Cooper Island, a small and isolated island in the northernmost region of Alaska, is home to various wildlife species. Cooper Island is a breeding ground for different bird species despite its harsh climate and challenging environment.
This remote island has been designated an Important Bird Area due to the many seabirds inhabiting its rocky cliffs and shoreline. The bird species found on Cooper Island include the black-legged kittiwake, the common eider, the red-throated loon, and the glaucous gull, among many others.
The unique environment of Cooper Island provides an essential habitat for birds in the region, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
24 Native Birds Of Cooper Island
Cooper Island is a small and isolated island in the northernmost region of Alaska, near the Arctic Ocean. It is part of the Beaufort Sea Islands, a group of essential islands for wildlife conservation.
Cooper Island is home to many bird species, many of which are rare or endangered. The island provides a vital nesting habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl and a resting place for migratory birds.
Here are 24 native birds of Cooper Island that you can admire if you ever visit this remote and beautiful place.
1. Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are tiny birds throughout the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Most species measure 3-5 inches long and weigh less than an ounce.
The smallest hummingbird is only 2 inches long. Hummingbirds have a unique ability to hover by rapidly flapping their wings up to 80 times per second.
They feed on nectar and insects, with some species even able to drink sap or eat pollen directly off flowers.
Their vibrant colors make them instantly recognizable as they dart through gardens searching for food and mates.
Hummingbirds genuinely bring joy into our lives as they remind us that nature’s beauty can be seen around every corner if we take the time to look for it.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae Vigors, 1825 |
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2. Belted Kingfisher
The belted Kingfisher is a large, eye-catching bird native to North America. It belongs to the family Alcedinidae and has been divided into three subfamilies by recent research.
The species was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae.
This water Kingfisher stands out for its size and striking plumage; males are bright blue on top with white below, and females have rusty brown backs and wings with a thick black breast band across their chest.
They also possess an impressive call that can be heard from quite far away.
Belted kingfishers feed mainly on small fish but sometimes also eat crustaceans, insects, or even amphibians if they come across them while hunting around rivers or streams.
All in all, this is truly one remarkable bird that deserves our admiration.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Cerylinae |
| Genus | Megaceryle |
| Species | M. alcyon |
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3. Osprey
The Osprey is a majestic bird of prey with an extensive habitat range. It has distinctive brown upperparts, greyish head, and underparts, making it easily identifiable in the skies above many regions worldwide.
With a wingspan of up to 180cm (71in) and a body length reaching 60cm (24in), this large raptor specializes in hunting for fish, soaring high over rivers and coasts, and searching for its next meal.
Despite living near water sources, they can also be found inhabiting mountainsides or even woodlands, proving their incredible adaptability. It is an impressive species that truly deserves admiration.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Pandionidae |
| Genus | Pandion |
| Species | P. haliaetus |
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4. Sanderling
The Sanderling is a small wading bird found in the Arctic region. Its name comes from Old English, meaning “sand-ploughman”. It has grey feathers and light legs, giving it its distinct white color.
During summer breeding, they travel great distances – some wintering as far south as South America or Southern Africa. They typically feed on crustaceans such as shrimp and mollusks along coastal shores.
The Sanderling is an important species to watch out for because of its long migratory patterns and sensitivity to environmental change; other birds may also be affected if there’s trouble with this species.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. alba |
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5. Pied-Billed Grebe
The Pied-billed Grebe is a water bird found in ponds throughout the Americas. It has earned many nicknames, including American dabchick, rail, and Carolina grebe.
This grebe species can be recognized by its distinctive bill, pied or mottled with black and white markings.
Its brownish body is also covered in dark spots, and it has long legs for swimming underwater to catch food, such as aquatic insects and crustaceans.
The Pied-billed Grebes are monogamous birds that pair up during the breeding season from spring to summer, where they build their nests together on vegetation near the shoreline of lakes or slow-moving rivers.
These birds are solitary outside of mating season but will form small flocks when migrating south for winter months.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Podicipediformes |
| Family | Podicipedidae |
| Genus | Podilymbus |
| Species | P. podiceps |
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6. Magnificent Frigatebird
The Magnificent Frigatebird is the largest species, measuring between 89 and 114 cm long and having a 7-8 ft wingspan.
