Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978; Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Empidonax alnorum. Alder Flycatcher. Very rare migrant and possible breeder.
Singing birds have been found at Ella Bay (27 June 1995, CS; 10 June 1998, MB;

16 June 1999, MB; 23 June 2000, MB), at the Ketchikan airport (10 July 2002 and
24 June 2007), and near the White River (22 June 2003). We also found single birds
singing near Talbot Lake in a clearcut with dense conifers 3 m tall and a mixture of
alder and willow (19-26 June 1993, 13 June 1999, 23 June 2000, and 24 June-2
July 2001). Some of these birds may have been migrants, and we have no evidence
of breeding apart from males singing on territory. There are four fall records: single
birds at Ketchikan 27 August 1993, 31 August 1997, 13 September 2000, and, very
late, 11 October 1992. The Alder Flycatcher is an uncommon migrant and breeder
on the southeast Alaska mainland and a locally rare probable breeder in the Alexander
Archipelago (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. Casual. One record: one at Ketchikan
5-12 June 2005 (ph.). This species is known to breed as close as central and south-
eastern BC (Campbell et al. 1997), and it is a casual visitant to Alaska, primarily in
June (Gibson and Kessel 1992).

Empidonax hammondii. Hammond’s Flycatcher. Casual. Three records: one at
Traitors Creek 13 September 1998, two at Ketchikan 15-19 May 2001, and one
at Ketchikan 17 September 2007. This species is an uncommon spring migrant and

101

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

probable breeder along the major rivers of mainland southeast Alaska (Kessel and
Gibson 1978).

Empidonax difficilis difficilis. Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Fairly common migrant;
common summer visitant and breeder. This species arrives in early to mid-May
(earliest, 27 April 2005, 1 May 2004, and 2 May 1992 and 1997). It is common
in spruce-hemlock woods, being most numerous where there is adjacent alder or an
alder understory (e.g., 20 along 1.5 km of road near Talbot Lake 13 July 1993, 20
at Silvas Lake 15 July 1993, and 20 along 4 km of Ella Creek 20 July 1995). Swarth
(1911) collected one specimen on Revillagigedo (MVZ) on 29 June 1909. We have
few breeding data, aside from adults carrying food on 15 July 1993 and 19 July 1995
(CS, JM), adults feeding recently fledged young on 7 July 2007, and lone juveniles
(earliest, 22 July 1993). Fall migrants are found regularly to mid-September (latest,
27 September 1996 and 30 September 1992). Four UAM specimens.

Sayornis saya ( yukonensis ). Say’s Phoebe. Casual. One record: one at Ketchikan
14 September 1996 (PJW, ph. DWS). This species is a very rare fall migrant in
southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Dickerman (2005) recently recommended
recognition of subspecies yukonensis (Bishop 1900), which includes populations
breeding in Alaska and northwestern BC.

Tyrannus melancholicus ( satrapa ). Tropical Kingbird. Casual. Four records of single
birds at Ketchikan: 23-24 October 1976 (first Alaska record; AB 31:212), 9-13 Octo-
ber 1992 (first documented Alaska record; ph. AB 47 : 169), 2-7 November 1998 (ph.),
and 20 October 2002 (CAF; ph.). The last three birds gave trilling calls characteristic
of this species, which is a casual fall visitant along the coast of the Pacific Northwest,
north to southernmost BC (Campbell et al. 1997). There are no Alaska specimens,
but, with one exception, specimens from the west coast of the lower 48 states have all
been of the northern race, T. m. satrapa ( see Stouffer and Chesser 1998).

Tyrannus uerticalis. Western Kingbird. Casual. One Ketchikan record: 3 Septem-
ber 2003 (ph.). Kessel and Gibson (1978) listed two Alaska records of this species, of
single birds along the Denali Highway 28 June 1964 and in the Copper River delta
16 August 1973. There are now at least 13 additional spring or summer records, all
from southeast Alaska, and all but two from June (earliest, 2 May 1994, Unuk River,
FN 48:331). There are only two additional fall records in Alaska: single birds at Juneau
10 August 1986 (AB 41:131) and Sitka 21-22 September 1991 (AB 46:138).

Tyrannus tyrannus. Eastern Kingbird. Casual. Two Ketchikan records: 11 August
1975 (BFK) and 13 June 2003 (ME). This species is a rare summer visitant on the
mainland of southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Lanius excubitor (borealis). Northern Shrike. Rare migrant and very rare winter
visitant. Most records are from mid-October through December (16 records; also,
one very early bird at sw Annette 14 September 1986, MEI, TGT, RLS). We have
two mid-winter records (15 January 2005, TLG; 11 February 2003) and three spring
records (22 March 2005, 3 April 1997, and 29 April 2007, CAF). The scarcity of
this species is likely due to the lack of suitable habitat.

Vireo gilvus swainsonii. Warbling Vireo. Rare migrant, summer visitant, and
breeder. This species arrives in late May, and migrants are noted well into June
(earliest, 9 May 2005, 12 May 2004, and 19 May 2008). One or two territorial
birds have been found annually in riparian red alder along Ketchikan Creek and in
second-growth alder along the White River and near Talbot Lake. We found single
nests in tall red alder at Ketchikan Creek in 1996 (6 July; fledged one young 19 July),
1998 (adults feeding young in nest 20 June; one fledged and one still in the nest 1
July), and 2003 (two young in nest 28 June-2 July; fledged by 8 July). Fall migrants
are observed in ones or twos from 19 August (1998) to 25 September (1994). The

102

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Warbling Vireo is an uncommon to fairly common probable breeder along the rivers
of mainland southeast Alaska and a rare migrant elsewhere on the mainland (Kessel
and Gibson 1978). One UAM specimen.

Vireo oliuaceus (oliuaceus). Red-eyed Vireo. Casual. One record: one singing
male at Ketchikan 5-7 July 1976 (Kessel and Gibson 1978). This species is a rare,
local, probable breeder along the rivers of mainland southern southeast Alaska and
a casual summer visitant on adjacent islands of the Alexander Archipelago (Kessel
and Gibson 1978).

Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri. Steller’s Jay. Common resident. This species is nu-
merous in coniferous forests from early April through November but is variably rare
to fairly common during the winter. For example, it was unusually abundant in late
fall and early winter 1994-1995 (including a single flock of 30 birds on 13 Janu-
ary 1995), but it was all but absent in winter 2000-2001. We have few breeding
data. We observed an adult gathering mud 17 April 2005, a pair gathering moss at
McDonald Lake, on the mainland near Ketchikan, 2 May 2002, and adults attend-
ing fledged young 26 June 2005 and 8 July 2005. Juveniles are common by July.
Fifteen UAM specimens.

Nucifraga columbiana. Clark’s Nutcracker. Casual. Three Ketchikan records: one
at a feeder 7 December 1987-late June 1988 (ph. JFK), one on 12 October 1992
(ph. AB 47:135), and one at a feeder 17-24 August 2002 (CAF). This species breeds
in the mountains of southern BC but is an “erratic vagrant" to maritime BC (Campbell
et al. 1997) and a casual visitant to Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Pica hudsonia. Black-billed Magpie. Very rare winter visitant. A few have been found
nearly annually from 14 September to 25 March (also, two birds to 29 April 2003;
KLW). Magpies occur usually in ones or twos; maximum, flock of five at Clover Pass win-
ter 1999-2000 (NS, DN). Although this species winters regularly in southeast Alaska,
it occurs most frequently in the northern portion of the region (Gabrielson and Lincoln
1959) and is casual along the BC coast south of Ketchikan (Campbell et al. 1997).

Corvus caurinus. Northwestern Crow. Common resident. This species is ubiqui-
tous in the Ketchikan area (e.g., 400 were counted flying to an evening roost near
Metlakatla, sw Annette, 4 September 1995, and 438 were recorded on the 1999
Ketchikan CBC). It occurs almost strictly near salt-water shores, and all nests that we
have found were in dense coniferous forest along beaches, often with several pairs
nesting in close proximity. We have observed nest building throughout April (adults
carrying sticks as early as 1 April 2002 and as late as 28 April 2002; adults gathering
moss 16 April 2002 and 28 April 2002). We found a nest attended by agitated adults
12 May 2001 and two nests with brooding adults 18 and 31 May 2003. One nest
completed on 28 April 2002 contained two large young on 9 June. Another pair
completed a nest on 24 April 2003 and fledged young on 12 June. A nesting colony
at Margarita Bay during the 1990s was in a dense stand of second-growth hemlock,
with trees <10 m in height (BW). On 29 June 1997, 100 birds (juveniles and adults)
were present, and the stand contained many old nests and one nest with three large
nestlings (CJF, SCH). Swarth (1911) found many recent fledglings accompanied by
adults at Portage Cove in late June and early July 1909. Juveniles are a common
sight by early July. Some authorities (e.g., A. M. Rea in Phillips 1986, Sibley and
Monroe 1990) have questioned whether the Northwestern Crow is distinctive as a
species from the American Crow (C. brachyrhynchos) .

Corvus corax (principalis). Common Raven. Common resident. This species is a
constant sight in the Ketchikan area (e.g., 200 at the Ketchikan dump 11 November
1990). Ravens begin collecting nesting material in March: large sticks as early as 2
March 2002, moss as early as 11 March 2002 and as late as 20 April 1996. We
observed a pair placing moss in a nest 15 m up in a Sitka spruce 28 March 1999. We

103

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

found a half-grown nestling on the ground 30 m below a nest in a western hemlock 7
May 2008. Another nest, 45 m up in a spruce, contained two large nestlings on 20
May 2001. On 23 March 2002, we observed a pair placing moss in a nest 15 m up
in a cedar; the nest contained at least one young bird on 27 May 2002. Isleib observed
recently fledged young attended by adults at sw Annette 2-4 June 1987.

Eremophila alpestris ( arcticola ). Horned Lark. Casual. Five records, one of three
at sw Annette 13 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT) and four of single birds at Ket-
chikan 29 October 1992, 26 April 2003, 30 April 2006, and 21 December 2007
(ph.). This species is a rare or uncommon migrant in southeast Alaska, primarily on
the mainland.

Tachycineta bicolor. Tree Swallow. Fairly common spring migrant and breeder.
This species arrives early, by mid-April each year (earliest, 6 April 1990 and 9 April

2006 and 2007). Migrants are detected to at least late May (e.g., 40 at Ward Lake
during poor weather 29 May 2002). The Tree is the most widespread swallow in the
Ketchikan area. It breeds near fresh water, including residential areas where it readily
uses nest boxes. Swarth (1911) found a few pairs at Portage Cove in late June-early
July 1909 and collected one specimen on 29 June (MVZ). Willett reported Tree Swal-
lows nesting at Ketchikan (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). Our breeding data include
adults investigating nest sites (14 May 1999) and collecting nesting material (13 June
1999), active nests from 22 May (2007) to 14 July (1995), and adults feeding fledged
young (earliest, 25 June 1992). The Tree Swallow is an early fall migrant, departing
the area annually by mid-August (latest, 14 August 1993).

Tachycineta thalassina ( thalassina ). Violet-green Swallow. Locally uncommon
migrant and breeder. It arrives typically in late April (earliest, 5 April 2008, 9 April

2007 and 15 April 2006, CAF), and during the summer we have found it exclusively
in residential areas (e.g., four pairs along Ketchikan Creek, summer 1993). All the
nests that we have found have been in holes in buildings. Breeding data include adults
collecting nesting material 6 and 8 May 2008, 10 May 2004, and 13 June 1999,
a nest that fledged three young on 17 July 2003, a nest that fledged two young on
22 July 1993, and a nest that fledged three young on 26 July 2000. Like the Tree
Swallow, this species typically departs the area by mid-August (maximum, 20 in early
August 1993; latest, 28 August 1999).

Stelgidopteryx sernpennis (serripermis) . Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Rare mi-
grant and breeder. Small numbers occur nearly annually, from May to August (e.g. , at least
nine birds 10-29 May 2001; earliest, 30 April 1999; latest, 30 August 1994). Artificial
habitats in the form of cut banks next to roads and quarries have certainly increased the
availability of nesting sites for this species in southeast Alaska. A nest in a blasting hole
in a rock wall near Ketchikan July 2000 provided the first local nesting record (young
birds in the nest 12 July 2000 but gone by 25 July). Another pair nested in a cut bank
along the White River road in 2001 (pair in the area 27 May; adult carrying nesting
material into the nest hole 10 June; both adults feeding young in the nest 15 July). We
observed one pair at the same bank 15 June 2002, two pairs there 22 June 2003 (when
we observed one bird enter a nest hole). A single juvenile at Ketchikan Creek 31 July
2006 and two adults and two juveniles together at Clover Passage 4-11 August 1995
and 3-14 August 1998 also suggest breeding. Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered this
species to be a rare migrant, summer visitant, and breeder in southeast Alaska, occurring
on the mainland and on islands near the mouths of the mainland rivers.

Riparia riparia ( riparia ). Bank Swallow. Casual spring migrant and very rare fall
migrant. We have six fall records between 14 August (1998) and 6 September (1997;
maximum, 20 on 29 August 1991) and one spring record (Naha River 5 June 1999).
This species is a rare migrant and breeder on the southeast Alaska mainland (Kessel
and Gibson 1978).

104

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota {pyrrhonota). Cliff Swallow. Very rare spring migrant
and casual fall migrant. We have four spring records from 9 May (2001 and 2002) to
10 June (1999) and one fall record (two at Ketchikan 29 August 1991). This species
is a rare spring migrant and very rare summer visitant and breeder on the southeast
Alaska mainland (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Hirundo rustica erythrogaster. Barn Swallow. Fairly common migrant and lo-
cal breeder. Spring migrants are observed from early May to mid-June (earliest, 28
April 1999 and 1 May 2001), with a peak during late May and early June (e.g., 40
at Ward Lake during poor weather 29 May 2002). The Barn Swallow nests almost
exclusively on artificial structures and is rarely found away from residential areas
during the breeding season. Willett (1928) watched a pair build a nest at Ketchikan
26 June 1925: they lined the nest 1 July, the last of four eggs was laid 11 July, the
eggs hatched 24 July, and the young fledged 13 August. Swarth (1911) found a few
pairs at Portage Cove in late June and early July 1909 and collected one specimen
29 June (MVZ). We have observed nests with young as early as 17 June (1998), and
fledging dates range from 15 July (2007) to late August (also, recently fledged young
attended by adults 6 September 1997). One pair successfully fledged two broods of
young at Ketchikan during summer 1993 (four young fledged from the first nest on
9 July; the pair built a new nest only a few feet from the old one by 20 July, and two
fledged young were sitting next to this nest on 1 September). Fall migration peaks
from late August to early September (maximum, 55 at Ketchikan 24 August 1993;
latest, 15 September 1990 and 1 October 2002). One UAM specimen.

Poecile rufescens rufescens. Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Common resident in
coniferous habitats from sea level to timberline. Nesting records are numerous, and
we have recorded nesting activity from 10 April (2004; placing nest material into a
cavity in a large stump along a beach) to 15 July (2007; young birds in a nest box
being fed by a pair of adults). We have found nests in cavities in a variety of locations,
including large alder, spruce, and hemlock snags, large stumps left over from logging
(particularly along beaches), in buildings, and in artificial nest boxes. A closely observed
pair that nested in a stump at Gravina raised two broods in 2003 (29 April-15 May
and again 4 July) and 2004 (collecting nest material 10 April; chicks in nest 18 May;
chicks fledged prior to 30 May; nesting again 27 June; chicks in nest 5 July). Adults
attending recently fledged young are regularly observed in June and July (earliest, 25
May 2002). Eleven UAM specimens.

Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Rare fall migrant and casual winter, spring,
and summer visitant. This species occurs annually in small numbers in the fall from 13
August (2001) to 25 November (1990; maximum, five on Deer Mountain 24 Septem-
ber 2000). We have four winter records (in two cases the birds lingered to April), two
spring records (4 May 2003 and 2008), and one summer record (19-23 July 2001).
Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) considered this species to be an uncommon summer
resident in southeast Alaska and listed records for Ketchikan and Loring, Revillagigedo
(no dates given). Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered it a rare resident and breeder
and suggested that breeding may follow sporadic fall invasions to southeast Alaska. Fall
invasions reached to the west of Ketchikan on Prince of Wales in 1980 (50+ birds; AB
35:215) and 1981 (AB 36:208), but we have not recorded an invasion in the Ketchikan
area during the past 19 years, and to date we have no evidence of breeding.

Certhia americana occidentalis. Brown Creeper. Uncommon resident. During
the breeding season this species is found primarily in mature spruce-hemlock woods.
A nest at Hassler 30 June 1995 is our only evidence of breeding (MB). During the
winter the creeper is also found in mixed woods with flocks of chickadees and kinglets.
The southeast Alaska breeding race is C. a. occidentalis (Gibson and Kessel 1997;
one UAM specimen).

105

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Troglodytes troglodytes. Winter Wren. Common resident. This species favors the
dense understory of mature coniferous woods, from sea level to timberline (e.g., 35,
mostly singing males, in mature hemlock woods along 3 km of the Deer Mountain
trail 25 June 1990). It also nests in a wide variety of other habitats as long as dead
wood, such as fallen logs, snags, stumps, and slash, is available for nesting sites (Hejl
et al. 2002). Kessler and Kogut (1985) found Winter Wrens breeding in clearcuts of
all ages on nearby Prince of Wales. We found many birds singing in a < 10-year-old
clearcut that contained only stumps and dense 1-m-tall growth of alder, lady fern
(. Athyrium filix-femina), Vaccinium , and Rubus (upper White River, 15 June 2002).
On the adjacent mainland, we also found territorial birds singing from giant root wads
stranded well out on the gravel flood plain of the Salmon River (6 June 2006). Males
begin singing in full force by mid-February (earliest, 4 February 2003), and we have
observed adults carrying nesting material on 8 April 2006, 8 May 2004, and 15 May
2004. Adults carrying food, adults attending fledged young, and lone juveniles were
all observed on Deer Mountain 10 July 1993. We found an active nest in a cavity in
a rotten stump along the beach at Vallenar Bay, Gravina, on 26 May 2007, and an
adult was observed carrying food to the nest several times on 3 June 2007. A nest
at Princess Bay fledged two young on 6 June 1995 (JM, CS), and lone juveniles are
common by July. Although there are eight UAM specimens, it is not clear to which
race birds breeding in the Ketchikan area belong: T. t. pacificus breeds on Prince of
Wales to the west, T. t. ochroleucus on the islands of the northern Alexander Archi-
pelago (A. M. Rea in Phillips 1986, Gibson and Kessel 1997). It is still the case that
“all Alaska material from east of the Aleutians needs to be assembled in one place
and reviewed” (R. W. Dickerman in Gibson and Kessel 1997:70).

Cinclus mexicanus (unicolor). American Dipper. Fairly common resident. This
species is found at nearly all large creeks in the Ketchikan area. Willett considered it
a fairly common breeder and found two nests: one with large young 8 June 1924,
another with five eggs 13 May 1925 (the nest contained large young on 25 June).
Breeding data at Ketchikan Creek, where birds nested in holes drilled into a cement
retaining wall, include active singing in February (in full song first week of February
2000), adults investigating nest holes (earliest, 26 March 1996), adults collecting
nesting material (19 April 2001 and 28 April 2003), nestlings ready to fledge (27
May 1995, EBH, and 25 June 1992), and adults attending recently fledged young
(earliest, 27 April 2001; latest, 14 June 1996). In addition, an adult was observed
feeding a fledgling at upper Silvas Lake 15 July 1993 (300 m elevation). During the
winter dippers are frequently found feeding in brackish water at creek mouths.

Regulus satrapa oliuaceus. Golden-crowned Kinglet. Common resident. This spe-
cies is present year round in coniferous woods, from sea level to timberline. Breeding
data include a pair gathering nesting material (Talbot Lake 16 April 1995), adults car-
rying food (earliest, 1 June 2001), adults attending recently fledged young (9 June-22
July), and lone juveniles (earliest, 19 June 1993). All four UAM specimens are the
southeast Alaska breeding race, R. s. olivaceus (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Regulus calendula (grinnelli ). Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Fairly common migrant
and breeder; casual winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed from late March
(earliest, 14 March 2005) through April (e.g., 26 at the Ketchikan airport 27 March
2004, 59 at northeast Gravina 14 April 2001, and 40 there 20 April 2002). Singing
males begin establishing territories in late April and early May. During the breeding
season the Ruby-crowned Kinglet occurs in a variety of coniferous habitats, from sea
level to timberline. For example, we have found singing males in shrubby subalpine
mountain hemlock, coniferous edges of avalanche chutes, older, shrubby clearcuts
(particularly with a mixture of alder), and coniferous edges of bogs. Breeding data
include adults carrying food (earliest, 23 May 2004), adults attending recently fledged
young (14 June-10 July), and lone juveniles (numerous by early July). Fall migration

106

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

takes place from late August to late November and peaks during September (e.g.,
100 at sw Annette 17 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT). Stragglers frequently
linger into December (maximum, five on 14 December 2002), and there are four
January-February records. Subspecies grirmelli is the southeast Alaska breeding race
(Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Sialia currucoides. Mountain Bluebird. Casual. One record: a female along the
White River 13 April 2003. This species occurs primarily on the mainland in southeast
Alaska, where it is a locally uncommon spring migrant and casual to rare fall migrant
and winter visitant.

