Green birds are a common sight in Alaska, where they can be found in many different habitats throughout the state. From the boreal forests of the northern regions to the coastal areas of Southeast Alaska, green birds are a welcome sight in the Alaskan wilderness.
These birds come in various shapes and sizes, from the vibrant, plump green-winged teal to the small, slender olive-backed thrush. Although these birds may look different, they all have striking green plumage that stands out from their feathered counterparts.
Whether soaring high in the sky or hopping on the ground, green birds are a unique and beautiful sight in the Alaskan landscape.
9 Green Birds in Alaska
Alaska is a land of stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Among the many animals that call this state home, some remarkable birds have green plumage or features.
Here are 9 of these green birds.
1. Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s warbler is a small songbird species belonging to the New World warbler family. It is a brightly-colored species, with its upper parts being greenish and its underside a bright shade of yellow. Its wings are rounded, and its tail is long and slender.
The male Wilson’s warbler has a distinctive black crown patch on its head, although the size and presence of this mark vary between the different subspecies – in some, it may be absent entirely in the female.
Generally, Wilson’s warblers are found in the western United States and Canada, though some have been sighted as far south as Mexico. They inhabit coniferous and deciduous forests and are often found near water.
They typically feed on insects, spiders, and berries and are known for their high-pitched, buzzy songs.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Cardellina |
| Species | C. pusilla |
2. Violet-Green Swallow
The violet-green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) is a small passerine bird species found in North America. These birds belong to the swallow family (Hirundinidae) and are aerial insectivores, meaning they feed on insects they catch in mid-air.
The species is distributed along the west coast of North America, from Alaska to Mexico. Its range extends as far east as Montana and Texas, though most of the population is in western states.
The birds are strongly migratory, with most of the population wintering in Central America. The violet-green swallow is a small, slender bird, measuring around 16 cm long and weighing up to 17 g. It has a glossy greenish-black back and wings and a white underside.
The head and throat are also white, with a violet-blue band across the forehead. The wings are long and pointed, and the tail is forked. These birds are usually found in open woodlands, especially near water.
They build cup-shaped nests from mud and grass and lay 4 to 5 eggs. The adults feed on flying insects, such as bees, wasps, and flies. They often gather in large flocks to feed. The violet-green swallow is a common species, and its population is stable.
It is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Tachycineta |
| Species | T. thalassina |
3. Green-Winged Teal
The American teal, or green-winged teal, is a species of duck native to North America, except the Aleutian Islands. This duck species is commonly found throughout its range and has been a famous game bird for centuries.
Until recently, it was thought to be the same species as the Eurasian teal, but studies have revealed it to be a distinct species of all its own. The American teal is a small duck measuring 37 and 41 cm in length.
They have a relatively short bill and a dark brown body, with a greenish-black band across the wings, giving them the name of green-winged teal. Both males and females have a white patch on their faces, just above their bill.
Males also have a black stripe running along the top of their head, while females have a chestnut-colored stripe. The American teal breeds in the northern areas of North America, including Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States.
It is usually found near wetlands, such as marshes, ponds, and lakes.
During the winter, some American teals migrate south as far as Mexico and Central America, while others remain in their northern range. The American teal is an omnivorous species that feeds on plant and animal matter.
They typically feed on insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants. They also eat small fish, amphibians, and other marine animals. The American teal is a famous game bird widely hunted in the United States and Canada.
It is also a popular choice for duck hunters, as it is relatively easy to track and locate due to its size and abundant population. The American teal is a valuable species to hunters and conservationists and is a vital part of North America’s ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. carolinensis |
4. New World Warblers
The New World warblers, also known as wood-warblers, are a family of small birds native to the Americas. They are members of the Parulidae family, known for their vibrant colors and striking patterns.
They can be found in various habitats, including forests, open fields, and urban parks. New World warblers are not closely related to Old World warblers, found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, or Australian singers, found in Australasia.
While both of these other families of birds are also known for their colorful plumage, their evolutionary history is quite different from that of the New World warblers. New World warblers are divided into four distinct subfamilies: the Dendroica, Vermivora, Oreothlypis, and Parula.
Each subfamily has unique characteristics, such as habitat preference and coloration.
For example, the Dendroica singers are known for their bright colors. In contrast, the Vermivora warblers have more subtle markings. No matter their subfamily, all New World warblers are characterized by their active feeding behaviors and preference for insect prey.
They tend to flit from branch to branch as they search for food, and they are also known to migrate long distances in search of better food sources. In summary, the New World warblers are a unique family of birds restricted to the Americas.
