- Gray Partridge -- Perdix perdix
- Uncommon to rare and local in northeastern Nebraska, at least in recent years. Fairly common in eastern and northern South Dakota, and has been reported in Nebraska on numerous occasions since 1950, most often in the Douglas-Sarpy counties area, but also in Adams, Clay and Antelope counties. It is a regular breeder from south-central South Dakota northward, and the recent Nebraska records may represent fall wanderers, but nesting has been reported near West Point (Nebraska Bird Review 48:88).
- (Chukar) -- Alectoris chukar
- Various attempts have been made to release this species in Nebraska, including the release of 700 birds in southern Scotts Bluff County in 1969. There were subsequent observations as late as 1976, and they also were observed in Lincoln, Banner, Sheridan and Dawes counties to as late as the early or mid 1970s. It is unlikely that a breeding population still persists in the state. The species is probably also extirpated from South Dakota, where it was also repeatedly introduced.
- (Common Quail) -- Coturnix coturnix
- Unsuccessfully introduced into Nebraska in 1957. The migratory tendencies of this species makes it an unsuitable gamebird.
- Ring-necked Pheasant -- Phasianus colchicus
- An introduced permanent resident, now fairly common almost statewide, but more common eastwardly. Also resident in the other Plains States, primarily in the Dakotas and Kansas.
- Habitats: Throughout the year a combination of small grain croplands and adjacent heavier covers such as weedy ditches, sloughs, wooded areas or shelter-belts provide optimum habitat. Nesting is often done in roadside ditches, in alfalfa or sweet clover fields, or in heavy grass cover.
- Comments: The ring-necked pheasant perhaps represents the most successful of the many efforts to introduce exotic gamebirds into North America. These efforts begin in the early 1900s, and by mid-century the species was established over much of the country, especially in the grain belt of the northern plains, Evidently it fit into our avifauna without displacing our native grouse, although it gradually replaced prairie-chickens as the loss of prairie habitats caused the gradual disappearance of these native birds. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 20 to more than 50 individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually. Breeding Bird surveys between 1984 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population increase during that period.
- Habitats: Throughout the year a combination of small grain croplands and adjacent heavier covers such as weedy ditches, sloughs, wooded areas or shelter-belts provide optimum habitat. Nesting is often done in roadside ditches, in alfalfa or sweet clover fields, or in heavy grass cover.
- Ruffed Grouse -- Bonasa umbellus
- Extirpated from Nebraska. Previously a permanent resident of the Missouri's forested valley. Releases during 1968 in Nemaha County were evidently unsuccessful, with no records since 1973. The nearest area of current breeding is the Black Hills, and nesting also occurs in North Dakota and Minnesota.
- Sage Grouse -- Centrocercus urophasianus
- Probably extirpated from Nebraska. Apparently once bred in extreme northwestern Nebraska, but no actual nesting records exist. Displaying birds are sometimes seen in Sioux County, so nesting within Nebraska is still possible. It still breeds in adjacent South Dakota, Wyoming, and southwestern North Dakota.
- Greater Prairie-chicken -- Tympanuchus cupido
- A locally common to uncommon permanent resident, especially in the eastern half of the Sandhills, but also in southwestern Nebraska and a few southeastern counties. The range is discontinuous and probably declining, but populations still exist in all of the Plains States, with the southwestern populations (lesser prairie-chicken, horizontal map shading) now considered a separate species .
- Habitats: Greater prairie-chickens are primarily associated with native grasslands, and where native grasslands and grain croplands interdigitate. Nesting usually occurs in grassy open habitats such as ungrazed meadows or hayfields, usually in rather dry sites, but sometimes nests are placed in brushy vegetation or in open woods or at the edge of woods.
- Comments: Nebraska is one of the few states (Kansas is the other) in which prairie-chickens are still sufficiently common as to be major gamebirds. The eastern edge of the Sandhills probably represents the prime prairie-chicken habitat; here a mixture of native grasses and grain crops such as corn provide both nesting cover and winter foods for these birds. Seeing prairie-chickens display on their leks in spring is an experience that all nature-lovers should experience; it is an other-worldly adventure that is almost without equal.
- Habitats: Greater prairie-chickens are primarily associated with native grasslands, and where native grasslands and grain croplands interdigitate. Nesting usually occurs in grassy open habitats such as ungrazed meadows or hayfields, usually in rather dry sites, but sometimes nests are placed in brushy vegetation or in open woods or at the edge of woods.
- Lesser Prairie-chicken -- Tympanuchus pallidicinctus
- Extirpated from Nebraska . Three 1924 and 1925 specimens from Red Willow County are known. This species is resident in southwestern Kansas.
