THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA
AND ADJACENT PLAINS STATES
Paul A. Johnsgard

• Table of Contents
• Vegetation and Topography of Nebraska
• List of Species
• References

Definitions of Terms Used in the Text

Terms of Temporal Occurrence

Permanent Resident

Present throughout the year and presumably breeding.

Summer Resident

Present during the summer, presumably breeding, but migrating out of the state for part of the year.

Migrant

Passing through the state in spring or fall or both, but normally not remaining through summer or winter. The term "straggler" is used for rare migrants, or individuals of regular migrant species that sometimes remain in the area beyond their normal period.

Vagrant

Refers to species normally resident or migratory in other areas, individuals of which sometimes stray well outside their range and are of accidental occurrence in the state.

Winter visitor

Species normally present in the area only between November l and May 1. The term "late winter visitor or spring migrant" refers to those species usually not appearing until mid-January and sometimes remaining until late May.

Terms of Relative Abundance

Abundant

Present in such quantity that large numbers are likely to be encountered daily during the proper season and in appropriate habitats.

Common

Present in such quantity that several are likely to be encountered daily during the proper season and in appropriate habitats.

Uncommon

A few are likely to be seen each year by visiting the appropriate habitats.

Occasional

Not observed every year, but reported more than 50 times in the state.

Rare

Between 26 and 50 state records for the species exist.

Extremely Rare

From 6 to 25 state records for the species exist. "Very rare" is a comparable term, but is not based on a count of actual records.

Accidental

From 1 to 5 state records for the species exist.

Hypothetical

Evidence of occurrence in the state is still inadequate.

Extirpated

The species rarely if ever now occurs in the state, but once was more numerous.

Extinct

The species is no longer alive anywhere.

Terms of Geographic or Ecological Distribution

Arboreal

The species is associated with woodlands and forests.

Endemic

The species is essentially limited to a particular region or habitat.

Limnic

The species is associated with aquatic environments.

Montane

The species is associated with mountains.

Pandemic

The species has a wide distribution, sometimes throughout the continent.

Pelagic

The species is associated with open oceans.

Xeric

The species is associated with deserts or dry climates.