Birds of Nebraska Their Distribution and Temporal Occurrence

About this book

Nebraska sits at the nexus of continental bird migration and serves as a home - either permanently or seasonally - for nearly 450 species. Major migratory routes pass through the state, creating numerous opportunities to observe the great variety of North American bird species. The annual crane migrations in spring are legendary, and other key events include winter concentrations of bald eagles, flocks of up to thirty thousand grebes, mergansers, and gulls at Lake McConaughy in late fall, and incredible concentrations of waterfowl in the Rainwater Basin in early spring. "Birds of Nebraska" captures the variety of Nebraska's ornithological possibilities in a style useful to hobbyists and professionals alike. For the first time in Nebraska ornithology, the authors have provided an exhaustive summary of state bird records compiled into concise but readable accounts of all species of birds reported in the state. This work covers taxonomy, early and late migration dates, high counts, nesting areas, and likely viewing locations. Roger S. Sharpe taught ornithology and directed the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is also a past president of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. W. Ross Silcock writes the "Seasonal Reports" for "The Nebraska Bird Review". Joel G. Jorgensen is chairman of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Records Committee.

Contents

Contents: List of Maps List of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Introduction History of Nebraska Ornithology How to Use the Species Accounts Species Accounts Gaviiformes Gaviidae (Loons) Podicipediformes Podicipedidae (Grebes) Pelecaniformes Pelecanidae (Pelicans) Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants) Anhingidae (Darters) Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) Ciconiiformes Ardeidae (Herons and Bitterns) Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) Ciconiidae (Storks) Cathartidae (Vultures) Anseriformes Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans) Falconiformes Accipitridae (Osprey, Kites, Hawks, and Eagles) Falconidae (Falcons) Galliformes Phasianidae (Grouse, Turkeys, and Quail) Gruiformes Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) Gruidae (Cranes) Charadriiformes Charadriidae (Plovers) Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Phalaropes) Laridae (Jaegers, Gulls, and Terns) Alcidae (Murrelets) Columbiformes Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) Psittaciformes Psittacidae (Parakeets) Cuculiformes Cuculidae (Cuckoos and Anis) Strigiformes Tytonidae (Barns Owls) Strigidae (Typical Owls) Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae (Goatsuckers) Apodiformes Apodidae (Swifts) Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) Coraciiformes Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) Piciformes Picidae (Woodpeckers) Passeriformes Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) Laniidae (Shrikes) Vireonidae (Vireos) Corvidae (Crows and Jays) Alaudidae (Larks) Hirundinidae (Swallows) Paridae (Chickadees and Titmice) Sittidae (Nuthatches) Certhiidae (Creepers) Troglodytidae (Wrens) Cinclidae (Dippers) Regulidae (Kinglets) Sylviidae (Gnatcatchers) Turdidae (Thrushes) Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) Sturnidae (Starlings) Motacillidae (Pipits) Bombycillidae (Waxwings) Ptilogonatidae (Silky Flycatchers) Parulidae (Wood-Warblers) Thraupidae (Tanagers) Emberizidae (Towhees, New World Sparrows, and Longspurs Cardinalidae (Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and New World Buntings) Icteridae (Blackbirds and Orioles) Fringillidae (Finches) Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) Appendix 1. Abbreviations Appendix 2. Gazeteer Appendix 3. Appended Species Bibliography Index

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