- Sharp-tailed Grouse -- Pedioecetes phasianellus
- A locally common permanent resident over much of Nebraska, primarily north of the Platte River, and with the eastern limits approximating those of the Sandhills. Once much more widespread, and probably including the entire state. Breeding also still occurs in the Dakotas and Minnesota.
- Habitats: Open grassland habitats, where trees are absent or nearly so, is the typical Nebraska habitat. Brushy cover covering from 5 to 30 percent of the land is used in more northerly areas, especially where winter snow accumulation is considerable.
- Comments: Sharp-tailed grouse are still surprisingly common in Nebraska, and like prairie-chickens offer early risers a chance to witness the visual poetry of several males dancing in nearly perfect synchrony on their traditional leks, or display grounds. In some areas of the Sandhills both species display on the same grounds, and hybrids occasionally result. The displays and vocalizations of the two species are quite different, but evidently females sometime are attracted to the "wrong" male for mating.
- Habitats: Open grassland habitats, where trees are absent or nearly so, is the typical Nebraska habitat. Brushy cover covering from 5 to 30 percent of the land is used in more northerly areas, especially where winter snow accumulation is considerable.
- Wild Turkey -- Meleagris gallopavo
- Originally native to Nebraska but extirpated, and now re-established as a resident in many areas, especially in the Pine Ridge area and along most of the major river systems. It has also been re-introduced into the Dakotas, and indigenous populations persist from Kansas southward.
- Habitats: Although various races differ greatly in habitats utilized, in Nebraska the birds in most parts of the state are found in floodplain forests having a variety of hardwood trees, especially those bearing acorns or other large and edible seeds. In the Pine Ridge area the birds are associated with pines, cedars, running water and a fairly rugged topography. Nesting occurs in forested areas, with the nests being well concealed, often under a log or at the base of a tree.
- Comments: Wild turkeys scarcely differ from domestic "bronzed" ones in their general appearance (their tail-tips are usually tan rather than white), but are much more wary and more slim-bodied. Yet, their calls and display postures are identical, and at times wild birds will mate with domestic ones, producing feral individuals of varied wildness. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population increase during that period.
- Habitats: Although various races differ greatly in habitats utilized, in Nebraska the birds in most parts of the state are found in floodplain forests having a variety of hardwood trees, especially those bearing acorns or other large and edible seeds. In the Pine Ridge area the birds are associated with pines, cedars, running water and a fairly rugged topography. Nesting occurs in forested areas, with the nests being well concealed, often under a log or at the base of a tree.
- Northern Bobwhite -- Colinus virginianus
- A permanent resident almost statewide, becoming rarer westwardly. It breeds commonly in eastern and southern Nebraska, extending into the Sandhills along river drainages, and reaching the Wyoming and Colorado borders along the North Platte and South Platte Rivers, as well as the tributaries of the Republican River. The western range limits are highly variable, depending on yearly weather conditions. The northern range limits are in South Dakota and southern Minnesota.
- Habitats: Throughout the year this species is normally found where there is a combination of grassy nesting cover, cultivated crops, and brushy cover or woodlands with a brushy understory. Nesting is typically done in open herbaceous cover consisting of rather short vegetation that does not obstruct easy entry and exit, but sufficient to provide concealment from above.
- Comments: The familiar "bob-white" call of the male bobwhite is known to everybody, and is more a signal of a male's availability than a territorial proclamation. All of the New World quails are monogamous, and in all the male remains with his mate to help protect and raise the brood. Family broods become the basis for fall coveys, which usually are of about the right number (6 to 10 birds) to comprise an effective roosting ring at night. The group organizes itself into a tight circle, heads pointed outwardly, thus sharing body heat and remaining alert in all directions. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 20 to more than 50 individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population decline during that period.
- Habitats: Throughout the year this species is normally found where there is a combination of grassy nesting cover, cultivated crops, and brushy cover or woodlands with a brushy understory. Nesting is typically done in open herbaceous cover consisting of rather short vegetation that does not obstruct easy entry and exit, but sufficient to provide concealment from above.
- (Scaled Quail) -- Callipepla squamata
- Unsuccessfully introduced into Nebraska. Releases were made during the late 1950s, but there have been no observations since 1962. The nearest breeding area is southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado, and it also breeds in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.
- (California Quail) -- Callipepla californica
- Unsuccessfully introduced into Nebraska. An attempt to establish this species in 1939 was a failure. Also unsuccessfully introduced into South Dakota in 1961.