Myadestes townsendi ( townsendi ). Townsend’s Solitaire. Very rare migrant. Five
were at sw Annette 11-15 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT), and there are four
Ketchikan records of single birds: 16 May 1975 (MEI; Kessel and Gibson 1978), 16
April 1993 (CJF), 1 October 2000, and 6 May 2001. This species is a rare migrant
and probable breeder in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Catharus minimus ( aliciae ). Gray-cheeked Thrush. Casual. One record: a male
singing in an old clearcut 24 June 2001 (SCH, JMM). This species is a rare to uncom-
mon local breeder in mainland southeast Alaska and occurs regularly only as close as
the Stikine River, 150 km to the north of Ketchikan (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Catharus ustulatus ustulatus. Swainson’s Thrush. Common migrant and breeder.
This species is one of Ketchikan’s latest spring migrants, typically not arriving until
late May (earliest, 14 May 2004, 16 May 1925, Willett 1928, and 17 May 2006).
Willett noted that it was “common” by 21 May 1925. It is particularly common in
habitats with red alder, both riparian and fringing beaches. Breeding data include adults
carrying nesting material (8 June 2005), a nest with four eggs (11 June 2005), a nest
with an incubating adult (22-25 June 2006), a nest with four eggs (24 June 2007),
adults carrying food between 19 June (1993) and 5 August (2005), adults feeding
recently fledged young (15 July 2006), and lone juveniles (earliest, 13 July 1993). Fall
migration peaks in late August (e.g., 25 per minute heard flying overhead at 22:00
hours on 30 August 1990), and the species is usually gone by mid-September (latest,
24 September 1996 and 8 October 2006, ph.). Twelve UAM specimens from the
Ketchikan area are C. u. ustulatus, the breeding race in the Alexander Archipelago
(Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Catharus guttatus. Hermit Thrush. Common spring migrant and breeder, fairly
common fall migrant, and casual winter visitant. Spring migrants arrive in late April and
are common through most of May (earliest, 16 April, Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959;
17 April 2004, and 18 April 1990, 1992, 1996, and 2002). The Hermit Thrush is
one of the commonest breeding passerines of the Ketchikan area, and singing males
are heard in nearly all coniferous habitats, from sea level to timberline. Breeding
data include a nest with four eggs (8 June 1924; Willett 1928), adults carrying food
between 5 June (2005) and 3 August (2003), and an adult feeding fledged young
(7 July 2001). Lone juveniles are common by mid-July (earliest, 10 July 2002). Fall
migration takes place from September to mid-October (maximum, 15 birds daily at
sw Annette 12-17 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT). Stragglers have lingered to
December (three records), and there are two winter records: 22 January 2003 (TLG)
and 9 January 2005.

We agree with K. C. Parkes’ recommendation that the name nanus (Audubon)
should be used for the Hermit Thrushes breeding in southeast Alaska (Dickerman
and Parkes 1997, K. C. Parkes in Gibson and Kessel 1997); the name osgoodi,
advocated by Phillips (1991; followed by Gibson and Kessel 1997), is considered a
synonym of nanus. Most Ketchikan specimens are the southeast Alaska breeding
race (e.g., 12 UAM specimens). Subspecies guttatus breeds on the Pacific coast
to the north and west of southeast Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1997), and migrants

107

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

identified as such have been collected at Ketchikan (two specimens 27 May 1911;
Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Turdus migratorius caurinus. American Robin. Common migrant and breeder;
rare winter visitant. A few spring migrants arrive annually as early as late February,
but large flocks generally arrive in mid-March (e.g., earliest flock arrival 12 March
1992 and 1993; latest flock arrival 25 March 2002). Flocks of 30-100 birds are
common in open areas and along roadsides through late April, in some years to early
May (e.g., flock of 40 at North Point Higgins 5 May 2002). Adult males arrive earlier
than adult females and first-spring birds (e.g., on 21 March 1999 a flock of 120
contained only 10 females, while on 17 April 1999 a flock of 70 contained only 10
adult males). The American Robin breeds at the edges of open areas such as forest
openings, bogs and muskegs, clearcuts, and residential areas. Willett (1927) collected
four eggs from a nest at Ketchikan 30 May 1925. We have observed evidence of
nesting from 15 May to 16 August, including adults sitting on nests (24 May-20
June), adults carrying food or feeding nestlings (15 May-3 August), and young fledging
from a nest (30 July 2003). Lone juveniles are common by mid-June (earliest, 1 June
2004 and 4 June 1995). Adults collecting nesting material or building nests 5 June
1995, 8 June 2005, and 12 June 2005, and a juvenile sitting on a nest 16 August
1999, all suggest that some birds rear two broods. In fall, migration peaks from late
August through September, though it is not so conspicuous as in spring (maximum,
200 on 7 October 2005). Most robins depart the area by mid-October, but small
numbers linger into November and, in some years, early December (e.g., flock of
45, early December 1974, PM; flock of 30 on 12 December 1993). A few winter
nearly annually in residential areas of Ketchikan; many of these survive through the
end of February (maximum, 28 on 4 January 1994). In 2005, exceptional numbers
of robins lingered into November and December (e.g., 115 on the Ketchikan CBC
17 December), and above-average numbers wintered — at least 35 birds through mid-
February. During the late fall and winter, the birds often subsist on the fruit of various
ornamental plants. The 10 UAM specimens are the southeast Alaska breeding race,
T. m. caurinus (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Ixoreus naeuius naeuius. Varied Thrush. Common migrant and breeder; uncom-
mon or fairly common winter visitant. Spring migrants are numerous from mid-March
to late April and are often found in large groups along road edges, on beaches, and in
open areas with American Robins (e.g., 150 at the head of Neets Bay 18 April 1990;
75 along the road at Clover Passage and North Tongass Hwy 29 March 1993; 50 at
the Ketchikan airport 12 April 1998 and 28 April 2001). During the breeding season
Varied Thrushes inhabit coniferous forest, from sea level to timberline. Breeding data
include adults carrying food (23 May-19 July), adults attending fledglings (10 June
2005), and lone juveniles (earliest, 19 July 2003). The species remains common in
coniferous forest through late fall, often becoming conspicuous at low elevations when
forced out of the woods by the first snows of the winter (e.g., common at Ketchikan on
22 November 1990 and 1 1 November 1995, immediately after several days of snow;
maximum, 150 on 12 November 2005). In most winters it remains fairly common,
but in other years it can be difficult to find in January and February. Willett (1927)
also found this species to be common in some winters, rare in others, and absent in
yet others: he found none in Ketchikan during early winter 1924-1925 but began
seeing it in mid-January, and it was fairly common the rest of the winter. The seven
female UAM specimens are nominate I. n. naeuius, the southeast Alaska breeding
race (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Mimus polyglottos {polyglottos ). Northern Mockingbird. Casual. Two Ketchikan
records: single individuals at Ketchikan 19-22 April 1998 (GHM; ph.) and 16 Decem-
ber 2006 (ph.). This species is a casual visitant to Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1992),
for which there are at least ten records.

108

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris. European Starling. Uncommon resident. This spe-
cies was first recorded in Alaska at Juneau in 1952 (Kessel 1953), and by 1977 it
was regarded as a rare or uncommon migrant, local winter visitant, and rare local
breeder in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978). A flock at Ketchikan in winter
1957-1958 established the first local record, and 50-100 were recorded at Ketchikan
14 December 1960 (Kessel and Gibson 1978); the starling occurs in similar numbers
today (e.g., flocks typically of 5-25, occasionally up to 50; maximum, flock of 150
at North Point Higgins 7-16 December 2002). It is found almost strictly around
residential areas, on lawns, and in open disturbed areas (e.g., the city dump), but it
also regularly feeds on beaches. One feeding on the beach with turnstones at Carroll
Inlet 7 February 2003 (11 km from Ketchikan) is the only starling we have observed
away from residential areas.

Two broods in 1962 provided the first local breeding records (Kessel and Gibson
1978). Isleib observed adults feeding nestlings in waterfront buildings at both Ket-
chikan and Metlakatla 31 May-4 June 1987. We have found many active nests at
Ketchikan, nearly all in buildings, most of which have been reused annually. A nest
at the top of a crane 15 m tall (10 May 2001) is the only nest we have found that
was not in a building. Breeding data include adults carrying nesting material (earliest,
4 April 2004), a nest with two eggs 23 May 2002 (TLG), adults feeding young at the
nest (earliest, 10 May 2001), and young fledging from nests (earliest, 25 May 2001).
Fledged juveniles are regularly encountered by early June (earliest, 25 May 2001). One
pair successfully reared two broods in 2003: the first brood fledged on 6 June; the
adults began rebuilding their nest in mid-June, were actively feeding young by 8 July,
and fledged their second brood 22 July (TLG). We have found this species regularly
at Metlakatla, Annette (maxima, 45 on 18 February 2006, and 35 on 25 February
1992), including one nest in a building 28 April 2004. Three UAM specimens.

Motacilla tschutschensis ( tschutschensis ). Eastern Yellow Wagtail. Casual. One
record: immature at Ketchikan 30 September 2007 (ph.; Figure 19). This species
is a common migrant and breeder on the mainland of western Alaska (Kessel and
Gibson 1978) and a casual migrant elsewhere on the Pacific coast of North America
(AOU 1998), primarily in the fall (Iliff et al. 2007). There is only one prior report for
southeast Alaska (20 June 2005; NAB 59:641).

Motacilla alba. White Wagtail. Casual. One record: immature at Ketchikan 13
November 2005-1 March 2006 (ph.). Some of the bird’s plumage characteristics
suggested M. a. lugens (formerly considered a separate species; AOU 1983), but we
are not certain of the subspecies identification. The White Wagtail is a rare breeder
in western Alaska and a rare migrant and very rare breeder in southwestern Alaska
(Badyaev et al. 1996). One on the Alaska Peninsula at King Cove 16 December
2000-7 March 2001 represents the only prior winter record for the state (NAB
55:214). The species occurs casually as a migrant and winter visitant along the Pacific
coast south to southern Baja California (Badyaev et al. 1996.; both M. a. ocularis
and M. a. lugens), and there are three prior southeast Alaska records of single birds:
at Glacier Bay 2 July 1969, Juneau 26 September 1977 (Kessel and Gibson 1978),
and Long Island 13-18 May 1991 (AB 45:485).

Anthus cervinus. Red-throated Pipit. Casual. One record: immature at Ketchikan 7
September 2003. This species breeds in western Alaska and is a casual fall migrant on
the Pacific coast south to Baja California (AOU 1998). The Ketchikan bird occurred
during a large movement of this species along the west coast of North America (Sul-
livan 2004) and provided one of only three southeast Alaska records, one of which
is for Juneau the same day as the bird at Ketchikan (NAB 58:128).

Anthus rubescens (pacificus). American Pipit. Fairly common migrant and breeder;
casual winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed along shores at low elevation,
from mid-April (earliest, 10 April 2004) to late May (maxima, 150 at Point Higgins

109

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

27 April 2001 and 145 at the Ketchikan airport 28 April 2001; latest, 7 June 2002).
We have found pipits breeding in open alpine heath above 750 m elevation, such as
18 adults, including adults carrying food, on the Mahoney Mountain ridge 26 June
2005. At least 20 adults were along 3 km of ridgeline between Deer Mountain and
Roy Jones Mountain, Revillagigedo, 10 July 1993; the agitated behavior of two pairs
carrying food suggested they were attending nestlings, and four pairs were feeding
recently fledged young. We also observed adults performing display flights and col-
lecting nest material on Dude Mountain 7 July 2002 and an adult carrying food
there 14 July 2002. Fall migrants are observed from late August (earliest, 27 August
1993) to late October (maxima, 60 at sw Annette 13 September 1986, MEI, RLS,
TGT; 35 in the alpine zone near Deer Mountain 27 August 1995). Prior to 2005,
we had few observations later than October (latest, 2 December 2001) and no winter
records. Then, in January 2005, we found up to six birds; latest, 16 January). The
species recurred January-February 2006 (e.g., at least 13 at Ketchikan through late
February; eight at Metlakatla, Annette, 18 February) and December 2007-9 Janu-
ary 2008 (at least two; one on 26 March 2008 could have been an extremely early
migrant or late winter visitant).

Bombxjcilla garrulus ( pallidiceps ). Bohemian Waxwing. Irregular, uncommon
migrant and winter visitant. We have found this species from late October (earliest,
24 October 1990) to early April (latest, 1 May 2007), though it occurs primarily in
the late fall (maximum, 120 on 5 December 2006) and we have not recorded it in
some winters. Willett (1927) saw 10-12 birds at Ketchikan 18 January 1925. We
have found the Bohemian Waxwing almost exclusively in residential areas, where it
favors the fruit of the European mountain ash ( Sorbus aucuparia ) and other orna-
mental plants. Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered this species to be a fairly com-
mon migrant and winter visitant and very rare summer visitant and possible breeder
in southeast Alaska.

Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. Uncommon summer visitant and breeder;
casual winter visitant. This species is one of the latest spring migrants at Ketchikan,
typically arriving in early June (earliest, 20 May 2004, CAM; 29 May 2000). It oc-
curs in small groups usually of up to five birds (maxima, 40 at Ketchikan Creek 30
August 1990 and 30 at Ketchikan 21 September 1995). Willett (1927) saw up to
eight birds at Ketchikan 14-15 July 1924. The Cedar Waxwing is found in open areas
with deciduous trees, including riparian red alder, young clearcuts with alder and tall
perches, and disturbed areas around human settlements. Breeding evidence includes
a nest with three young at the Ketchikan airport 3 August 2003, a nest with five eggs
at Ketchikan 22 July 2008 (the young fledged 20 August 2008; CAF; Figure 20),
an adult feeding three just-fledged young at Mountain Point 1 August 2003, adults
feeding four fledglings at Ketchikan Creek 30 August 1990, and an adult with two
just-fledged young near a clearcut on the Ward Lake road 3 September 1995. In most
years the Cedar Waxwing departs the area by late September, but it has occasionally
lingered into October (latest, 24 October 1990 and 1996). There are three winter
records: up to 11 birds 18 December 1993-4 January 1994, one mid-January 1997
(JP), and one 16 January-8 March 2002.

Vermivora peregrina. Tennessee Warbler. Casual. Three Ketchikan records of
single birds in fall: 9 September 1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT), 18 October 1991, and 11-23
November 2005 (TGT, JFK; ph.). This species is a rare migrant and local breeder in
mainland southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Vermivora celata lutescens. Orange-crowned Warbler. Common migrant and
breeder. This species arrives in late April (earliest, 14 April 1992 and 1996; JP), and
large numbers move through during May, when it is one of the most common migrant
passerines (maxima at the Ketchikan airport: 135 on 1 May 1998, 120 on 17 May

110

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

1999, and 95 on 12 May 2001). During the breeding season it occurs most commonly
in dense, shrubby habitats from sea level to timberline, such as alder-filled avalanche
chutes, young clearcuts, and brushy edges in bogs. Our breeding data include adults
carrying food (10 June-15 July), adults feeding recently fledged young (earliest, 25
June), and lone juveniles (earliest, 26 June 2005). Fall migration peaks from August
to mid-September (maximum counts up to 40 birds), and small numbers are observed
through mid-October. Stragglers have lingered into November (12 records) and De-
cember (one, 2-14 December 2002). The southeast Alaska breeding race is V. c.
lutescens (Gibson and Kessel 1997). Swarth (1911) collected one specimen (MVZ)
at Portage Cove on 30 June 1909, and there is one UAM specimen.

Vermivora ruficapilla. Nashville Warbler. Casual. Two Ketchikan records: single
birds 19 October 2005 and 11 November 2005 (ph. NAB 60:121; Gibson et al.
2008). There are only four other records of this species in Alaska, all from fall (Isleib
and Kessel 1989, Lehman 2005, Gibson et al. 2008). Nominate V. r. ruficapilla
breeds as close as central Saskatchewan, and V. r. ridgwayi breeds as close as southern
BC (Dunn and Garrett 1997).

Dendroica petechia ( rubiginosa ). Yellow Warbler. Fairly common spring migrant,
rare summer visitant and possible breeder, and common fall migrant. Spring migrants
are observed from mid-May to mid-June (earliest, 4 May 2004, CAM, 9 May 2006,
and 12 May 1999 and 2001). Our maximum counts are 94 at the Ketchikan airport
28 May 2001 and 32 along the White River road 27 May 2001. The entire Ketchi-
kan area has little in the way of the extensive willow habitat that this species favors
for nesting (Dunn and Garrett 1997). Although we have no evidence of breeding,
a few singing males found annually in late June and July suggest possible breeding.
The Yellow is the most numerous warbler in the Ketchikan area during fall migration,
from early August to mid-October, with a peak from late August to mid-September
(earliest, 1 August 2003; maxima, 150 on 11 September 1986 and 120 on 13 Sep-
tember 1986 at sw Annette, MEI, RLS, TGT; 85 at Ketchikan 15 September 1991).
Stragglers are irregularly recorded into late October, and there is one record each for
November (12 November 1993) and December (5 December 2002). The southeast
Alaska breeding race is D. p. rubiginosa (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Dendroica pensylvanica. Chestnut-sided Warbler. Casual. One record: a singing
male at Pennock, near Ketchikan, 22 June 1997 (specimen UAM 7051; Gibson et
al. 2003) provided Alaska’s second record. This eastern species has bred once in
central BC (Campbell et al. 2001), and it is a casual or rare migrant to western North
America from southern BC to California (Dunn and Garrett 1997).

Dendroica coronata. Yellow-rumped Warbler. Uncommon migrant and breeder;
casual winter visitant. Subspecies auduboni breeds on the southern southeast Alaska
mainland; subspecies hooveri, a Myrtle Warbler, breeds throughout the rest of the
Alaska range of the species, including northern southeast Alaska and the Alexander
Archipelago (Gibson and Kessel 1997). Intergrades are known in Alaska from the
Stikine River (Gibson and Kessel 1997), Mitkof Island (Hubbard 1969), and Hyder
(UAM specimens). It is likely that most of the birds breeding in the Ketchikan area are
intergrades (Figure 21), as four specimens that we collected from Gravina all proved
to be: UAM 18074, female closer to hooveri , 16 June 2002; UAM 18077, male
closer to hooveri, 1 July 2001; UAM 18075, male closer to auduboni, 16 June
2002; and UAM 18076, male closer to auduboni, 7 July 2001. These specimens
extend the known intergrade zone into southern southeast Alaska, 160 km south
from that described by Hubbard (1969).

This species is never numerous in our area and is more common on the adjacent
mainland, as both a migrant and a breeder (pers. obs.). Both phenotypes are found
in about equal numbers during spring migration, although many birds exhibit signs

111

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

of intergradation. Spring migrants are observed from mid-April to late May (earliest
hooveri 10 April 1990; earliest auduboni 13 April 1992; maxima, 23 at sw An-
nette 30 April 2003 and 14 at the Ketchikan airport 6 May 2001). Fall migration
takes place from early August to late November but peaks in September and October
(earliest, 5 August 1994; maximum, 12 on 14 October 1997). Birds that appear
to be auduboni are rare in the fall through late September, probably because this
race does not occur commonly to the north of our area. We observed a very late
well-marked auduboni on 2 November 1998. There are at least eight records of
birds closer to hooveri in December, and four winter records of single individuals 14
February-15 April 1995 (JP), 25 February-6 March 2005, 18 February 2006, and
20 January 2008. During the breeding season, we have found territorial males and
family groups adjacent to ponds and lakes in open pine-cedar muskeg bogs (e.g., 11
singing males and one female along a 5-km transect of northeast Gravina 16 June
2002). We observed a female resembling auduboni collecting fine grass fibers at a
muskeg near Talbot Lake, Revillagigedo, 20 May 2001 and, on northeast Gravina, a
pair feeding just-fledged young 24 June 2007, two family groups of adults attending
recently fledged young 15 July 2000, and an adult attending two just-fledged young
28 August 2005. During the summer singing males are also occasionally found in
residential areas of Ketchikan, where adults of auduboni were observed feeding
recently fledged young 24 June 1995 (CJF) and 14 July 1995. Lone juveniles have
been noted as early as 7 July (2001).

Dendroica townsendi. Townsend’s Warbler. Common migrant and breeder. This
species arrives in mid-April (earliest, 12 April 1997 and 13 April 1996) and is com-
mon by the end of April. It is one of the most common breeding passerines in mature
spruce-hemlock woods. We observed adults gathering nest material on 1 May 2005
and 16 May 2003. Recently fledged young attended by adults are regularly observed
by the first week of June, and family groups are common thereafter (e.g., 65 along
the Deer Mountain trail 25 June 1990 and 45 there 25 June 1992). Fall migration
peaks in late August, when small flocks are also found in mixed deciduous habitat
(e.g., 35 at Ketchikan Creek on 29 August 1998 and 27 August 1993; 30 there on
30 August 1990). Townsend’s Warbler is rare after mid-September, and stragglers
have lingered into October (eight records) and November (eight records; latest, 24
November 2007).

Dendroica discolor (discolor). Prairie Warbler. Casual. One record: an immature at
Saxman 29 September 1990 provided the second Alaska record (Gibson and Kessel
1992). This species breeds primarily in eastern North America and is a casual visitant
to western North America (Dunn and Garrett 1997).

Dendroica palmarum ( palmarum ). Palm Warbler. Casual. Five Ketchikan records
of single birds in fall: 21 October 1990 (Gibson and Kessel 1992), 13 November 1993
(SCH, RLS), 7-19 December 2002, 13 December 2002, and 19 October 2003.
Subspecies palmarum breeds as close as northeastern BC (Campbell et al. 2001); it
is casual in Alaska, and nearly all records are from the fall (Gibson and Kessel 1992,
Benson et al. 2000).

Mniotilta varia. Black-and-white Warbler. Casual. One record: a singing male at
Ketchikan 30 May 2004 provided the fifth Alaska record. This species breeds as close
as northeastern BC (Campbell et al. 2001).

Setophaga ruticilla. American Redstart. Casual. One record: an immature at
Ketchikan 17 September 1994 (JP). This species is an uncommon breeder along
the rivers of mainland southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978). The American
Redstart is considered monotypic (e.g., see Dunn and Garrett 1997).

Oporornis tolmiei tolmiei. MacGillivray’s Warbler. Rare migrant and breeder.

