With its vast size and geographic position at the northern end of several migration pathways, Alaska is a critically important site for the world’s shorebirds. Thirty-seven shorebird species regularly breed in Alaska. Most of these species conduct epically long migrations to take advantage of Alaska’s abundant food resources and breeding habitat, making Alaska a global resource for shorebirds. Shorebird research at the USGS Alaska Science Center improves our knowledge of shorebirds and addresses key questions for management agencies about the distribution and abundance of these species.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems
View video about our shorebird research program.
Population Status and Ecology of North Pacific Shorebirds
Research on the population status and ecology of shorebirds in Alaska focuses on identifying critical phases of the annual cycle for these species. Because ninety percent of the migratory shorebird species in the Western Hemisphere have breeding populations in Alaska, our current research necessarily incorporates work that describes migratory routes and connections between Alaska and sites around the globe where these species stopover or spend the nonbreeding season. Such studies require large-scale, collaborative efforts that employ a variety of techniques to gain perspectives appropriate to the scale and range of these highly migratory species. Information from these studies is guiding conservation efforts and helping scientists and conservation groups to better understand the effects of global-scale threats to shorebirds, including habitat modification and degradation, climate change, and the spread of infectious diseases.
Species scientists are working with include:
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
There are four species of godwits distributed around the world, three of which breed in Alaska: Bar-tailed, Hudsonian, and Marbled Godwits. Bar-tailed Godwits are considered a Bird of Conservation Concern by the US Fish and Wildlife Service due to their small population size, threats to their non-breeding grounds (especially at migratory stopover sites in the Yellow Sea), and their relatively restricted breeding distribution within the United States.
Additional articles, podcast and video:
- Podcast: From Alaska to New Zealand, the bar-tailed godwit, interviewed by Ned Rozell, 1/3/2022
- Blown back to Alaska, bird perseveres, by Ned Rozell, 11/11/2021
- Shorebirds depend on wee slivers of Alaska, by Ned Rozell, 11/4/2021
- Video: Tracking Alaska’s Godwits, by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2012
- The bar-tailed godwit's nonstop to New Zealand, by Ned Rozell, 3/17/2005
Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)
(Credit: Rachel M. Richardson, USGS. Public domain.)
The Bristle-thighed Curlew breeds only at two disjunct locations in western Alaska, and has a broad, low-density distribution across atolls and islands in the Pacific Basin during the nonbreeding season. Its adult population numbers about 7,000 individuals, making it the rarest of the New World curlews and godwits. Due to their small population and threats to their nonbreeding grounds related primarily to sea-level rise and invasive species, the Bristle-thighed Curlew is a listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Additional podcast:
- Podcast: Bristle-thighed Curlews, interviewed by Mary Colwell, 4/2021
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
The Long-billed Curlew is the largest shorebird in North America. The species is considered a Bird of Conservation Concern by the US Fish and Wildlife Service due to the species' small population size, recent population declines, and threats to the species' breeding and non-breeding grounds.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
(Credit: Rachel Richardson, USGS. Public domain.)
Whimbrels closely resemble Bristle-thighed Curlews. Whimbrels are widely distributed at high-latitude breeding sites around the world, but Alaska-breeding Whimbrels are restricted to sites within the Pacific Flyway. These long-distance migrants are distributed at wintering sites from California to southern Chile.
Additional story:
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Story Map: Whimbrels on the Wing, produced by Manomet, Inc., 2018
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
- Overview
With its vast size and geographic position at the northern end of several migration pathways, Alaska is a critically important site for the world’s shorebirds. Thirty-seven shorebird species regularly breed in Alaska. Most of these species conduct epically long migrations to take advantage of Alaska’s abundant food resources and breeding habitat, making Alaska a global resource for shorebirds. Shorebird research at the USGS Alaska Science Center improves our knowledge of shorebirds and addresses key questions for management agencies about the distribution and abundance of these species.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems
View video about our shorebird research program.
Population Status and Ecology of North Pacific Shorebirds
Research on the population status and ecology of shorebirds in Alaska focuses on identifying critical phases of the annual cycle for these species. Because ninety percent of the migratory shorebird species in the Western Hemisphere have breeding populations in Alaska, our current research necessarily incorporates work that describes migratory routes and connections between Alaska and sites around the globe where these species stopover or spend the nonbreeding season. Such studies require large-scale, collaborative efforts that employ a variety of techniques to gain perspectives appropriate to the scale and range of these highly migratory species. Information from these studies is guiding conservation efforts and helping scientists and conservation groups to better understand the effects of global-scale threats to shorebirds, including habitat modification and degradation, climate change, and the spread of infectious diseases.
Species scientists are working with include:
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Male Bar-tailed Godwit at a breeding site near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. There are four species of godwits distributed around the world, three of which breed in Alaska: Bar-tailed, Hudsonian, and Marbled Godwits. Bar-tailed Godwits are considered a Bird of Conservation Concern by the US Fish and Wildlife Service due to their small population size, threats to their non-breeding grounds (especially at migratory stopover sites in the Yellow Sea), and their relatively restricted breeding distribution within the United States.
Additional articles, podcast and video:
- Podcast: From Alaska to New Zealand, the bar-tailed godwit, interviewed by Ned Rozell, 1/3/2022
- Blown back to Alaska, bird perseveres, by Ned Rozell, 11/11/2021
- Shorebirds depend on wee slivers of Alaska, by Ned Rozell, 11/4/2021
- Video: Tracking Alaska’s Godwits, by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2012
- The bar-tailed godwit's nonstop to New Zealand, by Ned Rozell, 3/17/2005
Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Bristle-thighed Curlew.
(Credit: Rachel M. Richardson, USGS. Public domain.)The Bristle-thighed Curlew breeds only at two disjunct locations in western Alaska, and has a broad, low-density distribution across atolls and islands in the Pacific Basin during the nonbreeding season. Its adult population numbers about 7,000 individuals, making it the rarest of the New World curlews and godwits. Due to their small population and threats to their nonbreeding grounds related primarily to sea-level rise and invasive species, the Bristle-thighed Curlew is a listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Additional podcast:
- Podcast: Bristle-thighed Curlews, interviewed by Mary Colwell, 4/2021
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.The Long-billed Curlew is the largest North American shorebird and is characterized by its long and decurved bill. The Long-billed Curlew is the largest shorebird in North America. The species is considered a Bird of Conservation Concern by the US Fish and Wildlife Service due to the species' small population size, recent population declines, and threats to the species' breeding and non-breeding grounds.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
(Credit: Rachel Richardson, USGS. Public domain.)Whimbrels closely resemble Bristle-thighed Curlews. Whimbrels are widely distributed at high-latitude breeding sites around the world, but Alaska-breeding Whimbrels are restricted to sites within the Pacific Flyway. These long-distance migrants are distributed at wintering sites from California to southern Chile.
Additional story:
-
Story Map: Whimbrels on the Wing, produced by Manomet, Inc., 2018
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for cultural and economic sustainability and host a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS and collaborators provide information about Arctic ecosystems that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry. - Data
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