Alaska’s annual birding events honor culture and art, benefit tourism and local economies, highlight conservation issues, and truly celebrate birds. These festivals attract thousands of enthusiasts each year thanks to their premier programming.
Unique experiences range from witnessing massive shorebird murmurations at the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival to celebrating one of the largest gatherings of Bald Eagles in the world at the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival to spotting rare eiders in the United States’ northernmost city during the Utqiaġvik Migratory Bird Festival.
In tandem with celebrating birds, festivals highlight Alaska Native culture through traditional beading workshops, dance performances, art contests and classes, and more. Beyond recreation, birdwatching significantly contributes to Alaska’s economy. Bird tourism supports habitat conservation by creating economic incentives for preserving high-quality environments.
Recognizing the importance of bird festivals in fostering regenerative tourism, Audubon works annually with communities and partners to aid, amplify, and attend bird festivals that uplift culture, education, and tourism in Alaska.
Vice President, Audubon Alaska
Communications Manager, Audubon Alaska
Pacific Shorebird Conservation Initiative Coordinator
The celebration marked 35 years since the Copper River Delta was designated a Site of Hemispheric Importance in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN)—the first such site in Alaska and among the earliest in the network’s history.
The annual event highlights the remote village’s terns and Alaska Native community.
The annual event highlights the remote village’s Aleutian Terns and Alaska Native community.
Here’s how Alaska’s annual birding events honor culture and art, benefit tourism and local economies, highlight conservation issues, and truly celebrate birds.
