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

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Family Caprimulgidae

Common Nighthawk -- Chordeiles minor
An abundant spring and fall migrant and summer resident statewide, particularly around cities. It is a regular migrant and breeder throughout the entire Plains States region.

Migration: The range of 170 initial spring records is from April 16 to June 7, with a median of May 21. Half of the records fall within the period May 16-28. The range of 137 final fall records is from July 21 to October 24, with a median of September 18. Half of the records fall with the period September 8-October 2.

Habitats: During its stay in Nebraska, this species occurs widely in open habitats such as grasslands, sparse woods and cities, perhaps being more common near humans than anywhere else, where the tops of flat buildings provide perfect nest locations.

Comments: This is easily the most common of Nebraska's "nightjars", a group of insect-eating and semi-nocturnal birds mostly recognized (and named for) their distinctive vocalizations. The Family name "Caprimulgidae" means "goat-sucker" and derives from European folklore to the effect that the birds drink milk from goats' udders at night. The common nighthawk is active during daytime hours to a greater extent than the others, and its familiar "beep" call can be heard over cities and towns from late May onward. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-20 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.


Common Poorwill -- Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
A common spring and fall migrant and summer resident in western Nebraska excluding the Sandhills, and generally west of a line from Sheridan to Harlan Counties. There have been scattered sightings of migrants in eastern counties, and a nesting in Lancaster County in 1976 (Nebraska Bird Review 39:70; 45:42). It breeds from southwestern North Dakota southward to central Oklahoma.

Migration: Thirty-three initial spring records range from April 25 to June 9, with a median of May 6. Half of the records fall within the period May 1-16. Eighteen final fall records are from July 20 to November 1, with a median of September 4. Half of the records fall within the period August 18-September 16.

Habitats: Although this species is most common in rather rocky habitats with scrubby cover or dry woodlands, it also locally extends into grasslands. However, the Sandhills area is evidently avoided by breeding birds.

Comments: This rock- and canyon-adapted bird is only rarely seen. Often it is flushed by one's headlights while driving down gravely roads at night in western Nebraska,, when it momentarily is visible before disappearing into the darkness. Its "poor-will" call is a common sound in much of western Nebraska, but apparently only one nest has ever been located in the state. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population increase during that period.


Chuck-will's-widow -- Caprimulgus carolinensis
A highly local but regular spring and fall migrant and presumed summer resident in southeastern Nebraska, reported regularly from the Indian Cave area of Richardson and Nemaha Counties north to Douglas County (Nebraska Bird Review 35:50) and more recently to Dakota County. It has been heard as far north in the Missouri Valley as the Oahe Dam area in central South Dakota, and as far west in the Platte Valley to Saunders County, and recently even to Kearney.

Migration: Fourteen spring records range from May 2 to June 9, with a median of June 3. No fall records after August 15 are available.

Habitats: Heavy woodlands near streams, frequently comprised of mixed oaks and pines, are the favored habitat of this species.

Comments: This is another caprimulgid that is named for its usual vocalization, and the largest member of its Family that occurs in the state. Although its distinctive call has been heard along the Missouri Valley all the way to South Dakota, only a single nest of this highly elusive species has been located. This was in Saunders County, along the lower Platte Valley. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population decline during that period.


Whip-poor-will -- Caprimulgus vociferus
A locally common spring and fall migrant and summer resident along the Missouri's forested valley from South Dakota to the Missouri borders, and probably also in Pawnee County along the Big Nemaha River. It breeds from Minnesota southward to central Oklahoma.

Migration: Thirty-four initial spring records range from April 14 to May 21, with a median of May 2. Half of the records fall within the period April 25-May 7. Fifteen final fall records range from July 31 to October 1, with a median of September 2. Half of the records fall within the period August 26-September 7.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species occupies open hardwood or mixed woodlands, especially younger stands in fairly dry habitats. Woodlands with scattered clearings also seem to be preferentially used.

Comments: Like the chuck-wills-widow, this species can usually be heard nightly along the forests of the Missouri Valley, but there is only one reported nesting record, for Pawnee County.



