Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Haliaeetus ("Sea Eagle") leucocephalus ("white headed")

Adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at Portage, Alaska, USA - August 2025

Featured Subspecies: Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus
Weight: 3-6.6kg  /  Length: 70-102cm  /  Wingspan: 1.8-2.3m
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most recognisable bird species on the planet, in large part due to it being the national bird of the USA and featured prominantly on a lot of it's iconography.  The bird itself however is perhaps less of an apex predator than it's hype would have you believe - a rather opportunistic feeder that will often feed on carrion or even landfill. A conservation success story - by the mid 20th century there were only 412 nesting pair in the Lower 48 as a result of shooting, pesticides such as DDT and other human caused deaths. With conservation measures, there are now believe to be over 71000 nesting pairs in the same area..

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Haliaeetus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present everywhere but the High Tundra
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon

UNITED STATES - Found throughout most of the Lower 48 and Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

OTHER NAMES: Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl
Latin Etymology: Bubo ("owl") virginianus ("of Virginia")

Adult Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) at  Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: presumably Bubo virginianus lagophonus
Weight: 1.6-2.5kg  /  Length: 43-64cm  /  Wingspan: 91-153cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large powerful species of owl with the widest distribution of any "true" owl in the Americas which will take any prey it can overpower. A relation of the Eagle Owls of Africa and Eurasia, it is believe to be descended from birds that crossed the Bering Land bridge. Most prey is killed by crushing with the feet and they are are more than capable of killing decent sized mesopredators including decent sized mustelids, and on rare occassion, cats or small dogs.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Bubo
SUBSPECIES: B. v. algistus, B. v. lagophonus, B. v. saturatus, B. v. pacificus, B. v. subarcticus, B. v. pallescens, B. v. pinorum, B. v. heterocnemis, B. v. virginianus, B. v. elachistus, B. v. mayensis, B. v. mesembrinus, B. v. nigrescens, B. v. nacurutu, B. v. deserti

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present everywhere but the High Tundra
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Present everywhere in the Lower 48 and all but the High Tundra of Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Heard in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Bucephala ("bull headed") islandica ("of Iceland")

Adult in eclipse plumage Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) at Saskatoon Lake, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 590-970g  /  Length: 43-49cm  /  Wingspan: 70-73cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species with a very perculiar range - it breeds in the Rockies up into Alaska, but also has a disjunct population in the Gulf of St Lawrence in Quebec, and, perhaps even more oddly, a relict population in Iceland in Europe.  In most plumages relatively simple to separate from the Common Goldeneye - in breeding males the face patch is a wedge rather than round, and in the breeding females the beak becomes orange, however, in eclipse it can become a bit subtler and features such as black wingbars and the head shape become required.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Breeds across much of Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)

OTHER NAMES: White-winged Crossbill
Latin Etymology: Loxia ("crosswise") leucoptera ("white winged")

Alex Holt · Two-barred Crossbill

Call of Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) at Mucho Lake, British Columbia, Canada - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Loxia leucoptera leucoptera
Weight: 25-40g  /  Length: 14-17cm  /  Wingspan: 26-28cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The most distinct of the Crossbill species due to the prominant white wingbars that almost all other species lack, excluding the Hispaniolan Crossbill which has absolutely no range overlap by a factor of several thousand miles. Present in both North America and Eurasia where it's range in each coincides largely with northern boreal forests. They favour spruce as their trees of choice.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Loxia
SUBSPECIES: L. l. leucoptera, L. l . bifasciata

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds in most of Canada up to the Tree Line
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Heard in British Columbia

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Poecile (unknown small bird) atricapillus ("black cap")

Adult Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) in Anchorage, Alaska, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Poecile atricapillus turneri
Weight: 9-14g  /  Length: 12-15cm  /  Wingspan: 15-21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small and abundant tit that is found throughout much of Northern North America, although in the South-Eastern US it is replaced by the very similar looking Carolina Chickadee. It is an adaptable species found in both coniferous and deciduous forests as well as human modified habitats. They are not migratory, but have several adaptations to deal with cold temperatures including caching behaviour and the ability to lower their body temperature and enter a state of torpor.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
SUBSPECIES: P. a. turneri, P. a. occidentalis, P. a. fortuitus, P. a. septentrionalis, P. a. bartletti, P. a. garrinus, P. a. nevadensis, P. a. practicus

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present in Southern and Central Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Present in Northern States of the Lower 48 and Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Leucophaeus ("dusky white") pipixcan (Nahuatl word for a type of gull)

Adult Breeding plumage Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) in Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 200-300g  /  Length: 32-36cm  /  Wingspan: 85-95cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An endemic breeder to the Great Plains and unusually for Gulls, rarely seen at the Coast in North America, except on passage. At the beginning of the breeding season they develop a faint pink tint on the chest and abdomen but the pigments decay over time and it is generally lost by the end of the breeding season. 

