This is a comprehensive listing of the bird species recorded in Denali National Park and Preserve, which is in the U.S. state of Alaska. Unless otherwise noted, this list is based on one published by the National Park Service (NPS) dated October 2020.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 63rd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
This list contains 184 species. Unless otherwise noted, all are considered to occur regularly in Denali National Park and Preserve as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following codes and definitions are used by the NPS checklist to annotate some species. When abundance varies by season, this list uses the code for the season of greatest abundance.
(R) = Rare - "occurs regularly, but in small numbers" (20 species) (O) = Occasional - "has been recorded no more than a few times and is beyond the periphery of normal annual range" (15 species) (X) = Accidental - "has been recorded one or two times and is so far beyond the periphery of normal annual range that reoccurrence is unlikely" (15 species) (H) = Hypothetical - "No satisfactory records exist ... in Denali, but the species has either been recorded near the park and/or recorded within the park with some uncertainty" (17 species)
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.
Snow goose, Anser caerulescens
Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
Brant, Branta bernicla (X) Canada goose, Branta canadensis (R) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (R) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera (O) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (O) American wigeon, Mareca americana Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Canvasback, Aythya valisineria (R) Redhead, Aythya americana (R) Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (H) Common merganser, Mergus merganser (R) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (H)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.
Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (R) Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus Rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta White-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (H)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (H)
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.
Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (O)
Cranes
Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".