Family Apodidae

Chimney Swift -- Chaetura pelagica
An abundant spring and fall migrant and summer resident throughout most of Nebraska, but becoming less common westwardly, and probably not usually breeding west of a line from Dawes to Hitchcock counties. Western limits now include Gering and Alliance. It breeds almost throughout the entire region of the Plains States, but is rare or absent in extreme western areas.

Migration: The range of 129 initial spring records is from March 7 to June 6, with a median of April 27. Half of the records fall within the period April 20-May 4. The range of 111 final fall records is from July 22 to October 14, with a median of October 7. Half of the records fall within the period October 2-14.

Habitats: Like the common nighthawk, this species occurs in a wide variety of open habitats, but is probably most common in cities, where chimneys and other similar human-made structures provide roosting and nesting sites.

Comments: Chimney swifts are now almost entirely city birds, depending on chimneys rather than large hollow trees for roosting and nesting. They have been seen circling over Cedar Point Biological Station, but there are no suitable chimneys there, and the birds have moved on. Reportedly chimney swifts mate in flight, and some swifts are believed even to sleep in flight, although this is difficult to imagine. Certainly their flight speeds have been greatly exaggerated, probably because of their very rapid wingbeats. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-20 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.


White-throated Swift -- Aeronautes saxatalis
A locally common spring and fall migrant and summer resident in the Pine Ridge, the vicinity of Scottsbluff, and in the Wildcat Hills. Vagrants sometimes are seen farther east. It also breeds in western South Dakota and southern Colorado, and migrants are often seen along this western edge of the Plains States.

Migration: Twenty-six initial spring sightings range from April 19 to June 10, with a median of May 18. Half of the records fall within the period May 10-June 1. Ten final fall sightings are from August 1 to September 22, with a median of August 29.

Habitats: Steep cliffs and deep canyons are the ideal habitat of this species, with nesting occurring in the inaccessible cracks and crevices of such locations.

Comments: These beautiful little birds can be easily seen from the top of Scotts Bluff, where they are common during summer. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population decline during that period.



Family Trochilidae

Ruby-throated Hummingbird -- Archilochus colubris
An uncommon to common spring and fall migrant and summer resident in eastern Nebraska, with nesting occurring at least in the Missouri's forested valley and an uncertain distance west along the Platte (one Lincoln County breeding-season record). Vagrants appear farther west during migration, sometimes as far as Garden, Cherry and Scotts Bluff counties. It breeds in the eastern half of the entire Plains States region.

Migration: The range of 160 initial spring sightings is from April 7 to June 10, with a median of May 12. Half of the records fall within the period May 5-17. Sixty-four final fall sightings are from July 30 to October 8, with a median of September 13. Half of the records fall within the period September 2-18.

Habitats: Migrants often appear in city gardens or other areas where nectar-bearing flowers occur, but breeding is done in woodlands, orchards and parks where large trees, as well as flowering herbs and shrubs are available.

Comments: Although seen fairly often in eastern and central Nebraska, the only nesting records for this species are from Douglas and Sarpy counties south to Nemaha County. Hummingbird nests are not easily found, but should be expected in the Missouri Valley of northeastern Nebraska. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population increase during that period.


(Black-chinned Hummingbird) -- Archilochus alexandri
Hypothetical . A presumed Nebraska specimen may have come from Arizona (Bray et al., l988). There is a single Kansas record.


Calliope Hummingbird -- Stellula calliope
Accidental . There is a specimen record for Lincoln County, obtained in April of 1962 (Nebraska Bird Review 30:55), and the species was seen in the same county in August of 1960.
A specimen was collected in Sioux County on June 23, 1994 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:135). There is a single Kansas record.


Broad-tailed Hummingbird -- Selasphorus platycercus
An occasional fall migrant in extreme western Nebraska. Most of the records are for Dawes and Scotts Bluff counties, but it has also been seen in Lincoln, Keith, Adams, and McPherson counties. There seems to be only a single spring sighting. It is of uncertain breeding status (probably a rare breeder) in western South Dakota,, is accidental in Kansas, and hypothetical in Oklahoma.

