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Waterfowl Research

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By Alaska Science Center September 29, 2025

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the lower 48-states and Hawaii.

Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems

The main objectives of the USGS Alaska Science Center waterfowl research program are to:

  • Identify and fill gaps in our knowledge about the ecology of waterfowl species in Alaska
  • Quantify the drivers of population trends of waterfowl populations in Alaska and throughout their annual cycle
  • Provide science information to Department of Interior management agencies and others for decision making regarding waterfowl disease, population delineation, and species of conservation concern

Waterfowl Research by Species

Media
Snow Goose near the Colville River, northern Alaska
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Snow Goose near the Colville River, northern Alaska​​​​​​.​(Credit: Ryan Askren, USGS. Public domain.)

 

 

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 53
No Result Found

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

No results found.

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 184

Microbial infections are associated with embryo mortality in Arctic-nesting geese. Microbial infections are associated with embryo mortality in Arctic-nesting geese.

To address the role of bacterial infection in hatching failure of wild geese, we monitored embryo development in a breeding population of Greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. During 2013, we observed mortality of normally developing embryos and collected 36 addled eggs for analysis. We also collected 17 infertile eggs for comparison. Using...
Authors
Cristina M. Hansen, Brandt W. Meixell, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Rebekah F. Hare, Karsten Hueffer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic

Arctic wildlife species face a dynamic and increasingly novel environment because of climate warming and the associated increase in human activity. Both marine and terrestrial environments are undergoing rapid environmental shifts, including loss of sea ice, permafrost degradation, and altered biogeochemical fluxes. Forecasting wildlife responses to climate change can facilitate...
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, Paul L. Flint, Mark S. Udevitz, Joshua C. Koch, Todd C. Atwood, Karen L. Oakley, John M. Pearce
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Dispersal of H9N2 influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America by wild birds Dispersal of H9N2 influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America by wild birds

Samples were collected from wild birds in western Alaska to assess dispersal of influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America. Two isolates shared nearly identical nucleotide identity at eight genomic segments with H9N2 viruses isolated from China and South Korea providing evidence for intercontinental dispersal by migratory birds.
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Andrew B. Reeves, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Joshua L. Teslaa, Sean W. Nashold, Tyrone F. Donnelly, Bruce Casler, Jeffrey S. Hall
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Species richness and distributions of boreal waterbirds in relation to nesting and brood-rearing habitats Species richness and distributions of boreal waterbirds in relation to nesting and brood-rearing habitats

Identification of ecological factors that drive animal distributions allows us to understand why distributions vary temporally and spatially, and to develop models to predict future changes to populations–vital tools for effective wildlife management and conservation. For waterbird broods in the boreal forest, distributions are likely driven by factors affecting quality of nesting and...
Authors
Tyler L. Lewis, Mark S. Lindberg, Joel A. Schmutz, Mark R. Bertram, Adam J. Dubour
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini) Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini)

Many environments occupied by North American sea ducks are remote and difficult to access, and as a result, detailed information about life history characteristics that drive population dynamics within and across species is limited. Nevertheless, progress on this front during the past several decades has benefited by the application of genetic technologies, and for several species, these
Authors
Sandra L. Talbot, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, John M. Pearce, Kim T. Scribner
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Molecular Ecology Laboratory

Remigial molt of sea ducks Remigial molt of sea ducks

Molt is a dynamic process occurring throughout much of the year in waterfowl. The molt of flight feathers by waterfowl, especially sea ducks, however, occurs over a compressed period of time and in spcific areas used each year. We provide an overview of the flight feather molt of sea ducks. We focus on the need to molt and why, the timing and duration of flight feather mot, and the...
Authors
Margaret R. Petersen, Jean-Pierre L. Savard
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Below are news stories associated with this project.

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the lower 48-states and Hawaii.

Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems

The main objectives of the USGS Alaska Science Center waterfowl research program are to:

  • Identify and fill gaps in our knowledge about the ecology of waterfowl species in Alaska
  • Quantify the drivers of population trends of waterfowl populations in Alaska and throughout their annual cycle
  • Provide science information to Department of Interior management agencies and others for decision making regarding waterfowl disease, population delineation, and species of conservation concern

Waterfowl Research by Species

Media
Snow Goose near the Colville River, northern Alaska
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Snow Goose near the Colville River, northern Alaska​​​​​​.​(Credit: Ryan Askren, USGS. Public domain.)

 

 

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 53
No Result Found

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

No results found.

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 184

Microbial infections are associated with embryo mortality in Arctic-nesting geese. Microbial infections are associated with embryo mortality in Arctic-nesting geese.

To address the role of bacterial infection in hatching failure of wild geese, we monitored embryo development in a breeding population of Greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. During 2013, we observed mortality of normally developing embryos and collected 36 addled eggs for analysis. We also collected 17 infertile eggs for comparison. Using...
Authors
Cristina M. Hansen, Brandt W. Meixell, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Rebekah F. Hare, Karsten Hueffer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic

Arctic wildlife species face a dynamic and increasingly novel environment because of climate warming and the associated increase in human activity. Both marine and terrestrial environments are undergoing rapid environmental shifts, including loss of sea ice, permafrost degradation, and altered biogeochemical fluxes. Forecasting wildlife responses to climate change can facilitate...
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, Paul L. Flint, Mark S. Udevitz, Joshua C. Koch, Todd C. Atwood, Karen L. Oakley, John M. Pearce
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Dispersal of H9N2 influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America by wild birds Dispersal of H9N2 influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America by wild birds

Samples were collected from wild birds in western Alaska to assess dispersal of influenza A viruses between East Asia and North America. Two isolates shared nearly identical nucleotide identity at eight genomic segments with H9N2 viruses isolated from China and South Korea providing evidence for intercontinental dispersal by migratory birds.
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Andrew B. Reeves, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Joshua L. Teslaa, Sean W. Nashold, Tyrone F. Donnelly, Bruce Casler, Jeffrey S. Hall
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Species richness and distributions of boreal waterbirds in relation to nesting and brood-rearing habitats Species richness and distributions of boreal waterbirds in relation to nesting and brood-rearing habitats

Identification of ecological factors that drive animal distributions allows us to understand why distributions vary temporally and spatially, and to develop models to predict future changes to populations–vital tools for effective wildlife management and conservation. For waterbird broods in the boreal forest, distributions are likely driven by factors affecting quality of nesting and...
Authors
Tyler L. Lewis, Mark S. Lindberg, Joel A. Schmutz, Mark R. Bertram, Adam J. Dubour
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini) Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini)

Many environments occupied by North American sea ducks are remote and difficult to access, and as a result, detailed information about life history characteristics that drive population dynamics within and across species is limited. Nevertheless, progress on this front during the past several decades has benefited by the application of genetic technologies, and for several species, these
Authors
Sandra L. Talbot, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, John M. Pearce, Kim T. Scribner
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Molecular Ecology Laboratory

Remigial molt of sea ducks Remigial molt of sea ducks

Molt is a dynamic process occurring throughout much of the year in waterfowl. The molt of flight feathers by waterfowl, especially sea ducks, however, occurs over a compressed period of time and in spcific areas used each year. We provide an overview of the flight feather molt of sea ducks. We focus on the need to molt and why, the timing and duration of flight feather mot, and the...
Authors
Margaret R. Petersen, Jean-Pierre L. Savard
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Below are news stories associated with this project.

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