Alaska is a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to nearly 500 recorded species across coastal cliffs, fjords, wetlands, boreal forests and Arctic tundra. Whether you’re planning a cruise, a cruisetour into Alaska’s interior, or both, you’ll find incredible opportunities to spot iconic seabirds, raptors, waterfowl and songbirds.
With a wingspan up to 7 feet, bald eagles are the defining raptors of Alaska’s coastlines and rivers, often perched atop spruce and hemlock scanning for fish.
- Where to look: Along Southeast Alaska waterways and ports; scenic cruising days and harbor edges are excellent. Consider the Skagway Alaska Nature & Wildlife Expedition.
- Best season: May–September; seen year-round in many areas.
A seabird with a twist: it forages at sea but nests in old-growth forests, making sightings feel like hidden treasure.
- Where to look: Protected coastal waters and forested shorelines of Southeast Alaska.
- Best season: Late spring–summer.
Charismatic divers with bright bills and powerful wings, puffins nest on sea cliffs and feed close to rocky shores.
- Where to look: Coastal cliffs and islands of Southeast Alaska; boat-based excursions offer your best view.
- Best season: Summer breeding season.
Exceptionally intelligent and vocal, ravens thrive from towns to true wilderness.
- Where to look: Virtually everywhere in coastal Alaska and the Interior.
- Best season: Year-round.
Masters of camouflage: brown in summer, snow-white in winter.
- Where to look: Shrub tundra and willow thickets, especially in Interior and Arctic regions; more accessible on cruisetours.
- Best season: Spring–summer for easier travel and calls.
Known for its haunting, yodel-like calls across still lakes; an expert diver.
- Where to look: Freshwater lakes across Alaska; listen at dawn/dusk.
- Best season: Late spring–summer.
Powerful, wide-winged raptors that soar over open country hunting small mammals.
- Where to look: Interior valleys and mountains; Denali/Fairbanks regions on cruisetours.
- Best season: Spring–fall.
Flashy, social and inquisitive, with iridescent blue-green sheen.
- Where to look: Interior and Southcentral Alaska near open woods, river corridors and communities.
- Best season: Year-round.
A stealth forest hunter built for speed and agility, weaving through trees in dramatic chases.
- Where to look: Mature conifer and mixed forests; listen for sharp calls at forest edges.
- Best season: Spring–summer.
Tall, elegant birds with trumpeting calls and striking red crowns; spectacular courtship dances.
- Where to look: Wet meadows, marshes and open fields; notable during migration.
- Best season: Spring and late summer–early fall migrations.
Arctic icons with white plumage and piercing yellow eyes; powerful, ground-perching hunters.
- Where to look: Open tundra in the Arctic; occasional winter irruptions farther south.
- Best season: Late fall–winter in the north; irregular farther south.
North America’s only aquatic songbird, “walking” underwater in fast streams to feed.
- Where to look: Rocky, fast-flowing streams and waterfalls in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska.
- Best season: Spring–summer.
Bold blue-and-black jay with a crest and a raucous personality.
- Where to look: Coastal conifer forests, campgrounds and picnic sites in Southeast Alaska.
- Best season: Year-round in the southeast.
Slate-blue, chestnut and white males are striking; fearless swimmers in choppy water.
- Where to look: Rocky shorelines, surf zones and swift rivers; scan nearshore rocks on coastal sailings.
- Best season: Spring–summer in breeding areas.
A patient, rattling-calling angler with a dagger-like bill that dives for fish.
- Where to look: Riverbanks, lakeshores and harbors; watch overhead wires and snags above water.
- Best season: Spring–fall (some overwinter in ice-free areas).
Not flashy, but unforgettable for its sweet, spiraling forest song.
- Where to look: Shady, mossy understories of coastal rainforests.
- Best season: Late spring–summer.
The continent’s largest native waterfowl; graceful with resonant, trumpet-like calls.
- Where to look: Shallow lakes, ponds and marshes; Interior and Southcentral Alaska.
- Best season: Spring–fall; some areas see overwintering birds in open water.
Sail through fjords, past sea cliffs and across wildlife-rich channels where bald eagles soar and puffins dive. On land, guided tours in ports like Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Skagway connect you to local habitats, while cruisetours can take you inland to Denali and other prime birding regions.
Plan your wildlife-forward journey:
- Explore Alaska cruises
- See Alaska shore excursions
- Learn about Alaska cruisetour options
What is the state bird of Alaska?
The willow ptarmigan. Its plumage changes with the seasons — brown in summer and white in winter.
How many bird species live in Alaska?
Nearly 500 species have been recorded, including migratory seabirds, waterfowl, raptors and songbirds.
When is the best time for birdwatching in Alaska?
Late spring through early fall (May to September). This is prime time for migratory arrivals, active seabird colonies and overall wildlife activity.
Where can you see puffins in Alaska?
Along coastal cliffs and islands, especially in Southeast Alaska. Boat-based excursions offer the best vantage points.
Are bald eagles common in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska supports one of the largest bald eagle populations in the United States. They’re frequently seen along coastlines, rivers and forested areas.
Can you go birdwatching on an Alaska cruise?
Yes. Cruises provide access to remote coastlines, fjords and wildlife-rich waters where guests commonly spot bald eagles, puffins, loons and other native species. Guided shore excursions further improve your chances.