Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Birds arriving in Alaska for the breeding season may be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has caused illness and death in waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and birds of prey and some mammals. Learn more, including steps hunters can take to reduce the risk of infection and how to report observations/concerns.

American Robin feeding young
Plan Ahead to Protect Nesting Birds

Protecting nesting migratory birds is all about timing. (See: Timing recommendations for land disturbance and vegetation clearing)

Alaska is home to more than 470 species of birds. Most are migratory birds for which the Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible under international treaties and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. While some of the birds stay in Alaska year-round, most migrate to Canada, Central America, South America, Asia, or the lower 48 United States. In fact, birds from Alaska pass through virtually every other state (even Hawaii) on the way to and from their nesting and wintering grounds! To help conserve migratory birds for future generations, we work with others to study, manage, and learn more about these amazing globetrotters and avian superheroes.

Latest News

Ground level view of hangar under construction.
Alaska's Busiest Seaplane Base
History of Lake Hood and the hanger that shaped USFWS aviation operations in the region.
A small bird with a black belly and long downcurved black bill stands in the grassy tundra
Migratory Species
Alaska-Japan Sister Site Relationship is for the Birds
On Feb.8, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management Alaska and the government of Saga City, Japan formalized a sister site relationship between Qupałuk (KU-pah-luck), Alaska and Higashiyoka-higata, Japan. This relationship strives for continued collaboration, research, and capacity building between these...
Large white bird sitting on a tundra grassland landscape with the horizon in the background
Migratory Species
Respecting the Great White Owl
The Los Angeles Snowy Owl is one of many individuals over the last decade to wander far from its Arctic breeding grounds. Snowy Owls are known as nomadic, irruptive migrants that sometimes migrate in large numbers outside their typical winter range. "Snowy Owls are so nomadic it led to experts...
Hidden camera view within a wooden raft with a Pacific loon and a chick under its wing.
Wildlife Wonders
Loon Conservation in Anchorage, Alaska
The handcrafted wooden raft — recently outfitted with a brand-new camouflage canopy and livestream video camera — quietly drifts around its anchor on Connors Lake in Anchorage, Alaska.
two white geese with black wing tips flying
Migratory Species
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Migratory Birds in Alaska
The Center for Disease Control believes that the public health risk from HPAI in North America is low. Alaska hunters should still exercise caution while hunting and eating migratory birds by following steps to reduce infection risk. Learn how to report observations/concerns in Alaska.
4 baby birds with open mouths in a nest
Wildlife Wonders
Help Breeding Birds and Nestlings Veg Out
Birds are most vulnerable to human impacts during the breeding and nesting season. You might not realize it, but a lot of everyday/backyard activities could affect birds. Learn how to minimize your impact.
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What We Do

We work to conserve and manage migratory birds by:

  • Monitoring population distribution and abundance
  • Identifying important breeding, brood-rearing, staging, and wintering habitats
  • Banding and marking birds to determine migration patterns, mortality, longevity and habitat use
  • Determining effects of catastrophic events such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
  • Working with Alaska Natives and the State of Alaska to co-manage the spring/summer subsistence harvest of migratory birds.
  • Maintaining databases and providing these, as well as other technical assistance, to other agencies, land managers and private organizations.
  • Helping administer conservation grant programs that distribute funds to the State of Alaska and Alaskan tribes from Congressional appropriations or excise taxes on hunting equipment
  • Identifying and protecting important bird habitats through implementation of conservation plans
  • Reviewing and issuing permits for activities involving migratory birds including scientific collecting and other educational uses
  • Educating the public about migratory birds

 

A man holds a brown bird with dark eye stripe, long bill and long legs with affixing a band to its leg.
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Our Organization

Bird with tan, black and white speckling, black beak siting on the tundra
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The Migratory Bird Management program is comprised of several sections that specialize in different groups of birds.

 

We work closely with partners along different flyways and with our tribal partners to coordinate conservation and management efforts.  We also participate in outreach and education programs and bird festivals to raise awareness about birds and the challenges they face. 

a man and a woman stand against a banner that show different bird silhouttes so they can measure their wingspan
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Our Species

If it has feathers and wings, we likely count it, study it, and manage it!

Owl with black and brown barring on its chest sits atop a spruce tree
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Projects and Research

Our research and projects focus on efforts that will lead to conservation actions for migratory birds for the continuing benefit and enjoyment of the American public.

Group of people banding cackling Canada geese.
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Our Library

Learn more about what we do through our project, stories, and publications library.

Blue and white bird
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Location and Contact Information