It can be found over tropical waters off America from northern Mexico to Peru on the Pacific coast and in Florida down south.
Its diet consists mainly of fish they take from other seabirds or snatch directly from the ocean surface while flying low above it.
They also feed on crustaceans and squid when available.
This impressive bird has an unmistakable silhouette with its long pointed wings, forked tail feathers, and male’s red gular pouch, which inflates during courtship displays.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Fregatidae |
| Genus | Fregata |
| Species | F. magnificent |
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7. Green Heron
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small heron throughout North and Central America.
Its scientific name comes from the Middle English tutor, meaning bittern, and the Latin term for its distinctive greenish color – ‘virescent.’
For many years, it was considered part of the same species as the Striated Heron (Butorides striata), commonly referred to as “green-backed herons.”
The nominate subspecies inhabits wetlands across much of this range, where they can be spotted stalking about in shallow water, looking for fish or frogs on which to feed.
They are fascinating wading birds that have even been known to use tools such as sticks or baited lines when fishing.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. virescens |
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8. Little Blue Heron
The Little Blue Heron is a small, darkly-colored heron with two-toned bill. Juveniles are entirely white, similar to the Snowy Egret. In breeding season, adults develop unique coloration on their heads and legs.
The bird has an expansive habitat range that covers much of the Americas, from North America down to South America.
They feed primarily in shallow areas like tidal flats or marshes and eat small aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, and crustaceans.
This species can also be found along coastal regions where they gather at night for roosting during winter, when food sources become more scarce due to the migration patterns of its prey animals.
These birds have adapted well over time, allowing them to persist in most habitats throughout their wide range despite environmental changes caused by human activities such as pollution or development projects near wetlands ecosystems, which are essential for this species’ survival.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. caerulea |
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9. Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron is a majestic wading bird found in many parts of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and even as far away as the Galapagos Islands.
It has an impressive wingspan which can reach up to six feet wide. Its feathers are mainly bluish-gray with brownish streaks on its neck and chest, while its head displays white plumes.
The adult herons can also be identified by their yellow bill and legs.
They live near bodies of water such as lakes, marshes, or rivers, feeding on fish using a spear-like motion with their sharp bills.
An all-white population exists only in South Florida and the Florida Keys, making it unique.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. herodias |
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10. Piping Plover
The Piping Plover is a small shorebird found along sandy or gravel beaches in North America.
It has yellow-orange-red legs, and its distinctive features include a black band across the forehead from eye to eye and a thicker chest band for males during the breeding season.
Human activity in their habitats threatens them, such as the increasing development of coastal areas and the destruction of their nesting sites due to recreation activities like beach driving and off-leash dogs.
Conservation efforts aim to protect these birds through habitat protection measures, including fencing off areas where they nest and restricting access during breeding seasons.
The future looks brighter with conservation initiatives by local governments slowly bringing the population up again over time.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. melodus |
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11. Semipalmated Sandpiper
The Semipalmated Sandpiper is a small shorebird belonging to the genus Calidris. It gets its name from Latin, with ‘Calidris’ meaning “grey-colored waterside bird” and ‘pasilla’ translating as “very small.”
This species was previously placed in the genus Ereun, but it has since been moved into its group called �stints�.
These birds are usually found near coastal areas or wetlands, feeding on insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates.
They have brownish plumage with white underparts, which helps them blend into their environment for camouflage when predators come nearby.
Despite being relatively small compared to other shorebirds, these resilient little birds can fly long distances during migration season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. pasilla |
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12. Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers are a family of waders forming the Haematopodidae, with one genus: Haematopus.
They live in coastal regions worldwide, excluding polar and some tropical areas of Africa & South East Asia.
Eurasian, South Island & Magellanic oystercatcher species also breed far inland – breeding grounds being found much more profound than other family members.
They have long beaks used to feed on mollusks such as mussels, clams, and oysters, which they crack open using their substantial bills.
Oystercatchers are usually quite vocal birds, making loud calls when disturbed or alarmed.