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Leucophaeus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds on central prairies
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta in the vicinity of Lake Saskatoon

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Bucephala ("bull headed") albeola ("white")

Female or eclipse male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) at Saskatoon Lake, Alberta - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 270-550g  /  Length: 32-40cm  /  Wingspan: 55cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small relative of the Goldeneyes whose breeding range is almost entirely within Canada, they are a tree-nesting duck using the nesting cavities of Northern Flicker nearto Water, although they must compete with other species that also use this strategy. They are diving ducks and feed primarily on insects, crustaceans and molluscs.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Breeds across much of Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Vireo (a Latin word for a unknown bird species) olivaceus (olive coloured)

Adult Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) at Buffalo Creek NP, Minnesota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 12-26g  /  Length: 4.7-5.1cm  /  Wingspan: 9-10cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite appearances, the Red-eyed Vireo isn't actually a relation of Phylloscopus warblers, but rather a neat bit of parrallel plumage evolution. This species holds the records for most songs in a given day by a single bird at over 20,000, and spread across many different song types, with the average being 31 different songs, and one bird with 73 songs.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vireonidae
Genus: Vireo
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present in Central Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Present in North and South East of Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

OTHER NAMES: Myrtle Warbler
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") coronata ("crowned")

Adult female Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) at Teslin Lake, Yukon, Canada  - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Myrtle Warbler - Setophaga coronata
Weight: 12g  /  Length: 14-15cm  /  Wingspan: 19-24cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species of somewhat complex and potentially unresolved taxonomic status - the Yellow-rumped warbler is currently comprised of four subspecies which are by some authorities treated as separate species - Myrtle Warbler, Audobons Warbler, Black-fronted Warbler and Goldman's Warbler. The most numerous warbler in North America, it primarily breeds in Canada and Winters in the South-East US and the West Coast.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga
SUBSPECIES: S. c. coronata, S. c. audoboni, S. c. nigrifons, S. c. goldmani

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeding migrant across South East Canada.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Yukon

UNITED STATES - Breeds in North East Lower 48 and Alaska and Winters in Southern States 
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota and Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Quiscalus (unclear origin) quiscula (unclear origin)

 

Juvenile Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) in North Dakota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Bronzed Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula versicolor
Weight: 74-142g  /  Length: 28-34cm  /  Wingspan: 35-46cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened 

A common and omnivorous bird that has generally adapted well to human habitation and will nest in made made structures, but nonetheless is considered Near Threatened due to being significantly down from it's historic peak. They have a beak with a special saw like plate inside adapted for making them better at crushing hard nuts.  They also are somewhat attuned to Earth's magnetic field, although the precise purpose and utility of this is still unclear.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Quiscalus
SUBSPECIES: Q. q. quiscula, Q. q. stonei, Q. q. versicolor

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeding migrant across South East Canada.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Resident in South East USA, migrant Breeding range extends further North and West.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, North Dakota and Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus)

OTHER NAMES: Mew Gull
Latin Etymology:  Larus ("gull") brachyrhynchus ("short billed")

Adult Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 40-45cm  /  Wingspan: 100-120cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A recent species split - formerly considered the same species as the Common Gull of Eurasia, in 2021 the AOS decided to split it based on a wide spread of evidence including genetics, plumage, morphology and calls. Although the term "Mew Gull" had previously been used to refer to the Common Gull former superspecies in America, it was officially named the Short-billed to avoid confusion with older records prior to the split.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Breeds in the North West.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Yukon.

UNITED STATES - Breeds in Alaska and Winters down the West Coast.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Anchorage, Alaska

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Falco ("Falcon") mexicanus ("of Mexico")

Adult Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) at Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: 
Weight: 500-9700g  /  Length: 37-45cm  /  Wingspan: 100cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A close relative of the Peregrine, and the only larger falcon species to be endemic to North America, the Prairie Falcon mostly preys upon small birds and mammals and has adapted to be able to live in areas where prey is more scarce than the peregrine generally requires. We spotted this species on at least two occassions, but unfortunately never got a prolonged view.

Related Species:
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Range extends into the Southern edges of British Colombia, Alberta and Saskatchewan
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta.

