Female McKay's Bunting with berry stained feathers on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Rachel M Richardson
Rachel is a Wildlife Biologist for the Alaska Science Center.
Science and Products
Q&A: The Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey
Alaska provides breeding habitat for more than 140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, a group that includes woodpeckers, songbirds, ravens and jays, raptors, and other land-dwelling species like grouse and ptarmigan. The Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS) tracks the breeding populations of landbirds in the vast off-road areas of Alaska.
Landbird Research in Alaska
On this page, learn about USGS work on Beak Deformities and Boreal Partners in Flight.
Background of Beak Deformity Research
Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of...
Species Affected by Beak Deformities
At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
Physical Description of Beak Deformities
The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped.
Prevalence, Distribution and Timing of Beak Deformities in Birds
The rates of beak deformities documented in Black-capped Chickadees and Northwestern Crows in Alaska are the highest ever recorded within a wild bird population anywhere.
Beak Deformity's Effects on Birds
Birds with beak deformities often have difficulty foraging and preening, and may not be able to keep themselves warm and well-fed during cold winter months. Although some birds with beak deformities breed successfully, they typically encounter more challenges than normal birds.
Possible Causes for Beak Deformities
Beak deformities can be caused by a variety of factors, including contaminants, nutritional deficiencies, disease, parasites, blunt trauma, or genetic abnormalities. We recently identified a novel picornavirus (Poecivirus) in Black-capped Chickadees with avian keratin disorder (AKD). Our results suggest that Poecivirus is the most likely factor responsible for beak deformities in Alaskan birds...
Literature Cited for Beak Deformities
Literature Cited in the Beak Deformity web pages
Links Related to Beak Deformity Research
Links, videos and news articles related to beak deformity research
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Over the past 20 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds. This disease, called avian keratin disorder (AKD), is characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening, and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Filter Total Items: 47
Female McKay's Bunting with berry stained feathers
Female McKay's Bunting with berry stained feathers on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Red fox kits on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Red fox kits on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Red fox kits on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Female Pribilof rock sandpiper, St. Matthew Island, Bering Sea
In 2018, biologists conducted a second population survey to reassess the population status and habitat associations of Pribilof rock sandpipers breeding on St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska. Previous work estimated the population size at approximately 19,800 birds (Ruthrauff et al. 2012).
In 2018, biologists conducted a second population survey to reassess the population status and habitat associations of Pribilof rock sandpipers breeding on St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska. Previous work estimated the population size at approximately 19,800 birds (Ruthrauff et al. 2012).
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Setting up a weatherport on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Scientists setting up a weatherport for shelter while conducting research on St. Matthew Island Alaska.
Scientists setting up a weatherport for shelter while conducting research on St. Matthew Island Alaska.
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler in a shrub on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed crossed beak
A Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and crossed
A Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and crossed
Red-breasted Nuthatch with an elongated deformed beak
Female Red-breasted Nuthatch with an elongated beak. It was captured in Anchorage as part of the beak deformity research project. Avian keratin disorder (AKD) is a disease characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Female Red-breasted Nuthatch with an elongated beak. It was captured in Anchorage as part of the beak deformity research project. Avian keratin disorder (AKD) is a disease characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Bristle-thighed Curlew in Alaska
A Bristle-thighed Curlew on the tundra. This photo was taken during the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition program.
A Bristle-thighed Curlew on the tundra. This photo was taken during the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
A male Willow Ptarmigan
A closeup of a male Willow Ptarmigan.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Boreal Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak
A Boreal Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak.
A Boreal Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
A Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
A Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
Science and Products
Q&A: The Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey
Alaska provides breeding habitat for more than 140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, a group that includes woodpeckers, songbirds, ravens and jays, raptors, and other land-dwelling species like grouse and ptarmigan. The Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS) tracks the breeding populations of landbirds in the vast off-road areas of Alaska.
Landbird Research in Alaska
On this page, learn about USGS work on Beak Deformities and Boreal Partners in Flight.
Background of Beak Deformity Research
Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of...
Species Affected by Beak Deformities
At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
Physical Description of Beak Deformities
The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped.
Prevalence, Distribution and Timing of Beak Deformities in Birds
The rates of beak deformities documented in Black-capped Chickadees and Northwestern Crows in Alaska are the highest ever recorded within a wild bird population anywhere.
Beak Deformity's Effects on Birds
Birds with beak deformities often have difficulty foraging and preening, and may not be able to keep themselves warm and well-fed during cold winter months. Although some birds with beak deformities breed successfully, they typically encounter more challenges than normal birds.
Possible Causes for Beak Deformities
Beak deformities can be caused by a variety of factors, including contaminants, nutritional deficiencies, disease, parasites, blunt trauma, or genetic abnormalities. We recently identified a novel picornavirus (Poecivirus) in Black-capped Chickadees with avian keratin disorder (AKD). Our results suggest that Poecivirus is the most likely factor responsible for beak deformities in Alaskan birds...
Literature Cited for Beak Deformities
Literature Cited in the Beak Deformity web pages
Links Related to Beak Deformity Research
Links, videos and news articles related to beak deformity research
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Over the past 20 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds. This disease, called avian keratin disorder (AKD), is characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening, and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Filter Total Items: 47
Female McKay's Bunting with berry stained feathers
Female McKay's Bunting with berry stained feathers on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Female McKay's Bunting with berry stained feathers on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Red fox kits on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Red fox kits on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Red fox kits on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Female Pribilof rock sandpiper, St. Matthew Island, Bering Sea
In 2018, biologists conducted a second population survey to reassess the population status and habitat associations of Pribilof rock sandpipers breeding on St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska. Previous work estimated the population size at approximately 19,800 birds (Ruthrauff et al. 2012).
In 2018, biologists conducted a second population survey to reassess the population status and habitat associations of Pribilof rock sandpipers breeding on St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska. Previous work estimated the population size at approximately 19,800 birds (Ruthrauff et al. 2012).
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Setting up a weatherport on St. Matthew Island, Alaska
Scientists setting up a weatherport for shelter while conducting research on St. Matthew Island Alaska.
Scientists setting up a weatherport for shelter while conducting research on St. Matthew Island Alaska.
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska . This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler in a shrub on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Wilson's Warbler. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Lone male Yellow Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed crossed beak
A Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and crossed
A Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and crossed
Red-breasted Nuthatch with an elongated deformed beak
Female Red-breasted Nuthatch with an elongated beak. It was captured in Anchorage as part of the beak deformity research project. Avian keratin disorder (AKD) is a disease characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Female Red-breasted Nuthatch with an elongated beak. It was captured in Anchorage as part of the beak deformity research project. Avian keratin disorder (AKD) is a disease characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Bristle-thighed Curlew in Alaska
A Bristle-thighed Curlew on the tundra. This photo was taken during the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition program.
A Bristle-thighed Curlew on the tundra. This photo was taken during the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Lapland Longspur in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Short-eared Owl. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
A male Willow Ptarmigan
A closeup of a male Willow Ptarmigan.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Yellow Warbler nest in a tall shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Male Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Golden-Plover nest in dwarf shrub mat habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Boreal Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak
A Boreal Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak.
A Boreal Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
A Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
A Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government