Birding Alaska

Eurasian Teal Anas crecca crecca, Mud Bay, Homer, 28 April 2011.

A drake Eurasian Teal (aka Eurasian Green-winged Teal, aka Common Teal, aka Aleutian Green-winged Teal) Anas crecca crecca was in Mud Bay, Homer today with a flock of about 150 (American) Green-winged Teal A. c. carolinensis. The drake is identified by the lack of the vertical white bar behind the breast and the strong white horizontal bar on the secondary coverts. Also, the green eye-stripe is very neatly outlined in fine gold trim. Females are not safely identifiable in the field. Another Eurasian Teal is currently being reported in Kenai. That’s a pretty good showing for the Kenai Peninsula.

The American Ornithologists’ Union currently recognizes crecca and carolinensis as subspecies of Green-winged Teal. The British Ornithologists’ Union and other authorities have split the taxa into two species.

Eurasian Teal Anas crecca crecca (left), with two Green-winged Teal A. c. carolinensis, Mud Bay, Homer, 28 April 2011. Click any photo to enlarge.

In flight note the stronger white secondary covert bar of the Eurasian Teal.

This winter’s Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches flock on the Homer Spit has numbered about 40-50 since they first arrived in November. If you look carefully through the flock you might pick out one bird that is a bit different from the rest. The race of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch that regularly winters on the Homer Spit is the Kenai Peninsula breeding littoralis, however, this winter there is also one finch of the interior Alaska breeding race tephrocotis in the flock. Last winter there were no reports of tephrocotis on the Spit. While during the winter of 2008-2009 there were at least 15 tephrocotis in the flock.

Four subspecies of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Leucosticte tephrocotis occur in Alaska (Gibson and Kessel 1997). These four subspecies can be grouped into two easily identifiable forms or types–coastal “gray-cheeked” and interior “brown-cheeked” forms. Two of the four subspecies, littoralis and tephrocotis are regularly found in Homer in the winter, and we should be on the lookout for the Aleutian Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, griseonucha, which might rarely occur.

Interior form:

L. t. tephrocotis: In Alaska the interior form is comprised of just one subspecies, nominate tephrocotis. It is known as the “Interior” Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch or “Cassin’s” Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. In Alaska it breeds in the Brooks Range, in the mountains between the Yukon and the Tanana Rivers, and in the White Mountains (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). It winters from southern British Columbia, central Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southwestern Manitoba south through the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin (AOU 1957). It is sometimes found wintering in small numbers in coastal Alaska, where small numbers are usually mixed in the larger flocks of littoralis Rosy-Finches.

Coastal form:

The Coastal form is comprised of three subspecies in Alaska, all of which have an entirely gray crown and cheek.

L. t. littoralis: Is variably called the “Coastal,” “Hepburn’s,” or “Gray-cheeked” Rosy-Finch. In Alaska it breeds in the mountains of Central, Southcoastal, and Southeast Alaska. Wintering flocks can be encountered at feeders and beaches throughout coastal Alaska from the Kenai Peninsula south through Southeast Alaska. The Homer spit usually hosts a winter flock of 100+ birds.

L. t. griseonucha: Is known as the “Aleutian” Rosy-Finch. It occurs from the Kodiak Archipelago and the outer end of the Alaskan Peninsula west through the Aleutian Islands. The Aleutian Rosy-Finch is primarily non-migratory, but winter movements to lower elevations occur as well as occasional wanderings further east, possibly the Kenai Peninsula where it should be looked for in winter (especially on the Homer Spit). Gibson and Kessel (1997) include ‘kadiaka’ in the subspecies griseonucha. ‘Kadiaka’ is resident on Kodiak Island and is intermediate in size between littoralis and griseonucha. Gabrielson and Lincoln (1959) considered it a separate race.

L. t. umbrina: Is known as the “Pribilofs” Rosy-Finch and is a year-round resident on the Pribilof Islands and St. Matthew Island. It is the largest and darkest of all of the subspecies.

Distinguishing the three subspecies from each other is less straight forward than telling an interior bird from a coastal bird. The main differences between the three coastal subspecies include: size, darkness of brown breast, amount of contrast between the breast and the throat, extent of black streaking on the back, and bill shape. Distinguishing littoralis from griseonucha where their winter ranges come together may not be possible in the field.

