Birds

Common murres are clustered together on a cliff ledge in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on July 30, 2019. Annual monitoring of key nesting sites has found that the common murre population has yet to recover from the massive die-off caused by the marine heatwave known as the “Blob.” It was the biggest wildlife die-off in modern times, a new study says. (Photo by Brie Drummond/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Alaska birds suffered biggest die-off in recorded history in ‘Blob’ heat wave, new study says

4 million deaths of common murres during the intense North Pacific marine heatwave.

 

At least one female wood duck has invented a novel feeding technique. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Wood ducks, redstarts, yellowlegs and flowers

Mid-June, and a few days ago we saw a wood duck with two tiny chicks on Moose Lake. Another female with two fluffy ones came… Continue reading

 

A Rufous hummingbird hovers near a glass hummingbird feeder filled with homemade liquid food. Keeping the feeder clean is important to prevent mold, bacteria and disease. (Photo by Kerry Howard)

Hummingbirds buzz back to Juneau

How to care for backyard feeders.

  • Apr 23, 2024
  • By Laurie Craig, For the Juneau Empire
  • SportsBirds

 

Bar-tailed godwits stand on the beach at Marion Bay in Australia's Tasmania state on Feb. 17, 2018. A young bar-tailed godwit appears to have set a non-stop distance record for migratory birds by flying at least 13,560 kilometers (8,435 miles) from Alaska to the Australian state of Tasmania, a bird expert said Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Eric Woehler)

Alaska-Australia flight could place bird in record books

A young bar-tailed godwit appears to have set a non-stop distance record for migratory birds.

Bar-tailed godwits stand on the beach at Marion Bay in Australia's Tasmania state on Feb. 17, 2018. A young bar-tailed godwit appears to have set a non-stop distance record for migratory birds by flying at least 13,560 kilometers (8,435 miles) from Alaska to the Australian state of Tasmania, a bird expert said Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (Eric Woehler)
Anne Bonino-Britsch, a volunteer, feeds chickens at the Zach Gordon Youth Center. The first case of bird flu tied to a recent outbreak that's killed millions of turkeys and chickens was confirmed in Alaska last week, but local poultry owners said while they're being cautious, they aren't overly concerned. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bird flu ruffles feathers: No panic among local poultry owners, but they’re taking precautions

No cases in Juneau so far.

Anne Bonino-Britsch, a volunteer, feeds chickens at the Zach Gordon Youth Center. The first case of bird flu tied to a recent outbreak that's killed millions of turkeys and chickens was confirmed in Alaska last week, but local poultry owners said while they're being cautious, they aren't overly concerned. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center This golden eagle was rescued by the Juneau Raptor Center over the summer after being found weak and thin.

All the birds I’ve known: Rescue center, birdwatchers look back on 2021

The Christmas bird count was way down this year.

Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center This golden eagle was rescued by the Juneau Raptor Center over the summer after being found weak and thin.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Tim Benner assists the Juneau Raptor Center as volunteers attempted to capture a trumpeter swan with an injured wing at Auke Lake on Thursday.

‘Good morning, a swan’s escaped’: On scene with the Juneau Raptor Center

A dramatic afternoon, attempting to apprehend an elusive avian.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Tim Benner assists the Juneau Raptor Center as volunteers attempted to capture a trumpeter swan with an injured wing at Auke Lake on Thursday.
Starlings, like the one shown in this photo, are among the birds known to mimic the songs of other species. (Pixabay)

Birds may prefer novel songs, sing for fun and other birdsong facts

They’re no longer singing in the rain.

Starlings, like the one shown in this photo, are among the birds known to mimic the songs of other species. (Pixabay)
‘Stitch,’ a juvenile bald eagle, was rescued by Juneau Raptor Center with a chest wound on Aug. 13 and transferred to the Alaska Raptor Center. He’s currently recovering from surgery, and the ARC specialists are optimistic, said JRC general manager Kathy Benner. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center)

Juneau Raptor Center dealing with rain of injured eagles

Eight raptor casualties in a matter of weeks is a worrisome spike.

