Wings Over AK

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“Wings Over Alaska” is an Alaska Department of Fish and Game program that encourages more people to enjoy Alaska’s birds and to take their birding skills to a higher level. Alaska is home to a huge variety of birds – 471 species have been positively identified to date – and makes the 49th state a paradise for birders and a destination for many who hope to see rarities like the Bluethroat, Whiskered Auklet, and Bristle-Thighed Curlew.

Wings Over Alaska participants are awarded free certificates for bird species they have seen in Alaska. There are four levels of certification for birders based on identifying 50, 125, 200 and 275 species in the state. The highest level of certificate is signed by the Governor.

Download and print your Wings Over Alaska materials here (if you are unable to download, you may request a printed copy by calling 907-465-4190):

Wings Over Alaska birding newsletters:

Winter 2004, Volume 1, Issue 3 (PDF File 345 Kb)
- Waterfowl in winter, owls, Great Backyard Bird Count, events, bird feeding safety
Summer 2004, Volume 1, Issue 2 (PDF File 294 Kb)
- rare birds and reporting rarities, breeding bird survey, and resources for teachers
Spring 2004, Volume 1, Issue 1 (PDF File 244 Kb)
- spring migration, young birder, festivals, birding news

Wings Over Alaska general information:

Wings Over Alaska brochure (overview and rules) (PDF File - 137K)
Alaska Bird Checklist - updated 2005 version (PDF File - 193K)
Certificate application form (PDF File - 137K)
Wings Over Alaska press release, March 25, 2003 (PDF File - 104K)
How to Document Rare Birds (PDF File - 354 K)

For more information or to be included on a list for program announcements e-mail: dfg.dwc.wingsoveralaska@alaska.gov or call 907-465-4190.

You can start birding anytime. Birds already on your Alaska life list count towards your Wings Over Alaska certificates. Birders are encouraged to record their observations at www.eBird.org, a free program to track your birding efforts and make a contribution to science.

Wings Over Alaska Rules

All birds listed must be within the state of Alaska when identified. For purposes of this program, birds identified when traveling between Alaska ports by boat, whether or not within territorial waters, will be accepted.
All birds listed must be alive, wild, and unrestrained when identified. Birds at the zoo or a raptor center or mist-netted don't count, birds at your feeder do.
Birds must be naturally occurring in Alaska. Accidentals that got here on their own count. The neighbor's loose parrot doesn't, even if it survives the winter.
All birds listed must be identified by sight or sound by the person submitting the application.
Applicants may be asked to provide details or verify listings at the discretion of the department. All awards will be made at the discretion of the department.
A complete application is required for each person.
Only one person may be listed on each certificate awarded.
Just one of each certificate per person please.