112

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Although this species is common along the rivers of mainland southeast Alaska
(pers. obs.), it is the rarest of the regularly occurring warblers in the Ketchikan area.
We see very few spring migrants (earliest, 15 May 2004 and 27 May 2001). A few
singing males are found annually during the breeding season in alder-salmonberry
thickets at the edges of clearcuts (e.g., one or two near Talbot Lake in 1990, 1993,
1994 and 1999; one or two along the White River road in 2001 and 2002; up to
five along upper Traitors Creek in 1995 and 2002). We have also found this species
rarely in salmonberry thickets at the edge of estuarine sedge flats (e.g., one pair at
Traitors Creek July-August 1996-1998; one male at the Carroll River 5 July 1999).
Isleib observed one at the head of Tamgass Harbor, Annette, 3 June 1987. Breed-
ing evidence includes a female feeding fledged young at Clover Passage in mid-July
1972 (SOM) and a pair feeding just-fledged young at Traitors Creek 2 August 1997.
We have five records of fall migrants: an immature at sw Annette 13-14 September
1986 (MEI, RLS, TGT), and single individuals at the Ketchikan airport on 29 August
2001, 2 September 2002, 19 September 1998, and 27 September 1997. One
UAM specimen.

Geotlnlypis trichas. Common Yellowthroat. Uncommon migrant and fairly com-
mon breeder. This species generally arrives in late May (earliest, 1 May 1998 and 20
May 2001) and breeds in freshwater sedge marshes where there are extensive thickets
of Spiraea douglasii and in estuarine sedge meadows with thickets of salmonberry or
willow. We have found it during the breeding season at virtually every location with
appropriate habitat that we have visited (e.g., Ward Lake, Talbot Lake, Naha River
drainage, Traitors Creek drainage, White River, Manzanita Creek, and Ella Creek).
Maximum counts include eight at the Naha River 25 June 1995, five at Talbot Lake
26 June 1994, and five at Ella Creek 20 July 1995. Twenty at ponds on upper Trai-
tors Creek on 16 August 1995 probably included fall migrants and young of the year.
Breeding evidence consists of adults feeding recently fledged young at Talbot Lake (two
family groups 13 July 1993) and at the mouth of Traitors Creek (adult carrying food 19
July 2003 and fledged young in late July 1996). Fall migrants are found typically from
August to late September (latest, 12 October 2002, 14 October 2001, and 18 October
2007). Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered the yellowthroat to be an uncommon to
locally fairly common breeder in freshwater marshes and estuarine meadows along the
rivers of mainland southeast Alaska and on islands near the mouths of these rivers.
Subspecies occidentalis breeds in southern southeast Alaska (and presumably the
Ketchikan area); subspecies campicola breeds on the mainland of northern southeast
Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata. Wilson’s Warbler. Fairly common spring migrant
and breeder; uncommon fall migrant. Spring migrants occur primarily during May,
sometimes into June (earliest, 28 April 2001; maxima, 30 along the White River
road 27 May 2001 and 20 at the Ketchikan airport 20 May 1990; latest, flock of
15 at timberline on Deer Mountain 18 June 1995). During the breeding season,
this species favors shrubby Sitka alder near timberline and in avalanche chutes (e.g.,
eight in two avalanche chutes near Silvas Lake 27 June 1993), clearcuts grown over
with alder (e.g., 21 in the upper White River drainage 15 July 2001), and Rubus-
alder understory of high-elevation hemlock forest. It does not appear to breed in
low-elevation riparian red alder or alder fringing beaches. Breeding data include
adults carrying food (19 June-14 July) and fledged juveniles (earliest, 15 July 1993
and 2001). Fall migrants are observed from late July through September, occurring
in ones or twos and with no real peak in numbers (maximum, nine at the Ketchikan
airport 2 September 2002). Stragglers have lingered into October (eight records) and
November (four records; latest, 16 November 1992). The Alaska breeding race is W.
p. pileolata (Gibson and Kessel 1997); Swarth (1911) collected two males (MVZ) on
Revillagigedo at Portage Cove on 29 June 1909.

113

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Piranga ludoviciana. Western Tanager. Very rare migrant and casual summer
visitant. We have 10 fall records from 10 September (2002) to 22 October (2004;
maximum, three on 14 September 2000) and one record each for spring (male at
Ketchikan 19 May 2002; GZ) and summer (male at Ketchikan 5 July 2000; JG).
This species is an uncommon probable breeder along the rivers of mainland southeast
Alaska and occurs only rarely as a migrant and summer visitant to islands near the
mouths of those rivers (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Spizella arborea ( ochracea ). American Tree Sparrow. Rare fall migrant and win-
ter visitant. This species occurs in very small numbers, primarily in the fall (earliest,

9 October 1997; maximum, three from 2 November to 21 December 1996) and
occasionally through the winter (latest, 7 April 2004; 23 April 2008 and 24 April
2005, CAF).

Spizella passerina ( arizonae ). Chipping Sparrow. Casual. Five records, all near
Ketchikan: two on 24 October 1999 (JFK) and single juveniles 23-25 October 2001
(JFK; ph.), 12 November 2004-30 March 2005 (JFK; ph.), 8 October 2007, and 18
November 2007 (ph.). The Chipping Sparrow is an uncommon breeder along the
rivers of mainland southeast Alaska and a rare migrant elsewhere on the mainland
(Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. Casual. One record: an immature at a
feeder near Ketchikan 7-14 November 2000 (JFK, AWP, SCH; ph.). This species
breeds as close as northeastern BC (Campbell et al. 2001), and it is casual in Alaska,
where there are seven additional records (Gibson and Kessel 1992, Benson et al.
2000, Lehman 2005, NAB 61:126).

Spizella breweri ( taverneri ). Brewer’s Sparrow. Casual. One record: an immature
bird at a feeder near Ketchikan 25-26 October 2001 (JFK, AWP, SCH; ph.; Figure
22). Plumage characters (including relatively coarse dorsal streaks, pale nape, more
distinct supercilium and median crown stripe; Doyle 1997) suggested the Timberline
Sparrow, S. b. taverneri , which breeds in southwestern Yukon (Sinclair et al. 2003),
northeastern BC (Campbell et al. 2001), and, in very small numbers, in the Nutzotin
Mountains, Alaska, near the Alaska- Yukon border (Doyle 1997). Single specimens of
migrant S. b. taverneri collected just east of Ketchikan at Hyder 6 June 1996 (Doyle
1997) and 7 June 1997 (FN 51:1039) provided the only prior Alaska records away
from the known breeding area. The Ketchikan bird was also very late — Campbell et
al. (2001) cited 22 September as the latest date for this species in BC.

Passerculus sandwichensis sandwichensis. Savannah Sparrow. Common or
abundant migrant, rare summer visitant and possible breeder, and casual winter
visitant. Spring migrants begin arriving generally in early April, though they are un-
common until the end of the month (earliest, 21 March 2003, 27 March 1999 and
2004, and 28 March 2002). The Savannah Sparrow is one of the most abundant
and conspicuous migrants in the area during May, particularly when concentrated by
periods of inclement weather (e.g., 275 at the Ketchikan airport 28 April 2001 and
245 there on 10 May 2002). Fall migration takes place from late August (earliest,

10 August 1995) to early November (latest, mid-December 1992; JFK), with peak
numbers during September (maxima, 150 at sw Annette 13 September 1986, MEI,
RLS, TGT; 145 at the Ketchikan airport 27 September 1996). Our only mid-winter
records are of single birds at Ketchikan 17 January-5 March 2005, 31 December
2005-9 February 2006, and 15 December 2007-3 March 2008 (LK).

Although this species is a locally fairly common breeder in mainland southeast
Alaska, it is less numerous in the archipelago, and, because of a lack of suitable breed-
ing habitat, we have few summer records in the immediate Ketchikan area. Gabrielson
and Lincoln (1959) mentioned specimens of “breeding birds” from Revillagigedo
and Gravina, presumably collected at low elevation; however, Swarth (1911) did not

114

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

mention finding the species on either island, and a specimen from Gravina 26 June
2001 (JMM) provided our only lowland summer record. Single adults were observed
at 750 m elevation in open alpine habitat on the Deer Mountain ridgeline, near
Ketchikan, on 10 July 1993 and 18 June 1995; in both cases, the agitated behavior
of the birds suggested that a nest or young were nearby. We follow Rising (2007) in
grouping previously recognized Alaska breeding races of this species under nominate
sandwichensis (see Gibson et al. 2008; single LACM and UAM specimens).

Passerella iliaca. Fox Sparrow. Common or abundant migrant, fairly common
breeder, and uncommon winter visitant. This species is an early spring migrant,
normally arriving in mid-March. It is often present in very large numbers from the
last week of March to mid-April (e.g., 42 at Ketchikan 18 March 2005, 335 at the
Ketchikan airport 6 April 2002, 240 along a half mile of logging road near Ketchikan
on 14 April 2008, and 150 at Neets Bay 18 April 1990). Migrants are fairly common
through the end of April and are detected in nonbreeding habitat well into May (latest,
8 June 2002). In fall, migrants occur from mid-August to mid-November but are not
nearly as numerous as in spring (maxima, 45 on 12 November 1993 and 30 on 27
September 1996). The Fox Sparrow is rather uncommon during the winter (mostly
at feeders), but numbers vary from year to year. At least 25 birds wintered December
2001-February 2002, but the species was absent or nearly absent during winters
1991-1992 and 1994-1995. Willett (1923b) similarly found the Fox Sparrow to be
common at Craig, Prince of Wales, during the winter of 1919-1920 but absent the
following winter, 1920-1921. Willett also recorded this species as “fairly common"
at Ketchikan January-18 February 1925.

The Fox Sparrow nests in habitats with dense tall shrubs from just above sea
level to timberline. It favors patches of shrubby Sitka alder and mountain hemlock at
timberline (e.g., 14 near Dude Mountain summit 6 July 2002), alder-filled avalanche
chutes (e.g., 10 near Silvas Lake 15 July 1993), and young clearcuts filled with dense,
shrubby hemlock and mixed alder-hemlock (e.g., 16 singing along 4 km of logging
road, White River, 10 June 2001). It is much less common at low elevations near the
shore (e.g., two males singing in riparian elderberry thickets at the mouth of Traitors
Creek in June and July from 1996 to 1998 and in 2003). An adult was observed
carrying food on 31 May 1995, and recently fledged birds have been observed as early
as 19 June (1993). Both Swarth (1911) and Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) reported
that Fox Sparrows were not found breeding on the southern islands of the Alexander
Archipelago, aside from Forrester and Howkan islands on the outer coast. Willett
(1921), however, also found this species during the summer on Prince of Wales, Dali,
and Long islands. More recently, Kessler and Kogut (1985) found the Fox Sparrow
to be very common in 11-17-year-old clearcuts filled with dense coniferous regrowth
on Kosciusko and Prince of Wales islands. Although it certainly expanded its breeding
range, following clear cutting of forests since the 1950s, this species probably always
inhabited higher-elevation tail-shrub habitats in southern southeast Alaska.

Birds breeding in the Ketchikan area are referable to one of the dark races of the
Sooty Fox Sparrow group that breed in southeast Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1997;
one UAM specimen), either P. i. toumsendi, which breeds on the outer islands of the
Alexander Archipelago, or P. i. chilcatensis (Webster 1983), which breeds in mainland
southeast Alaska. Other races of the Sooty Fox Sparrow group that breed along the
coast to the north and west likely migrate through the Ketchikan area to some degree,
at least in the spring. Specimens collected and salvaged in spring include at least one
P. i. sinuosa (UAM 18068, 10 May 2002). Willett (1928) reported taking only three
specimens in southern southeast Alaska that were not breeding P. i. townsendi,
including single birds from Ketchikan he identified as P. i. insularis (29 March 1926)
and P. i. sinuosa (31 March 1926). Others reported collecting P. i. annectens, P.
i. unalaschcensis, P. i. insularis, and P. i. sinuosa elsewhere in southeast Alaska
(Swarth 1922, Webster 1941, 1950, 1988, Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). The red

115

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

subspecies P. i. zaboria, which breeds throughout interior Alaska (Gibson and Kessel
1997), is a casual migrant and winter visitant in southern southeast Alaska. One at
Ketchikan 5-12 November 2006 (ph.) and four birds there 17 November 2007-5
January 2008 (ph.; one lingered to 1 April 2008) provided our only records.

Melospiza melodia. Song Sparrow. Fairly common migrant and resident. This
species is present year round, though it is most abundant during spring migration
from late March to early May (e.g., 30 at Roosevelt Lagoon 18 April 1999 and 23
at the Ketchikan airport 6 April 2002) and fall migration from late August to October
(e.g., 38 at the Ketchikan airport 22 August 2004 and 35 there 11 October 1992).
It favors dense brushy habitat along beaches, creeks, lake shores, estuarine meadows,
and residential areas. Swarth (1911) found a nest built into tall meadow grass at Por-
tage Cove on 28 June 1909, and Willett (1928) found a nest with four eggs in a roll
of wire netting just above the high tide line in Ketchikan 29 April 1926. Willett also
found a nest with four eggs at Grant Island 5 July 1925 and saw young out of the
nest at Ketchikan on 1 June 1924. We found a nest with four tiny young in a spruce
hedge at Pennock 18 July 2004. Isleib found fledged young at both Ketchikan and
Metlakatla 31 May-4 June 1987, and fledged juveniles are common by early June.
Numbers decrease through November. The Song Sparrow is generally least common
during the winter, although we found 30 at Metlakatla 18 February 2005, many of
which were in full song. In southeast Alaska, M. m. inexspectata (four UAM speci-
mens) breeds on the mainland and inner islands of the Alexander Archipelago, while
M. m. rufina breeds on the outer islands to the west of the Ketchikan area (Gibson
and Kessel 1997). Wintering birds include both subspecies inexspectata (one UAM
specimen) and caurina (one UAM specimen), the race breeding along the south coast
of Alaska immediately to the north of southeast Alaska (D. D. Gibson pers. comm.;
Willett 1928; cf. Gabrielson and Lincoln 1951). As pointed out by Willett (1928),
subspecies caurina is strictly a beach bird, and it is frequently found on boat docks
and breakwaters during the winter months.

Melospiza lincolnii. Lincoln’s Sparrow. Fairly common migrant and breeder; rare
winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed from late April (earliest, 13 April 1996) to
mid-May (latest migrant, 24 May 1999). During the breeding season this species uses
wet habitats with low to medium shrubs adjacent to grass or sedge meadows at lake
and creek outlets and in estuaries and muskegs. Swarth (1911) considered it common
at Portage Cove and found a nest with five young that fledged on 1 July 1909. Other
breeding evidence includes adults carrying food (9 June-13 July) and an adult attending
just-fledged young (13 June 2003). Lone juveniles are common by mid-July (earliest, 7
July 2001). Fall migration takes place from mid- August to late November. Maximum
counts around the perimeter of the Ketchikan airport include 49 on 19 August 1998,
45 on 3 September 2001, and 40 on 27 September 1996. The Lincoln's Sparrow
occasionally lingers into December, and we have seven records for January through
March. The southeast Alaska breeding race is M. 1. gracilis (Gibson and Kessel 1997;
one LACM and nine UAM specimens). Nominate lincolnii apparently also migrates
through southeast Alaska, as a few specimens have been collected in fall and spring,
including one at Ketchikan 27 April 1916 (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Melospiza georgiana ericrypta. Swamp Sparrow. Very rare fall migrant and casual
winter visitant. Although this species is casual in Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1992), it
has proven to be of more regular occurrence in the Ketchikan area, where there are
17 records, including one specimen (UAM 5262, immature female, 3-4 November
1985; Gibson and Kessel 1992). Most birds were found in October and November
(earliest, 12 October 2002), but several wintered or attempted to winter (latest, 14
April 1996). This species breeds as close as northeastern BC, but it is accidental on
the Queen Charlotte Islands and otherwise unrecorded on the northern BC coast
(Campbell et al. 2001).

116

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 18. Juvenile Red-shafted Flickers (C. a. cafer) at a nest hole in a piling near
Ketchikan 11 July 2007. The bottom bird features both a red moustachial stripe and
a red nuchal patch, while the top bird has a buff-colored throat, characteristics of
intergradation with the Yellow-shafted Flicker (C. a. luteus) common to flickers in
the Ketchikan area at all seasons.

Photo by A. VJ. Piston

Figure 19. This immature Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Ketchikan 30 September 2007
represented only the second record for southeast Alaska.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

117

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 20. Cedar Waxwing nest in an ornamental maple at Ketchikan 15 August
2008; the five chicks fledged 20 August 2008.

Photo by J. H. Lewis

Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. Rare fall migrant and winter visi-
tant. Single birds at Ketchikan during the winter of 1972-1973 (Kessel and Gibson
1978) and at Saxman 3 November 1985 (MEI, RLS, TGT) established the first local
records. We have found this species annually since 1990, with most records in October
and November (earliest, 23 September 2007, JFK; latest, 19 April 2002 and 3 May
2007, JFK). It occurs generally in ones or twos, primarily at feeders (maximum, seven
during the fall and winter 2001-2002; TLG, JFK, SCH, AWP; Figure 23). Tan-striped
adults have outnumbered white-striped adults by about four to one. The White-throated
Sparrow breeds as close as central BC (Campbell et al. 2001) and is a rare to uncom-
mon migrant and winter visitant to the Pacific coast south of Alaska (e.g., Marshall et
al. 2003). There are apparently few records for the northern BC coast (Campbell et
al. 2001), and the species is casual elsewhere in Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Zonotrichia querula. Harris’s Sparrow. Casual. Eight Ketchikan records, all of
single birds at feeders: winter 1972-1973 (Kessel and Gibson 1978), 26-29 March
1991 (ph.), 20-23 October 1992 (JP; ph.), 13 November 1997 (JFK; ph.), 19-24
October 2006 (KEM; ph.; adult), 20-21 October 2007 (ph.), 4 November 2007-4
May 2008 (JFK; ph.), and 8-21 November 2007 (ph.). This species is a rare migrant
and winter visitant on the Pacific coast (Kessel and Gibson 1978, Campbell et al.
2001, Marshall et al. 2003).

Zonotrichia leucophrys {gambelii). White-crowned Sparrow. Uncommon migrant,
rare winter visitant, and possible breeder. This species is never numerous, a few being
found with flocks of Golden-crowned Sparrows during migration. Spring migrants
are found in ones or twos from 20 April (2003) to 30 May (1999). Larger numbers
occurred in spring 2000, when they were fairly common at Ketchikan (maximum,
40 at a single feeder 29 April 2000). Subspecies Z. I. gambelii breeds throughout
most of mainland Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959) and the interior of BC im-

118

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

mediately east of southeast Alaska (Campbell et al. 2001), but it is not known to
breed in southeast Alaska. Possible breeding at the Ketchikan airport was suggested
by two lone streak-breasted juveniles 17 August 2003 and single males singing in
low shrubby alders 2-19 May 2004 (not tracked after that date) and 7 June 2008.
Both of the adults appeared to be gambelii-, see Dunn et al. (1995). The juveniles
were particularly suggestive, as this species does not migrate until after the prebasic
molt (Chilton et al. 1995, Pyle et al. 1997). Otherwise, fall migrants occur from
September to November (earliest, 3 September 2001; maxima, 10 at the Ketchikan
airport 30 September 2001, seven at a feeder near Ketchikan 25 November 2007,
JFK, and up to five a day at sw Annette 11-18 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT).
The White-crowned Sparrow is a regular winter visitant at feeders (maximum, five at
one feeder during the winter of 2000-2001; JFK).

Zonotrichia atricapilla. Golden-crowned Sparrow. Fairly common to abundant
migrant, casual summer visitant, and rare winter visitant. Spring migrants are observed
primarily from mid-April to late May (earliest, 8 April 2004 and 12 April 1996; latest,
6 June 1999, TLG), and migration peaks during early May, at which time this species
is often abundant (e.g., 615 at the Ketchikan airport 28 April 2001 and 300 at sw
Annette 1 May 2001). We have one summer record: a silent adult in an alder-filled
avalanche chute at 150 m elevation in the upper White River valley, Revillagigedo,
15 July 2001. Fall migration takes place largely in September (earliest, 30 August
1990). Large numbers are seldom encountered during fall migration, and <10 birds
per day is typical (maxima, 128 at the Ketchikan airport 30 September 2001 and
115 at Ketchikan 27 September 1996). Stragglers regularly linger into November
and December. We have January-March records for eight of 17 winters; however,
32 of 34 mid-winter birds have occurred since 2000 (maximum, at least 12 birds
January-February 2002).

Junco hyemahs. Dark-eyed Junco. Fairly common migrant, breeder, and winter
visitant. Migrants of the breeding race, J. h. oreganus (Gibson and Kessel 1997; two
UAM specimens), begin to arrive in mid-March and are numerous by mid- April. The
junco favors open, brushy habitats from sea level to timberline, such as muskeg bogs,
open subalpine woods, brushy alpine hemlock, and fairly recent clearcuts (<15 years
old). Swarth (1911) reported this species to be fairly common and possibly breeding
at Portage Cove in late June and early July 1909, and he collected one specimen
on 1 July 1909 (MVZ). Males begin singing on territory in early April. Breeding data
include a nest with three eggs and one young at Ketchikan 31 May 1925 (Willett), a
nest with three eggs at Princess Bay 21 June 1994 (TL, LW), a nearly completed nest
near Ketchikan 6 July 2008 (JES), and adults carrying food (earliest, 31 May 1995).
Adults attending recently fledged birds are common in June. An adult was observed
collecting nesting material while at the same time it fed recently fledged young on 18
June 1995. Fall migration takes place August-October (e.g., 150 at sw Annette on
13 September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT), and by mid-October this species is uncommon
away from residential areas. Although Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) reported that
most juncos depart during the winter, this species is now the most common bird at
residential feeders, and 1000+ probably winter annually along the Ketchikan road
system. The Slate-colored Junco (J. h. hyemalis or J. h. cismontanus , and inter-
grades with J. h. oreganus ) is a rare to uncommon migrant and winter visitant from
29 September (2002) to 28 April (2005, KEM), and one or two Slate-colored Juncos
can be found in most large flocks of wintering juncos (maxima, seven at one feeder
on 30 October 2002 and five at one feeder on 30 October 2000).

Calcarius lapponicus ( alascensis ). Lapland Longspun Uncommon migrant. This
species is a regular migrant in southeast Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). In
the Ketchikan area, however, it generally occurs in small numbers because of the
lack of suitable habitat. Fall migrants are found from 11 September (1986) to 20

119

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 21. Most, if not all, Yellow-rumped Warblers that breed in muskeg habitat
in the Ketchikan area are intergrades of the Myrtle Warbler ( Dendroica coronata
hooveri) and the Audubon’s Warbler (D. c. auduboni). The top bird most closely
resembles a Myrtle Warbler; however, most of its throat is lemon yellow. The bottom
bird most closely resembles an Audubon’s Warbler; however, it has white supraloral
and supercilium markings, slaty auriculars, and white throat corners that extend slightly
behind the auriculars. Gravina Island, 28 June 2008.