They are known for their bright colors and their active feeding behaviors. They are not closely related to Old World or Australian warblers and are divided into four distinct subfamilies.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
5. Mallard
The mallard, or wild duck, is a species of dabbling duck widely distributed worldwide. These ducks are native to temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa.
In recent years, mallard has been introduced to various parts of the world, such as New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa.
This has allowed the mallard to expand its natural range far beyond its native areas and has allowed it to become an increasingly common sight in many parts of the world.
The mallard is an adaptable species that can thrive in various habitats, from wetlands and ponds to parks and urban areas.
It is a hardy species and can readily adapt to new environments. Its diet comprises aquatic vegetation, insects, worms, small crustaceans, and grains.
The mallard is also an important game bird, with many countries having hunting seasons for it. The mallard has also become a popular domestic pet in many areas due to its friendly demeanor and ability to be easily trained.
It is also essential to many wetland ecosystems, providing a vital food source for many fish species, amphibians, and reptiles. The mallard is a highly adaptable species in many parts of the world.
It is an integral part of many wetland ecosystems and is a popular domestic pet. This has allowed it to expand its range far beyond its native areas and become a common sight in many places worldwide.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. platyrhynchos |
6. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird is a beautiful species of Hummingbird found in North America. Its name was derived from Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli, and it is native to the western coastal regions of North America.
Anna’s Hummingbird can be found in Northern Baja, California and Southern California. However, it wasn’t until the beginning of the twentieth century that they began to breed in these areas.
This hummingbird species is known for its striking colors and ability to hover in mid-air, flitting from flower to flower while feeding. Anna’s Hummingbird is also known for its melodic call, which is used to attract mates and claim their territory.
These birds are important pollinators for numerous types of plants, making them an integral part of the local ecosystems.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Calypte |
| Species | C. anna |
7. MacGillivray’s Warbler
MacGillivray’s warbler is a New World warbler species found in parts of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. They have a unique appearance, with their olive-green upperparts and white underparts.
These birds are relatively sluggish compared to other warbler species, engaging in less frequent flight bouts and preferring to spend most of their time on or near the ground. They are also heavier than other warbler species, with a wingspan of up to 8 inches.
MacGillivray’s warbler is a ground-dwelling species that occasionally takes to the air to sing. They can be seen hovering or fluttering around during this time, singing their unique song.
This song has been described as a “rolling trill,” which can be heard over long distances. When not singing, they will usually perch in low shrubs and trees. These birds feed on various insects and spiders, which they hunt from the ground or low-lying perches.
They will also occasionally feed on berries and other fruits. MacGillivray’s warblers have adapted to human habitats and can be found in parks and gardens.
MacGillivray’s warbler is an exciting species due to its heavy and sluggish nature and unique song. They are a species of conservation concern, as their populations have been declining due to habitat loss and degradation.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Geothlypis |
| Species | G. tolmiei |
8. Arctic Warbler
The Arctic warbler is a type of leaf warbler, a small songbird found in many parts of the world. It is most commonly found in birch or mixed birch forests near water throughout its breeding range, which includes Fennoscandia and the northern Palearctic.
This species has also recently established a breeding population in Alaska, demonstrating its adaptability to various habitats.
The Arctic warbler is strongly migratory; it spends its summers breeding in the northern Palearctic and Fennoscandia, then flies south for the winter, all the way to southeast Asia.
This impressive long-distance migration shows how capable this species is at traveling vast distances. It is a testament to nature’s power and these small birds’ amazing feats.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Phylloscopidae |
| Genus | Phylloscopus |
| Species | P. borealis |
9. Ovenbird
The Ovenbird is a small, migratory songbird belonging to the New World Warbler family. It is found in eastern North America and migrates south during winter to Central America, many Caribbean islands, Florida, and northern Venezuela.
This species is known for its singing ability, with males singing a loud, persistent song to attract females and warn other males of their territory. The Ovenbird has a round body, a pale gray crown, dark brown and white striped wings, and a tail.
Its habitat includes mature deciduous and coniferous forests, open woodlands, and shrubby edges. It feeds on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. The Ovenbird nests in the ground, usually in a dry, open area near a tree or shrub.
The female builds the nest and lays four to five eggs. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs, and the young can leave the nest after just a few days.
The Ovenbird is an essential species in its range and is not considered at risk of extinction.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Seiurus |
| Species | S. aurocapilla |
Conclusion
Green birds are an essential part of the Alaskan ecosystem. They provide valuable ecological services, such as pollination, pest management, and aesthetic beauty.
The presence of green birds in Alaska is also an indication of a healthy environment. Protecting these birds and their habitat ensures their continued survival and prosperity.