During the six years 1997–2002, there were 21 additions to the Alaska list, four other status changes based on taxonomic decisions, and one deletion, resulting in a net total of 468 species and 110 additional subspecies of birds known at the beginning of 2003 to have occurred naturally in Alaska.
Using the published inventory of Alaska birds (Gibson and Kessel 1997a) as a foundation, we have assembled here all additions to, systematic status changes to, and deletions from the Alaska list during the years 1997–2002, inclusive. The 1997 inventory discussed 448 species and 110 additional subspecies. At the beginning of 2003, with the additions, status changes, and deletions published here, the Alaska list included 468 species and 110 additional subspecies.