Photos by S. C. Hein I

120

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 22. Brewer’s Sparrow at a Ketchikan feeder 25 October 2001. The relatively
coarse dorsal streaking, pale nape, fairly distinct supercilium, and distinct pale median
crown stripe suggest the race S. b. tavemeri, which breeds very locally at the eastern
edge of the Alaska interior and is the only subspecies of Brewer’s Sparrow to have
been documented in Alaska by specimen (see Doyle 1997).

Photo by S. C. Heinl

Figure 23. The White-throated Sparrow is a rare fall migrant and winter visitant to
the Ketchikan area, and typically multiple birds are found each year. This adult was
at a Ketchikan feeder 23 November 2006.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

121

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

October (1993 and 2001); maximum, 56 on 19 September 2004. This species was
observed nearly daily at sw Annette 11-17 September 1986 (maximum, nine on 17
September 1986, MEI, RLS, TGT). Spring migrants occur from 31 March (2007) to
5 May (1993, JP); maximum, 32 on 6 April 2002.

Plectrophenax nivalis (nivalis). Snow Bunting. Very rare migrant and winter
visitant. Although Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered this species an uncommon
migrant and winter visitant in coastal southeast Alaska, it is generally scarce in the
Ketchikan area, as a result of the lack of suitable habitat. It was reported to be “com-
mon” at Ketchikan in the fall of 1973, with a few stragglers noted to December (PM).
We have only six other fall records, all between 4 November (2005) and 22 November
(2007), one winter record (two on 13 February 1996), and two spring records (single
birds, 5 April 1992 and 19 March 2005).

Pheucticus ludovicianus. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Casual. Two records: an im-
mature male at sw Annette 15 September 1986 (first Alaska record; Gibson et al.
2003) and up to three birds at Ketchikan 3-18 October 2005 (two hatching-year
males and a second-year male; ph. NAB 60:122 and 175; Figure 24). This species
is casual in Alaska (Gibson et al. 2003) and breeds as close as northeastern BC
(Campbell et al. 2001).

Pheucticus melanocephalus (melanocephalus). Black-headed Grosbeak. Casual.
Two records of single immature males at Ketchikan: 26 September 2003 (ph. TLG)
and 5-13 October 2005 (ph. NAB 60:175). Subspecies P. m. melanocephalus
breeds north to interior southern BC, and P. m. maculatus breeds north to coastal
southwestern BC (Godfrey 1986). This species is a very rare summer visitant to the
northern BC coast (Campbell et al. 2001) and a casual migrant and summer visitant
to southeast Alaska; the only (southeast) Alaska specimen has been identified as
nominate melanocephalus (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. Casual. One record: one basic-plumaged bird
at North Point Higgins, near Ketchikan, 10 October 2000 (ph. JFK). This species
breeds north to central BC (Campbell et al. 2001). Single birds at Barrow (23 June
1976; Kessel and Gibson 1978) and Hyder (14 June 1991; UAM specimen, RLS,
MEI; AB 45:1151) constitute the only prior Alaska records.

Agelaius phoeniceus ( arctolegus ). Red-winged Blackbird. Rare spring migrant
and uncommon fall migrant. Spring migrants occur from 17 March (2007) to 21
May (2008) and 6 June 1999 (TLG). The species is slightly more numerous in the
fall, primarily in August and September (earliest, 26 July 1996; maxima, flock of 11
at Traitors Cove 30 July 2002 and flock of eight there 8 August 2001). Stragglers
occasionally linger to November (five records) and December (two records; latest, 14
December 2001, UAM 18524, immature female). The Red-winged Blackbird is a fairly
common local breeder on the southeast Alaska mainland but rare in the Alexander
Archipelago away from mainland river mouths (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

Stumella neglecta neglecta. Western Meadowlark. Casual. One at Ketchikan
5-21 November 1977 established the first local record (Kessel and Gibson 1978).
We have six additional fall and winter records of single birds at Ketchikan: 31 Octo-
ber 1992 (ph. AB 47:136; specimen UAM 6152, male; Gibson and Kessel 1997),
26 January-18 February 1994 (GB; ph.), 8 December 2002-27 April 2003 (ph.),
15 November 2005, 4 December 2005-23 March 2006 (ph.; Figure 25), and 25
November 2007 (ph.). This species breeds north to central and northeastern BC
(Campbell et al. 2001). Subspecies neglecta breeds over most of the species' range,
while confluenta breeds on the Pacific slope from southwestern BC to northwestern
Oregon, where it is largely sedentary (Davis and Lanyon 2008); Alaska specimens
have been identified as neglecta (AOU 1957, Gibson and Kessel 1997).

122

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Casual. One record: a
second-year male at a feeder near Ketchikan 1-7 May 2003 (JFK, video). This species
is a casual spring, summer, and fall visitant to Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978) and
breeds as close as south-coastal and northeastern BC (Campbell et al. 2001).

Euphagus carolinus ( carolinus ). Rusty Blackbird. Very rare migrant. We have ob-
served migrants in spring from 17 March (1993) to 4 May (1996) and in fall from 11
September (1986) to 13 November (2001); maximum, three on 2 November 1996.
Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered this species an uncommon migrant and rare
winter visitant in southeast Alaska.

Euphagus cyanocephalus. Brewer’s Blackbird. Casual. Seven Ketchikan records,
some of which may pertain to returning individuals: a female at a feeder 26 March-5 April
1992 (ph. AB 46:464), a female at the same feeder 7 October 1992-February 1993
(JFK; ph.), two males 25 October 1993-18 March 1994 (ph.; specimen UAM 6472,
adult male, SCH, DB), one male at the same location 2 October-30 November 1994,
a female 24-27 April 2004 (KMR; ph. NAB 58:420), a male 15 October 2005-18
February 2006, and a female 24-28 October 2007 (JFK; ph.). This species was first
recorded in Alaska at Barrow 25 June 1942 (Bailey 1948). It has since been found only
in southeast Alaska, where it is a casual migrant and winter visitant. It is an uncommon
local resident along the nearby coast of northern mainland BC (Campbell et al. 2001).

Quiscalus quiscula ( versicolor ). Common Grackle. Casual. Two records of
Bronzed Grackles at Ketchikan feeders: single males 20 May 2002 (JFK, video) and
20 November 2005-18 March 2006 (JFK; ph.). This species is a casual migrant and
summer visitant to Alaska, and there are only seven prior records for the state (Kessel
and Gibson 1978, Tobish 1995). It breeds as close as northeastern BC (Campbell et
al. 2001) but has recently expanded its breeding range west of the Rocky Mountains
(Peer and Bollinger 1997) and has occurred with increasing frequency in the Pacific
Northwest (see Marshall et al. 2003).

Molothrus ater ( artemisiae ). Brown-headed Cowbird. Rare migrant. We have ob-
served this species in spring principally from mid-May to mid-June (earliest, 30 April
2008, JFK; latest 19 June 1998, MB) and in fall from 27 July (2008; KMR) to 18
October (2005). It generally occurs singly; maximum, four at Saxman 5 September
1998 (TLG). The Brown-headed Cowbird is also a rare probable breeder and casual
winter visitant in southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Alaska specimens have
all been identified as subspecies artemisiae (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Icterus spurius ( spurius ). Orchard Oriole. Casual. One record: an immature at
Mountain Point, near Ketchikan, 18 October 2002 provided the first Alaska record
(ph. NAB 57:104; Gibson et al. 2003). Subspecies spurius breeds over most of the
species’ range (Scharf and Kren 1996), but it breeds no closer to Alaska than south-
eastern Saskatchewan. It is a casual or rare migrant to the western United States and
BC (AOU 1998, Campbell et al. 2001, Marshall et al. 2003).

Icterus bullockii. Bullock’s Oriole. Casual; at least two records. An adult male
visited a hummingbird feeder at Ketchikan 25-26 April 1996 (PMe); that bird, or
another, was observed for several days at a different location in late June 1996 (TLG).
An immature at Ketchikan 2 September 2003 provided our only other record. This
species breeds north to southern BC (Campbell et al. 2001) and is a casual spring
and fall visitant to Alaska (Gibson et al. 2008). We follow Patten et al. (2003) in
maintaining this species as monotypic.

Eringilla montifringilla. Brambling. Casual. Two records: single birds at Ketchikan
23 November 1985-March 1986 (REW; AB 40:156) and 14 November 1990 (ph.).
This Eurasian species is a regular migrant in the western Aleutian Islands (Gibson and
Byrd 2007) but is a casual migrant and winter visitant to southeast Alaska.

123

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 24. This hatching-year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Ketchikan was one
of three present 3-18 October 2005 (shown here 4 October 2005); there were only
five prior Alaska records.

Photo by S. C. HeinI

Leucosticte tephrocotis (littoralis). Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. Rare possible
breeder and casual winter visitant. Two summer records in the alpine zone near Ket-
chikan suggest possible breeding on Revillagigedo: a flock of five at 750 m near North
Bird Peak 27 August 1995 and three at 900 m on Mahoney Mountain 26 June 2005.
The northern portion of Revillagigedo has extensive alpine habitat to 1300 m, but it
has not been visited by ornithologists. One Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at Ketchikan 3
February 2001 provided our only winter record. Kessel and Gibson (1978) considered
this species to be a fairly common probable breeder and an uncommon to rare local
winter visitant in southeast Alaska, with most records from northern section of the
region. Birds that we have seen closely were gray-cheeked L. t. littoralis , which breeds
from central Alaska south through southeast Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak. Uncommon resident. This species is observed
primarily above 150 m elevation, in open coniferous woods, at the edges of clearcuts,
and in open subalpine habitat, e.g., above Margaret Lake (singing male 18 June 1998),
upper Traitors Creek (up to two 9-27 June 1995), Deer Mountain summit (four on 18
June 1995), Lower Silvas Lake (three singing males 15 July 1993), Harriet Hunt Lake
(five, including singing males, 15 July 1994), and Brown Mountain (six, including singing
males, 15 June 2002). It is less frequently observed near sea level. Swarth (1911) found
a singing male at Portage Cove on 3 July 1909, and small flocks are occasionally found
feeding on mountain ash berries in residential Ketchikan, particularly during the winter
(maximum, 70 on 23 December 1993, including one flock of 35 birds). An adult carry-
ing food 12 June 2005 and three recently fledged birds at Harriet Hunt Lake 27 July
2000 provide our only breeding evidence to date. A specimen salvaged at Ketchikan

124

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Figure 25. Western Meadowlark at Ketchikan 12 February 2006. This species is a
casual fall and winter visitant to Alaska, and the Ketchikan area accounts for more
than half the state records.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

20 October 1995 represents the only Alaska record of P. e. carlottae (RS, UAM 6758;
Gibson and Kessel 1997), from the Queen Charlotte Islands, BC. All other Ketchikan
specimens (seven UAM and one LACM) are P. e. flammula, the resident race in coastal
Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Gibson and Kessel 1997).

Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. Purple Finch. Very rare fall migrant and winter
visitant; casual spring migrant. There are at least 18 records at Ketchikan feeders
between 30 October (2002) and mid-April (1987). The species usually occurs singly;
maxima, a flock of 11 most of March 1984 (two UAM specimens; Gibson and Kes-
sel 1992) and a flock of six from late January to mid-April 1987 (Gibson and Kessel
1992). Single birds at Ketchikan 6 May 2000 (JFK) and the Naha River 13 May
1999 provided the only spring records. This species is casual elsewhere in Alaska
(Gibson and Kessel 1992) and is very rare on the coast of northern BC (Campbell et
al. 2001). Nominate C. p. purpureus breeds as close as northern and central BC,
while C. p. californicus (undocumented in Alaska) breeds north to southwestern BC
(AOU 1957, Campbell et al. 2001).

Carpodacus mexicanus (frontalis ). House Finch. Casual. Five Ketchikan records:
single males, 11 July 1994, 11 June 2001, and 2 July 2002 (ph.), a pair 24 May-early

125

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

June 2004 (CAM; ph. NAB 58:420), and a female 7 May 2005 (ph.; Figure 26). A
female at Haines 12 July 1991 provided the first Alaska record (AB 45:1151). Single
birds have also been found at Hyder, 1-2 June 1996 (specimen UAM 6934, Gibson
and Kessel 1997) and 18 June 2004 (male, NAB 58:585), and at Valdez, 23-24 May
2005 (female, ph. NAB 59:481). Over the past 70 years this species expanded its
range north into southern BC, where it is now common (Campbell et al. 2001).

Loxia curvirostra minor. Red Crossbill. Common resident and breeder. Although
this species is found year round in mature spruce-hemlock forest, numbers fluctuate
from season to season and from year to year. An adult female observed feeding two
recently fledged young 2 July 1991 is our only breeding evidence. The breeding race
in southeast Alaska is L. c. minor (Kessel and Gibson 1997; one UAM specimen).

Loxia leucoptera ( leucoptera ). White-winged Crossbill. Uncommon, irregular visi-
tant. We have encountered this species infrequently in the Ketchikan area, primarily
in fall and winter (maximum, 40 on 6 November 1995). We have found single birds
during the summer at Annette (4 June 1987, MEI), Traitors Creek (23 July 1996),
and Talbot Lake (singing male, 23 June 2000) but have no breeding evidence for the
area. This species is very rare in coastal BC (Campbell et al. 2001).

Carduelis flammea (flammea). Common Redpoll. Very rare winter visitant. Isleib
found several flocks of 500 birds at Ketchikan 29 November 1984 (AB 39:92). We
have found this species in only six of 18 winters, usually only one to three birds.
Larger numbers were present with flocks of Pine Siskins (C. pin us) from 24 January
to 4 March 2002 (maximum, 13 on 21 February), 4 December 2004 to 27 February
2005 (maximum, 31 on 10 February 2005), and 5 December 2007 to 17 March
2008 (maximum, 35 on 3 March 2008).

Carduelis pinus ( pinus ). Pine Siskin. Common resident and breeder. This spe-

Figure 26. House Finch at Ketchikan 7 May 2005. This species has only recently
been found in Alaska, and the Ketchikan area accounts for more than half the state
records.

Photo by S. C. Heinl

126

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

cies is present year round in coniferous habitat at all elevations, although numbers
fluctuate from season to season and from year to year. It is occasionally found in
very large flocks, particularly from fall through spring (e.g., single flocks of 350 on 4
November 1993 and 500 on 30 December 2001). Our breeding evidence includes
one collecting nest material (dog fur) 4 April 2008, a male feeding sunflower seed to
a female (female fluttered wings continuously while being fed) 5 April 2008, and an
adult tending just-fledged young 26 June 2005.

Carduelis tristis. American Goldfinch. Casual. One adult male photographed at a
feeder near Ketchikan 18-20 June 1991 provided the first documented Alaska record
(Gibson and Kessel 1992). Subspecies C. t. pallida breeds as close as southern interior
BC, C. t. jewetti as close as southwestern BC (Godfrey 1986).

Coccothraustes vespertinus brooksi. Evening Grosbeak. Casual. Five Ketchikan
records: two at a feeder 15 November 1972, followed by a flock of up to 50 that
remained through 2 April 1973 (specimen UAM 2545, female, Kessel and Gibson
1978); one female 7 February-1 April 1990 (JP); one female 3 November 1997;
one male 17 October 2004; one female 10 May 2008 (ph. JHL). This species is a
rare to uncommon migrant and casual winter visitant on the northern coast of BC
(Campbell et al. 2001).

Passer domesticus ( domesticus ). House Sparrow. Casual. Five fall and winter
records at Ketchikan: a male 26 October 1996 (ph.), a pair observed intermittently
at a feeder 2 December 2001-1 May 2002 (ph.), a female at a feeder 26 October
2002, a pair at a feeder 29 October-9 December 2002 (JFK; ph.), and a female at a
feeder 2 October 2004 (ph.). A female collected at Petersburg 23 October 1987 (UAM
5448) provided the first Alaska specimen (Gibson and Kessel 1992) and the only other
southeast Alaska record. This species has been recorded at all seasons on the adja-
cent BC coast at Prince Rupert (CBC average 30 per year, 1993-2002) and Stewart
(maximum, six on 2 March 1996 and 30 June 1974; Campbell et al. 2001).

DISCUSSION

A total of 260 species of birds, representing 52 families in 18 orders, had
been recorded in the Ketchikan area as of 31 July 2008. Of these, 37 (14%)
are present year round, 58 (22%) occur primarily in migration, 32 (12%) are
primarily summer visitants, 32 (12%) are primarily winter visitants, and 101
(39%) species are of less than annual occurrence. Seventy species have been
confirmed as breeders or probable breeders, and another 10 species are pos-
sible breeders. The Bald Eagle, Rufous Hummingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher,
Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned
Kinglet, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, Townsend’s
Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin are among the
characteristic breeding species in the Ketchikan area and are frequently cited
as the most widespread or abundant species in bird-community surveys and
habitat-use studies in the Alexander Archipelago (see Kessler and Kogut
1985, Dellasala et al. 1996, Smith et al. 2001, Andres et al. 2004). Other
regularly occuring species that typify the temperate coniferous forest include
the Sooty Grouse, Marbled Murrelet, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Steller’s Jay,
Northwestern Crow, and Brown Creeper (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Swarth (1911, 1936) proposed that the breeding avifauna of southeast
Alaska is of southern derivation and strongly distinct from the breeding avi-
fauna to the east of the Coast Mountains, where the interior environment

127

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

is much colder and drier. Swarth (1936) went on to suggest that southeast
Alaska was colonized by birds moving north along the coast following the
retreat of glacial ice into the Coast Mountains at the end of the Pleistocene
and that the ice-bound Coast Mountains blocked the movement of birds west
into southeast Alaska until only recently. Recent archaeological and molecu-
lar studies, however, suggest that unglaciated refugia existed along the outer
coast and colonization of the region was almost certainly more complicated
than Swarth could have realized; e.g., see Dickerman and Gustafson (1996),
MacDonald and Cook (1996), and Cook et al. (2006).

Many of the landbirds found in southeast Alaska are the same or closely
related to species ranging along the coast farther south (Swarth 1911). Twelve
taxa that breed in the Ketchikan area nest only along the coast of southeast
Alaska and BC, most of them dark races characteristic of the humid coastal
region. The breeding distribution of the Canada Goose ( Branta canadensis
fulva), Sooty Grouse ( Dendragapus fuliginosus sitkensis ), Northern Gos-
hawk ( Accipiter gentilis laingi ), Red-tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis alas-
censis ), Merlin ( Falco columbarius suckleyi), Hairy Woodpecker ( Picoides
uillosus sitkensis ), Steller’s Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri; also north to
Prince William Sound), Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus calendula grinnelli),
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus nanus), Fox Sparrow ( Passerella iliaca
townsendi), Lincoln’s Sparrow ( Melospiza lincolnii gracilis; also north to
Prince William Sound), and Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis oreganus ) are
all limited to this narrow coastal strip. The subspecific identity of the Winter
Wren that resides in the Ketchikan area is unresolved (Robert W. Dickerman
in Gibson and Kessel 1997:70), but that species almost certainly fits into this
category as well. Another 10 taxa that breed in the Ketchikan area can be
considered of Pacific Northwest origin: the Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias
fannini), Sharp-shinned Hawk ( Accipiter striatus perobscurus), Western
Screech-Owl ( Megascops kennicottii kennicottii), Red-breasted Sapsucker
( Sphyrapicus ruber ruber), Northwestern Crow, Brown Creeper ( Certhia
americana occidentalis ), Golden-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus satrapa oliva-
ceus), Swainson’s Thrush ( Catharus ustulatus ustulatus), American Robin
{Turdus migratorius caurinus), and Varied Thrush ( Ixoreus naeuius naeuius);
all range from south-coastal Alaska to western Washington, western Oregon,
or northwestern California. Eight additional taxa with broader western ranges
reach or approach the northern limit of their range in southeast Alaska: the
Band-tailed Pigeon, Vaux’s Swift, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker (Co-
laptes auratus cafer), Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Chestnut-backed Chickadee,
Orange-crowned Warbler ( Vermivora celata lutescens; also north to Cook
Inlet area), and Yellow-rumped Warbler ( Dendroica coronata auduboni).

As a result of its location on the inner islands of the Alexander Archipelago,
the avifauna of the Ketchikan area includes elements of both the open marine
environment along the outer coast to the west and mainland river habitats
to the east. Three large mainland rivers (the Unuk, Chickamin, and Salmon)
support habitats of limited extent in the Ketchikan area, such as large tracts
of deciduous and mixed forest, particularly extensive stands of riparian cotton-
wood ( Populus balsamifera) and willow ( Salix spp.), deciduous shrublands,
freshwater marshes, extensive estuarine meadows, alluvial bars and islands,
and tide flats (Johnson et al. 2008). Consequently, many species associated

128

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

with mainland river habitats are completely absent or do not breed in the
Ketchikan area or islands to the west, such as the Ruffed Grouse ( Bonasa
umbellus), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Sora ( Porzana Caro-
line i), Arctic Tern ( Sterna paradisaea ), Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond’s
Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo ( Vireo cassinii), Magnolia Warbler ( Dendroica
magnolia), American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush ( Seiurus novebo-
racensis), Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird.
Johnson et al. (2008) documented 94 confirmed or probable breeding species
on the Alaska mainland immediately east of the Ketchikan area, in contrast
to the 70 confirmed and probable breeders in the Ketchikan area.

