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

GoTo Page Six
Begin Page Seven
Family Laridae

Pomarine Jaeger -- Stercorarius pomarinus
Accidental . There are early records for Dakota County in 1869, Fremont County in 1873, and Lincoln County in 1895 (Bruner, Wolcott and Swenk, 1904). Additionally one was observed in Lancaster County in September of 1973. There was a sighting on a single bird at Conestoga Lake, Lancaster County on December 15-l7, l99l (Nebraska Bird Review 54:3l) and at Lewis and Clark Lake, Knox County, on June 30, 1990 (Brogie, 1997). Of accidental occurrence in South Dakota, Kansas, and Oklahoma.


Parasitic Jaegar -- Stercorarius parasiticus
Accidental . There is an early specimen record from Lancaster County in 1898, and a second bird was obtained in Sheridan County in August of 1968 (Nebraska Bird Review 36:76, 37:31). The latter was originally identified as a great skua Catharacta skua (Nebraska Bird Review 36:4)


Long-tailed Jaeger -- Stercorarius longicaudus
Accidental . A specimen was obtained in Lancaster County in 1952 (Nebraska Bird Review 21:2-3). There are five Kansas records.


Laughing Gull -- Larus atricilla
An extremely rare vagrant . Besides two old records from Douglas and Hall counties, it has more recently been reported from Keith County in 1947, 1950, 1952 and 1992, Platte County in 1953, Lancaster County in 1977 and Lincoln County in 1992.

Migration: Five spring records are from April 5 to May 21, with a mean of April 22. The species has been observed in June and July, and three fall records are from December 5-22.

Habitats: Normally associated with coastal habitats while wintering and on migration, vagrants are likely to be seen near large impoundments in the interior.

Comments: This rare species closely resembles the common Franklin's gull, but lacks any white near the wingtips. It seems to be increasingly reported in the Midwest.


Franklin's Gull -- Larus pipixcan
An abundant spring and fall migrant, and a very rare or accidental summer resident in Nebraska, with the only known breeding records from Garden County (Nebraska Bird Review 34:63; 35; 32). Stragglers sometimes are present during the summer in the Sandhills area. Breeding is regular in the Dakotas, and migrants appear throughout the entire region.

Migration: Eighty-nine initial spring sightings range from March 6 to June 8, with a median of April 10. Half of the records fall within the period March 27-April 21. Fifty-eight final spring sightings are from April 2 to June 2, with a median of May 14. Fifty-two initial fall sightings are from July 20 to October 24, with a median of September 7. Fifty-eight final fall sightings are from August 17 to December 20, with a median of October 17. Half of the records are for the period October 3-November 2.

Habitats: Migrants are often found on plowed fields, often closely following the moving plow in large flocks. Breeding occurs on large prairie marshes having extensive areas of semi-open emergent vegetation for nesting

Comments: The Frankin's gull is a "seagull" with a nesting area that is a thousand miles from the sea, and is actually associated with prairie marshes for nesting. During migration it occurs in large flocks, and breeding also is performed in colonies. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-50 or more individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population increase during that period.


Black-headed Gull -- Larus ridibundus
Accidental . Observed at Walgren Lake, Sheridan County, August 12, l979 (Rosche, l982) .There are several Kansas records.


Bonaparte's Gull -- Larus philadelphia
An uncommon spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, becoming rarer westwardly, but reported as far west as Cherry, Lincoln, and Garden counties. Migrants are regular in eastern and northern areas, mainly from the Missouri River eastward.

Migration: Thirty-six total spring sightings are from April 3 to May 27, with a median of April 23. Half of the records fall within the period April 12-May 9. Twenty fall sightings are from August 18 to November 21, with a median of October 26.

Habitats: Migrants are associated with rivers, lakes and marshes, especially larger impoundments.

Comments: This is an arctic-nesting gull that, rather surprisingly, often nests on the branches of low conifers rather than on the ground. Its white outer wing patches makes it easily separable from Franklin's gulls, with which it sometimes associates while on migration.


Little Gull -- Larus minutus
Accidental. Observed at Wehrspan Lake on April 26, 1995 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:134), and at Pawnee Lake, Lancaster County, October 3, 1996 (Brogie, 1997). There are several Kansas records.