‘Stitch,’ a juvenile bald eagle, was rescued by Juneau Raptor Center with a chest wound on Aug. 13 and transferred to the Alaska Raptor Center. He’s currently recovering from surgery, and the ARC specialists are optimistic, said JRC general manager Kathy Benner. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center)
A red-breasted sapsucker braces its strong central tail feathers against the tree trunk. Mary F. Willson notes the bird is not excavating. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Video

How tails help birds get ahead

Focusing on particular uses of tails that have special functions.

A red-breasted sapsucker braces its strong central tail feathers against the tree trunk. Mary F. Willson notes the bird is not excavating. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Video
A pair of bald eagles lay on the beach near Auke Bay after locking talons and falling from the sky on June 9, 2020, a somewhat common behavior. The Juneau Raptor Center has had an active spring, handling half a dozen calls about bald eagles in the last week and rescuing other birds as well. (Courtesy photo | Kevin Henderson)

It was a busy week for Juneau Raptor Center

Half a dozen bald eagles and other birds have needed help.

A pair of bald eagles lay on the beach near Auke Bay after locking talons and falling from the sky on June 9, 2020, a somewhat common behavior. The Juneau Raptor Center has had an active spring, handling half a dozen calls about bald eagles in the last week and rescuing other birds as well. (Courtesy photo | Kevin Henderson)
The Juneau Raptor Center received an injured adult male bald eagle rescued from Skagway on March 31, 2020. (Courtesy art | Juneau Raptor Center)

Raptor Center still in business with new distancing rules

Please do not pick up the injured wildlife.

The Juneau Raptor Center received an injured adult male bald eagle rescued from Skagway on March 31, 2020. (Courtesy art | Juneau Raptor Center)
A pair of bald eagles was rescued Monday by the Juneau Raptor Center after sustaining unknown injuries near Lemon Creek, March 2, 2020. The eagles will be cared for in Juneau for now but could eventually be sent to the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Raptor Center)

Raptor center rescues 2 injured bald eagles near Lemon Creek

The cause of their injuries is unknown.

A pair of bald eagles was rescued Monday by the Juneau Raptor Center after sustaining unknown injuries near Lemon Creek, March 2, 2020. The eagles will be cared for in Juneau for now but could eventually be sent to the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Raptor Center)
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire Stephen Lewis, a researcher with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, gives a presentation on golden eagles in Alaska at University of Alaska Southeast on Thursday.

Scientists seek to learn more about Alaska’s golden eagles

Golden eagles are the most widespread eagle on Earth.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire Stephen Lewis, a researcher with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, gives a presentation on golden eagles in Alaska at University of Alaska Southeast on Thursday.
Members of the Juneau Audubon Society pose for a picture with members of the Idea Homeschool Program team at the FIRST Lego League competition to commend their novel approach to reducing bird strikes. The competition was at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Alexia Kiefer | Courtesy Photo)

Students recognized for idea to stop birds from flying into windows

Bird strikes claim more than 1 billion birds a year.

Members of the Juneau Audubon Society pose for a picture with members of the Idea Homeschool Program team at the FIRST Lego League competition to commend their novel approach to reducing bird strikes. The competition was at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Alexia Kiefer | Courtesy Photo)
A juvenile male golden eagle was rescued off of Egan Drive and sent to the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka after being struck by a car Nov. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Police Department)

Immature eagle injured on Egan improving incrementally

Underweight eagle is on a high-protein diet.

A juvenile male golden eagle was rescued off of Egan Drive and sent to the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka after being struck by a car Nov. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Police Department)
A juvenile male golden eagle was rescued off of Egan Drive by the Juneau Raptor Center after being struck by a car Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | Kathy Benner)

Rare raptor rescued from rainy roadside

Juneau’s not their ideal terrain.

A juvenile male golden eagle was rescued off of Egan Drive by the Juneau Raptor Center after being struck by a car Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | Kathy Benner)
Raven with dart in head euthanized

Raven with dart in head euthanized

Chances are low of finding the person who shot the dart.

Raven with dart in head euthanized
Arctic terns at Mendenhall seem to be decreasing in numbers

Arctic terns at Mendenhall seem to be decreasing in numbers

Tern down for what.

Arctic terns at Mendenhall seem to be decreasing in numbers
Audubon hires new Alaska director

Audubon hires new Alaska director

Alaska’s new chief birder.

Audubon hires new Alaska director