The southeast Alaska distribution of a small number of mainland species
extends to islands near the mouths of the mainland river systems, such as
Revillagigedo (Kessel and Gibson 1978). The Band-tailed Pigeon, Northern
Rough-winged Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, and Common Yellowthroat occur
in the Ketchikan area in abundance similar to that on the mainland. In our
experience, the Common Yellowthroat is present in nearly all suitable habitat
on Revillagigedo Island, and a report of eight birds at Prince of Wales 7 July
1995 (FN 49:965) suggests that this species may occur more regularly on
the outer islands than was previously known (cf. Kessel and Gibson 1978).
Other primarily mainland species have been found in the Ketchikan area
during the breeding season but in numbers much smaller than on the adjacent
mainland (Black Swift, Alder Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, and
MacGillivray’s Warbler). The limited available information from islands to the
west of Ketchikan suggests that the breeding ranges of many of these same
species (e.g., Band-tailed Pigeon, Black Swift, Alder Flycatcher, Warbling
Vireo, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and MacGillivray’s Warbler) do not
extend to the outer islands of the Alexander Archipelago (Gabrielson and
Lincoln 1959, Kessel and Gibson 1978, Kessler and Kogut 1985, Willett
unpublished data, and UAM unpublished data).

At least 12 species that breed in open marine environments along the
outer coast of the Alexander Archipelago west of Ketchikan do not breed on
the protected nearshore waters of the Ketchikan area but occur at other sea-
sons or as nonbreeding visitants: the Fork-tailed and Leach’s storm-petrels,
Pelagic Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, Black Oystercatcher, Herring Gull,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Murre, Ancient Murrelet, Cassin’s Auklet,
Rhinoceros Auklet (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959), and Brandt’s Cormorant
(Nelson et al. 1987). Three additional coastal breeding species have never
been recorded in the Ketchikan area: the Horned Puffin (Fratercula cor-
niculata), Tufted Puffin ( Fratercula cirrhata-, Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959),
and Parakeet Auklet ( Aethia psittacula; Jones et al. 2001). Migrant pelagic
species are quite rare in the Ketchikan area, and most of our few records
of the Sooty Shearwater, Northern Fulmar, Sabine’s Gull, Pomarine and
Long-tailed jaegers, and Red Phalarope were associated with storms.

The only species of landbird that breeds on the islands of the outer
archipelago west of the Ketchikan area but does not occur on the islands
and mainland to the east is the endemic Prince of Wales Spruce Grouse
(. Falcipennis canadensis isleibi), which is found only on Prince of Wales
and adjacent smaller islands (Dickerman and Gustafson 1996). An additional
subspecies of the Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodia rufina) is resident

129

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

on the outer islands, but it is replaced by M. m. inexspectata on the inner
islands and mainland, including the Ketchikan area.

Seasonal Movements by Birds

Spring Migration. Spring migration in the Ketchikan area begins as early
as late February or early March, peaks from mid-April to mid-May (in terms
of diversity and abundance), and ends in early June. With a few possible
exceptions, spring migrants arrive from the south, following the narrow
corridor along the coast of BC and southeast Alaska, west of the Coast
Mountains. Although tremendous numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, and
gulls migrate through the area, most are observed flying past rather than
staging in the area, with the exception of congregations of certain species
at herring spawning sites. Migrant passerines are particularly attracted to
disturbed areas along the Ketchikan and Metlakatla road systems, young
brushy clearcuts, and the edges of logging roads. Stormy weather at the
peak of migration can produce large fallouts of passerines and forces greater
numbers of shorebirds and waterfowl (other than the Surf Scoter) to fly at
lower altitude and possibly farther inshore (i.e. , closer to the Ketchikan area),
where they are more easily observed.

The American Robin is typically the first migrant to arrive, often as early
as late February. This species and the Varied Thrush and Fox Sparrow are
common by mid-to-late March and account for the vast majority of migrant
landbirds during the month, although small numbers of Ruby-crowned King-
lets and Rufous Hummingbirds often arrive near the end of March. Small
flocks of Trumpeter Swans are regularly observed flying north throughout
March. Gulls (e.g., Herring, Bonaparte’s, and California) begin to arrive
by mid-March, and Greater Yellowlegs and small numbers of raptors begin
moving through the area in late March.

A wide variety of migrants begins to pass through the area by the middle
of April. Large flocks of Canada Geese are observed daily moving north by
mid-April, and large flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese join them late
in the month and continue through early May. Surf Scoters move north in
large numbers beginning in April, and they are abundant in late April and
early May when a nearly constant stream of flocks of 50 to several hundred
birds moves north up Tongass Narrows, at Ketchikan. The main move-
ment of shorebirds occurs from late April through mid-May, and the largest
numbers of staging birds are found on the shallow bays and mud flats at
southwestern Annette. Gulls move north in a constant procession by mid-
April, with Bonaparte’s, Mew, Herring, Iceland, and Glaucous-winged being
the most common species. The diversity of migrant passerines increases
quickly beginning in mid-April, and migration peaks from late April through
mid-May. Most of the wintering waterfowl, loons, grebes, cormorants, and
alcids have either moved north or inland to interior breeding grounds or to
offshore breeding colonies by early May.

Spawning of the Pacific herring along the Pacific coast provides an im-
portant food source for many species of birds, particularly migrating gulls,
waterfowl, and shorebirds (Haegele 1993, Vermeer et al. 1997, Sullivan
et al. 2002, Lewis et al. 2007). The Ketchikan area supports major stocks

130

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

of spawning herring in lower west Behm Canal and Annette Island-upper
Revillagigedo Channel. From 1991 to 2008, estimates of the herring spawn
in west Behm Canal made by Alaska Department of Fish & Game biologists
ranged from 2.8 to 25.6 nautical miles (mean 13.8 nautical miles; S. B.
Walker, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, pers. comm.). Most spawning
takes place in April but continues to be a productive source of food into
early May, when some of our maximum counts of birds have been made.
Thousands of gulls converge on areas of major spawn, with Bonaparte’s,
Mew, Herring, Glaucous-winged, and Iceland gulls accounting for the vast
majority. The Surf Scoter is the most conspicuous species of waterfowl at
these sites, sometimes massing in single flocks exceeding 10,000 birds. A
variety of other ducks is usually found amid the spectacle of gulls and scoters,
and some of our largest counts of Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, and
Greater Scaup were also made where herring were spawning.

A small group of species, including the Vaux’s Swift, Pacific-slope Fly-
catcher, Yellow Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat, arrives in the Ketchikan
area during the second half of May. The Swainson’s Thrush arrives late in
the month and quickly becomes common throughout the area. The Cedar
Waxwing is the latest regularly observed breeding species to arrive in the
area, and the first arrivals are typically noted after 1 June.

Fall Migration. Compared to spring migration, fall migration is protracted.
The main movement of birds takes place from August to October, although
some species begin moving south as early as June and small numbers of
late migrants linger well into November and even December in some years.
We do not typically observe large numbers of waterfowl (particularly geese)
flying over the area as we do in spring, partly because in fall populations
of some species fly across the Gulf of Alaska and largely bypass southeast
Alaska (Campbell et al. 1990a, Dau 1992, Austin and Miller 1995, Gill
et al. 1996). Landbirds are able to disperse over inland and high-elevation
habitats that are often covered with snow and inaccessible through much of
spring migration. Thus, in fall, migrants are generally encountered in num-
bers smaller than in spring, and stormy weather produces smaller fallouts of
birds. Migrants are again found primarily near salt-water shores once colder
weather approaches in late October and November.

Fall migration commences in June, when male Rufous Hummingbirds
depart the area. Adult shorebirds move through the area as early as late
June, and the peak movement is toward the end of July. Juvenile shorebirds
arrive in late July, and their migration peaks in mid- and late August. Gull
migration begins in late July and peaks from mid-August to early October,
at which time flocks of thousands congregate to feed on salmon carcasses
and eggs at the numerous salmon spawning streams throughout the area and
near fish processors in Ketchikan. Waterfowl move through the Ketchikan
area from August to mid-November (again, however, we do not typically
see large numbers flying over the area in autumn). The main movement of
primarily insectivorous species (e.g., swifts, flycatchers, swallows, Swainson’s
Thrush, and warblers) takes place from early August to mid-September, and
most depart the area by late September. A small number of warblers lingers
into late fall and, very rarely, early winter. Most sparrows move through
the area from mid-August through November, and small numbers regularly

131

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

linger into the winter. Many of the loons, cormorants, grebes, alcids, and
waterfowl that winter in the area begin to return in early September, although
some species typically do not arrive until after mid-October (e.g. , Bufflehead,
Common Goldeneye).

Late fall is the best time of year for finding rarities in the Ketchikan area:
64% of all our records of passerines of casual occurrence in Alaska (see
Checklist of Alaska Birds atwww.uaf.edu/museum/bird/products/checklist.
pdf) were from October, November, and December. Late migrants tend to
be concentrated in disturbed habitats and residential areas at a time when
there are relatively fewer migrants around, making them easier to find. Fall
records of casual species originate from several regions outside of Alaska,
partly a result of the many hatching-year birds performing their first au-
tumn migration. The proximate origins of fall vagrants to the Ketchikan
area include the West (Anna’s Hummingbird, Western Kingbird, Western
Meadowlark, Bullock’s Oriole), Southeast (Prairie Warbler, Orchard Oriole),
East (Palm Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Clay-colored Sparrow, Purple
Finch [nominate purpureus]), and Asia-western Alaska (Black-tailed Gull,
Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Red-throated Pipit). Several species
casual in the Ketchikan area regularly disperse northward along the Pacific
coast in the fall (Brown Pelican, Heermann’s Gull, Cattle Egret, Tropical
Kingbird). In contrast, the majority of records (85%) of casual species found
in the Ketchikan area during the spring represent spring overshoots that
originated from the south or southeast (e.g., Turkey Vulture, Least Flycatcher,
Chestnut-sided Warbler, House Finch, American Goldfinch).

Winter. From December through February most of the Ketchikan area’s
bird life can be found on or near salt water. Many species of loons, cormo-
rants, grebes, alcids, and waterfowl spend the winter in the area. Some of
the more common species that winter on protected inshore waters near Ket-
chikan include the Canada Goose, Mallard, Surf and White-winged scoters,
Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common and Barrow’s goldeneyes, Common
and Red-breasted mergansers, Pacific and Common loons, Red-necked and
Western grebes, Pelagic and Double-crested cormorants, Common Murre,
and Marbled Murrelet. Glaucous-winged, Mew, and Iceland gulls make up the
vast majority of wintering gulls in the area, and they often feed in large flocks
behind the fish processors at Ketchikan. The Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Rock
Sandpiper, and occasionally Dunlin frequent the numerous rocky shores and
are the only shorebirds present in numbers during the winter.

A few species of waterbirds regularly occur in great abundance in the
Ketchikan area during the winter. Long-tailed Ducks regularly congregate
along the Ketchikan waterfront, and our recent winter counts have often
reached 1000 birds (maximum, 1400 from 9 to 19 February 2001). Flocks
of up to 100 Barrow’s Goldeneyes are widespread along the area’s protected
rocky shores each winter, as illustrated by our count of 875 in 47-km-long
Carroll Inlet on 7 February 2003. In the winters of 1992, 1995, 2000, and
2008, exceptionally large flocks of Pacific Loons congregated in areas with
abundant bait fish (likely Pacific herring), including a single flock of 1400
birds on the Ketchikan waterfront 21 January 2008. The Western Grebe
reaches the northernmost edge of its range in southern southeast Alaska
(Kessel and Gibson 1978), but relatively large flocks are found each winter

132

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

at several favored wintering sites in the Ketchikan area (maximum, 1100
at the mouth of Carroll Inlet 4 March 2004, 635 there 11 April 2003, and
410 at Totem Bight 14 February 1992).

The Common Murre and Marbled Murrelet are two of the most frequently
observed waterbirds during the winter months, and large congregations of-
ten form at concentrations of feed. Clover Passage consistently hosts large
numbers of these two species during the winter, and we have been able to
survey this body of water regularly because of its location on the Ketchikan
road system. We have counted >1000 Marbled Murrelets in Clover Passage
in nine different winters since 1990, with a maximum estimate of 4000
birds on 3 January 1994 (on which date we also counted 470 Common
Murres). Our maximum count of Common Murres at Clover Passage was
1200 on 8 February 1998 (on which date we also counted 1350 Marbled
Murrelets). We have also observed these species in large concentrations in
Nichols Passage, including estimates of 500 Marbled Murrelets on several
occasions and 3500 Common Murres on 28 December 2002.

Landbirds are noticeably scarce away from the vicinity of salt water
during the winter. Most wintering landbirds are residents (87%), and only
a handful of species are encountered in large numbers. The Common
Raven, Northwestern Crow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Varied Thrush, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin are
the most frequently encountered passerines away from feeders during the
winter. The abundance of Pine Siskins and Red Crossbills fluctuates from
year to year, but even in off years there are usually small numbers present.
The most regularly occurring species at feeders during the winter are the
Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Varied Thrush,
Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Pine Siskin. The Dark-eyed Junco
is by far the most common species at feeders, except in years when Pine
Siskins are abundant. The small and variable number of Golden-crowned,
White-crowned, and Fox sparrows that linger into the winter is primarily
associated with feeders. Away from feeders, the woods can seem devoid of
bird life during the winter.

CHANGES IN HABITAT

In the late 1800s, at nearby Sitka, Joseph Grinnell (1898) found heavy
forests covering nearly all of the land below tree line, and he observed small
landbirds most frequently in the narrow strips of deciduous vegetation and
adjacent timber that grew along the shores and near stream mouths. He
went on to say, “the dark mossy forests but a few rods back from the coast
are almost destitute of bird life.” Swarth (1911) met with only small numbers
of migrant passerines during his work in the Alexander Archipelago in April
and May 1909, which led him to conclude that the islands of the archipelago
“do not lie in the main migration route of the birds of the Pacific coast.” Hu-
man disturbance of the landscape in southeast Alaska is far more extensive
today than in the time of Grinnell and Swarth. Disturbed habitats, including
brushy areas, ornamental plantings, grassy road edges, ball fields, and parks,
found along the Ketchikan and Metlakatla road systems, as well as brushy
areas along logging roads and in clearcuts, provide an oasis amid the unbro-

133

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

ken sea of coniferous forest and muskeg habitats that dominate southeast
Alaska. Migrants (particularly the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin,
Varied Thrush, Orange-crowned and Yellow warblers, and Savannah, Fox,
and Golden-crowned sparrows) are often concentrated in large numbers in
these disturbed areas, particularly during periods of inclement weather, and
are more dispersed and appear to be less numerous in natural habitats.

One of the greatest changes to take place in southeast Alaska since orni-
thologists first explored the area is the widespread logging of forested lands and
the associated building of roads. The coniferous forests of southeast Alaska
have been managed intensively for timber production since the 1950s (Harris
and Farr 1974), and clearcuts of varying age are common in the Ketchikan
area. Clearcuts fill rapidly with a dense growth of deciduous and coniferous
shrubs (Alaback 1982), creating temporary conditions suitable for species that
prefer to nest in the succession of shrub habitats, such as the Orange-crowned
and Wilson’s warblers, Fox Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco (Kessler and Kogut
1985, Dellasala et al. 1996), as well as for a variety of migratory species.
Over time, coniferous trees begin to dominate older clearcuts, and the shrub
understory is virtually eliminated once the forest canopy closes after 25-35
years (Alaback 1982). A large area of forest in the vicinity of Talbot Lake,
near Ketchikan, was cut in 1979 and 1980. Fox Sparrows were numerous in
these clearcuts when we first visited this area in the early 1990s, and several
species that are rare in the Ketchikan area occurred nearly annually (e.g.,
Alder Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and MacGillivray’s Warbler). By 2005, the
dense second growth in this area had reached heights of 30 feet or more;
of those successional species, only the Warbling Vireo remained, and it used
second-growth alder forest along the logging road. Second-growth coniferous
forests support a less diverse fauna than old-growth forests (Kessler and Kogut
1985, Schoen et al. 1988, Dellasala et al. 1996) and are of particularly less
value to animals that depend on high-volume old-growth forest for winter
habitat and forage (Kirchhoff and Schoen 1987). More than 140 years are
required for the canopy to open up and for shrub understory to reestablish
itself in second-growth forests in southeast Alaska (Alaback 1982).

A large portion of the species that we have documented in the Ketchikan
area occurred less than annually (39%). Our finding them is almost certainly
a result of the concentrating effect of disturbed habitat and residential bird
feeders. All of the 28 passerine species considered casual or accidental in
Alaska that we have found in the Ketchikan area were found in human-
disturbed sites. (Of these 28 species, only the Swamp Sparrow has also
been found in natural habitat.) As an example of this effect, between 2002
and 2005 we found eight species of very rare or casual occurrence in the
Ketchikan area in an overgrown vacant lot that had been cleared for a
shoreline housing development at Mountain Point: a Western Kingbird, a
Nashville Warbler (fifth Alaska report), a Palm Warbler, two Swamp Spar-
rows, two White-throated Sparrows, a Western Meadowlark, an Orchard
Oriole (first Alaska record), and a Bullock’s Oriole (third Alaska report). An
additional 14 passerine species that we consider casual in the Ketchikan area
but which are found more regularly elsewhere in Alaska were also observed
in disturbed habitats. Along the Ketchikan road system, bird feeders help to
concentrate birds further, particularly during the late fall and winter when

134

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

overall numbers of passerines are very low. During the winter, overwintering
sparrows, with the exception of the Song Sparrow, are almost exclusively
associated with feeders.

CHANGES IN STATUS

Kessel and Gibson (1994) described the range expansion of eight North
American species into Alaska in the 20 th century, including five species that
now occur regularly in the Ketchikan area: the Caspian Tern, Band-tailed
Pigeon, Barred Owl, Anna’s Hummingbird, and European Starling. The
status of three of these, the Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna’s Hummingbird, and
European Starling, is more or less the same now as previously described by
Kessel and Gibson (1978). The expanding population and shifting breed-
ing distribution of the Caspian Tern along the Pacific Coast has been well
documented (Suryan et al. 2004), and, following the first Alaska record at
Ketchikan in 1981, we now see small numbers regularly at Ketchikan as the
terns move north and south through southeast Alaska. The Barred Owl was
first found in Alaska in 1977 (Kessel and Gibson 1978, Gibson and Kessel
1992), and Kessel and Gibson (1994) summarized its status as “a scarce
but conspicuous resident the length of the Southeastern Alaska mainland.”
In our experience, this species is now much more numerous, and we have
found Barred Owls in nearly every drainage that we’ve visited, not just in
the Ketchikan area as we report here, but also at several places on the
mainland to the east (McDonald Lake, Unuk River, Hugh Smith Lake) and
several locations the length of Prince of Wales Island to the west (Salmon
Bay, Salmon, and Hetta lakes), where breeding was also documented in
1995 (downy bird found 1 July 1995; FN 49:965).

Five additional species with marginal status in southeast Alaska are worth
mentioning. The Wood Duck was known in Alaska from only two records
prior to the 1980s (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Breeding and overwintering
populations of Wood Ducks in southern BC and Washington increased
in the 1970s and 1980s in a strong response to nest-box programs and
winter feeding stations (Campbell et al. 1990a, Wahl et al. 2005), and in
the 1990s the breeding range appeared to be expanding northward into
central BC (Hepp and Bellrose 1995). This duck has recently been found
nearly annually in fall, winter, and spring in southeast Alaska, with at least
22 records since 1987 (17 records in the past 10 years, including seven
at Ketchikan). Many records involved multiple birds. Single females were
also found in June 2000 at the Taku and Chilkat rivers, areas that support
extensive potential nesting habitat (Johnson et al. 2008).

Perhaps it was inevitable that the Eurasian Collared-Dove, which spread
quickly across North America over the past two decades (Smith 1987,
Romagosa 2002; see also Hamilton et al. 2007), would also reach Alaska.
Initial Alaska reports in 2006 were followed by reports from at least seven
locations in southeast Alaska, between Ketchikan and Yakutat, in 2007.
Only one was reported in Alaska in 2008 (at Ketchikan). Whether or not
this species increases its presence in Alaska remains to be seen. Similarly,
the House Finch and House Sparrow have both been found in the Ketchikan
area more frequently in the past decade, and more than half of the Alaska

135

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

records of these species are from the Ketchikan area.

Finally, one species that appears to have declined in occurrence as a
casual visitant is the Cattle Egret (nominate Bubulcus ibis ibis). This spe-
cies expanded its range into the Pacific Northwest in the 1960s and 1970s
(Campbell et al. 1990a, Gilligan et al. 1994, Wahl et al. 2005), occurring
primarily as a post-breeding visitant between November and February (Gil-
ligan et al. 1994, Wahl et al. 2005). It has been found in Alaska only in the
southeast and only in the fall, first at Ketchikan in 1981 (four birds; Gibson
and Kessel 1992), followed by additional southeast Alaska sightings in 1984
(3), 1986 (1), 1989 (1), 1992 (4), and 1993 (2). Both Wahl et al. (2005) and
Harris (2005) reported a decline in the northward postbreeding dispersal of
this species starting in the mid-1980s, and there has been only one report of
nominate ibis in Alaska in the past 15 years (one at Ketchikan in 1998).

The status of some species of gulls at Ketchikan has recently changed as
a result of the modification of waste-management and fish-processing prac-
tices. The open-pit landfill at the Ketchikan dump formerly attracted large
numbers of gulls throughout the fall and winter, and fish-processing waste
on the Ketchikan waterfront attracted large numbers of migrating gulls from
July through September (Heinl 1997). Since 1995, Ketchikan’s food waste
has been shipped south for disposal, and as a result many fewer large gulls
winter at Ketchikan. The number of large gulls reported annually on the
Ketchikan Christmas Bird Count declined from an average of 4000 birds
prior to 1995 to fewer than 1400 since, and we have found three rarer
species, the Western, Slaty-backed, and Glaucous, much less frequently (e.g.,
we found 16 Slaty-backed Gulls at Ketchikan between 1990 and 1995 but
only seven additional birds in the 12 years since).

In 2007, fish processors at Ketchikan began converting their fish waste
into fish oil and other products and are pumping much less waste into
Tongass Narrows during the summer salmon-fishing season. The number
of early-migrating gulls (particularly the Mew, California, and Ring-billed)
staging at the Ketchikan waterfront declined from many thousands per day
(e.g., 9300+ on 28 August 2001) to only several hundred per day in 2007
and 2008. The Franklin’s Gull was a nearly annual fall visitant at Ketchikan,
but we are unlikely to find this species as often in the future without the
attraction of fish-processing waste.

