Dixon says the migration flight in Spring is a most impressive sight. A dim speck low over the frozen tundra suddenly develops wings which beat with the rhythm and energy of a steam engine. With huge bill and neck extended slightly upward, the bird glides swiftly forward in a straight line. The rapid "swish, swish" of the powerful wings dies in the Arctic stillness as the diminishing dark object bores into low eastern clouds. The migration route in Spring is from eastern Asia to Bering Strait, to Point Barrow to the Mackenzie River delta. Autumn route unknown.
Northwestern Alaska, northern Mackenzie and Boothia Peninsula south to mouth of Yukon and Great Slave Lake.