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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

Optimizing surveillance for South American origin influenza A viruses along the United States Gulf Coast through genomic characterization of isolates from blue-winged teal (Anas discors) Optimizing surveillance for South American origin influenza A viruses along the United States Gulf Coast through genomic characterization of isolates from blue-winged teal (Anas discors)

Relative to research focused on intercontinental viral exchange between Eurasia and North America, less attention has been directed towards understanding the redistribution of influenza A viruses (IAVs) by wild birds between North America and South America. In this study, we genomically characterized 45 viruses isolated from blue-winged teal (Anas discors) along the Texas and Louisiana...
Authors
Andrew Ramey, Patrick Walther, Paul Link, Rebecca Poulson, Benjamin Wilcox, George Newsome, Erica Spackman, J. Brown, David Stallknecht
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Alaska Science Center

Evidence that dorsally mounted satellite transmitters affect migration chronology of Northern Pintails Evidence that dorsally mounted satellite transmitters affect migration chronology of Northern Pintails

We compared migration movements and chronology between Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) marked with dorsally mounted satellite transmitters and pintails marked only with tarsus rings. During weekly intervals of spring and autumn migration between their wintering area in Japan and nesting areas in Russia, the mean distance that ringed pintails had migrated was up to 1000 km farther than the...
Authors
Jerry Hupp, Sergei Kharitonov, Noriyuki Yamaguchi, K. Ozaki, Paul Flint, John Pearce, Ken-ichi Tokita, Tetsuo Shimada, Hiroyoshi Higuchi
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Changing arctic ecosystems—What is causing the rapid increase of snow geese in northern Alaska? Changing arctic ecosystems—What is causing the rapid increase of snow geese in northern Alaska?

Through the Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) informs key resource management decisions for Arctic Alaska by providing scientific information on current and future ecosystem response to a warming climate. The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of northern Alaska is a key study area within the USGS CAE initiative. This region has experienced a warming...
Authors
Jerry Hupp, David Ward, Mary Whalen, John Pearce
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

USGS role and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza USGS role and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza

Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Harris, A. Miles, John Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan Sleeman, Mary Whalen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

USGS highly pathogenic avian influenza research strategy USGS highly pathogenic avian influenza research strategy

Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Harris, A. Miles, John Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan Sleeman, Mary Whalen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

Re-colonization by common eiders Somateria mollissima in the Aleutian Archipelago following removal of introduced arctic foxes Vulpes lagopus Re-colonization by common eiders Somateria mollissima in the Aleutian Archipelago following removal of introduced arctic foxes Vulpes lagopus

Islands provide refuges for populations of many species where they find safety from predators, but the introduction of predators frequently results in elimination or dramatic reductions in island-dwelling organisms. When predators are removed, re-colonization for some species occurs naturally, and inter-island phylogeographic relationships and current movement patterns can illuminate...
Authors
Margaret Petersen, Sarah Sonsthagen, Matthew Sexson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Molecular Ecology Laboratory

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 Hansen, Brandt Meixell, Caroline Van Hemert, Rebekah 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 Van Hemert, Paul Flint, Mark Udevitz, Joshua Koch, Todd Atwood, Karen Oakley, John 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 Ramey, Andrew Reeves, Sarah Sonsthagen, Joshua Teslaa, Sean Nashold, Tyrone Donnelly, Bruce Casler, Jeffrey 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 Schmutz, Mark Bertram, Adam 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 Talbot, Sarah Sonsthagen, John Pearce, Kim 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 Petersen, Jean-Pierre 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

Optimizing surveillance for South American origin influenza A viruses along the United States Gulf Coast through genomic characterization of isolates from blue-winged teal (Anas discors) Optimizing surveillance for South American origin influenza A viruses along the United States Gulf Coast through genomic characterization of isolates from blue-winged teal (Anas discors)

Relative to research focused on intercontinental viral exchange between Eurasia and North America, less attention has been directed towards understanding the redistribution of influenza A viruses (IAVs) by wild birds between North America and South America. In this study, we genomically characterized 45 viruses isolated from blue-winged teal (Anas discors) along the Texas and Louisiana...
Authors
Andrew Ramey, Patrick Walther, Paul Link, Rebecca Poulson, Benjamin Wilcox, George Newsome, Erica Spackman, J. Brown, David Stallknecht
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Alaska Science Center

Evidence that dorsally mounted satellite transmitters affect migration chronology of Northern Pintails Evidence that dorsally mounted satellite transmitters affect migration chronology of Northern Pintails

We compared migration movements and chronology between Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) marked with dorsally mounted satellite transmitters and pintails marked only with tarsus rings. During weekly intervals of spring and autumn migration between their wintering area in Japan and nesting areas in Russia, the mean distance that ringed pintails had migrated was up to 1000 km farther than the...
Authors
Jerry Hupp, Sergei Kharitonov, Noriyuki Yamaguchi, K. Ozaki, Paul Flint, John Pearce, Ken-ichi Tokita, Tetsuo Shimada, Hiroyoshi Higuchi
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Changing arctic ecosystems—What is causing the rapid increase of snow geese in northern Alaska? Changing arctic ecosystems—What is causing the rapid increase of snow geese in northern Alaska?

Through the Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) informs key resource management decisions for Arctic Alaska by providing scientific information on current and future ecosystem response to a warming climate. The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of northern Alaska is a key study area within the USGS CAE initiative. This region has experienced a warming...
Authors
Jerry Hupp, David Ward, Mary Whalen, John Pearce
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

USGS role and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza USGS role and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza

Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Harris, A. Miles, John Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan Sleeman, Mary Whalen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

USGS highly pathogenic avian influenza research strategy USGS highly pathogenic avian influenza research strategy

Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Harris, A. Miles, John Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan Sleeman, Mary Whalen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, National Wildlife Health Center, Alaska Science Center

Re-colonization by common eiders Somateria mollissima in the Aleutian Archipelago following removal of introduced arctic foxes Vulpes lagopus Re-colonization by common eiders Somateria mollissima in the Aleutian Archipelago following removal of introduced arctic foxes Vulpes lagopus

Islands provide refuges for populations of many species where they find safety from predators, but the introduction of predators frequently results in elimination or dramatic reductions in island-dwelling organisms. When predators are removed, re-colonization for some species occurs naturally, and inter-island phylogeographic relationships and current movement patterns can illuminate...
Authors
Margaret Petersen, Sarah Sonsthagen, Matthew Sexson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Molecular Ecology Laboratory

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 Hansen, Brandt Meixell, Caroline Van Hemert, Rebekah 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 Van Hemert, Paul Flint, Mark Udevitz, Joshua Koch, Todd Atwood, Karen Oakley, John 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 Ramey, Andrew Reeves, Sarah Sonsthagen, Joshua Teslaa, Sean Nashold, Tyrone Donnelly, Bruce Casler, Jeffrey 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 Schmutz, Mark Bertram, Adam 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 Talbot, Sarah Sonsthagen, John Pearce, Kim 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 Petersen, Jean-Pierre Savard
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Below are news stories associated with this project.

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