(Mew Gull) -- Larus canus
Hypothetical . Two sight records for Feb. 17 and May 11, 1996 at Lake McConaughy have been reported (Nebraska Bird Review 64:52), One to five adults were seen at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster County, December 1-3, 1996.


Ring-billed Gull -- Larus delawarensis
A common to abundant spring and fall migrant statewide, with stragglers sometimes remaining through the summer months. Nesting occurs in North Dakota, and migrants are regular throughout the entire region.

Migration: Eighty initial spring sightings range from January 3 to May 15, with a median of March 16. Half of the records fall within the period March 5-March 26. Fifty final spring sightings are from March 12 to June 7, with a median of May 12. Forty-eight initial fall sightings are from July 20 to November 15, with a median of September 12. Fifty-seven final fall sightings are from August 25 to December 21, with a median of November 28.

Habitats: A wide variety of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, marshes and other water areas are used by migrants.

Comments: This is the most common white-headed gull in Nebraska, and a typical "seagull." It is a good deal smaller than the somewhat similar herring gull, and always exhibits a dark ring near the tip of the bill. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-50 or more individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population increase during that period.


California Gull -- Larus californicus
A rare migrant or winter vagrant in most of Nebraska, but apparently regular and uncommon in northwestern Nebraska (Rosche, 1982). Other than in the northern Panhandle, it has been observed in Garden, Lincoln, Lancaster and Douglas counties. The species breeds in North and South Dakota, and migrants are to be expected in western Nebraska from Colorado. There are two Kansas records.

Migration: Seven spring records are from March 19 to April 26, with a mean of March 28. There is at least one June record. Ten late summer and fall records are from July 18 to November 10. Nine winter records extend from December 13 to February 15.

Habitats: Lakes, large marshes and similar habitats are used by migrants.

Comments: California gulls closely resemble herring gulls, but have yellowish green or grayish green legs and are somewhat smaller. When seen beside a herring gull their darker upperpart are also apparent.


Herring Gull -- Larus argentatus
An uncommon spring and fall migrant throughout Nebraska, but becoming rarer westwardly. Stragglers are sometimes seen during the summer months. Migrants are regular everywhere in the Grant Plains region.

Migration: Forty-seven initial spring records range from January 13 to May 13, with a median of March 18. Half of the records fall within the period March 2-April 1. Twenty-seven final spring sightings are from March 5 to May 28, with a median of April 21. Twenty-four initial fall sightings are from July 21 to November 24, with a median of October 26. Eighteen final fall sightings are from August 29 to December 21, with a median of November 28.

Habitats: Migrating birds are widely distributed over rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other water areas.

Comments: This is the largest of Nebraska's gulls, and additionally has rather pinkish legs and a reddish spot near the tip of the lower mandible in adults. Young birds have black-tipped bills, or more brownish, and have variably black tails.


Thayer's Gull -- Larus thayeri
Rare overwintering migrant. Observed at Lake North, Platte County, December 4, l981, and at Gavin's Point Dam, November 24-30, 1985 (Bray et al., 1986). Also reported from Gavin's Point Dam and Cunningham Lake during November, l995 (Nebraska Bird Review 63:l03), at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster County, on December 1, 1996, and at Sutherland Reservoir on December 26, 1996. As of 1996 there were 22 reports of this species (Nebraska Bird Review 64: 53), and there were several additional sightings in December of l996 (Nebraska Bird Review 65:210). Brogie (1977) listed seven probable records for 1995 and 1996. Reported as early as November 24 and as late as April 15, with most sightings from November through January. Rare in South Dakota, and there are seven Kansas records.


Iceland Gull -- Larus glaucoides
Accidental . There is report of a vagrant from Saline County in January of 1907 (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113:65). Also seen in Keith County, February, l994 (Nebraska Bird Review 64: 39), and at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster County, December 2, 1996. There are two reported from Keith County in February and March of 1996 (Brogie, 1997). There is one record (1988) from South Dakota..


Glaucous Gull -- Larus hyperboreus
Rare overwintering migrant, but more regular in the west, especially at Lake McConaughy . In addition to an early specimen obtained in the Omaha area, there are at least four sight records for Lancaster County, and additional sightings from Douglas, Dawes, Harlan, Keith, Garden, Lincoln and Scotts Bluff Counties. There is also a possible sighting from Adams County. It has also been reported from the Dakotas and Kansas, and is regular in Oklahoma during winter.

