Bird Watching at Katmai National Park

Southwest Alaska is an area where nature prevails, which means there are lots of National Parks. Among them, the 4,093,077 acres Katmai National Park is best known for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and of course, brown bears. The name of the park comes from Mount Katmai, a stratovolcano that is located at the center of the park.

Major Attractions at Katmai National Park

If you find yourself at the Katmai National Park and Preserve, bear-watching is a given. The bears are everywhere and the place is optimized so you can observe the wildlife in peace. Brown bears are an especially beautiful sight in the scenic park.

The most popular destination in Katmai has to be Brooks camp. It is an area where one can do sport fishing, observe bears, birds, the scenery, and learn about the place’s history.

There is an argument to be made about how the best part of Katmai can only be seen from the air, which is why helicopter rides are popular in the park. The huge number of lakes and ponds in the park means one can often go on boat rides and get an eyeful of wildlife in the nearby forests and birds. One can also hike and camp inside the park, exploring places such as the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and Bristol Bay’s lowland area.

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Bird Watching at Katmai National Park

There are 564 bird species in Alaska, watching birds in Katmai National Park is especially fulfilling during nesting season in summer and migratory season in spring. On the open, upper lands, you can always find lots of Willow and Rock Ptarmigan regardless of the season. The deep forests of Katmai are used to Spruce Grouse’s call.

The Bristol Bay lowlands are in the west and the southwest area of the park, which is an open, wet tundra. The area has too many wetlands, lakes, and ponds. This means Tundra Swans, Hudsonian Godwits, Greater Yellowlegs, and many other shorebirds and ducks find the area a good place to nest.

The habitat range is diverse in the sense you can find alpine tundras, lowland marshes, and shrub thickets in the same park. In Summertime, birds such as Sparrows, Warblers, and Thrushes can be seen everywhere.

Streams, where there are lots of salmon fish, attract bird species such as Black-billed Magpies, Common Ravens, Common Goldeneyes, and Mergansers. The marshy shore areas near ponds and lakes are lined with nests of Grebes and Loons.

On the Katmai’s Pacific coastline, there is never any shortage of birds, depending on the season. However, the frequenters change depending on the time of the year. Black-legged Kittiwakes, Gulls, Tufted Puffins, and Black Oystercatchers are common here. In winter, Harlequin Ducks and Common Goldeneye increase in numbers.

10 Birds to See at Katmai National Park

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs are shorebirds with black and white plumage and of course, yellow legs! You can find them throughout North America. Their population is stable and they are not at risk of being endangered. They make their homes in marshes and other wetlands. Greater Yellowlegs are nicknamed the “marsh piper” since they will wade in deeper waters to eat. They make their nests on the ground near water and lay about 4 eggs. Greater Yellowlegs migrate in small flocks in the fall

Black-billed Magpie

Black-billed Magpies have a black and white body with long tail feathers. You can find them in the northwestern region of North America. Their population is steady and they are not at risk of being endangered. They live on farms, in forest edges, and along streams. Black-billed Magpies are a noisy bird that sits on fence posts and road signs. They enjoy eating fruits, insects, and small animals. Black-billed Magpies lay 6 to 7 eggs in big 3-foot wide circular nests. Black-billed Magpies are permanent residents, with only a few moving south.

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owls are brown and white and have two pointy tufts that look like ears. You can find them throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their population is widespread and common and not at risk of being endangered. They make their homes near forests, streams, and open country. Great Horned Owls are the most recognized Owl because they make a deep hooting sound. They have a great night vision to hunt in the dark. These birds like to eat frogs, mice, birds, and sometimes mammals bigger than themselves! They lay 2 to 3 eggs and will use old nests from other large birds. Sometimes they add feathers to their nests. Great Horned Owls do not have a regular migratory route; however, some have been seen moving south for the winter.

American Robin

American Robins have a round orange chest and gray-brown feathers. They live across North America. Their population is widespread and abundant. Their habitat is in cities, lawns, and forests. They lay about 4 eggs and sometimes up to 7. The eggs they lay are a pale blue color and are often referred to as “robin’s-egg blue”. They enjoy eating earthworms right out of the ground in the morning and fruit in the afternoon. American Robins migrate in flocks during the day.

Arctic Tern

Arctic Terns are a pale gray color with a black cap, red bill, and red legs. They have long, pointed wings when seen in flight. They live in northern Canada and also in Antarctica. Arctic Terns have declined in population, but they are not endangered. They eat mostly fish, some crustaceans, and insects. This Tern lays 1 to 3 eggs in a nest on the ground. They make their home along rocky coasts and islands. They migrate offshore.

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfishers have large heads with thick, pointed bills. They are blue-gray with white on their wings and tails. They are common across North America. These birds are not endangered, but their numbers have decreased recently. They live near shores and streams. Belted Kingfishers dive to catch fish and crayfish to eat. They will cough up pellets of indigestible parts, like bones and scales. They lay 6 to 7 eggs and make their nests in the ground as long tunnels. Migration is not common, but some Belted Kingfishers migrate south along rivers.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrows have a brown and gray body with streaks. Their coloring can change depending upon the area they are in. They live all over North America. Their population is widespread and steady. They make their homes in thickets, brush, and around marshes. Song Sparrows eat small insects like wasps and ants, but will also come to bird feeders for seed. They lay 3 to 5 eggs in a nest low to the ground. Song Sparrows in the north migrate to the south for the winter.

Horned Lark

Horned Larks are brown with a yellow and black face and small black “horns” made of feathers. You can find them throughout North America. There has been a decline in their population, but they are stable and not at risk of being endangered. Horned Larks live in large, empty fields, and deserts. They are ground birds, where they feed on seeds and insects. They lay 3 or 4 eggs in an open nest on the ground. While some Horned Larks are permanent residents in their area, the Horned Larks found in the north migrate south.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins are brown with yellow on their wings and tail. They are small songbirds with a pointed bill and a short tail. They live throughout North America. There is an abundant number of these birds, but there has been a small decline recently. Pine Siskins make their homes in mixed woods and weedy areas. These birds like to eat seeds and can store a large amount in their throat. They can also be found in pine trees hanging upside down! Pine Siskins lay 3 to 4 eggs in a cup-shaped nest well-hidden up high in a tree. They migrate erratically and in the daytime in flocks.

Horned Puffin

Horned Puffins are black and white with a yellow and red rounded bill. They are seabirds that nest on the islands and coasts of Alaska. Their population in Alaska is abundant but has declined on the islands. They make their homes on sea cliffs near the ocean. These Puffins enjoy eating fish. They carry their fish crosswise in their bill and can carry up to 65 fish at one time! They only lay 1 egg and build their nests in a burrow underground. Horned Puffins do not migrate, but their patterns are not known, since they are found in different locations.

Final Thoughts

Southwest Alaska is ideal for birdwatching in general. Katmai National Park with its abundance of bird species is simply one stop among all the national parks you should visit if you are in the area. Each park has something different to offer, so it is advised you take your time touring each one of them.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Katmai National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.