The males display more brightly colored plumage than females, who share similar brown/black hues for camouflage purposes during nesting season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Charadrii |
| Family | Haematopodidae Bonaparte, 1838 |
| Genus | Haematopus Linnaeus, 1758 |
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13. Black-Crowned Night Heron
The Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a medium-sized bird found in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
It has black crowns on its head with white feathers underneath. Its wings are greyish brown, while its underparts are primarily white.
This species can be seen foraging near shallow water or along coastlines during dusk or dawn as it hunts small fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.
They also feed on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles in meadows close to freshwater bodies like lakes or ponds, where they breed during springtime, making nests using twigs lined with reeds and leaves near these waterside habitats.
In Australasia, this species hybridizes with the nankeen night heron that inhabits those areas instead; however, both populations remain distinct despite their overlapped range regions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nycticorax |
| Species | N. nycticorax |
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14. Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret is a small white heron native to North America. Its scientific name, Egretta thula, comes from Provençal French for the little egret and an incorrect reference to the Black-necked Swan by Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782.
This beautiful bird has black legs, ow feet, and a long plume of feathers on its head that often appears as if it’s wearing a crown.
It feeds primarily on insects and aquatic life like fish or frogs, making it well adapted for wetland habitats such as marshes or swamps and coastal areas near shorelines.
Their graceful movements make them truly delightful creatures to observe while exploring nature.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. thula |
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15. White-Tailed Tropicbird
The White-tailed Tropicbird is a beautiful seabird that lives in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
It is the smallest member of its order Phaethontiformes, measuring only 28 inches from head to tail.
Its wingspan can reach up to 45 inches wide. The bird has white plumage with black markings on its wings and tail feathers.
It also has an unmistakable long streamer trails behind them when they are in flight – a characteristic feature for all tropicbirds.
They nest mainly on remote islands throughout their range but have recently begun nesting on Little Tobago.
These birds feed primarily off flying fish or squid near the ocean’s surface during daylight hours before returning home at nightfall.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae |
| Genus | Phaethon |
| Species | P. lepturus |
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16. Brown Noddy
The Brown Noddy is a species of seabird in the Laridae family. It’s the largest of its kind and can be distinguished from others by its dark brown plumage, which stands out compared to other noddies with black feathers.
Found around tropical oceans worldwide, it inhabits areas such as Hawaii and Australia to the Tuamotu Archipelago in Polynesia.
During the breeding season, they form large colonies on remote islands where their nests are constructed using twigs and leaves atop trees or shrubs – typically located near water sources like lagoons or estuaries.
Hence, they can access food items like small fish and squid that comprise their diet.
As highly social birds, they often engage in synchronized flying displays over nesting sites before returning home at nightfall.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Anous |
| Species | A. stolidus |
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17. Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
The Yellow-crowned night heron is a beautiful and unique bird species native to the Americas. It has distinctive yellow crowns on its head, making it easy to identify among other herons.
These birds are also larger than most other types of herons, reaching up to 70 cm in length and 850 g in weight.
They usually feed on small fish or crustaceans while wading through shallow waters with their long legs.
The yellow-crowned night heron can be found near marshes or lakes during the breeding season when they build nests made from twigs high above the ground for protection against predators like raccoons and foxes.
This majestic bird is an essential part of wetland ecosystems as it helps balance populations of smaller aquatic animals by preying upon them.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nyctanassa |
| Species | N. violacea |
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18. Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a majestic bird with an impressive wingspan spanning North America from the Aleutian Islands to Mexico.
Its black plumage stands out against its bright orange-yellow facial skin and some extended patches of white feathers on each side of its throat.
It measures 28 – 35 inches long and has webbed feet that enable it to swim gracefully through rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
These birds are known for their voracious appetite for fish, sometimes diving over 100 ft deep into water looking for food.
Despite this reputation, they feed on crustaceans, amphibians, and insects when available.
Cormorants have been part of many cultures throughout history due to their remarkable ability to fly long distances, making them valued messengers or companions during fishing expeditions at sea.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. auritum |
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19. Columbidae
Columbidae is a bird family that includes both doves and pigeons. These birds are characterized by their stout bodies, short necks, and small, slender bills with fleshy ceres in some species.
