Willow Ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus alascensis, 38.1 cm / 15 in. UNCOMMON, mainly found on low flat tundra in and near stunted willows close to tree line. Photographed in June 2007.

State bird for Alaska.

Denali National Park, Denali Borough, Alaska.

©bryanjsmith.

Tags:   Birds of Alaska Willow Ptarmigan Willow Grouse Pheasants, Grouse and Allies Phasianidae Lagopus lagopus alascensis ©bryanjsmith

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Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla, 43.1 cm / 17 in. COMMON on open salt water.

Bering Sea, St. Paul Island, Pribiloff Islands, Aleutians West County, Alaska, USA.

©bryanjsmith.

Tags:   Rissa tridactyla Black-legged Kittiwake Birds of Alaska Birds of North America Laridae Gulls, Terns and Skimmers ©bryanjsmith

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Pair of Greater Scaup, Aythya marila nearctica, 45.7 cm / 18 in. COMMON on ponds, lakes and bays, favors saltwater.

Potter Marsh near Anchorage, Valdez-Cordova County, Alaska, USA.

©bryanjsmith.

Tags:   Birds of Alaska Birds of North America Aythya marila Greater Scaup Anatidae Bird Watcher Ducks, Geese and Waterfowl ©bryanjsmith

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Harlequin Duck, Histronicus histronicus, 41.9 cm / 16.5 in. UNCOMMON and local, nests along fast-flowing rocky rivers and winters on rocky saltwater shorelines with strong wave action. Resting on a rock in the river.

Denali Highway, Matanuska-Susitina Borough, Alaska, USA.

©bryanjsmith.

Tags:   Harlequin Duck Histronicus histronicus Birds of Alaska. Anatidae Bird Watcher Ducks, Geese and Waterfowl ©bryanjsmith

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Horned Puffin, Fratercula corniculata, 38.1 cm / 15 in. UNCOMMON on open ocean. A colonial nester in burrows or crevices on islands.

Ridge Wall, St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea, Aleutians West County, Alaska, USA.

©bryanjsmith.

Tags:   Birds of Alaska Birds of The Pribiloff Islands Fratercula corniculata Horned Puffin Alcidae Auks, Murres and Puffins ©bryanjsmith

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