Viewpoints
Favorite Ketchikan Birds
By Craig Moen
December 05, 2007
Wednesday AM
Since I was quite young I've had a fascination with how many
different kinds of birds there are. My favorites growing up
in Minnesota were the loon, pheasant, red-winged blackbird, and
chickadee. The last several years here in Alaska have added
the raven and eagle to the list. Most recently in Ketchikan
it's the red-necked 4-wheeler.
Seems their habitat is primarily urban, but they enjoy congregating
in readily accessible forest areas where their rather loud and
macho calls overwhelm all other sounds of nature. Their tracks
often reflect the difficulty they have in navigating water-soaked
bogs or trying to cross stretches of muskeg. An occasional beer
can squished into their path indicates their preferred food,
and you'll often find them perched on the back of pickup trucks
whose engines are even louder.
A hiker would be well advised to keep their distance from them
and avoid altogether areas where they are known to frequent.
They pose no danger other than to themselves.
Craig Moen
Ketchikan, AK
About: "Amateur ornithologist.
Have hiked most but not all trails in the area."
Received December 03, 2007
- Published December 05, 2007
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