The changes in food resources available to gulls at Ketchikan has pre-
sumably resulted in a redistribution of migrating and wintering gulls away
from the city of Ketchikan, rather than a true change in abundance. Gulls
continue to exploit other food sources in remote areas where they are less
easily observed, particularly at salmon spawning streams, which provide an
important source of food during the fall migration (Isleib and Kessel 1989,
Christie and Reimchen 2005). While we now see fewer Slaty-backed Gulls
at Ketchikan, this species continues to be found elsewhere along the south
coast of Alaska (e.g., Kodiak, Juneau, and Sitka) and, increasingly, along the
Pacific coast south of Ketchikan (Wahl et al. 2005, Hamilton et al. 2007).

Much is yet to be learned about the birds of southeast Alaska, and large
expanses of remote country have seldom or never been visited by ornitholo-
gists or birders. There remains a lack of published, comprehensive treatments
of the avifauna of southeast Alaska outside the Ketchikan area. Prince of

136

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Wales, in particular, has been little covered since George Willett resided in
the Craig area nearly 100 years ago. Other areas of southeast Alaska are
known to have species assemblages slightly different from that of the Ketchi-
kan area as a result of different habitat and location, particularly with respect
to proximity to the mainland and its major river corridors. Increased cover-
age and publication from elsewhere in southeast Alaska will help clarify the
movements and distribution of birds in the region. Among the many specific
topics that deserve further study in southeast Alaska are the determination
of the subspecific identity and status of the Sandhill Cranes that nest in the
southern Alexander Archipelago (which almost certainly merit conservation
interest) and clarification of the relationship of southeast Alaska Sooty Grouse
{Dendragapus fuliginosus sitkensis) to Sooty Grouse that reside on the coast
south of the Ketchikan area and to the Dusky Grouse of the interior.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the following people for sharing their significant observations and in-
formation: Mike Brown, Craig J. Flatten, Cheryl A. Fultz, Teri L. Goucher, Amy B.
Holm, Tom Hunt, Pat Hunt, Jerrold F. Koerner, Ken E. Mix, Joe E. Piston, Jeanie
Pontti, and Mike A. Wood. We thank Jim H. Lewis for permitting us to use his
photograph of a Cedar Waxwing nest. Kathy Tighe provided access to unpublished
information on file at the USFS Ketchikan Ranger District office. Kimball Garrett,
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, kindly provided us with a copy of
George Willett’s personal Alaska field notes and photographs and measurements of
Willett’s specimen of Thayer’s Gull from the Ketchikan area; Garrett also provided a
list of all of Willett’s Alaska specimens to the University of Alaska Museum. Douglas
J. Long, California Academy of Sciences, provided us with photographs and mea-
surements of a Cackling Goose specimen from southeast Alaska. Zachary Meyers at
the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Herbarium provided us with information on the
current taxonomy of Alaska flora. Our manuscript was greatly improved through the
thoughtful reviews of Thede Tobish and Kimball Garrett and, especially, the painstak-
ing editing and final review by Philip Unitt. Publication of this manuscript was made
possible through the generous contributions of the Arctic Audubon Society, Robert H.
Armstrong, A1 DeMartini, Jon L. Dunn, Friends of Ornithology of the University of
Alaska Museum, Juneau Audubon Society, David J. Krueper, Richard A. Macintosh,
Pat Pourchot, Patricia A. Rose, Jeffrey F. Sauer, Robert L. Scher, Mark W. Schwan,
Stanley E. Senner, David W. Sonneborn, Paul M. Suchanek, Gus B. van Vliet, and
Kevin Winker. Finally, and in particular, we wish to thank Daniel D. Gibson, University
of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, for providing access to specimens and unpublished data
at the museum, and for his generous and enthusiastic help with advice and reviews
in the preparation of this manuscript. We cannot thank Dan enough for his support
and encouragement.

LITERATURE CITED

Agler, B. A., Kendall, S. J., and Irons, D. B. 1998. Abundance and distribution of
Marbled and Kittlitz’s Murrelets in southcentral and southeast Alaska. Condor
100:254-265.

Alaback, P. B. 1982. Dynamics of understory biomass in Sitka spruce-western hem-
lock forests of southeast Alaska. Ecology 63:1932-1948.

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1957. Check-list of North American Birds,
5th ed. Am. Ornithol. Union, Baltimore.

137

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1973. Thirty-second supplement to the
American Ornithologists’ Union check-list of North American birds. Auk
90:411-419.

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1983. Check-list of North American Birds,
6th ed. Am. Ornithol. Union, Lawrence, KS.

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American Birds,
7th ed. Am. Ornithol. Union, Lawrence, KS.

Andres, B. A., and Browne, B. T. 1998. Spring migration of shorebirds on the Yakutat
forelands, Alaska. Wilson Bull. 110:326-331.

Andres, B. A., Stotts, M. J., and Stotts, J. M. 2004. Breeding birds of research natural
areas in southeastern Alaska. Northwest Naturalist 85:95-103.

Austin, J. E., and Miller, M. R. 1995. Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta), in The Birds
of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 163. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila-
delphia.

Badyaev, A. V., Gibson, D. D., and Kessel, B. 1996. White Wagtail ( Motacilla alba)
and Black-backed Wagtail ( Motacilla lugens), in the Birds of North America (A.
Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 236-237. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia.

Bailey, A. M. 1927. Notes on the birds of southeastern Alaska. Auk 44:184-205.

Bailey, A. M. 1948. Birds of arctic Alaska. Colorado Mus. Nat. Hist. Popular Ser. 8.

Banks, R. C., and Browning, M. R. 1999. Questions about Thayer’s Gull. Ont. Birds
17:124-130.

Banks, R. C., Cicero, C., Dunn, J. L., Kratter, A. W., Rasmussen, P. C., Remsen, J. V.,
Rising, J. D., and Stotz, D. F. 2004. Forty-fifth supplement to the American Or-
nithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 121:985-995.

Banks, R. C., Cicero, C., Dunn, J. L., Kratter, A. W., Rasmussen, P. C., Remsen, J. V.,
Rising, J. D., and Stotz, D. F. 2006. Forty-seventh supplement to the American
Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 123:926-936.

Benson, A.-M., Pogson, T. H., and Doyle, T. J. 2000. Updated geographic distribution
of eight passerine species in central Alaska. W. Birds 31:100-105.

Bishop, L. B. 1900. Descriptions of three new birds from Alaska. Auk 17:113-120.

Campbell, R. W., Dawe, N. K., McTaggart-Cowan, I., Cooper, J. M., Kaiser, G. W.,
and McNall, M. C. E. 1990a. The Birds of British Columbia, vol. 1. Royal British
Columbia Museum, Victoria, B.C.

Campbell, R. W., Dawe, N. K., McTaggart-Cowan, I., Cooper, J. M., Kaiser, G. W.,
and McNall, M. C. E. 1990b. The Birds of British Columbia, vol. 2. Royal British
Columbia Museum, Victoria, B.C.

Campbell, R. W., Dawe, N. K., McTaggart-Cowan, I., Cooper, J. M., Kaiser, G. W.,
McNall, M. C. E., and Smith, G. E. J. 1997. The Birds of British Columbia, vol.

3. Univ. Br. Columbia Press, Vancouver, B.C.

Campbell, R. W., Dawe, N. K., McTaggart-Cowan, I., Cooper, J. M., Kaiser, G. W.,
Stewart, A. C., and McNall, M. C. E. 2001. The Birds of British Columbia, vol.

4. Univ. Br. Columbia Press, Vancouver, B.C.

Chilton, G., Baker, M. C., Barrentine, C. D., and Cunningham, M. A. 1995. White-
crowned Sparrow [Zonotrichia leucophrys), in The Birds of North America (A.
Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 183. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia.

Christie, K. S., and Reimchen, T. E. 2005. Post-reproductive Pacific salmon, Onco-
rhynchus spp., as a major nutrient source for large aggregations of gulls, Larus
spp. Can. Field-Naturalist 119:202-207.

138

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Clowater, J. S. 1998. Distribution and foraging behaviour of wintering Western
Grebes. M.S. thesis, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C.

Cook, J. A., Dawson, N. G., and MacDonald, S. O. 2006. Conservation of highly
fragmented systems: the north temperate Alexander Archipelego. Biol. Cons.
133:1-15.

Dali, W. H., and Bannister, H. M. 1869. List of the birds of Alaska, with biographical
notes. Trans. Chicago Acad. Sci. 1, part 2:267-310.

Dau, C. P. 1992. The fall migration of Pacific Flyway Brent Branta bernicla in rela-
tion to climatic conditions. Wildfowl 43:80-95.

Davis, S. K., and Lanyon, W. E. 2008. Western Meadowlark ( Sturnella neglecta), in
The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
Ithaca, NY. http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/104.

Delacour, J. 1954. Waterfowl of the World, vol. 1. Country Life, London.

Dellasala, D. A., Hagar, J. C., Engel, K. A., McComb, W. C., Fairbanks, R. L., and
Campbell, E. G. 1996. Effects of silvicultural modifications of temperate rainforest
on breeding and wintering bird communities, Prince of Wales Island, southeast
Alaska. Condor 98:706-721.

Dickerman, R. W. 2005. Sagornis saga yukonensis is valid. W. Birds 36:329-330.

Dickerman, R. W., and Gustafson, J. 1996. The Prince of Wales Spruce Grouse: A
new subspecies from southeastern Alaska. W. Birds 27:41-47.

Dickerman, R. W., and Parkes, K. C. 1997. Taxa described by Allan R. Phillips,
1939-1994: A critical list, in The Era of Allan R. Phillips: A Festschrift (R. W.
Dickerman, ed.), pp. 211-234. Horizon Communications, Albuquerque.

Doyle, T. J. 1997. The Timberline Sparrow, Spizella ( breweri ) taverneri , in Alaska,
with notes on breeding habitat and vocalizations. W. Birds 28:1-12.

Drent, R. H. 1961. On the supposed nesting of the Rhinoceros Auklet near Met-
lakahtla, Alaska. Auk 78:257-258.

Dunn, J. L., and Garrett, K. L. 1997. A Field Guide to Warblers of North America.
Houghton Mifflin, Boston.

Dunn, J. L., Garrett, K. L., and Alderfer, J. K. 1995. White-crowned Sparrow sub-
species: Identification and distribution. Birding 27:182-200.

Flatten, C. J., Titus, K., and Lowell, R. 2001. Northern Goshawk monitoring, popula-
tion ecology, and diet on the Tongass National Forest. Annual monitoring report,
1 April 1991-30 September 2001. Alaska Dept. Fish and Game, Division of
Wildlife Conservation, Study SE-4-2-6.

Ford, C., and Brown, M. 1995. Unusual Marbled Murrelet nest. Wilson Bulletin
107:178-179.

Gabrielson, I. N. 1946. Trumpeter Swans in Alaska. Auk 63:102-103.

Gabrielson, I. N., and Lincoln, F. C. 1951. The races of Song Sparrows in Alaska.
Condor 53:250-255.

Gabrielson, I. N., and Lincoln, F. C. 1959. The Birds of Alaska. Stackpole, Har-
risburg, PA.

Gibson, D. D. 1984. The winter season. Alaska region. Am. Birds 38:348.

Gibson, D. D. 1986. The autumn migration. Alaska region. Am. Birds 40:156.

Gibson, D. D. 1990. Checklist of Alaska Birds, 7th ed. Univ. Alaska Mus., Fair-
banks.

139

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Gibson, D. D., and Byrd, G. V. 2007. Birds of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Series
in Ornithology No. 1.

Gibson, D. D., and Hogg, N. D. 1982. Direct recovery in Alaska of California-banded
Cattle Egret. Am. Birds 36:335.

Gibson, D. D., and Kessel, B. 1989. Geographic variation in the Marbled Godwit and
description of an Alaska subspecies. Condor 91:436-443.

Gibson, D. D., and Kessel, B. 1992. Seventy-four new avian taxa documented in
Alaska 1976-1991. Condor 94:454-467.

Gibson, D. D., and Kessel, B. 1997. Inventory of the species and subspecies of Alaska
birds. W. Birds 28:45-95.

Gibson, D. D., Heinl, S. C., and Tobish, T. G., Jr. 2003. Report of the Alaska checklist
committee, 1997-2002. W. Birds 34:122-132.

Gibson, D. D., Heinl, S. C., and Tobish, T. G., Jr. 2008. Report of the Alaska checklist
committee, 2003-2007. W. Birds 39:189-201.

Gill, R. E., Jr. 2008. Caspian Terns nesting in Alaska: prophecy, serendipity, and
implications for regional climate-related change. W. Birds 39:97-100.

Gill, R. E., and Mewaldt, L. R. 1983. Pacific coast Caspian Terns: Dynamics of an
expanding population. Auk 100:369-381.

Gill, R. E., Babcock, C. A., Handel, C. M., Butler, W. R., Jr., and Raveling, D. G.
1996. Migration, fidelity, and use of autumn staging grounds in Alaska by Cack-
ling Canada Geese Branta canadensis minima. Wildfowl 47:42-61.

Gill, R. E., Tomkovich, P. S., and McCafferey, B. J. 2002. Rock Sandpiper ( Calidris
ptilocnemis ), in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no.
686. Birds N. Am., Philadelphia.

Gilligan, J., Smith, M., Rogers, D., and Contreras, A. (eds.). 1994. Birds of Oregon:
Status and Distribution. Cinclus, McMinnville, OR.

Godfrey, W. E. 1986. The birds of Canada, rev. ed. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ottawa.

Grinnell, J. 1898. Summer birds of Sitka, Alaska. Auk 15:122-131.

Haegele, C. W. 1993. Seabird predation of Pacific herring, Clupea pallasi, spawn
in British Columbia. Can. Field-Naturalist 107:73-82.

Hamilton, R. A., Patten, M. A., and Erickson, R. A. (eds.) 2007. Rare Birds of Cali-
fornia. W. Field Ornithol., Camarillo, CA.

Harris, A. S., and Farr, W. A. 1974. The forest ecosystem of southeast Alaska: 7.
Forest ecology and timber management. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-025. U. S.
Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Port-
land, OR.

Harris, S. W. 2005. Northwestern California Birds, 3rd ed. Living Gold Press, Kla-
math River, CA.

Heinl, S. C. 1997. New information on gulls in southeastern Alaska. W. Birds
28:19-29.

Heinl, S. C., and H. J. Geiger. 2005. Pink salmon stock status and escapement
goals in southeast Alaska and Yakutat, in Stock status and escapement goals for
salmon stocks in southeast Alaska 2005. (J. A. Der Hovanisian and H. J. Geiger,
eds.). Alaska Dept, of Fish and Game, Divisions of Sport Fish and Commercial
Fisheries, Special Publication 05-22.

Heinl, S. C., and Piston, A. W. 2007. The Brandt’s Cormorant in Alaska. W. Birds
38:141-144.

140

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Hejl, S. J., Holmes, J. A., and Kroodsma. D. E. 2002. Winter Wren ( Troglodytes
troglodytes), in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 623.
Birds N. Am., Philadelphia.

Hepp, G. R. , and Bellrose, F. C. 1995. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), in The Birds of North
America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 169. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia.

Hersey, F. S. 1916a. A list of the birds observed in Alaska and northeastern Siberia
during the summer of 1914. Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 66:1-33.

Hersey, F. S. 1916b. Concerning the occurrence of the Western and other gulls in
southeastern Alaska. Auk 33:432.

Holt, D. W., and Petersen, J. L. 2000. Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma),
in the Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 494. Birds N.
Am., Philadelphia.

Howard, H. 1946. George Willett: May 28, 1879-August 2, 1945. Condor
48:49-71.

Howell, S. N. G. 2003. Shades of gray: A point of reference for gull identification.
Birding 35:32-37.

Hubbard, J. P. 1969. The relationships and evolution of the Dendroica coronata
complex. Auk 86:393-432.

Hughes, J. M. 1999. Yellow-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus), in The Birds of
North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 418. Birds N. Am., Philadelphia.

Iliff, M. J., McCaskie, G., and Heindel, M. T. 2007. The 31st report of the California
Bird Records Committee: 2005 records. W. Birds 38:161-2005.

Isleib, M. E. , and Kessel, B. 1989. Birds of the North Gulf Coast-Prince William Sound
region, Alaska. Biol. Papers Univ. Alaska 14 (first published 1973; reprinted
with addendum 1989).

Ivey, G. L., Herziger, C. P., and Hoffmann, T. J. 2005. Annual movements of Pacific
coast Sandhill Cranes. Proc. N. Am. Crane Workshop 9:25-35.

Jehl, J. R., Jr. 1987. Geographic variation and evolution in the California Gull ( Larus
calif ornicus). Auk 104:421-428.

Johnson, J. A., Andres, B. A., and Bissonette, J. A. 2008. Birds of the major mainland
rivers of southeast Alaska. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-739. U.S. Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR.

Jones, I. L., Konyukhov, N. B., Williams, J. C., and Byrd, G. V. 2001. Parakeet
Auklet ( Aetlnia psittacula), in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill,
eds.), no. 594. Birds N. Am., Philadelphia.

Kessel, B. 1953. Distribution and migration of the European Starling in North
America. Condor 55:49-67.

Kessel, B. 1979. Avian habitat classification for Alaska. Murrelet 60:86-94.

Kessel, B., and Gibson, D. D. 1978. Status and distribution of Alaska birds. Studies
Avian Biol. 1.

Kessel, B., and Gibson, D. D. 1994. A century of avifaunal change in Alaska, in A
century of avifaunal change in western North America (J. R. Jehl, Jr. and N. K.
Johnson, eds.), pp. 4-13. Studies Avian Biol. 15.

Kessler, W. B., and Kogut, T. E. 1985. Habitat orientations of forest birds in south-
eastern Alaska. Northwest Science 59:58-65.

Kirchhoff, M. D., and Schoen, J. W. 1987. Forest cover and snow: implications for
deer habitat in southeast Alaska. J. Wildlife Mgmt. 51:28-33.

141

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Laymon, S. E., and Halterman, M. D. 1987. Can the western subspecies of the
Yellow-billed Cuckoo be saved from extinction? W. Birds 18:19-25.

Lehman, P. E. 2005. Fall bird migration at Gambell, Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska.
W. Birds 36:2-55.

Lewis, T. L., Esler, D., and Boyd, W. S. 2007. Foraging behaviors of Surf Sco-
ters and White-winged Scoters during spawning of Pacific herring. Condor
109:216-222.

Lohse, T. G., Lohse, T. K., Lohse, T. W., and Lang, A. 2008. First documented
breeding colony of Caspian Terns on the Copper River delta, Alaska. W. Birds
39:94-96.

MacDonald, S. O., and Cook, J. A. 1996. The land mammal fauna of southeast
Alaska. Canadian Field-Naturalist 110:571-598.

Manuwal, D. A., and Thoresen, A. C. 1993. Cassin’s Auklet (. Ptychoramphus
aleuticus), in The Birds of North American (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 50.
Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia.

Marshall, D. B., Hunter, M. G., and Contreras, A. L. (eds.). 2003. Birds of Oregon:
A General Reference. Ore. State Univ. Press, Corvallis.

McCaffery, B. J., Harwood, C. M., and Morgart, J. R. 1997. First nests of Caspian
Terns ( Sterna caspia) for Alaska and the Bering Sea. Pac. Seabird Group Bull.
24:71-73.

McPhaden, M. J. 2004. Evolution of the 2002/03 El Nino. Bull. Am. Meteorol.
Soc. 85:677-695.

Mowbray, T. B., Cooke, F., and Ganter, B. 2000. Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens ) ,
in The Birds of North American (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 514. Birds N.
Am., Philadelphia.

Neiland, B. J. 1971. The forest-bog complex of southeast Alaska. Plant Ecol.
22:1-64.

Nelson, J. W., Nysewander, D. R., Trapp, J. L., and Sowls, A. L. 1987. Breeding bird
populations of St. Lazaria Island, Alaska, U.S.A. Murrelet 68:1-11.

Olson, S. T. 1974. Band-tailed Pigeons in southeast Alaska. Murrelet 55:27.

Orton, A. 1951. Long necks. Alaska Sportsman 17:10-13.

Patten, M. A., McCaskie, G., and Unitt, P. 2003. Birds of the Salton Sea: Status,
biogeography, and ecology. Univ. of Calif. Press, Berkeley.

Paulson, D. 1993. Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest. Univ. Br. Columbia Press,
Vancouver, B.C.

Peer, B. D., and Bollinger, E. K. 1997. Common Grackle ( Quiscalus quiscula), in
The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 271. Acad. Nat.
Sci., Philadelphia.

Petrula, M. J., and Rothe, T. C. 2005. Migration chronology, routes, and distribu-
tion of Pacific fly way population Lesser Sandhill Cranes. Proc. N. Am. Crane
Workshop 9:53-67.

Phillips, A. R. 1986. The Known Birds of North and Middle America, part 1. A. R.
Phillips, Denver.

Phillips, A. R. 1991. The Known Birds of North and Middle America, part 2. A. R.
Phillips, Denver.

Piston, A. W., and Heinl, S. C. 2001. First record of the European Golden-Plover
( Pluvialis apricaria) from the Pacific. W. Birds 32:179-181.

142

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Piston, A. W., and Heinl, S. C. 2006. Confirmed breeding of the Greater Yellowlegs
in southern southeast Alaska. W. Birds 37:110-113.

Pojar, J., and MacKinnon, A. (eds.). 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast:
Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, & Alaska. Lone Pine Publ., Vancouver,
B. C.

Pugesek, B. H., Diem, K. L., and Cordes, C. L. 1999. Seasonal movements, mi-
gration, and range sizes of subadult and adult Bamforth Lake California Gulls.
Waterbirds 22:29-36.

Pyle, P., Howell, S. N. G., DeSante, D. F., Yunick, R. P., and Gustafson, M. 1997.
Identification Guide to North American Birds, part 1: Columbidae to Ploceidae.
Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, CA.

Rising, J. D. 2007. Named subspecies and their significance in contemporary orni-
thology, in Festschrift for Ned K. Johnson: Geographic variation and evolution
in birds (C. Cicero and J. V. Remsen, Jr., eds.), pp. 45-54. Ornithol. Monogr.
63.