Migration: Fifteen initial fall records of this autumn migrant range from July 20 to September 13, with a median of August 4. Sixteen final fall records are from August 3 to September 14, with a median of August 14. Half of the total fall records fall within the period July 29-August 16. There is a single spring sighting in May.

Habitats: Migrants are normally associated with open plains, forest clearings, and mountain parklands, but sometimes appear in gardens or at hummingbird feeders as well.

Comments: Broad-tailed hummingbirds are very common nesters in the mountains of Colorado, and probably the birds seen in western Nebraska are vagrants from there or perhaps migrants from the Black Hills.


Rufous Hummingbird -- Selasphorus rufus
An extremely rare fall migrant in extreme western Nebraska. Most of the records are for Scotts Bluff County, but it has also been seen at least twice in Perkins and Kimball counties, and once each in Dawes and Logan counties. It is of uncertain status (probably a regular migrant) in western South Dakota, and is apparently rare in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Migration: Sixteen fall sightings of this species range from July 30 to September 14, with a median of August 12. Half of the records fall within a period August 9-17. There are no spring records.

Habitats: Migrants are associated with plains, foothills and urban gardens.

Comments: Rufous hummingbirds have greatly expanded their wintering range in recent years, now commonly overwintering along the Gulf Coastal states. and even occasionally wandering east to the New England states. Probably this has resulted at least in part from the increase in hummingbird feeding activities.



Family Alcidinidae

Belted Kingfisher -- Ceryle alcyon
A common spring and fall migrant and summer resident statewide in suitable habitats, and an uncommon winter resident where open water persists. It also breeds and migrates throughout the entire Plains States region.

Migration: Forty-three initial spring sightings range from January 2 to May 10, with a median of March 20. Half of the records fall within the period February 14-April 10. Forty-seven final fall sightings are from July 26 to December 31, with a median of November 15. The concentration of fall records toward the end of the year (nearly half occurring in December) suggest that the species overwinters frequently.

Habitats: Throughout the year this species occurs near water areas supporting populations of fish, amphibians and similar aquatic life. Nests are excavated from nearly vertical earth exposures in bluffs, road cuts, eroded streambanks, and the like.

Comments: The belted kingfisher is Nebraska's only representative of this large and diverse Family of mostly fish-eating birds, although the smallest kingfishers are largely insectivorous and the largest ones are omnivorous. Only the female of this species has chestnut underparts, making the sexes easy to identify. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population decline during that period.



Family Picidae

Lewis' Woodpecker -- Melanerpes lewis
A vagrant and possible summer resident in the Pine Ridge area, once considered rare but now either extremely rare or perhaps extirpated as a breeding species. Breeding still occurs in the Black Hills to the north, and during the winter these birds tend to wander, which might account for occasional sightings in Nebraska. During fall, winter and spring it sometimes occurs in northwestern Nebraska, occasionally reaching as far east as Brown, Buffalo and Adams counties. It has also been reported and collected in Kansas and has bred in Cimarron County, Oklahoma.

Migration: There are too few records to judge this rare species' migration, but 15 records range from January 20 to September 23, with the largest number of sightings in May. Like the red-headed woodpecker, it is somewhat dependent on aerial insects, and is probably relatively migration-prone.

Habitats: The edges of pine forests and streamside cottonwood groves having considerable dead growth are favored Black Hills habitats, and probably similar habitats are used in the Pine Ridge area.

Comments: Burned-over areas of coniferous forest are favorite places for this species, as well as the three-toed and black-backed woodpeckers, since insect-foraging opportunities are probably improved in such situations. Thus the burned sections of the Pine Ridge forests are a good place to look for this unusual woodpecker.


Red-headed Woodpecker -- Melanerpes erythrocephalus
A common spring and fall migrant and summer resident nearly statewide, but more common eastwardly. It extends west into Colorado along the Platte Valley, and reaches or nearly reaches the Wyoming border in the Pine Ridge area. It is distinctly migratory, and only very infrequently overwinters in the state. Breeding occurs virtually throughout the entire Plains States region.