See the photos below for information on how to identify the races of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. Click on any photo to enlarge.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch L. t. littoralis and tephrocotis (center), Homer Spit, Homer, 20 December 2010.

The bird in the center of the flock (looking straight at the camera) is an interior tephrocotis. It is identified primarily by its brown cheeks; the gray on the head is limited to a broad supercilia that reaches around to the back of the head. Also, the brown breast is slightly paler brown than that of the littoralis finches which surround it.

“Hepburn’s” Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch L. t. littoralis, Homer Spit, Homer, 20 December 2010.

On all three subspecies that comprise the coastal form the entire sides of the face, including the cheek, is gray. The breast on these littoralis Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches is dark brown which contrasts with the black throat. Since Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches nest in extremely cold and rugged environments we can’t assume from the snow that it’s winter. However, the yellow bills give the season away. Breeding plumaged birds of all subspecies have black bills.

“Interior” Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch L. t. tephrocotis, Homer Spit, Homer, 20 December 2010.

Note the brown cheeks, lighter brown breast than a littoralis, and stout bill.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch L. t. littoralis and tephrocotis, Homer Spit, Homer, 20 December 2010.

The flash of their silvery underwings as a flock takes flight is one of my favorite field marks of a Rosy-Finch.

“Aleutian” Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch L. t. griseonucha, Adak Island, 14 May 2010.

Aleutian breeding Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches are larger, darker breasted and longer billed than littoralis. The bills of all Rosy-Finches are black during the breeding season.

“Aleutian” Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch L. t. griseonucha, Adak Island, 17 May 2010.

The very dark brown breast of this griseonucha only slightly contrasts with its black throat. Compare the photos of littoralis above.

“Aleutian” Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch L. t. griseonucha, Unalaska, 10 October 2009.

If an Aleutian griseonucha were to find itself in a flock of littoralis and tephrocotis on the Homer Spit or elsewhere in Southcoastal Alaska it might be separated by its larger size, darker brown breast contrasting less with the black throat, and slightly longer more slender bill. This would be a subtle and difficult identification for sure, especially since the resident griseonucha on Kodiak appear to be intermediate in size and plumage between griseonucha farther west and littoralis. In this case an unequivocal identification to subspecies in the field may not be possible.

Sources:

• American Ornithologists’ Union. 1957. Check-list of North American Birds, 5th ed. Lord Baltimore Press, Baltimore, MD.
• Gabrielson, I. N., and Lincoln, F. C. 1959. The Birds of Alaska. Stackpole, Harrisburg, PA.
• Gibson, D. D., and Kessel, B. 1997. Inventory of the species and subspecies of Alaska birds. Western Birds 28:45-95.

The highlight of the Homer Christmas Bird Count (18 December 2010) was a yellow-faced Horned Lark of the Asian breeding race flava found by Lisa Matlock, Kathy Eagle, Dave Rosseneau and Vernon Byrd. It was with a group of three Alaskan breeding arcticola Horned Larks. I believe this is the first mid-winter record of Horned Lark for Homer (there are several records in recent years from the Kenai River flats and at least one from Seward). Also, this is the first record of a yellow-faced flava for the Kenai Peninsula. With help from Gary Lyon I relocated the flock on 19 December and got a few photos.

Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris flava, Fishing Lagoon, Homer Spit, 19 December 2010.

The yellow supercilium, throat and sides of face identify this individual as the Asian breeding race flava.

Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris arcticola, Fishing Lagoon, Homer Spit, 19 December 2010.

A typical Alaskan breeding arcticola lacking any color to the face.

The Asian form flava is a rare fall migrant to western Alaska, including the islands of the Bering Sea. In Southcoastal Alaska, there are two specimen records for Middleton Island and a sight record from Middleton Island on 25-27 September 1991. In Southeast Alaska a flava was photographed at Juneau, 6 December 2007 and this year at Gustavus on 31 October 2010. Thanks to Steve Heinl and Gus van Vliet for information on other Southcoastal and Southeast Alaska records.

Click here for photos of a flava from the Bering Sea earlier this year.

Rock Sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis, probably tschuktschorum, Homer Boat Harbor, 13 November 2009. Click to enlarge.