Romagosa, C. M. 2002. Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto), in The
Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 630. Birds N. Am.,
Philadelphia.

Romagosa, C. M., and McEneaney, T. 1999. Eurasian Collared-Dove in North
America and the Caribbean. N. Am. Birds 43:348-353.

Sanger, G. A. 1972. Checklist of bird observations from the eastern North Pacific
Ocean, 1955-1967. Murrelet 53:15-21.

Scharf, W. C., and Kren, J. 1996. Orchard Oriole ( Icterus spurius ), in The Birds
of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 255. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila-
delphia.

Schoen, J. W., Kirchhoff, M. D, and Hughes, J. H. 1988. Wildlife and old-growth
forests in southeastern Alaska. Natural Areas J. 8:138-145.

Sibley, C. G., and Monroe, B. L., Jr. 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of
the World. Yale Univ. Press, New Haven, CT.

Sinclair, P. H., Nixon, W. A., Eckert, C. D., and Hughes, N. L. (eds.). 2003. Birds of
the Yukon Territory. Univ. Br. Columbia Press, Vancouver, B.C.

Smith, P. W. 1987. The Eurasian Collared-Dove arrives in the Americas. Am. Birds
41:1370-1379.

Smith, W. P., Stotts, M. J., Andres, B. A., Melton, J. M., Garibaldi, A., and Boggs,
K. 2001. Bird, mammal, and vegetation community surveys of research natural
areas in the Tongass National Forest. Res. Paper PNW-RP-535. U. S. Forest
Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR.

Snell, R. R. 1989. Status of Larus gulls at Home Bay, Baffin Island. Colonial Water-
birds 12:12-23.

Snell, R. R. 2002. Iceland Gull ( Larus glaucoides) and Thayer’s Gull (Larus thayeri),
in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 699. Birds N.
Am., Philadelphia.

Stouffer, P. C., and Chesser, R. T. 1998. Tropical Kingbird ( Tyrannus melanchoh-
cus), in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 358. Birds
N. Am., Philadelphia.

Sullivan, B. L. 2004. The changing seasons — the big picture. N. Am. Birds
58:14-29.

143

BIRDS OF THE KETCHIKAN AREA, SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Sullivan, T. M., Butler, R. W., and Boyd, W. S. 2002. Seasonal distribution of water-
birds in relation to spawning Pacific herring, Clupea pallasi, in the Strait of
Georgia, British Columbia. Can. Field-Naturalist 116:366-370.

Suryan, M. R., Craig, D. P., Roby, D. D., Chelgren, N. D., Collis, K., Shuford, W.
D., and Lyons, D. E. 2004. Redistribution and growth of the Caspian Tern
population in the Pacific coast region of North America, 1981-2000. Condor
106:777-790.

Swarth, H. S. 1911. Birds and mammals of the 1909 Alexander Alaska Expedition.
Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 7:9-172.

Swarth, H. S. 1922. Birds and mammals of the Stikine River region of northern British
Columbia and southeastern Alaska. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 24:125-314.

Swarth, H. S. 1936. Origins of the fauna of the Sitkan District, Alaska. Proc. Calif.
Acad. Sci. 23:59-78.

Taylor, D. M. 2000. Status of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Idaho. W. Birds 31:252-254.
Tobish, T. G., Jr. 1995. The fall season. Alaska region. Field Notes 49:87.

Tobish, T. G., Jr. 1996. The spring season. Alaska region. Field Notes 50:318-321.
Tobish, T. G., Jr. 1998. The nesting season. Alaska region. Field Notes 52:490-492.
Tobish, T. G., Jr. 1999. Spring migration. Alaska region. N. Am. Birds 53:315-317.
Tobish, T. G., Jr. 2000. The winter season. Alaska region. N. Am. Birds 54:212-213.
Tobish, T. G., Jr. 2001. Spring migration. Alaska region. N. Am. Birds 55:339-341.
Vaurie, C. 1965. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna. H. F. & G. Witherby, London.

Vermeer, K. M., Bentley, M., Morgan, K. H., and Smith, G. E. J. 1997. Association
of feeding flocks of Brant and sea ducks with herring spawn at Skidegate Inlet,
in The ecology, status, and conservation of marine and shoreline birds of the
Queen Charlotte Islands (K. Vermeer and K. H. Morgan, eds.), pp. 102-109.
Can. Wildlife Service Occ. Paper 93.

Wahl, T. R., and Tweit, B. 2000. Seabird abundances off Washington, 1972-1998.
W. Birds 31:69-88.

Wahl, T. R., Tweit, B., and Mlodinow, S. G. (eds.). 2005. Birds of Washington: Status
and Distribution. Ore. State Univ. Press, Corvallis.

Walsh, P. J. 1990. Nest of Northern Pygmy-Owl in southeast Alaska. Northwestern
Naturalist 71:97.

Webster, J. D. 1941. Notes on the birds of Sitka and vicinity, southeastern Alaska.
Condor 43:120-121.

Webster, J. D. 1950. Notes on the birds of Wrangell and vicinity, southeastern Alaska.
Condor 52:32-38.

Webster, J. D. 1983. A new subspecies of Fox Sparrow from Alaska. Proc. Biol. Soc.
Washington 96:664-668.

Willett, G. 1915. Summer birds of Forrester Island, Alaska. Auk 32:295-305.

Willett, G. 1921. Distribution of the Townsend’s Fox Sparrow. Condor 23:36-37.

Willett, G. 1923. Bird records from Craig, Alaska. Condor 25:105-106.

Willett, G. 1927. Notes on the occurrences and distribution of some southeastern
Alaskan birds. Condor 29:58-60.

Willett, G. 1928. Notes on some birds of southeastern Alaska. Auk 45:445-449.

Accepted 24 November 2008

144

BOOK REVIEWS

California Bird Species of Special Concern, by W. David Shuford and
Thomas Gardali, editors. 2008. Studies of Western Birds no. 1, Western Field Or-
nithologists and California Department of Fish and Game, xiii + 450 pp. Softback,
$12.00. Available from Allen Press at http://bookstore.allenmm.com or by phone
at 800-627-0326. ISBN 978-0-9790585-1-6. Also available as a PDF at www.dfg.
ca .gov/ wildlife/ nongame/ ssc/birds . html .

It is hard to imagine a more important inaugural publication for a series titled Studies
of Western Birds. As a contribution to conservation of one huge state’s avian diversity,
it contributes to the future of a substantial portion of western North America’s avian
heritage. Western Field Ornithologists and the California Department of Fish and
Game can take pride in an obviously immense effort. It is light-years beyond what J.
V. Remsen Jr. could have envisioned at the time of his seminal monograph, “Bird
Species of Special Concern in California,” published by the Department of Fish and
Game in 1978.

An adjective in the foreword — “definitive” — sets forth the ambitious goal. It is defini-
tive, of course, only at the moment. The subject is a perpetual work in progress because
much remains unknown about the birds and much remains undone about protecting
them. But the word is surely justified by the results of this intensive collaboration by
prominent ornithologists, wildlife biologists, and conservationists. Their commitment
to factual accuracy and informed interpretation is evident on every page.

Editors W. David Shuford and Thomas Gardali and 49 authors of individual spe-
cies accounts set a high goal for themselves at the outset, and they have met it in an
outstanding demonstration of meticulous planning, organization, analysis, and clarity
in presentation. It is hard to escape thinking that there must have been disagreements
and doubts — perhaps also some discouragement — during the 10 years of hard work
leading to the book. If so, then we should be extra-thankful that such problems were
overcome.

The long subtitle tells us what to expect: “A Ranked Assessment of Species,
Subspecies, and Distinct Populations of Birds of Immediate Conservation Concern
in California.” The collaborators rank conservation action at three levels of priority.
Birds are assigned either to currently recognized taxonomic classifications or to unclas-
sified but geographically defined populations, all of which are judged as appropriate
units of conservation. The term “immediate” points to a goal of management on a
scale currently manageable in California (not, for example, a long-term response to
climate change).

The book is divided into two parts. First is a 54-page overview in which Shuford
and Gardali explain and discuss informatively the project’s philosophies, methods,
and findings. Second is the essence of the book: detailed accounts of 63 taxa judged
by the experts to warrant immediate conservation concern.

When I first looked briefly at the overview, I recoiled at a specter of bureaucratic
wrangling — a morass of incomprehensively complex listings and footnote-burdened
tables. Five taxa are assigned to the list on the basis of a “BSSC definition.” Six are
assigned because they listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. government
but not the state of California. The main 63 are rated as warranting special concern
by either or both of two different ranking schemes, one termed “linear,” the other
“categorical.” Other birds are placed on a “California Bird Responsibility List” because
they are endemics, near-endemics, and — good grief — “semi-endemics.” Finally, there
is an annotated list of “Taxa to Watch.”

Well, after I read all of the intricacy carefully and gave it a lot of thought, almost
everything does make sense to me. Eventually, although it took a while, I found out
why the California population of Yellow-billed Cuckoo and the Least Bell’s Vireo are

Western Birds 40:145-151, 2009

145

BOOK REVIEWS

not included on the special-concern list. We certainly cannot accuse the participants
of settling for less than a thorough treatment.

Two sections of the overview deserve special comment because they reflect well-
known controversies, which the editors cover valiantly. Each reader will have to decide
how convincing are the explanations and the advisory committee’s decisions, but the
attention given to these two issues is commendable.

One section, “Units of Conservation,” will definitely not satisfy everyone — an
unavoidable situation, considering the diverse opinions about how biologically, eco-
logically, and evolutionarily significant populations should be approached as targets
of conservation. Shuford and Gardali sort out the competing concepts carefully, and
they show no hesitation in expressing the committee’s explicit stand on the characters
it chooses to emphasize: phenotypic, not genotypic. Genetic characters are viewed
as limited in applicability to California’s birds at the present stage of knowledge, and
phenotypic features are emphasized as likely to represent ecological adaptations
worth conserving. Thus the recommendations for genetic analyses of taxa such as the
Mount Pinos Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus howardi), Catalina California
Quail ( Callipepla californica catalinensis), and San Francisco Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas sinuosa), however desirable, diverge from this principle. For
any population of birds, how much genetic differentiation merits conservation, to be
judged on what portion of the genome? Reassessment of phenotypic characters is
desirable too, as the validity of some subspecies has been questioned. Another doubt
arises about the definition of a distinct population as “well isolated geographically (and
likely genetically).” This focus on geographic isolation is at variance, for example, with
the listing of the Modesto Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodia maillardi), not isolated
geographically and dubiously distinctive phenotypically but apparently well separated
ecologically from adjacent populations. Perhaps the study has underemphasized the
importance of ecological isolation in some taxa that are not listed. As the collaborators
realize, everyone who looks at the listings will find something to question.

The other section, aptly titled “Elusiveness of a Perfect Ranking Approach,” ad-
dresses two long-standing questions that the editors tell us were “debated at length”
by the advisory committee. The debate is about what criteria should be used to judge
the basis for concern and, more particularly, how the factors should be analyzed to
prioritize conservation action. Criteria adopted are population trend, range trend,
population size, range size, percentage of entire range in California, population
concentration, and projected impact of threats. Two different analytical methods are
employed and, in fact, are combined in the apparent absence of a consensus. A linear
scheme simply adds scores for the factors together, giving extra weight to population
trend, range size, and impact of threats. A categorical scheme is more complex, us-
ing various numerically rated combinations of factors. In this case, results of the two
methods do not differ strikingly. Perhaps neither do they differ meaningfully in light
of the admittedly subjective, uncertain, and arbitrary nature of the judgments, as well
as the incompleteness of much fundamental data. Two thirds of the special-concern
taxa rank equally in both schemes; the other third differ only at the second- vs. third-
priority level.

The excellent species accounts are the heart of the book. These are organized in
a logical structure consisting of the bird’s priority rank, Breeding Bird Survey statis-
tics when appropriate, general (i.e. , global) range and abundance, seasonal status in
California, historic and recent range and abundance in California, ecological require-
ments, threats, management and research recommendations, and monitoring needs.
In every account, a long list of literature cited demonstrates the author’s commitment
to extensive research. No one shirked his or her duty to scholarship.

Historical information, of course, relies heavily on The Birds of California by W.
L. Dawson (1923), The Distribution of the Birds of California by Joseph Grinnell
and A. H. Miller (1944), Birds of Southern California: Their Status and Distribu-

146

BOOK REVIEWS

tion by Kimball Garrett and Jon Dunn (1981), and the state’s enviable array of classic
county-level treatises.

Data on recent distribution and abundance are drawn from nearly every resource
imaginable, although there is a surprising absence of information from the journal
now titled North American Birds. The sections on recent populations appear to
cover the state well, and they are amazingly detailed for patchily located species such
as the Black Swift, Vermilion Flycatcher, Lucy’s Warbler, and Summer Tanager. In
the most remarkable cases, it seems that virtually every known site of isolated nesting
pairs and small colonies is included. There is refreshing candor about large gaps in
knowledge of some species’ population sizes, such as those of Long-eared Owl and
Short-eared Owl.

Admirable candor appears as well in the sections on ecological requirements. Some
birds’ preferences are, naturally, easy to state — for example, the Cactus Wren’s pre-
dilection for cholla and prickly pear and the association of Le Conte’s Thrasher with
saltbush. Contrastingly, there is emphasis on how little is known about some birds’
needs — for example, the Gray Vireo’s nesting ecology is “poorly known in California,”
and the San Clemente Spotted Towhee’s requirements are “largely undescribed.” For
every bird listed, there is no shortage of important topics for researchers to tackle.

Many threats are presented in general terms such as loss and degradation of ripar-
ian, forest, grassland, and wetland habitat. Others focus on very specific problems
such as competition from alien herbivores on the Channel Islands and, ironically,
lethal control of the very rare subspecies vanrossemi of the Gull-billed Tern to protect
federally listed Snowy Plovers and Least Terns.

Management recommendations range similarly from broad actions such as preser-
vation of areas from urbanization to eradication of particular invasive plants. Data on
population trends and distribution are so insufficient that basic monitoring of many
species remains an essential but elusive goal. Unless adequate funding is obtained
and committed researchers are willing to undertake extensive work, approaching an
adequate determination of the status of many taxa may remain a pipedream.

Technically, the writing and editing are superb throughout the book. In the intro-
ductory material and the overview, all of the topics are explained thoroughly. In the
species accounts, the prose style and construction are consistent, references are given
for every statement of fact, and authors’ speculations and opinions are expressed
conservatively. I noticed only two flaws in the text: a typo, “suppport,” on page vi;
missing words in “the riparian these species mainly co-occur” on page 238.

A map with each account carefully illustrates past and present distribution, and
the caption in most cases summarizes the bird’s status aptly in just a sentence or
two. The line art by Andy Birch and Tim Manolis is of high quality. The best, in my
view, is a Cactus Wren perched on a prickly pear against a background of habitat
destruction. I wish all of the illustrations had been planned to depict different threats
in this thematic fashion.

What comes next? The overview concludes with 1 1 recommendations for future
actions that are at least as ambitious as the initial effort. These include annual reviews
of the status of birds at risk, updates and thorough revisions of the list at least every
five years, reports identifying research priorities and possible effects of climate change,
formation of a volunteer monitoring program, and outreach to official agencies, other
bird-conservation groups, and the public. Another recommendation is a website track-
ing new information on taxa of special concern, updating criteria scores, and providing
a basis for discussion of changes and additions. Such a website would be a welcome
resource for all of us who are concerned about bird conservation but have no easy
access to ongoing, unpublished research. It would also be worthwhile to provide the
names and ranking scores of all 283 taxa originally nominated for the list.

A final thought: The best state-level publication of this kind that I had previously
encountered is volume 5 of Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida (University Press

147

BOOK REVIEWS

of Florida, Gainesville, 1996). Florida’s book still sets an admirable standard 13 years
later, but it does not approach the astonishing depth and detail of California Bird
Species of Special Concern. David Krueper, president of Western Field Ornithologists,
expresses hope in the foreword that this new book will stimulate “comparable works on
at-risk birds elsewhere.” Perhaps a truly comparable work is too much to ask, but we
should hope along with Krueper that experts in other regions will be inspired to try.

Paul Hess

Wings in the Desert: A Folk Ornithology of the Northern Pimans, by

Amadeo M. Rea. 2007. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. 320 pages, illustrated.
Hardcover, $70. ISBN 978-0-8165-2459-4.

Wings in the Desert is a most impressive example of what ethno-ornithology can
teach us. Amadeo Rea celebrates here the traditional environmental knowledge and
wisdom of the Piman peoples of the Sonoran Desert and adjacent Sierra Madre Oc-
cidental from Arizona’s Gila River Pimans (the Akimel O’odham or “river people”) and
“Papago” (the Tohono O'odham or “desert people”) south to the Pima Bajo along the
Yaqui River in southern Sonora and the Pima Alta of the adjacent Sierra.

The book is the concluding volume of Rea’s Piman quartet, the product of a 45-year
immersion in the natural history of the Sonoran Desert and consideration of its human
face, the Piman peoples. Rea’s first volume, Once a River (1984), was a historical
ecology of Arizona’s Gila River, more ornithological than ethnobiological. Rea fol-
lowed with an ethnobotany, At the Desert’s Green Edge (1997) and a treatise on
Piman knowledge of mammals, Folk Mammalogy of the Northern Pimans (1998).
In Wings in the Desert Rea returns to the birds that were his original inspiration.

Rea comes to ethnobiology — which is first of all an anthropological discipline — from
an unusual direction, a professional base as a museum ornithologist. He acquired the
anthropological expertise and sensibility from his close and enduring friendships with
Piman elders met in the course of his field studies of Sonoran Desert ecology begun
in 1963. Even then Piman ethnobiological research was a salvage project, as but
fragments of the rich biocultural tapestry of his subject matter had come down to the
generations that Rea knew. A wealth of detail has been lost to the social and natural
transformations consequent to European colonization. As Rea, writes, “I have used
the past tense frequently in this chapter because feather use by River Pima and Pima
Bajo has all but ceased. Shamans and healers still use those feathers that are needed
in their profession. But even among Tohono O’odham, who have maintained more
of their traditional ceremonial life, knowledge of folk taxonomy and of uses of avian
species is now greatly eroded among younger and even middle-aged generations. No
longer are the folk identification, ecology, and behavior of birds and other animals
the currency of thought among younger O’odham. Without these three, metaphors
collapse” (p. 71).

Rea has scoured the ethnohistorical, ethnographic, and linguistic records of the
past 400 years and has applied his expert knowledge of bird biology and behavior
and of the Sonoran Desert to capture the sophistication and subtlety of the ancestral
Piman appreciation of birds.

Wings in the Desert is in two parts. First is a series of eight chapters to introduce
Rea’s Piman teachers, many now passed on, to describe the variety of Piman cultures
and their habitats, both north and south of the Mexican border, and to summarize Piman
bird taxonomy and nomenclature and the peoples’ economic, aesthetic, and spiritual
relationships with birds. The second part treats each of some 85 named Piman bird
categories in exquisite detail. These species accounts may run to as many as 10 three-
column pages, most notably for the birds most charismatic to the Pima: the Turkey
Vulture, Golden Eagle, Scarlet Macaw, Great Horned Owl, and Common Raven.

148

BOOK REVIEWS

Piman ornithology is selective, greatly elaborated in some cases but less concerned
to recognize the smaller species, especially those that pass through in migration
(though the diminutive Verdin and the several nondescript thrasher species receive
careful attention). Yet for the 74 Piman “folk generic” taxa, eight of which are further
differentiated at the “folk specific” rank for a total of 85 terminal taxa, Piman ornithol-
ogy demonstrates acute powers of observation on a par with those of the professional
ornithologist. Seemingly obscure details of anatomy and behavior may be embedded
in Piman origin myths and other sacred stories. For example, hui, the Turkey Vulture,
is a culture hero who carved the landscape with his wings to conserve the scarce rainfall
essential for Piman agriculture. He is considered also to be a warrior, recognized by his
“white leggings.” Rea notes the Turkey Vulture’s characteristic behavior of urinating
on its legs to facilitate evaporative cooling, the residue of uric acid coating its pink feet
white (p. 97). Another telling detail is the Turkey Vulture’s large perforate nostrils,
coinciding with this species’ exceptional olfactory sensitivity. Piman myths note this
same feature as the piercing of a warrior’s nasal septum, an honor reserved for those
who have killed an enemy combatant. Rea concludes, “Almost all that is known to
Western science about the behavior and anatomy of this marvelous bird [the Turkey
Vulture] has somehow been encoded into Piman mythology” (p. 95).

Rea helps us make sense of what might seem irrational or “primitive,” as with the
Piman concern with “staying sickness,” a potentially fatal affliction: “Left untreated,
staying sickness ultimately invades the whole body, causing death” (p. 45). We
might understand it as a sort of spiritual cancer. It is brought on by human actions —
intentional or not — that offend, typically, an animal spirit. As many as 40 species of
animals have been implicated as causing this malady, including ten birds. Offenses
include improper killing, butchering, or disposing of the remains of the animal, ac-
tions considered to be disrespectful of the animal. “It could also mean ridiculing the
animal or even watching it die slowly; [if killed] it must be dispatched as quickly and
painlessly as possible” (p. 47). Piman shamans were called upon to treat staying sick-
ness, divining the offensive action (with the aid of a feathered divining wand). Rea’s
teacher, Leonard Pancott, explained, “The medicine man looks at him and visualizes
what causes it. . . . Then they find somebody who sings the songs. . . . Have to have the
song for ... what you killed or what you abused. Sing all night. Then he will get over
it.” (p. 49). Those who know these songs acquired them on a vision quest during
which they “met” the animal spirit that serves thenceforth as their guardian. Thus a
person may be known as a “Great Horned Owl meeter,” a “Prairie Falcon meeter,”
even an “ant meeter.” There is then a spiritual connection that gives the person “great
knowledge or seeing” (p. 46).