Migration: Ten total spring records range from January 24 to April 29, with a median of March 24. Five fall records are from December 3 to 27.

Habitats: Rivers, lakes and coastal shorelines are normally used by migrants.


Great Black-backed Gull -- Larus marinus
Accidental . There is a record for May of 1871 from the vicinity of Dakota City, Dakota County. Additionally it was sighted in Hamilton County in April, 1952, and seen at Kingsley Dam, Keith County, March 14, l994 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:39), and on February 15, 1997 (N.O.U. Newsletter, March/April, 1997). Also seen at Wagontrain Lake, Lancaster County, April 3, 1996; as of 1996 there were five records (Nebraska Bird Review 64: 53). Five sightings (perhaps of the same bird) occurred ast Lake McConaughy between Januaryt 20 and August 4, 1996 (Brogie, 1997).


Lesser Black-backed Gull -- Larus fuscus
Extremely rare . First observed at Pawnee Lake, Lancaster County, February l6 & 24, l992 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:32). Also seen twice at Kingsley Dam in February and March, 1994 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:39), and at Branched Oak Lake on March 12, 1995 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:135). As of l996 there were at least 11 records (Nebraska Bird Review 64: 53), and during 1996 there were four reports for February and March, from Keith, Lancasdter and Douglas counties (Brogie, 1997).


Glaucous-winged Gull -- Larus glaucescens
Accidental . Observed and photographed on April l2, l995, at Lake McConaughy (Nebraska Bird Review 64:3-4.)


Black-legged Kittiwake -- Rissa tridactyla
Accidental . There is a single specimen record from Keith County, of an adult found dead on Keystone Lake during late May, l990 (Nebraska Bird Review 58:75). Several sight records exist from Lancaster County (Nebraska Bird Review 5:57, 49:42), the most recent for Branched Oak Lake, December 3, 1995. Also observed in Burt and Douglas counties during November, 1995 (Brogie, 1997). Rare in South Dakota.


Ross' Gull -- Rhodostethia rosea
Accidental . Observed at Sutherland Reservoir, Lincoln County, l7-23 December, l992 (Nebraska Bird Review 6l:88-90).


Sabine's Gull -- Xema sabini
An extremely rare vagrant . There are two specimen records from Lancaster and Gage counties for September 1899. It was also seen in Omaha during April of 1928, in Lincoln County in October of 1966, and in Garden County during October of 1978. It was seen at Gavin's Point from October 26 to November 3, 1996. Three more records were obtained September 26-28, 1996, in Lincoln and Keith counties (Nebraska Bird Review 65:42-43), and there were three sightings from Lincoln County during September, 1996 (Brogie, 1997). There are thus at least nine records for the species in Nebraska through 1996. It has been reported at least three times each in South Dakota and Kansas, and is rare in Oklahoma.

Habitats: Large rivers, lakes and reservoirs are sometimes used, but most migration occurs coastally.

Comments: Unlike some of the rare gulls of Nebraska, this species can be easily identified by the white triangular patch on its upper wing bounded by all-black wingtips. There is also a yellow tip to its otherwise black bill.


Caspian Tern -- Sterna caspia
An uncommon spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, especially along the Missouri River, but regularly reported as far west as Sheridan, Garden, Keith, and Lincoln Counties. It is a local migrant in eastern and northern areas, mostly along the Missouri River. A few non-breeding birds often summer in the Lake McConaughy area.

Migration: Twenty-seven total spring sightings are from March 23 to May 28, with a median of May 10. Half of the records fall within the period May 3-17. Twenty-four fall records are from July 20 to October 14, with a median of September 19. Half of the records fall within the period September 4-25.

Habitats: Larger rivers, deep marshes, lakes and reservoirs are used by migrants.

Comments: This very large and widespread tern (it was named for the Caspian Sea) is much larger and more distinctly crested than any of our other terns in Nebraska. Nesting in the state has not been observed, but might well occur someday on one of the larger reservoirs. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population increase during that period.


Common Tern -- Sterna hirundo
An uncommon to rare spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, becoming rarer westwardly. Frequent confusion with the Forster's tern makes the status of this species somewhat uncertain, but it is probably relatively common only in eastern Nebraska. Breeding occurs in the Dakotas and Minnesota, and migrants are most common in the northeastern portions of the Great Plains region.