- Yellow Rail -- Coturnicops noveboracensis
- Apparently an extremely rare spring and probably fall migrant in Nebraska. Most of the records are for eastern counties. There are at least two June records, suggesting possible breeding (Nebraska Bird Review 41:24), but the nearest area of known breeding is southern Minnesota. It also breeds in eastern North Dakota and perhaps in South Dakota and Iowa.
- Migration: Eight total spring records are from April 26 to June 10, with a mean of May 6. There apparently are no fall records for the species in Nebraska, but it has been seen as late as August 26 in South Dakota and to September 30 in North Dakota.
- Habitats: During migration this species is likely to be found in marshes with extensive grassy or sedge vegetation. When they occur in the same marshes with Virginia and sora rails they tend to occupy the densest areas of sedges, while the other species are more often found in areas of cattails and bulrushes.
- Comments: Yellow rails are among the most elusive of birds, and even the most avid birders often fail to add this species to their life lists. Most have to settle for hearing responses to playbacks of the species' calls.
- Migration: Eight total spring records are from April 26 to June 10, with a mean of May 6. There apparently are no fall records for the species in Nebraska, but it has been seen as late as August 26 in South Dakota and to September 30 in North Dakota.
- Black Rail -- Laterallus jamaicensis
- Apparently an extremely rare spring and fall migrant . There are two specimen records from Nemaha County for September of 1873, one was seen in the Omaha Market, and an early sight record for Cuming County (Bruner, Wolcott and Swenk, 1904). Recent records include one possibly seen at Lake 11 near Omaha, Douglas County, September 20, 1979, and one reported on May 13, 1979, from Phelps County (Nebraska Bird Review 47:67). Also reported from Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge between May 31 and September 6 (Nebraska Bird Review 63:73) The species is not known to nest north of Kansas in the Plains States, and thus Nebraska is slightly outside its known breeding range. Reported from Lancaster County in May, 1980 (Nebraska Bird Review 48:88).
- Migration: The few Nebraska records extend from May 13 to September 20. In Kansas it has been reported from as early as March 18 to as late as September 26.
- Habitats: In the Great Plains this species occupies marshy meadows that are heavily overgrown with sedges and grasses. Like the Yellow Rail, it is much more likely to be heard than seen.
- Comments: This species is even less frequently seen than the yellow rail, although some people have told stories of sitting still beside a dense marsh and seeing a black rail suddenly appear and nearly walk across their feet! Playback of recordings of black rail calls at Crescent Lake Refuge suggests that a breeding population may occur there, but this remains to be proven.
- Migration: The few Nebraska records extend from May 13 to September 20. In Kansas it has been reported from as early as March 18 to as late as September 26.
- Clapper Rail -- Rallus longirostris
- Accidental . A single specimen record exists for Stapelton, Logan County, resulting from a bird captured in a trap January 20, 1951.
- King Rail -- Rallus elegans
- A rare summer resident in eastern Nebraska. There are few sightings, but it probably breeds locally east of a line from Jefferson to Knox counties. It possibly also nests in the Clear Creek marshes at the west end of Lake McConaughy. Most recent sightings are from eastern North Dakota and southern Minnesota southward to eastern Texas. Nests rarely in South Dakota.
- Migration: Nine total spring records are from April 2 to June 9, with a mean of May 6. Five fall records are from July 10 to September 11, with a mean of August 7.
- Habitats: During the breeding season this species is associated with freshwater marshes, up to four feet deep, with abundant shoreline and emergent vegetation.
- Comments: This large rail has been seen several times in the Lincoln area, but no definite recent nesting records have been established for Nebraska to the author's knowledge. An old nesting record does exist for Douglas County.
- Migration: Nine total spring records are from April 2 to June 9, with a mean of May 6. Five fall records are from July 10 to September 11, with a mean of August 7.
- Virginia Rail -- Rallus limicola
- An uncommon spring and fall migrant and summer resident almost statewide. It is less common in the Panhandle, but is regular in southern Sioux and Dawes counties. It breeds widely in the Plains States excepting the drier western areas and also the southeastern portion, and occurs throughout during migration.
- Migration: Thirty-six initial spring sightings are from February 14 to June 1, with a median of May 8. Half of the records fall within the period April 29-May 16. Thirteen final fall sightings are from July 21 to October 13, with a median of September 16.
- Habitats: The primary breeding habitats are marshes with extensive stands of emergent vegetation such as taller grasses, bulrushes and sedges. Nests are built over wet ground or in shallow water among emergent vegetation.