These essentials of Piman traditional spiritual understanding represent a Piman
expression of an animistic understanding that is widely shared among the world’s
surviving hunting-gathering and horticultural peoples, that human beings and the
natural world of animals, plants, wind, and water are bound together by a Golden
Rule that transcends mere human society, a sensibility lost to those who understand
the natural world as but a machine, however marvelously intricate.

Wings in the Desert rewards careful and repeated readings.

Eugene S. Hunn

Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies, by Harry Nehls, Mike
Denny, and David Trochlell. 2008. R. W. Morse Company, Olympia, Washington. 422
pages, over 260 color photographs. Paperback, $18.95. ISBN 98780964081062.

This book is the latest in a series of small pocketable guidebooks that focus on the
west coast of North America. (Others include Birds of Southwestern British Colum-
bia, Birds of the Puget Sound Region, Birds of the Willamette Valley Region, and

149

BOOK REVIEWS

Birds of the Los Angeles Region.) Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern
Rockies covers the identification of the common species of eastern Washington,
eastern Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana. The book contains a “quick guide to
local birds” (with useful small photographs) at the front and a very helpful “short index”
and a longer “index/checklist of birds” in the back. Other introductory sections include
a map, information on birding in general, identifying birds, attracting yard birds, bird
habitats in the area, where to go to find birds in the field, and a useful list of resources
such as journals, books, websites, stores, and nature centers in the area covered.

In most cases unusually large photographs face the page with the species account.
If there is a major difference between the sexes or between the breeding plumage
and the juvenile plumage, one or more photographs are added to highlight the in-
formation. Each species account includes a “description” with the bird’s particular
features highlighted in boldface, a section “similar birds” with features relevant to
note, “voice” with the species’ main calls and songs, “where to find” with seasonal
movements along with general locations and habitats, “behavior” highlighting feeding,
movement, and flight, “did you know?” giving extra information usually not found
in guide books, and, finally, “date and location seen,” with some extra blank lines to
record your sightings.

At first glance, it would be easy to pass by this book and others in the series as
oriented strictly for beginners. After all, the book seems small: 5. 9x4. 5x0. 9 inches.
Plus, for visual depiction of species it relies entirely on photographs, which are some-
times not favored by many seasoned birders who prefer more universally depicted
painted or computerized illustrations of species. And, finally, it is indeed localized in
coverage and does not cover the odd vagrant that might show up in the region.

Birds of the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies has strengths, however,
that raise it beyond a simplistic introductory guide. First, the book’s localized cover-
age is one of its main strengths. The text is written by local experts who have birded
the region for many years and know the distribution of each species intimately. The
information presented is not plucked out of the air, so to speak, by an outside group
that has come in to produce a regional guide on an assembly line as is seen in some
other recent small-format guides.

Second, the supplementary information gives the book depth. Examples are de-
scriptions of bird behavior and interesting trivia such as how the bird was named or
how many subspecies are in the region. Even the photographs were primarily taken
by local western photographers, reinforcing the “by the locals, for the locals” flavor
of the book. The birds illustrated are primarily of local subspecies, which are often
not the ones that appear in national field guides. Additionally, errors seem to be
few (e.g., a photograph of a coastal subspecies of the Downy Woodpecker instead
of an interior one — a mistake that will be rectified in the next printing according to
one of the authors; perhaps the photograph of a Song Sparrow not showing the
breast spot in a clear fashion). The first printing had text transplanted between the
Yellow-headed Blackbird and the crossbills (pp. 389 and 405). Subsequent printing
rectified this error.

It is doubtful that you could find a better book to recommend for local backyard
birders or birders starting to explore their neighborhood. The clear and simple ap-
proach also makes it superbly suitable for education and field instruction. I have used
a sister publication here in western Oregon, Birds of the Willamette Valley Region,
for those times when we need a quick identification on bird walks with a local group
of fourth-grade students. It has also been repeatedly useful with adults on local outings
when the main guide is left back in the car. It is small enough to be carried easily in
a pocket — even a rear pants pocket — and then always easily available when you are
out with a group or when someone from the general public runs across you staring
at tree or shrub with your binoculars and wonders what is going on.

150

BOOK REVIEWS

This book and the series in general will be highly useful for beginner to intermediate
birders who want an easily carried field guide with sharp photographs of the species
most likely to be encountered. You can leave your favorite general guide back home
or in the car. Also, the book and series are highly useful for those who want to share
their enthusiasm with others on the trail. The books have been helpful to me both
in my local birding activities and superbly in helping to inspire and educate many
new birders. I have given away many books in this series and wore out and/or lost
many others in the field. If there ever could be such a thing as disseminating “good
birding karma,” you need not look further than the little book in your hand. Give
one to your neighbor.

John Thomas

Wilson's Warbler

Sketch by © Marni Falling

151

FEATURED PHOTO

REGIONAL PHENOTYPIC VARIATION
IN THE SOOTY GROUSE

MICHAEL A. SCHROEDER, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, R O. Box
1077, Bridgeport, Washington 98813; schromas@dfw.wa.gov

STEVEN C. HEINL, P.0. Box 23101, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
ANDREW W. PISTON, P. O. Box 1116, Ward Cove, Alaska 99928
FRED C. ZWICKEL, Box 81, Manson’s Landing, British Columbia VOP 1K0

Long united as a single species under the name Blue Grouse, the more coastal
Sooty Grouse ( Dendragapus fuliginosus) and the more inland Dusky Grouse (D.
obscurus) have received substantial attention in recent years. Zwickel and Bendell
(2004) addressed the biology and natural history of these birds, specifying their re-
gional variation. Coastal males have yellow cervical apteria (unfeathered skin on the
sides of the neck; see this issue’s inside front cover) and a black tail with a contrast-
ing gray terminal band, while most interior males have red cervical apteria (see this
issue’s back cover) and the tail band, if any, much less distinct. In addition, the song
of male Sooty Grouse is much louder than that of the Dusky Grouse. Barrowclough
et al. (2004) concluded from a molecular study that two species exist. Subsequently,
“on the basis of genetic evidence (Barrowclough et al. 2004) and differences in voice
(hooting), behavior, and plumage (Brooks 1929)” Banks et al. (2006:929) accepted
reclassification of these birds as two species. Through history, the birds’ classification,
as followed by the American Ornithologists’ Union, has oscillated from a single spe-
cies (1886, 1895, 1910) to two species (1931), back to one species (1944, 1957,
1983, 1998), and back to two species (Banks et al. 2006).

Questions about the color of the apteria of the Sooty and Dusky Grouse arose
during a trip to southeast Alaska in May 2006. While en route to Prince of Wales
Island, Schroeder and Zwickel noted mounted specimens of male Sooty Grouse in a
taxidermy store in Ketchikan. Although most literature has reported coastal birds to
have yellow apteria, all specimens on display had the apteria painted red. When asked
about the color, the taxidermist said he painted them red because that was the way
he remembered them in the living bird. Later that day Heinl shared a photograph of
a Sooty Grouse taken on nearby Gravina Island by Piston in which the apteria were
clearly red (Heinl and Piston 2009: Figure 10).

To the best of our knowledge, males with red apteria have not been reported
previously from any coastal population of grouse. Swarth (1921) described the Sooty
Grouse of southeast Alaska as subspecies sitkensis, basing his description on the
plumage of females and stating “adult male not appreciably different from the male
of D. o. fuliginosus ” (the subspecies of the Sooty Grouse inhabiting the mainland
from southwestern Yukon south to northwestern California). Although Swarth did
not describe the apteria of sitkensis, Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) reported them
as “deep yellow,” as Brooks (1926) described the apteria of all coastal birds — hence
the confusion.

Confirmation of male Sooty Grouse with red apteria led us to investigate the
geographic extent of this characteristic, especially as it differs from the published
literature. To address this question we considered several avenues of inquiry. First we
evaluated our field notes from previous trips to many portions of the range (Zwickel and
Bendell 2004). Second, we contacted biologists, photographers, and birdwatchers to
obtain information on birds in specific locations. Third, in 2007 and 2008 we visited
southeast Alaska and north-coastal British Columbia to observe and photograph as

152

Western Birds 40:152-154, 2009

FEATURED PHOTO

many coastal males as possible. Here we describe some of the findings to date, with
the understanding that portions of this work will likely continue.

Our results indicate that red apteria in Sooty Grouse are distributed regionally — we
have found no site with both phenotypes. Males with red apteria have been found in
Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago on Douglas, Admiralty, Mitkof, Gravina, and Revilla-
gigedo islands, on the mainland of southeast Alaska around Bartlett Cove and Juneau,
and in north-coastal British Columbia at Stewart, near Prince Rupert at the mouth of
the Skeena River, and inland along the Skeena River as far as the Terrace area (see
this issue’s back cover). The most northerly population of Sooty Grouse with yellow
apteria has been documented on Graham Island (Haida Gwaii or Queen Charlotte
Islands), British Columbia. The northernmost point on the coastal mainland where
males with yellow apteria have been found is near Bella Coola, British Columbia,
about 275 km south-southeast of where we examined birds near Terrace.

Our survey of Sooty Grouse is not complete. We may yet find a north-coastal area
where males have yellow apteria or a south-coastal area where males have red apte-
ria. We may also determine where the two phenotypes meet, likely between Terrace
and Bella Coola. Expansion of the genetic surveys to northern British Columbia and
Alaska might help address this issue. This phenotypic variation highlights another
instance where the southeast Alaska/coastal British Columbia area emerges as a focus
for biogeographical research.

We thank Dan Gibson and Leslie Robb for their very helpful reviews of our
manuscript.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1886. The Code of Nomenclature and Check-list
of North American Birds. Am. Ornithol. Union New York.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1895. Check-list of North American Birds, 2 nd ed.
Am. Ornithol. Union, New York.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1910. Check-list of North American Birds, 3 rd ed.
Am. Ornithol. Union, New York.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1931. Checklist of North American Birds, 4 th ed.
Am. Ornithol. Union, New York.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1944. Nineteenth supplement to the American Or-
nithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 61:441-464.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Check-list of North American Birds, 5 th ed.
Am. Ornithol. Union, Baltimore.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6 th ed.
Am. Ornithol. Union, Lawrence, KS.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7 th ed.
Am. Ornithol. Union, Washington, DC.

Banks, R. C., Cicero, C., Dunn, J. L., Kratter, A. W., Rasmussen, P. C., Remsen,
J. V., Jr., Rising, J. D., and Stotz, D. F. 2006. Forty-seventh supplement to
the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk
123:926-936.

Barrowclough, G. F., Groth, J. G., Mertz, L. A., and Gutierrez, R. J. 2004. Phylo-
geographic structure, gene flow and species status in Blue Grouse ( Dendragapus
obscurus). Molecular Ecology 13:1911-1922.

Brooks, A. 1926. The display of Richardson’s Grouse with some notes on the species
and subspecies of the genus Dendragapus. Auk 43:281-287.

Brooks, A. 1929. On Dendragapus obscurus obscurus. Auk 446:111-113.

153

FEATURED PHOTO

Gabrielson, I. N., and Lincoln, F. C. 1959. The Birds of Alaska. Stackpole, Harrisburg,
PA.

Heinl, S. C., and A. W. Piston. 2009. Birds of the Ketchikan area, southeast Alaska.
W. Birds. 40:54-144.

Swarth, H. S. 1921. The Sitkan race of the Dusky Grouse. Condor 23:59-60.

Zwickel, F. C., and Bendell, J. F. 2004. Blue Grouse: Their Biology and Natural His-
tory. NRC Research Press, Ottawa, Ontario.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

The board of Western Field Ornithologists and the editorial team of Western Birds
thank the following generous contributors to the WFO’s scholarship and publica-
tions fund in 2008, including sponsors of this issue’s “Birds of the Ketchikan Area,
Southeast Alaska.”

Arctic Audubon Society, Fairbanks, AK
Robert Armstrong, Juneau, AK
Paul Baicich, Oxon Hill, MD
Leonie Batkin, Menlo Park, CA
David Bell, Vacaville, CA
Lance Benner, Altadena, CA
Ann Brooks, Los Angeles, CA
Eric Brooks, Los Angeles, CA
California Department of Fish and Game,
Sacramento, CA
Douglas Canning, Olympia, WA
William Carter, Ada, OK
Theodore Chase, Jr., Princeton, NJ
Charles Collins, Long Beach, CA
Alan Craig, Portal, AZ
William Cullen, Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Johanna Dawes, Los Angeles, CA
A1 DeMartini, San Mateo, CA
Julian Donahue, Los Angeles, CA
Katharine Donahue, Los Angeles, CA
Jon Dunn, Bishop, CA
Judith Fortney, Durham, NC
James Fritzhand, Calistoga, CA
J. B. Hallett, Atlanta, GA
Ed Harper, Carmichael, CA
John Harris, Oakdale, CA
William Heckmann, Studio City, CA
Diana Herron, Flagstaff, AZ
Jan H inter meister, Santa Clara, CA
Starlyn Howard, Laguna Beach, CA
HP Company Foundation, Washington, DC
Richard Jeffers, Santa Clara, CA
Juneau Audubon Society, Juneau, AK
Susan Kaveggia, Newport Beach, CA

Dexter Kelly, Port Hueneme, CA
Dave Krueper, Corrales, NM
Peter LaTourrette, Los Altos, CA
John Lewis, Chico, CA
Christine Lewis, Chico, CA
Richard Macintosh, Kodiak, AK
Kevin McKereghan, San Francisco, CA
Kathy Molina, Los Angeles, CA
David Nelson, San Rafael, CA
Kirsten Olson, Menlo Park, CA
Eleanor Osgood, Culver City, CA
Mike Parmeter, Napa, CA
Dennis Paulson, Seattle, WA
Pat Pourchot, Anchorage, AK
Elizabeth Rinnander, Port Hueneme, CA
Patricia Rose, Juneau, AK
Jeffrey Sauer, Juneau, AK
Robert Scher, Anchorage, AK
Mark Schwan, Juneau, AK
David Seay, La Jolla, CA
Carol Jean Selvey, Los Angeles, CA
Stanley Senner, Anchorage, AK
Dan Singer, Pacifica, CA
David Sonneborn, Anchorage, AK
Donald Starks, San Jose, CA
Langdon Stevenson, Mill Valley, CA
Paul Suchanek, Douglas, AK
Lynn Thomas, Chico, CA
University of Alaska Friends of
Ornithology, Fairbanks, AK
Gus Van Vliet, Auke Bay, AK
Kevin Winker, Fairbanks, AK
Jay Withgott, Portland, OR
Tom Wurster, Monrovia, CA

154

WESTERN FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS
34 th ANNUAL MEETING

Boise, Idaho, 10-13 September 2009

Join us for WFO’s 34th annual meeting at the Oxford Suites of Boise, phone
208-322-8000, website www.oxfordsuitesboise.com. Hotel reservations are by
phone only for the rooms discounted for WFO. Rooms are limited, so make your
reservation quickly. Information on presenting a paper submission, registration, and
the hotel are at www.westernfieldornithologists.org. If you are without a computer,
request a registration form and details from Ed Pandolfino, 55350 Del Rose Court,
Carmichael, CA 95608.

Located along a major pathway of fall migration of both raptors and songbirds,
the Boise area is rich in observable bird life. Do not pass up this opportunity to see
this unique region and to meet the scientists of our hosting organization, the Idaho
Bird Observatory of Boise State University. Western Field Ornithologists’ meetings
are noted for their science programs, hospitality, field trips, identification panels, and
lively social activities, and this year we can add special location to this list.

This year’s agenda includes science sessions, expert identification panels, work-
shops, field trips, exhibitors, social activities, featured speakers, and banquet. Dr.
Craig Benkman (www.uwyo.edu/benkman/) of the University of Wyoming will give
the keynote address on the South Hills Crossbill, Loxia sinesciuris, which he and
others recently described (http://birding.typepad.com/peeps/2009/03/south-hills-
crossbill-idaho.html). The ever affable and knowledgeable Terry Rich, Partners in
Flight national coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be a featured
speaker on the birds of Idaho. For the adventurous, this meeting also affords the
opportunity to see North America’s newest and Idaho’s first endemic bird, the South
Hills Crossbill.

Our science sessions and identification panels are coordinated this year by Debbie
Van Dooremolen, Jay Withgott, Ed Harper, and Nathan Pieplow. To submit and pres-
ent a paper, contact WFO through our website, www.westernfieldornithologists.org.
To express an interest in participating in the panels on sound and/or visual identifica-
tion (don’t be shy), send a message to contact@westernfieldornithologists.org.

Workshops will be offered on both Friday and Saturday mornings of the meeting.
Preparation of bird skins, how to write and submit a scientific paper to a journal, the
art of listening for bird sounds, and techniques for digiscoping are this year’s topics,
presented by Daniel Gibson and Robert Dickerman, David Krueper and Philip Unitt,
Jay Withgott and Catherine Waters, and Jim Danzenbaker and friends.

This year’s diverse field trips will visit the Lucky Peak banding station, staging areas
for shorebirds and waterfowl, and the amazing Boise River Walk, as well as others.
This year’s pelagic trip will be by raft down the Snake River! Other sites of interest in
the area include the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey (www. peregrine-
fund. org), the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center (www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/
education/mknc), the Idaho Botanical Garden (www.idahobotanicalgarden.org), and
the Boise State University campus (www.boisestate.edu), to name a few.

Logistics for reaching and staying in Boise are excellent. Multiple national air car-
riers from multiple cities serve the city daily. Besides fine hotels and motels, there are
a number of nearby RV parks and campgrounds. The Boise Visitors Bureau (phone
800-635-5240, website www.boise.org) has complete information and maps (state
and local), flight schedules, transportation alternatives to flying and driving, nearby
camping/RV locations, etc.

We look forward to seeing you in Boise!

155

World Wide Web site:

WESTERN BIRDS www . westernfieldornithologists . org

Quarterly Journal of Western Field Ornithologists

President: Catherine Waters, 12079 Samoline Ave., Downey, CA 90242;
cpannellwaters@yahoo.com

Vice-President: Daniel D. Gibson, P. O. Box 155, Ester, Alaska 99725-0155;
avesalaska@gmail . com

Treasurer/Membership Secretary: Robbie Fischer, 1359 Solano Dr., Pacifica, CA
94044; robbie22@pacbell.net

Recording Secretary: Jean Brandt, 3846 Sapphire Dr., Encino, CA 91436-3633;
jeanbrandt@sbcglobal . net

Directors: Elisabeth Ammon, Carol Beardmore, Jon L. Dunn, Jon Feenstra, Gjon
Hazard, Osvel Hinojosa-Huerta, Edward R. Pandolfino, David Quady, Thomas
P. Ryan, W. David Shuford, Debbie Van Dooremolen, Jay Withgott
Editor: Philip Unitt, San Diego Natural History Museum, P. O. Box 121390, San
Diego, CA 92112-1390; birds@sdnhm.org
Assistant Editor: Kathy Molina, Section of Ornithology, Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007; kmolina@
nhm.org

Associate Editors: Doug Faulkner, Thomas Gardali, Daniel D. Gibson, Robert E. Gill,
Ronald R. LeValley, Tim Manolis, Kathy Molina, Dan Reinking

Graphics Manager: Virginia P. Johnson, 4637 Del Mar Ave., San Diego, CA 92107;
gingerj5@juno.com

Photo Editor: Peter LaTourrette, 1019 Loma Prieta Ct., Los Altos, CA 94024;
petelat 1 @stanf ord . edu

Featured Photo: Joseph Morlan, 1359 Solano Dr., Pacifica, CA 94044; jmorlan@
gmail.com

Book Reviews: Alan Contreras, 795 E. 29th Ave., Eugene, OR 97405; acontrer@
mindspring.com

Web site: Joseph Morlan; jmorlan@gmail.com

Membership dues, for individuals and institutions, including subscription to Western Birds: Patron,
$1000.00; Life, $600 (payable in four equal annual installments); Supporting, $75 annually;
Contributing, $50 annually; Family $40; Regular U.S. $35 for one year, $60 for two years, $85
for three years. Dues and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Send membership dues, changes of address, correspondence regarding missing issues, and or-
ders for back issues and special publications to the Treasurer. Make checks payable to Western
Field Ornithologists.

BACK ISSUES OF WESTERN BIRDS WITHIN U.S. $40 PER VOLUME, $10 FOR SINGLE
ISSUES, INCLUDING SHIPPING AND HANDLING. OUTSIDE THE U.S. $55 PER VOLUME,
$15 FOR SINGLE ISSUES, INCLUDING SHIPPING AND HANDLING.

The California Bird Records Committee of Western Field Ornithologists revised its 10-column
Field List of California Birds in July 2005. The last list covered 613 accepted species; the new list
covers 630 species. Please send orders to WFO, c/o Robbie Fischer, Treasurer, 1359 Solano
Drive, Pacifica, CA 94044. California addresses please add 8.25% sales tax.

Quantity: 1-9, $1.50 each, includes shipping and handling; 10-39, $1.30 each, add $2.00 for
shipping and handling; 40 or more, $1.15 each, add $4.00 for shipping and handling.

Published June 1, 2009

ISSN 0045-3897

GREATER FUNCTION,
LOWER WEIGHT

THE NEW HD SPOTTING SCOPES - WITH INDIVIDUAL ACCESSORIES

The latest ATM/STM HD magnesium spotting scopes from SWAROVSKI OPTIK are extremely rugged
and unusually lightweight - offering, in addition, extensive and versatile accessories.
Allowing you to discover the most hidden, fleeting beauties of nature. Simply and individually.

NEW MAGNESIUM HOUSING
lightweight and rugged

HUH 25-50x W

^ INNOVATIVE 25-50XW WIDE-ANGLE ZOOM EYEPIECE

over 25% more field of view suitable for all
SWAROVSKI OPTIK spotting scopes compatible with all adapters

NEW STAY-ON CASE
perfect protection compatible
with all spotting scopes

TRIPODS AND CAMERA ADAPTERS
lightweight and versatile

VERSATILE TELESCOPE RAIL
shake-free, quiet observation and
photography with and without tripod

SEETHE UNSEEN

WWW.SWAROVSKIOPTIK.COM

SWAROVSKI

OPTIK

SWAROVSKI

OPTIK

A Proud Sponsor of Western Field Ornithologists