They feed mainly on seeds, fruits, and plants found worldwide but have the most incredible variety in the Indomalayan and Australasian regions.
Columbidae have an unmistakable soft cooing sound, making them one of the most beloved avian families worldwide – especially among city dwellers.
Whether it be feeding time or hearing their soothing call throughout nature walks, these birds will remain a favorite for many years.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Columbimorphae |
| Order | Columbiformes Latham, 1790 |
| Family | Columbidae Leach, 1820 |
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20. Brown Pelican
The majestic brown pelican is a dive-feeding bird that belongs to the pelican family. It is one of the three pelican species in the Americas and is known to dive into water to catch its prey.
This bird can be found from the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey to the mouth of the Amazon River and along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to northern Chile, including the Galapagos Islands.
Its scientific name is Pelecanus occidentalis, and it has a colored brown plumage, its distinct characteristic.
The brown pelican belongs to the most significant bird species today, with a wingspan that can stretch up to seven feet long.
This bird helps maintain a balance in the ecosystem by eating smaller fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic prey.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Pelecanidae |
| Genus | Pelecanus |
| Species | P. occidentalis |
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21. American Kestrel
The American kestrel, also known as the sparrow hawk, is a popular falcon species in North America. The smallest falcon can come in different sizes based on subspecies and sex.
Its weight ranges from that of a blue jay to a mourning dove. In addition to North America, this bird species is also found in South America.
There are 17 subspecies of American kestrels, each adapted to different environments.
Although small, the American kestrel is a fierce predator, often preying on insects, rodents, and other small birds.
Its impressive hunting skills and stunning coloration make it a favorite among birdwatchers and falconers.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. sparverius |
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22. Least Sandpiper
The Least Sandpiper is a shorebird that holds the title for being the smallest of its kind. Its Ancient Greek genus name, kalidris or skalidris, referred to grey-colored waterside birds.
The breed’s brown feathers with dark brown streaks, white underside, greenish legs, and short, thin, dark bill characterize adult Least Sandpipers.
The Medieval Latin name of the species, minutilla, further describes the breed’s tiny size.
These birds inhabit shallow water marshes and mudflats during summer and migrate to coasts during the winter.
Least Sandpipers feed on insects and small crustaceans, often by running and pecking in shallow water or mud.
Despite their small size, these birds travel great distances during migration, making impressive journeys from their breeding and wintering grounds.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. minutilla |
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23. Pectoral Sandpiper
The Pectoral sandpiper is a migratory wader found in North America and Asia but can be seen in South America and Oceania during the winter.
This tiny bird primarily feeds on small invertebrates. It creates a deep hole in the ground lined with thick materials to protect its four eggs from harsh weather conditions during breeding.
Measuring 21 cm (8.3 in) in length and with a wingspan of 46, the Pectoral sandpiper is a small bird that is easy to spot.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. melanotos |
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24. White-Rumped Sandpiper
The White-rumped sandpiper is a small shorebird that breeds in northern Canada and Alaska. This bird is often called a “peep” or “stint” due to its similarity to other tiny shorebirds.
Despite its obscurity, it is a fascinating bird that is rarely seen during the summer breeding season.
White-rumped sandpipers are known for their distinctive white rump, which sets them apart from other similar-looking birds.
These birds are excellent fliers and can travel great distances during migration. They can be found in various habitats, including mudflats, salt pans, marshes, and wet meadows.
Overall, the White-rumped sandpiper is a remarkable bird worth learning more about if you are interested in the natural world.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. fuscicollis |
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Conclusion
The diverse array of 24 native bird species on Cooper Island underscores this unique habitat’s rich biodiversity and ecological significance.
Each bird species plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of the island’s ecosystem, from pollination to seed dispersal. Preserving the habitat and protecting these birds is crucial for their survival and the overall health of the environment.
As stewards of our natural world, we must continue to advocate for conservation efforts to ensure that future generations can appreciate and benefit from the beauty and resilience of Cooper Island’s avian inhabitants.