- Comments: Virginia rails probably nest regularly in the state, especially in the Sandhills, but actual nesting records seem to be limited to Garden, Cherry and Lancaster counties. Until Lake Ogallala was modified to allow for increased hydro power capabilities for Kingsley Dam in the 1980s, a regular veritable chorus of Virginia and sora rails could be heard on summer evenings. but now none exist there.
- Migration: Thirty-six initial spring sightings are from February 14 to June 1, with a median of May 8. Half of the records fall within the period April 29-May 16. Thirteen final fall sightings are from July 21 to October 13, with a median of September 16.
- Sora -- Porzana carolina
- A common spring and fall migrant and locally common summer resident nearly statewide. It is more local in the Panhandle. It breeds very widely in the Plains States excepting the southern and southwestern areas, and occurs throughout during migration.
- Migration: Of 108 initial spring records, the range is from March 10 to June 3, and the median is May 6. Half of the records fall within the period April 30-May 12. Twenty-five final fall sightings are from July 27 to November 27, with a median of September 30.
- Habitats: Habitats are apparently almost identical to those of the Virginia Rail, namely marshlands with extensive stands of dense emergent vegetation, especially grasses and grassland plants. Nesting tends to occur in deeper water than is true of the Virginia Rail, often in water 9 to 12 inches deep and well concealed in cattails, bulrushes, or sedges.
- Comments: This species is the commonest of the rails in Nebraska,, but even so nesting records are rather few and far between. The eggs and nests of sora and Virginia rails are nearly identical, and the author has been unable to distinguish them in the field. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population decline during that period.
- Migration: Of 108 initial spring records, the range is from March 10 to June 3, and the median is May 6. Half of the records fall within the period April 30-May 12. Twenty-five final fall sightings are from July 27 to November 27, with a median of September 30.
- Purple Gallinule -- Porphyrula martinica
- Accidental . One was observed in Cuming County in the summer of 1884 or 1885, and a second one was observed in Gage County on March 28, 1962 (Nebraska Bird Review 38:50). There are records for at least ten Kansas counties, and breeding occurs in Oklahoma.
- Common Moorhen -- Gallinula chloropus
- An occasional migrant in eastern Nebraska and a rare summer resident. There are a few old and scattered breeding records (Cherry, Lincoln and Douglas counties), but these perhaps represent extralimital breedings. It breeds regularly in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma.
- Migration: Sixteen initial spring records are from March 23 to June 1, with a median of May 11. Half of the records fall within the period May 1-29. Three final fall sightings are from July 26 to September 29, with a mean of August 22.
- Habitats: The favored summer habitat of this species consists of freshwater ponds and marshes having an abundance of emergent vegetation. Nests are usually placed above water or on land surrounded by water.
- Comments: Common moorhens (previously called "common gallinules") are moderately common birds, but are nearly as elusive as rails in most locations. Yet, in England, where they are fully protected, they are as fearless as coots and can be easily seen in park lagoons, such as in the heart of London.
- Migration: Sixteen initial spring records are from March 23 to June 1, with a median of May 11. Half of the records fall within the period May 1-29. Three final fall sightings are from July 26 to September 29, with a mean of August 22.
- American Coot -- Fulica americana
- A common to abundant spring and fall migrant and summer resident.
It occurs throughout the state, but is most abundant in the Sandhills marshes. Sometimes it overwinters where open water exists. It breeds and migrates throughout the Plains States in suitable habitats.
- Migration: Seventy-four initial spring sightings are from February 4 to June 7, with median of March 29. Half of the records fall within the period March 19-April 24. Eighty-two final fall records are from July 25 to December 31, with a median of November 2. Half of the records fall within the period October 14 to November 21.
- Habitats: A wide variety of wetlands, ranging from small ponds or large lakes and reservoirs are used throughout the year, but those that are fairly shallow and rich in submerged aquatic plants are favored. Nesting usually occurs in emergent vegetation.
- Comments: Coots have a bad "image" problem; they often are accused of being stupid, and hunters scoff at them as gamebirds. Back in the 1950s the Fish and Wildlife Service tried to popularize their hunting by increasing the daily bag limit and calling them "white-billed ducks," but this did little or nothing to enhance their popularity. Yet, they are fascinating to watch as they establish and defend their territories, and tend to their rather odd-looking chicks. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 20 to more than 50 individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually. Breeding Bird surveys between 1984 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population decline during that period.
- Migration: Seventy-four initial spring sightings are from February 4 to June 7, with median of March 29. Half of the records fall within the period March 19-April 24. Eighty-two final fall records are from July 25 to December 31, with a median of November 2. Half of the records fall within the period October 14 to November 21.
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