Migration: Sixty-five initial spring sightings are from March 18 to June 7, with a median of May 5. Half of the records fall within the period April 24-May 15. Fourteen final spring sightings are from April 25 to June 6, with a median of May 11. Eleven initial fall sightings are from August 9 to October 14, with a median of September 2.

Habitats: Migrants use lakes, reservoirs and rivers, and less often are found near smaller marshes and ponds.

Comments: This "common" tern is really a very uncommon tern over much of Nebraska, whereas the Forster's tern is the common species. The two are very similar in appearance, but the common tern's upper wing surface is medium gray rather than silvery gray as in the Forster's tern.


Forster's Tern -- Sterna forsteri
A common spring and fall migrant statewide, and a highly localized summer resident in the Sandhills, especially Garden County. It probably also breeds in some Sheridan County marshes. Breeding is regular in Minnesota and the Dakotas, and migrants appear throughout the entire Plains States region.

Migration: Fifty-eight initial spring sightings are from April 11 to June 8, with a median of April 28. Half of the records fall within the period April 19-May 5. Twenty-one final spring sightings are from April 24 to June 6, with a median of May 17. Thirteen initial fall records are from July 21 to September 22, with a median of August 1. Twenty final fall sightings are from August 1 to October 8, with a median of September 11.

Habitats: Associated with lakes, rivers and marshes while on migration. Breeding occurs in large marshes having extensive areas of emergent vegetation or muskrat houses for nesting sites. Small marshes seem to be avoided for nesting.

Comments: This elegant-looking tern is wonderful to watch as it hovers above the water and then suddenly plunges down to capture a minnow. At Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge it often nests on the platforms set out for Canada geese, probably taking them over after the goose clutches have hatched. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population increase during that period.


Least Tern -- Sterna antillarum
An uncommon spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, and a highly local and rare summer resident in the state's major valleys, and around the shorelines of Lake McConaughy (Nebraska Bird Review 59:133-150). It also breeds locally in the other Plains States from North Dakota southward, and is a local migrant in these states.

Migration: Eighty-seven initial spring sightings range from March 8 to June 10, with a median of May 23. Half of the records fall within the period May 16-30. Twenty-six final fall sightings are from July 20 to October 6, with a median of August 14.

Habitats: Associated with rivers, lakes and impoundments on migration; nesting is mostly on river sand bars or islands, but sometimes also on barren shorelines of large impoundments, gravel beaches, or even newly cleared land. Nesting is typically done in colonies, on a sand or gravel substrate.

Comments: This is one of Nebraska's threatened species, and one having a distribution pattern similar to that of the piping plover. In a 1991 Breeding Bird survey some 302 pairs of least terns were counted during June, with 48 percent on rivers, 50 percent on sandpits, and two percent around the shorelines of Lake McConaughy. The lower Niobrara, North Platte, central and lower Platte, North Loup, Loup and Elkhorn all supported breeding birds, as did the upper Missouri between Nebraska and South Dakota. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population decline during that period.


Black Tern -- Chlidonias niger
An abundant spring and fall migrant statewide, and a common summer resident, primarily in the Sandhills but locally elsewhere as well. Breeds from North Dakota and Minnesota southward to Kansas, and a migrant throughout the entire region.

Migration: The range of 130 initial spring sightings is from April 9 to June 5, with a median of May 12. Half of the records fall within the period May 6-18. Sixty-six final fall sightings are from July 21 to October 5, with a median of September 2. Half of the records fall within the period August 19-September 11. The more precise nature of this species' migration as compared with the other terns and gulls is no doubt a reflection of its insectivorous diet.

Habitats: Migrants are found over a variety of aquatic habitats, and sometimes also forage well away from water over adjoining grasslands. Breeding occurs on small to large marsh areas having a combination of open water and stands of emergent vegetation.

Comments: Unlike the several species of white terns, the black tern is essentially insectivorous. It thus does not have to dive for prey, but instead captures it at or above the water surface. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-50 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.


Return To Top Of This Page
GoTo Page Eight
Return to Table of Contents
GoTo definitions of terms used in text.
[Return to Physics Department]  This web site courtesy of the Department
 of Physics and Physical Science
In cooperation with the [UNK Home] University of Nebraska at Kearney