The winter flock of Rock Sandpipers in Homer (usually 2,500-5,000 birds) is predominately made up of the darker plumaged race tschuktschorum, but may also be contain a few of the Aleutian race couesi (Dan Ruthrauff, USGS, pers. comm.) Banding studies are needed to confirm this. A small number, usually less than three percent, of the Homer flock is made up of nominate ptilocnemis, which breeds on the Pribilof Islands and St. Matthew and Hall Islands. Most ptilocnemis winter on the mudflats of Uppper Cook Inlet. Nominate birds are identified by their paler gray upperparts, more similar in tone to that of winter plumaged Sanderling, and their broader white wingstripe. See photos below. Click on any photo for a larger version.

A typical winter Rock Sandpiper flock in the Homer Boat Harbor, containing mostly dark tschuktschorum (with possibly couesi), small numbers of nominate ptilocnemis, and small numbers of Dunlin C. alpina. Looking closely (click to enlarge) you can see that this flock also harbored the late record Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus for the Kenai Peninsula, 13 November 2009.

Rock Sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis, probably tschuktschorum, Homer Boat Harbor, 13 November 2009.

Rock Sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis, probably tschuktschorum, Homer Boat Harbor, 13 November 2009.

Dunlin C. alpina and Rock Sandpiper C. ptilocnemis, Homer Boat Harbor, 13 November 2009.

Rock Sandpipers C. p. ptilocnemis (paler bird in center), Homer Boat Harbor, 12 March 2009.

Rock Sandpiper C. p. ptilocnemis (paler bird in center) surrounded by probable tschuktschorum, Homer Boat Harbor, 12 March 2009.

Click here for a photo comparing ptilocnemis, couesi, and tschuktschorum wings patterns. Many thanks to Dan Ruthrauff of the USGS for this very useful pdf.

Red-legged (in focus) and Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa brevirostris and tridactyla, Bering Sea, 3 October 2010.

Three Red-legged and one Black-legged Kittiwake (second from the bottom), Bering Sea, 3 October 2010.

Mixed flock of Kittiwakes, Bering Sea, 3 October 2010.

Red-legged Kittiwake, Bering Sea about 60 miles northeast of St. Paul Island, 3 October 2010.

On 3 October the ship spent the entire day about 60 miles northeast of St. Paul Island in the eastern Bering Sea. A large mixed flock of kittiwakes was around the ship all day long, allowing for a few decent comparison pictures. The Red-legged Kittiwake is smaller with a shorter bill, more rounded head, and shorter wings than the Black-legged Kittiwake. It’s upper wing is a darker gray than that of the Black-legged, with no contrast between the inner and outer wing. The under wing is gray on a Red-legged and whitish on a Black-legged. In addition, I think the Red-legged Kittiwake looks a bit “cuter” than the Black-legged.

Click here or more information on identifying Red-legged Kittiwakes.

Late in the evening a Yellow-rumped Warbler briefly landed on the ship. The first passerine on board since getting underway on 22 September.

Update, 22 November 2010: Further study of this bird and images and consultation with experts have shown that the identity of this bird is most probably a Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum, which would be a first for North America. A manuscript detailing the sighting and identification of this bird has been submitted to the Alaska Checklist Committee for review.

This very skulky bird eluded birders at Gambell for several hours on 9 September 2010 before several people were able to get a few photos. We initially thought this bird to be an adult Middendorff’s, but several features argue against that ID and point to an Acrocephalus warbler.  Unless noted in the caption all photos are posted here as shot. The images have been cropped, but no adjustments to exposure, contrast, sharpening, etc. have been made. Click on any photo to enlarge.

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Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris flava, Eastern Bering Sea, 31 August 2010. Click on photos to enlarge.

Another hitchhiker this morning. The yellow throat and supercillia identify this Horned Lark as the flava subspecies, breeding in eastern Russia. It winters in southern Russia, northeast China and Japan and is a casual fall migrant to the islands of the Bering Sea.

Before landing on the ship this morning the Horned Lark was doing laps around the ship with a smaller mystery passerine. Unfortunately, that one got away.

Other migrants flying by the ship today were 11 Pacific Golden-Plovers, 1 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Tattler sp.

