A Boreal Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak.
Rachel M Richardson
Rachel is a Wildlife Biologist for the Alaska Science Center.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 18
Species Affected by Beak Deformities
At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected by beak deformities 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.
Bird Conservation Areas
Five Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) were designated in Alaska as part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in order to provide a framework that would facilitate coordinated conservation and evaluations of major bird initiatives.
Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska
Alaska lies at the convergence of four major global migration flyways and encompasses a diverse array of important landbird habitats. Temperate rainforests tower along the southern coast, boreal forests span the vast interior, and low-lying tundra blankets the continent’s northern and western fringes.
Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects
Boreal Partners in Flight has five major regional projects designed to monitor broad-scale trends in populations of landbirds. There are also many projects throughout Alaska that address specific research questions or local monitoring needs.
About Boreal Partners in Flight
Boreal Partners in Flight is a coalition of individuals who are working together to help conserve bird populations throughout boreal regions of North America. Boreal Partners in Flight is the official Alaska state working group of the international Partners in Flight program. We also have many members from Canada because we share many of the same species, habitats, and problems. The international...
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.
Filter Total Items: 52
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 stationA 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 stationA Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaFledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaFledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, AlaskaYoung Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, AlaskaYoung Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaMale Arctic Warbler singing 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 singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaMale Arctic Warbler singing 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 Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitatAmerican Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitatAmerican Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitatWhimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat.
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitatWhimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat.
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaAdult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska.
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaAdult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska.
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding station
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding stationA Black-capped Chickadee with a normal beak captured at an Anchorage banding station.
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding station
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding stationA Black-capped Chickadee with a normal beak captured at an Anchorage banding station.
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beakA Black-capped Chickadee with an upper beak slightly longer than the lower beak. 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.
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beakA Black-capped Chickadee with an upper beak slightly longer than the lower beak. 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.
Slate-colored Junco
A Slate-colored Junco on Middleton Island, Alaska.
A Slate-colored Junco on Middleton Island, Alaska.
A Wilson’s Snipe
A close up of the head of a Wilson’s Snipe.
A close up of the head of a Wilson’s Snipe.
Juvenile Northern Shrike
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaSavannah Sparrow nest with egg. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaSavannah Sparrow nest with egg. 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 beak that has grown long and curved down
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed beak that has grown long and curved downA Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and curved down. 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.
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed beak that has grown long and curved down
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed beak that has grown long and curved downA Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and curved down. 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.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 18
Species Affected by Beak Deformities
At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected by beak deformities 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.
Bird Conservation Areas
Five Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) were designated in Alaska as part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in order to provide a framework that would facilitate coordinated conservation and evaluations of major bird initiatives.
Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska
Alaska lies at the convergence of four major global migration flyways and encompasses a diverse array of important landbird habitats. Temperate rainforests tower along the southern coast, boreal forests span the vast interior, and low-lying tundra blankets the continent’s northern and western fringes.
Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects
Boreal Partners in Flight has five major regional projects designed to monitor broad-scale trends in populations of landbirds. There are also many projects throughout Alaska that address specific research questions or local monitoring needs.
About Boreal Partners in Flight
Boreal Partners in Flight is a coalition of individuals who are working together to help conserve bird populations throughout boreal regions of North America. Boreal Partners in Flight is the official Alaska state working group of the international Partners in Flight program. We also have many members from Canada because we share many of the same species, habitats, and problems. The international...
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.
Filter Total Items: 52
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 stationA 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 stationA Red-breasted Nuthatch captured at an Anchorage banding station
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaFledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaFledgling Arctic Warbler on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystems Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, AlaskaYoung Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Young Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, AlaskaYoung Arctic Warbler with a band, Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaMale Arctic Warbler singing 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 singing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Male Arctic Warbler singing on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaMale Arctic Warbler singing 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 Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitatAmerican Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat
American Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitatAmerican Tree Sparrow in low to medium shrub thicket habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow sitting on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel in dwarf shrub meadow habitat on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Savannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitatSavannah Sparrow on a hummock in dwarf shrub meadow habitat. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitatWhimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat.
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat
Whimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitatWhimbrel feeding on a hummock of dwarf shrub meadow habitat.
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaAdult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska.
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Adult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaAdult male Bluethroat with bands on the Seward Peninsula in Alaska.
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beak
Black-capped Chickadee with lower elongated and upper curved beakA Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding station
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding stationA Black-capped Chickadee with a normal beak captured at an Anchorage banding station.
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding station
Black-capped Chickadee captured at an Anchorage banding stationA Black-capped Chickadee with a normal beak captured at an Anchorage banding station.
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beakA Black-capped Chickadee with an upper beak slightly longer than the lower beak. 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.
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beak
Black-capped Chickadee with a mildly deformed beakA Black-capped Chickadee with an upper beak slightly longer than the lower beak. 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.
Slate-colored Junco
A Slate-colored Junco on Middleton Island, Alaska.
A Slate-colored Junco on Middleton Island, Alaska.
A Wilson’s Snipe
A close up of the head of a Wilson’s Snipe.
A close up of the head of a Wilson’s Snipe.
Juvenile Northern Shrike
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Juvenile Northern Shrike. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Whimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaWhimbrel on the tundra on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaSavannah Sparrow nest with egg. This photo was taken on the Seward Peninsula as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystem Boreal-Arctic Transition Zone program.
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Savannah Sparrow nest with eggs on the Seward Peninsula, AlaskaSavannah Sparrow nest with egg. 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 beak that has grown long and curved down
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed beak that has grown long and curved downA Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and curved down. 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.
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed beak that has grown long and curved down
Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed beak that has grown long and curved downA Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and curved down. 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.
*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