Horned Puffin
The adorable horned puffin is found in Kenai Fjords in the summer months. Puffins spend most of their lives on the open ocean, far from land, but they come to nest on rocky cliffs in the summer. Horned Puffins use their wings to "Fly" underwater to catch small fish. They can dive over 100 feet deep and can carry dozens of fish at a time in their bills. One Puffin was once observed carrying 65 fish at once in its bill.
Black-Billed Magpie
Black-Billed Magpies are found across much of western North America and can be found in the open woodland areas of Kenai Fjords National Park. Magpies are cousins of jays and crows. They are noisy, entertaining, and have lovely iridescent feathers and very long tails.
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Hardcore birders come to Alaska from all over the world for a chance to see the tiny Kittlitz's Murrelet. It can only be found near tidewater glaciers, as it forages for food in tidewater glacier outflows. As the world's glaciers recede, Kittlitz's Murrelets populations suffer too. The Kittlitz's Murrelet looks very similar to its cousin, the Marbled murrelet, but has a shorter bill and white outer tail feathers.
Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush is found in dense forests of the pacific northwest, western Canada, and alaska. You might hear its sweet, echoing song before you see it. Varied thrushes are thought to form monogamous breeding pairs! They can be aggressive with other birds but will occasionally get along with its cousin, the American robin, long enough to forage on the ground together for worms and berries.
Red-Faced Cormorant
Another must-see for birders visiting kenai fjords is the rare red-faced cormorant. These birds nest in extremely remote locations on steep cliffs along the North Pacific coastline. This makes it very hard to see. In the winter, they don't migrate but simply move away from the shoreline to coastal waters to forage for food. They used their large webbed feet to dive for fish near the ocean floor.
Barrow's Goldeneye
The Barrow's Goldeneye can be found along rocky ocean coasts in the winter, and in mountain lakes in the summer. They nest in holes in trees, and will often reuse their nest from the year before! They dive for aquatic invertebrates, using their beaks to dislodge small rocks on the ocean floor. They love mollusks, blue mussels, and small fish. The oldest known Barrow's Goldeneye was a female that lived to be 18 years old.
Common Raven
Common Ravens are among the smartest of all birds and have been found near people in the Northern Hemisphere for centuries. Ravens are acrobatic fliers and can do rolls, somersaults, and even fly upside down. They have been observed playing, using tools, can understand cause and effect, and can mimic speech.
Harlequin Duck
The Harlequin Duck gets its name from the males theatrical and colorful plumage. These ducks seem to seek out the most dramatic settings and are often found along rocky shores with big waves in the winter, and whitewater rivers in the summer.
Steller's Jay
Steller's jays are found all over the mountainous west. They are quick to spy bird feeders as well as unattended food at campgrounds. If you want to attract steller's jays to your yard, they especially love peanuts. The Steller's Jay can imitate other birds, cats, dogs, squirrels, and even some machinery.
Black Oystercatcher
The Black Oystercatcher is a delightful shorebird found along rocky coasts from Oregon to Alaska. They can be found foraging along the coastline at low tide. They don't eat oysters at all, but they love pacific blue mussels. Black Oystercatchers remain with their mate all year long.
Parakeet Auklet
Parakeet Auklets, like puffins and murres, are a member of the alcid family of birds. They have dense bones and "Fly" underwater using their wings. Parakeet auklets have cool purple feet and they are one of the only bird species that eats jellyfish!
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
You may have seen the red-breasted nuthatch at your backyard bird-feeder, and if not, i hope you do one day. These little guys are noisy and social, and sound like tiny horns honking. They can also often be seen on tree trunks, searching for hiding insects.
Bald Eagle
Our National bird is easily recognized by its white head and bright yellow beak. The Bald eagle is a great conservation success story, with populations increasing every year. They can now be found in every state but Hawaii. Bald Eagles like forested areas near water where they can go fishing, but can also be found foraging at fish processing plants and dumps.
Violet-Green Swallow
Violet-Green Swallows can be seen acrobatically swooping in search of insects to eat. They spend their winters in Mexico & Central America, but can be found all over the west in spring & summer. Their lovely iridescent colors come to life in the sunlight!
Willow Ptarmigan
The Willow Ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska. They are well suited to winters in the last frontier, and have heavily feathered feet. They camouflage themselves all year round, sporting white feathers in the winter and a mix of red and brown in the summer. Willow Ptarmigan can sometimes be seen playing together!
Rufous Hummingbird
These little guys have the Northernmost range of any Hummingbird. They are frequent visitors to Hummingbird feeders. To make Hummingbird food mix about a quarter cup of table sugar with one cup of water. Remember to change the water before it becomes cloudy, especially during hot weather when it can ferment.