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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

Temporal and spatial shifts in habitat use by Black Brant immediately following flightless molt Temporal and spatial shifts in habitat use by Black Brant immediately following flightless molt

Each year thousands of Pacific Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) undergo flightless wing molt in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), Alaska, in two distinct habitats: inland, freshwater lakes and coastal, brackish wetlands. Brant lose body mass during wing molt and likely must add reserves upon regaining flight to help fuel their 2,500 km migration to autumn staging areas. We
Authors
Tyler L. Lewis, Paul L. Flint, Joel A. Schmutz, Dirk V. Derksen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Transmission and reassortment of avian influenza viruses at the Asian-North American interface Transmission and reassortment of avian influenza viruses at the Asian-North American interface

Twenty avian influenza viruses were isolated from seven wild migratory bird species sampled at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. We tested predictions based on previous phylogenetic analyses of avian influenza viruses that support spatially dependent trans-hemispheric gene flow and frequent interspecies transmission at a location situated at the Asian–North American interface. Through the...
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, John M. Pearce, Craig R. Ely, Lisa M. Sheffield Guy, David B. Irons, Dirk V. Derksen, S. Ip
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Abundance indices of Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra. americana) breeding in Alaska indicate a long-term population decline without obvious cause (s). However, few life history data are available for the species in North America. In 2001–2004, information was collected on nesting habitat and reproductive parameters (i.e. components of productivity) from a population of Black Scoters...
Authors
Jason L. Schamber, Fred J. Broerman, Paul L. Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Population estimates for long-tailed ducks in North America have declined by nearly 50% over the past 30 years. Life history and population dynamics of this species are difficult to ascertain, because the birds nest at low densities across a broad range of habitat types. Between 1991 and 2004, we collected information on productivity and survival of long-tailed ducks at three locations...
Authors
Jason L. Schamber, Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand, Heather M. Wilson, Julie A. Morse
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Breeding-season sympatry facilitates genetic exchange among allopatric wintering populations of Northern Pintails in Japan and California Breeding-season sympatry facilitates genetic exchange among allopatric wintering populations of Northern Pintails in Japan and California

The global redistribution of pathogens, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, has renewed interest in the connectivity of continental populations of birds. Populations of the Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) wintering in Japan and California are considered separate from a management perspective. We used data from band recoveries and population genetics to assess the degree of...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Kiyoaki Ozaki, John M. Pearce, Brian Guzzetti, Hiroyoshi Higuchi, Joseph P. Fleskes, Tetsuo Shimada, Dirk V. Derksen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Bird Banding Laboratory

Persistence rates and detection probabilities of bird carcasses on beaches of Unalaska Island, Alaska following the wreck of the M/V Selendang Ayu Persistence rates and detection probabilities of bird carcasses on beaches of Unalaska Island, Alaska following the wreck of the M/V Selendang Ayu

Mark–recapture techniques were used to estimate persistence rates and detection probabilities of bird carcasses associated with the oil spill following the wreck of the M/V Selendang Ayu at Unalaska Island, Alaska. Only 14.6% of carcasses placed on beaches remained after 24 hours, and all carcasses that remained had been scavenged to some degree. Daily persistence rates for scavenged...
Authors
G. Vernon Byrd, Joel H. Reynolds, Paul L. Flint
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

Temporal and spatial shifts in habitat use by Black Brant immediately following flightless molt Temporal and spatial shifts in habitat use by Black Brant immediately following flightless molt

Each year thousands of Pacific Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) undergo flightless wing molt in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), Alaska, in two distinct habitats: inland, freshwater lakes and coastal, brackish wetlands. Brant lose body mass during wing molt and likely must add reserves upon regaining flight to help fuel their 2,500 km migration to autumn staging areas. We
Authors
Tyler L. Lewis, Paul L. Flint, Joel A. Schmutz, Dirk V. Derksen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Transmission and reassortment of avian influenza viruses at the Asian-North American interface Transmission and reassortment of avian influenza viruses at the Asian-North American interface

Twenty avian influenza viruses were isolated from seven wild migratory bird species sampled at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. We tested predictions based on previous phylogenetic analyses of avian influenza viruses that support spatially dependent trans-hemispheric gene flow and frequent interspecies transmission at a location situated at the Asian–North American interface. Through the...
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, John M. Pearce, Craig R. Ely, Lisa M. Sheffield Guy, David B. Irons, Dirk V. Derksen, S. Ip
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center

Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Abundance indices of Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra. americana) breeding in Alaska indicate a long-term population decline without obvious cause (s). However, few life history data are available for the species in North America. In 2001–2004, information was collected on nesting habitat and reproductive parameters (i.e. components of productivity) from a population of Black Scoters...
Authors
Jason L. Schamber, Fred J. Broerman, Paul L. Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Population estimates for long-tailed ducks in North America have declined by nearly 50% over the past 30 years. Life history and population dynamics of this species are difficult to ascertain, because the birds nest at low densities across a broad range of habitat types. Between 1991 and 2004, we collected information on productivity and survival of long-tailed ducks at three locations...
Authors
Jason L. Schamber, Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand, Heather M. Wilson, Julie A. Morse
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Breeding-season sympatry facilitates genetic exchange among allopatric wintering populations of Northern Pintails in Japan and California Breeding-season sympatry facilitates genetic exchange among allopatric wintering populations of Northern Pintails in Japan and California

The global redistribution of pathogens, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, has renewed interest in the connectivity of continental populations of birds. Populations of the Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) wintering in Japan and California are considered separate from a management perspective. We used data from band recoveries and population genetics to assess the degree of...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Kiyoaki Ozaki, John M. Pearce, Brian Guzzetti, Hiroyoshi Higuchi, Joseph P. Fleskes, Tetsuo Shimada, Dirk V. Derksen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Bird Banding Laboratory

Persistence rates and detection probabilities of bird carcasses on beaches of Unalaska Island, Alaska following the wreck of the M/V Selendang Ayu Persistence rates and detection probabilities of bird carcasses on beaches of Unalaska Island, Alaska following the wreck of the M/V Selendang Ayu

Mark–recapture techniques were used to estimate persistence rates and detection probabilities of bird carcasses associated with the oil spill following the wreck of the M/V Selendang Ayu at Unalaska Island, Alaska. Only 14.6% of carcasses placed on beaches remained after 24 hours, and all carcasses that remained had been scavenged to some degree. Daily persistence rates for scavenged...
Authors
G. Vernon Byrd, Joel H. Reynolds, Paul L. Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Below are news stories associated with this project.

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