The winter distribution of birds in the Bering Sea correlates well with the findings on primary productivity. Densities south of the ice and the continental shelf average less than 10 birds/km². At the ice front during one cruise in March, densities exceeded 500 birds/km². Densities at the ice front increase from south to north; they drop in the region where the ice front grades into more consolidated pack ice, and are less than 0.1 bird/km² in the consolidated pack.
The most numerous species at the ice front are common and thick-billed murres, which constitute more than 90% of all birds seen. Irving et al. (1970) were the first to report on the large number of murres at the ice front. Feeding flocks of 25,000 individuals have been observed at the front, in which densities were as high as 10,000 birds/km². No other diving species is common at the ice front. The parakeet auklet _(Cyclorhynchus psittaculus)_ is seen on most cruises, but only during a small percentage of observation periods and always in low numbers. Black guillemots are common north of the ice front and stragglers are occasionally seen at the front. Pigeon guillemots _(Cepphus columbus)_, least auklets _(Aethia pusilla)_, and crested auklets _(A. cristatella)_ are irregular visitors to the front.
Surface feeding species commonly found at the ice front include the northern fulmar _(Fulmarus glacialis)_ and five species of gulls. The fulmar is common south of the ice and is found only in the southern portion of the front. Three species of _Larus_ are found at the ice front. The most common is the glaucous-winged gull _(Larus glaucescens)_; the glaucous gull is less frequently seen. The slaty-backed gull _(L. schistisagus)_, a species that breeds in Asia, is most common west of St. Matthew Island (McRoy et al. 1971). The black-legged kittiwake _(Rissa tridactyla)_ is common in open water south of the ice but is also found throughout the entire width of the front. The ivory gull is unique in that it is found only at the ice front in winter. In addition to these species, the fork-tailed storm-petrel _(Oceanodroma furcata)_ is a regular but uncommon visitor to the ice front in winter. Densities of surface feeding species at the ice front are low when compared to the high densities of murres, and do not regularly exceed 10 birds/km².