Arctic Wildlife - Birds

Arctic Wildlife

Here are some of the diverse bird species found among the wildlife at Tukto Lodge:

Birds

Arctic Loons

It wasn't so long ago that this type of bird was considered to be a Pacific loon, but in 1985 the Arctic loon was categorized as its own breed, once reliable identification methods were established. It is slightly larger than the Pacific loon, and has a longer neck. The Arctic loon feeds on fish, mollusks and crustaceans.

Bald and Golden Eagles

Bald eagles and golden eagles are similar in size, both ranging between 29 and 43 inches. Bald eagles prefer to feast on fish but if the opportunity arises will eat hares and carrion, while the golden eagle tends to feed on rodents, hares, ground squirrels and carrion. Majestic birds, it is a photographer's dream to capture these eagles perched in a tree or mid-flight.
Both the bald eagle and the golden eagle winter in Southern Canada and the United States but return to the north every spring to breed, with successful nestings producing two to three eggs.

Peregrine Falcons

Falcons are swift hunters and these beautiful birds reach amazing speeds of 200 miles per hour in deep downward dives when "stooping" their prey. A slim bird, similar size to a crow, it has slate gray upper-parts and white undersides with black bars across the chest, thighs and undersides of the wings.

Mosquito Lake and Dubawnt Lake are home to the peregrine falcon, and birders may be able to spot both the anatum & tundrius subspecies. The wild peregrine lives an average of five years, and breeding begins in the second year. The male peregrine woos the female with an elaborate courtship that can last a few weeks. The female will lay between two and four eggs.

Ptarmigans

One of the unique things about the ptarmigan is its feathered feet, which makes it a perfect candidate for the cold Arctic tundra. In North America there are three types of ptarmigans: the Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus, the White-tailed Ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus, and the Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus. Around Tukto Lodge, sharp-eyed photographers can spot the Willow Ptarmigan and sometimes the Rock Ptarmigan.

Part of the grouse family, these birds feed on an array of Arctic plants, leaves, buds and berries. When it comes to breeding, if nesting is successful, the female ptarmigan will raise one brood per year. The babies are unsteady at birth, but after a week they are able to fly, even if a little clumsy.

Sandhill Cranes

The Grus Canadensis inhabits the Arctic and sub-Arctic throughout northern Canada, parts of Alaska and northeast Siberia. When migrating south to parts of Texas, the southwestern United States and Mexico, these graceful birds can travel up to 350 miles a day. The sandhill crane stands approximately 3 feet high and has a wingspan of 6 feet or more. Frogs, rodents, insects, plant bulbs, berries and seeds form the basis of this omnivorous bird's diet.

One of the most distinguishing features of this long-necked bird is its trumpet call. It's powerful, unmistakable voice emits a loud musical rattle that can be heard for over a mile. The sandhill crane is a very wary bird, and few people have a chance to witness their elaborate mating dances that appear almost comical to human eyes.

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