Arctic Plains and Mountains

This region includes low-lying, coastal tundra and drier uplands of the Arctic mountains across the entire northern edge of North America. Because of thick and continuous permafrost, surface water dominates the landscape (20–50 percent of the coastal plain). Freezing and thawing form a patterned mosaic of polygonal ridges and ponds, and many rivers bisect the plain and flow into the Arctic Ocean. The ocean surface is generally frozen 9 to 10 months of the year, and the ice pack is never far from shore. Because of the wetness, waterfowl and shorebirds dominate the avian community and passerines are scarce. The most abundant breeding birds on the coastal plain include Northern Pintail, King Eider, Oldsquaw, American Golden-Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, and Lapland Longspur. Several Old World species, including the Arctic Warbler and Bluethroat, penetrate the region from the west. Taiga passerines, such as Gray-cheeked Thrush and Yellow Warbler, reach the region along drainage systems, and raptors, including Gyrfalcon and Rough-legged Hawk, nest commonly along major rivers. Few bird species winter in the region.

Bird Conservation Plans

Landbirds - Alaska Biogeographic Regions
Shorebirds - Alaska Planning Region, Northern Conservation Division (CN)
Waterbirds - Alaska/Bering/Yukon Region, Arctic Canada
Waterfowl - Eastern Habitat Area
All Birds -

Joint Venture Area: Eastern Habitat
Reg Melanson, JV Coordinator
Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada
Env. Conservation Service - Atlantic Region
17 Waterfowl Lane
PO Box 6227
Sackville, NB E4L 1G6
Canada

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