The Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS) has been conducted annually since 1955 (1957 in Alaska) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Canadian Wildlife Service to estimate the spring abundance of dabbling ducks and other waterfowl of management concern in their principal breeding areas of North America.  The survey is continental in scope requiring numerous survey flight crews across North America, but the Alaska Region of Migratory Bird Management is responsible for completing the portion of the survey within the state of Alaska and the Canadian Yukon from mid-May to early June of each year. Waterfowl abundance estimates from this survey support a decision-making framework for harvest management of ducks through Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM).

In addition to supporting management of dabbling duck harvest through AHM, the Alaska portion of the WBPHS also provides data on Pacific white-fronted geese and the western population of tundra swans.  Such data are used by the Pacific Flyway Council to set annual harvest regulations for those species in the Pacific Flyway per their respective Management Plans. The Alaska survey crew also documents sandhill cranes, loons, grebes, and eagles.  Combined, the survey results are not only used to establish annual hunting regulations, but also to monitor long term trends in migratory bird populations and to inform various conservation and management decisions at the state, flyway, and continental levels.

The Alaska region maintains an archived record of the historical dataset (1957 to present) for strata 1-12, independent of the main full North American dataset managed by the Headquarters Region, Migratory Bird Management.

Map of Alaska with lines in red showing the transect that are flown for the waterfowl breeding pair and habitat survey
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Transect lines flown in Alaska for the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey.

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Species

Trumpeter swan and young swimming in Pablo day use pond

The trumpeter swan is a majestic bird, with snowy white feathers; jet-black bill, feet, and legs; and 8-foot wingspan. At close range, a thin orange-red line can be seen on the lower part of the bill. The trumpeter is often confused with the smaller, more northerly tundra swan, especially where...

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A large bird with brown feathers, white head, and yellow beak flies against a pale blue sky
The Migratory Bird Program works with partners to protect, restore and conserve bird populations and their habitats for the benefit of future generations by: ensuring long-term ecological sustainability of all migratory bird populations, increasing socioeconomic benefits derived from birds,...
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Washington,DC

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Alaska Migratory Birds Office
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...
Conservation Office
Anchorage,AK

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aerial view of wetlands and snow on the landscape
Migratory Species
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