UNITED STATES - Resident across most Western States
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in North Dakota 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tyrannus ("absolute ruler") tyrannus ("absolute ruler")

Adult Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) at Buffalo Creek National Park, Minnesota, US - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 33-55g /  Length: 19-23cm  /  Wingspan: 33-38cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The more common of the two Kingbird species seen on the trip, the Eastern Kingbird was fairly conspicuous a presence as they perch prominantly near their nest sites. Despite being a member of the usually small and timid flycatcher family, eastern kingbirds have a reputation as aggressive defenders of their territories from species like corvids, and as such other small birds will often nest near them for the security benefits. 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Tyrannus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Found across most ofthe Southern half of Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta.

UNITED STATES - Summer breeding species across all but the South-West of the Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana

 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Salpinctes ("trumpeter") obsoletus ("worn out")

Adult Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) at Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus
Weight: 15-18g  /  Length: 12-15cm  /  Wingspan: 22-24cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A wren primarily found in the West of North America, and is capable of living even in harsh deserts where few other birds survive. They build a small walkway of pebbles up to their nest, although the purpose of them doing so is currently unknown.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae
Genus: Salpinctes
SUBSPECIES: S. o. obsoletus, S. o. guardelouppenis, S. o. tenuirostris, S. o. exsul, S. o. neglectus, S. o. guttatus, S. o. fasciatus, S. o. costaricensis

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Migrant breeder at edge of it's range at the South-Western border with the US
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

OTHER NAMES: Grasshopper Hawk, Locust Hawk
Latin Etymology: Buteo ("buzzard") swainsoni (named for William Swainson)

Adult light morph Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) at Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 500-1700g  /  Length: 43-56cm  /  Wingspan: 117-137cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A smaller buteo that breeds in the great plains and other open areas of North America.They hunt primarily small mammals and grasshoppers when seasonally available. Fairly tolerant of humans compared to many raptors, this particular individual was perched up inside of a town.  Swainson's Hawks are the longest distance migrant of any accipiter which can be over 7000miles and take 2 months. 

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Migrant breeder on Great Plains
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta.

UNITED STATES - Migrant breeder in Centre and Westerly Lower 48 and an area of Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in North Dakota and Montana.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Buteo ("buzzard") regalis ("royal")

Adult Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) at Montana, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 900-2200g  /  Length: 51-71cm  /  Wingspan: 122-158cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest species of Buteo in North America, and the second largest world wide, the Ferruginous Hawk is a species with a decidedly aquiline bearing. They breed in the Great Plains and Winter in the South West and into Mexico.  They primarily feed on small mammals of which there are wide diversity available across their range.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds in the Sourthern parts of the Canadian Great Plains.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta.

UNITED STATES - Breeds in North West, Winters in South West with a resident population between.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Glimpsed in North Dakota and Montana.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

OTHER NAMES: American Yellow Warbler
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") petecchia ("small red spot")

 

Adult female Species (Setophaga petechia) at Buffalo Creek State Park, Minnesota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Setophaga petechia aestiva
Weight: 7-25g  /  Length: 10-18cm  /  Wingspan: 16-22cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small but extremely adaptable species of warbler whose range goes into the Arctic Circle at it's most Northerly, while also having resident populations in the Caribbean and South America, with gaps in it's range being largely only desert. The 32 subspecies are sometimes split into five groups - the American Yellow Warbler, the Mangrove Warbler, the Galapagos Yellow Warbler and the Golden Yellow Warbler. 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga
SUBSPECIES: S. p. rubiginosa, S. p. amnicola, S. p. aestiva, S. p. morcomi, S. p. sonorana, S. p. dugesi, S. p. oraria, S. p. bryanti, S. p. erithachorides, S. p. chrsyendeta, S. p. paraguanae, S. p. cienagae, S. p. castaneiceps, S. p. hizophorae, S. p. xanthotera, S. p. aequatorialis, S. p. peruviana, S. p. aureola, S. p. ruficertex, S. p. armouri, S. p. flavida, S. p. eoa, S. p. gunlachi, S. p. gundlachi, S. p. albicollis, S. p. cruciana, S. p. bartholemica, S. p. melanoptera, S. p. ruficapilla, S. p. babad, S. p. petechia, S. p. alsiosa, S. p. rufopileata, S. p. obscura, S. p. aurifrons

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds throughout most of Canda
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen at Writing-on-Stone NP

UNITED STATES - Breeding migrant in the upper 2/3 of the Lower 48 and through much of Alaska,
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Fairly common throughout in appropriate habitat

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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