• Brazil, M. 2009. Birds of East Asia: China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Russia. Princeton University Press.
• Gibson, D. D., and Byrd, G. V. 2007. Birds of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Nuttall Ornithological Club and the American Ornithologists’ Union. Series in Ornithology 1.
• Gibson, D. D., and Kessel, B. 1997. Inventory of the species and subspecies of Alaska birds. Western Birds 28:45-95.
• Lehman, P. E. 2005. Fall migration at Gambell, St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Western Birds 36:2-55.

Now that the frenetic spring and summer breeding season is over and my schedule has eased up I have some time to post photos of this summer’s adventures. One of the highlights of my summer was a short trip that Bob Dittrick and I took to a nondescript ridge called Deadhorse Pass on the Eureka Road off of the Elliot Highway. We had just returned to Fairbanks after a three week stint in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and had only two days break in the schedule before Bob headed back into the Refuge and I headed for Nome.

The Eureka Road is about a three hour drive north and west of Fairbanks and is the location of the first Yellow-bellied Flycatcher nest found in Alaska. Yellow-bellied Flycatchers have been recorded irregularly in the spring in east-central Alaska for a number of years (mostly singing males). The species has also been caught at banding sights in Fairbanks and Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. The Eureka Road population was discovered in 2004 and was nicely written up in Western Birds volume 37, number 1 which you can find here:

Martin, P. R., Bonner, F., Gibson, D. D. 2006. First Nest of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher for Alaska with Notes on Breeding Biology. Western Birds 37:8-22.

We arrived on the ridge around 4 PM on July 3rd but the only empid that we heard that afternoon was a Hammond’s Flycatcher–one bird called once. We birded the rest of the afternoon and finally hit the sleeping bags around 11 PM. At 2:16 AM we awoke to the whine of mosquitoes and the distinctive song of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher! Despite the very encouraging start to the early morning we did not get satisfactory views of the bird until around 7:30 AM when I managed these photos.

The bird spent much of the morning calling from dense trees for about 10-15 minutes at a time before going completely silent. After about 20-30 minutes of silence we would again hear it from an entirely different locations some distance away. So went the morning until after about five hours with only brief views of the bird we began to discern a pattern to its circuit. We finally parked ourselves on a patch of mossy slope and waited near one the stands. After about 30 minutes (I fell asleep) Bob spotted the bird in the open and its distinctive song jarred me from my sleep. We watched the birds until around 9 AM and enjoyed great views. We were able to snap a few photos and get comparison looks of Hammond’s Flycatcher as well.

In contrast, reports from birders who had visited the site earlier in the season reported having the birds singing and showing well at the pull-out where looks were easily obtained from the parking area. What a difference a week makes a to a flycatcher in July!

Sunrise circa 2:45 AM on the ridge. The Yell0w-bellied Flycatcher began singing at 2:16 AM.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris, Eureka Road, 4 July 2010.

Note the bold eye-ring, bic0lored bill, and yellowish wash to the belly and throat. The song is diagnostic and this individual gave it’s clear “chebunk” call throughout much of the morning.

There was at least one other calling Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in the area as well as a Hammond’s Flycatcher E. hammondii and several Alder Flycatchers E. alnorum. The Alder Flycatchers were in thicker shrub on the other side of the ridge, but the Hammond’s was in the same area as this Yellow-bellied and when the two would come into contact the Yell0w-bellied would aggressively chase the Hammond’s away. The Hammond’s was noticeably grayer overall with less contrast between the wing coverts and the back and lacked yellow on the underparts. The bill of the Hammond’s Flycatcher was distinctly shorter and narrower, looking dainty when compared to that of the Yellow-bellied. The distal half of the lower mandible was dark. We heard the Hammond’s call only a few times throughout the morning, but whenever it was near the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher’s favorite stand of trees it was silent and in all interactions between the two the Yell0w-bellied aggressively drove the silent Hammond’s away.

White Admiral Limenitis arthemis, Eureka Road, 4 July 2010.

By 8 AM the sun was out and this beautiful White Admiral was sunning itself in the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher habitat.

• Click here for a report and photo of a “new” Yellow-bellied Flycatcher site discovered on the Steese Highway near Fairbanks in June 2010.
• Click here for detailed directions to the Eureka Road as well as more information on the Steese Highway Yellow-bellied Flycatchers.