Migration: Ninety-eight initial spring sightings are from January 2 to June 9, with a median of May 7. Half of the records fall within the period April 28-May 17. The range of 106 final fall sightings is from August 8 to December 31. Half of the records fall within the period September 8 to October 3. Less than ten percent of the fall records are for December, suggesting that this species only rarely overwinters. Presumably its relatively high dependence on aerial insects accounts for this species' migration tendencies as compared with most other Nebraska woodpeckers.

Habitats: While in Nebraska this species occurs in fairly open forests, woodlots, urban parks, and wooded housing areas. It occupies somewhat more open areas than does the red-bellied woodpecker, and is more widespread than is that species.

Comments: This is one of the most migratory of Nebraska's woodpeckers, and it is also one that is very prone to catching insects in flight, as well as probing for them in the ground. At times it will even eat acorns or berries, a trait better developed in its relative the acorn woodpecker. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-20 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.


(Acorn Woodpecker) -- Melanerpes formicivorous
Hypothetical . Seen and photographed at a feeder at Chambers, Holt County, May 18-22, 1996 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:55; Brogie, 1997).


Red-bellied Woodpecker -- Melanerpes carolinus
A common permanent resident in eastern Nebraska, extending westward along the major river systems, at least to the Valentine area of Cherry County in the Niobrara Valley, to Lincoln County in the Platte Valley, and to Dundy County in the Republican Valley. It breeds from eastern South Dakota and Iowa south to Oklahoma and Texas.

Habitats: Throughout the year this species occupies somewhat open stands of coniferous or hardwood forests, often riverbottom forests. It also frequents orchards, gardens and similar urban or suburban areas.

Comments: The name "red-bellied woodpecker" is not very appropriate; "red-naped" or "zebra-backed" would have been much better descriptive choices. In any case these are highly attractive woodpeckers and welcome sights whenever they are seen. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-20 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.


Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -- Sphyrapicus varius
An uncommon spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, becoming rarer westwardly. An occasional to uncommon winter visitor perhaps statewide. Probably more birds winter in southern Nebraska than in the northern parts of the state, where the species may be entirely migratory. It breeds in eastern North Dakota, Minnesota, and the Black Hills, but otherwise is a migrant throughout the Plains States.

Migration: Thirty-four initial fall sightings are from September 1 to December 30, with a median of October 3. Twenty-five final fall sightings are from October 9 to December 31, with a median of December 18. Sixteen initial springs sightings are from January 1 to May 28, with a median of March 14. Fourteen final spring sightings are from January 9 to May 21, with a median of March 23. These data would suggest that this species is a very late fall migrant, frequently overwintering in the state, and remaining for a rather variable period in spring.

Habitats: While in Nebraska this species is associated with various woodlands, especially those having poplars or aspens, which are favored foraging trees. However, it also drills in birches, maples, cottonwoods, apple trees and junipers, but only infrequently in such hardwoods as oaks and hackberries.

Comments: Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are among the few woodpeckers that would rather drink the sap of trees than capture insects, and they are very efficient at drilling equally spaced holes in poplars and birches to extract such fluids. Sapsucker-drilled trees often attract other species too, such as hummingbirds and flying squirrels. Breeding Bird surveys between 1984 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population decline during that period.


Red-naped Sapsucker -- Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Accidental . There are three known specimen records for Sioux County (Bray et al., l984). An uncommon resident of the Black Hills.


Williamson's Sapsucker -- Sphyrapicus thyroideus
Accidental . There are three sight records for the state, including one for Adams County in March of 1939, one for Douglas County in February of 1945, and one for Hall County in May of 1959 (Nebraska Bird Review 7:27; 13:61; 27:52). It is accidental in South Dakota, Kansas and Oklahoma.


Downy Woodpecker -- Picoides pubescens
A common permanent resident statewide, occupying essentially the same habitats as the hairy woodpecker, but probably somewhat more common than that species. It breeds virtually throughout the Plains States region.

Habitats: Throughout the year this species is found in dense or open forests, but also extends into cities to visit parks, gardens, and the like. Besides foraging in smaller trees and the smaller branches of large trees, it also sometimes visits shrubs and tall weeds.

Comments: Downy woodpeckers are perhaps the commonest of Nebraska's woodpeckers, and the nesting holes that they drill provide potential nesting sites for many other cavity-dependent birds, such as bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees, and nuthatches. In locations where it competes with hairy woodpeckers the downys concentrate their foraging on smaller branches and twigs, or even on shrubs or weeds that are able to support their weight. Woodpeckers probably help protect many tree species from boring beetle infestations, and so fully deserve our protection. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-20 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.


Hairy Woodpecker -- Picoides villosus
A common permanent resident statewide in suitable habitats.

Habitats: Throughout the year this species prefers fairly extensive areas of coniferous or deciduous forest, or streamside groves of trees. Although sometimes seen in urban areas, the species more commonly remains in mature forests, especially hardwood forests, where it forages on the trunks and larger branches. It breeds virtually throughout the entire Plains States region.

Comments: It is common for ornithology professors to get frantic phone calls from persons who report that a woodpecker is destroying the wooden siding of their house, and what can be done about it. It doesn't quell their concerns much when they are told that they probably have an infestation of carpenter ants or other wood-boring insects, and that the woodpecker is actually doing them a great favor by drilling holes and extracting the problem insects. Hairy woodpeckers have substantially longer and more robust beaks than do downy woodpeckers, so they can drill deeper into wood. They also excavate somewhat larger nest cavities, which eventually get used by other species.. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population increase during that period.


Three-toed Woodpecker -- Picoides tridactylus
Accidental in Nebraska, with a single specimen record, from Scotts Bluff County, June 15, 1916, and two additional sightings that are not considered as reliable (Bray et al., l988), plus a 1994 sighting (Nebraska Bird Review 62:111). It is a rare permanent resident of the Black Hills.


Black-backed Woodpecker -- Picoides arcticus
Accidental . There are three early records from Nebraska, including two from Douglas County, and one from Dakota County. Additionally, the species was reported in Custer County in August of 1970 (Nebraska Bird Review 25:46). It is an uncommon permanent resident of the Black Hills, but unreported elsewhere in the Plains States.


Northern Flicker -- Colaptes auratus
A common permanent resident statewide. In eastern Nebraska the population is predominantly of the yellow-shafted race or hybrids, with typical red-shafted types found only in extreme western Nebraska. Probably most of the Nebraska population is influenced by hybridization. Collectively, the species breeds in and migrates through the entire Plains States region.

Habitats: Throughout the year this species occupies diverse habitats, including relatively open woodlands, orchards, woodlots, and urban environments. Dense forests are apparently avoided, and much foraging is done by probing in the ground.

Comments: To a greater degree than other Nebraska woodpecker this is an ant-eating species, and because of that flickers often forage in fields well away from woodlands. Although essentially sedentary, some movement out of the state may occur in most winters. 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 (ast least the yellow-shafted form) has undergone a significant population decline during that period.


Pileated Woodpecker -- Dryocopus pileatus
Possibly extirpated from Nebraska. Previously an uncommon permanent resident in extreme eastern counties, but probably eliminated prior to 1900. There have been recent sightings in Washington, Richardson, Otoe, Franklin, Sarpy and Douglas counties, suggesting a possible re-invasion of southeastern Nebraska. It still breeds in eastern North Dakota, Minnesota, eastern Kansas, and Oklahoma, and possibly rarely nests in South Dakota..

Habitats: This species is generally limited to mature forests, often riverbottom forests, having a mixture of tall living trees and dead stubs. Trees that are at least 15 inches in diameter are required for nesting birds.

Comments: It is unfortunate that Nebraska now lacks a breeding population of pileated woodpeckers, for they are the largest and most spectacular of America's woodpeckers. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-20 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.


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