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

GoTo Page Fourteen
Begin Page Fifteen
Family Cardinalidae

Northern Cardinal -- Cardinalis cardinalis
A common permanent resident in eastern Nebraska, becoming uncommon to occasional in western Nebraska. It breeds west nearly to the Wyoming border along the North Platte River, and to the Colorado border in the South Platte and Republican Valleys, but is apparently absent from the western Sandhills and the Pine Ridge. It breeds widely in the Plains States region, north to southern North Dakota and locally west to eastern Colorado and the Texas Panhandle.

Habitats: Throughout the year this species is associated with forest edges or brushy forest openings, parks and residential areas planted to shrubs and low trees, second-growth woods, and river-bottom gallery forests in grasslands.

Comments: Nearly everybody in Nebraska is familiar with the northern cardinal except for those living in the northwestern corner of the state. They are among the first birds to begin singing in spring, and are early nesters. They are often parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds. 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 1984 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population increase during that period.


Rose-breasted Grosbeak -- Pheucticus ludovicianus
A common spring and fall migrant and summer resident in eastern Nebraska. It breeds west to Holt, Garfield, and Phelps counties, with the western limits confused by hybridization with the black-headed grosbeak. Breeding occurs from central North Dakota south through South Dakota, eastern Kansas, and eastern Oklahoma.

Migration: The range of 134 initial spring sightings is from April 10 to June 3, with a median of May 7. Half of the records fall within the period May 1-10. Seventy-one final fall sightings are from July 23 to November 22, with a median of September 10. Half of the records fall within the period August 23-September 24.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species occurs in relatively open deciduous forests on floodplains, slopes and bluffs. A denser understory is apparently not so important to this species as it is to the black-headed grosbeak.

Comments: Rose-breasted grosbeaks hybridize fairly frequently with black-headed grosbeaks in the western Platte Valley, which produces some very strange-looking birds. 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.


Black-headed Grosbeak -- Pheucticus melanocephalus
A common spring and fall migrant and summer resident in western Nebraska. It breeds eastward locally to at least Rock, Garfield, and Hall Counties, but the eastern limits are confused by hybridization with the rose-breasted grosbeak (Auk 79:399-424; Wilson Bulletin 85:230-6). Individuals have been seen as far east as Douglas County. Breeding also occurs west of the Missouri River in the Dakotas, in western Kansas, and eastern Colorado.

Migration: The range of 114 initial springs sightings is from April 23 to June 8, with a median of May 14. Half of the records fall within the period May 10-19. Thirty-six final fall sightings are from July 20 to September 30, with a median of August 29. Half of the records fall within the period August 20-September 8.

Habitats: While in Nebraska this species occupies relatively open stands of deciduous forest in floodplains or uplands, especially those with well-developed understories. It also occurs in orchards, brushy woodlands, and parks or suburbs with many trees.

Comments: As noted above, the black-headed grosbeaks of western Nebraska are impacted by rose-breasted grosbeaks, and breeding records of the past were more widespread than more recent ones. Thus the species may be retreating under the influence of competition and interbreeding effects from rose-breasted grosbeaks.


Blue Grosbeak -- Guiraca caerulea
An uncommon spring and fall migrant and local summer resident nearly statewide. It is fairly uncommon and highly local in eastern counties, and rare in the Pine Ridge area. Breeding occurs from central South Dakota and western Iowa southward throughout the Plains States region.

Migration: The range of 129 initial spring sightings is from April 18 to June 10, with a median of May 20. Half of the records fall within the period May 16-24. Eighty-eight final fall sightings are from July 20 to October 13, with a median of August 27. Half of the records fall within the period August 12-September 6.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species prefers weedy pastures, old fields with scattered saplings, forest edges, streamside thickets, and hedgerows. Like the dickcissel, it is frequently parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds in these habitats.

Comments: This attractive and, in the case of males, sky-blue bird seems out of place on a Nebraska prairie pasture. Males may be easily confused with the smaller indigo bunting, but have bright brown edges on their upper wing-coverts. 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.


Lazuli Bunting -- Passerina amoena
An uncommon spring and fall migrant and summer resident in western Nebraska. Breeding is generally limited to an area west of a line from Keith to eastern Cherry counties, and is most prevalent in the Panhandle. Eastern limits are confused by hybridization with the indigo bunting (Auk 76:433-63; Wilson Bulletin 87:145-77). However, breeding generally occurs in the western parts of the Dakotas, eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma.

Migration: The range of 113 initial spring sightings is from March 18 to June 9, with a median of May 16. Half of the records fall within the period May 10-20. Twenty final fall sightings are from July 21 to September 30, with a median of August 25. Half of the records fall within the period August 19-30.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species occupies the same habitats as does the Indigo Bunting, namely successional habitats offering a diversity of shrubs, low trees and herbaceous vegetation.

Comments: This sparrow-sized bird is another western species that reaches the eastern edges of its range in western Nebraska. Females of the two species are almost impossible to distinguish, and hybrids make the matter even worse. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-20 individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually.


Indigo Bunting -- Passerina cyanea
An uncommon spring and fall migrant and summer resident in eastern Nebraska. Breeding extends west locally to the Pine Ridge, the central Sandhills, and to the Colorado border along the South Platte Valley. It is apparently absent from the Panhandle and western Sandhills, but the range limits are confused by hybridization with the Lazuli Bunting. Breeding also occurs widely in the other Plains States, west to the Black Hills and eastern Colorado.

Migration: The range of 99 initial spring sightings is from March 24 to June 8, with a median of May 10. Half of the records fall within the period May 5-16. Fifty-seven final fall sightings are from July 29 to October 28, with a median of August 28. Half of the records fall within the period August 15-September 10.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species occurs in relatively open forests on floodplains or uplands. It is typically found at forest edges or elsewhere where the shrub density is rather high and the forest canopy is open, and thus is often associated with second-growth or disturbed vegetation.

Comments: Many people gasp involuntarily when they first see a male indigo bunting in bright sunlight; it rivals the blue grosbeak in the intensity of its blue coloration. This coloring is produced by light-scattering, just as the "blue" of a clear sky is generated. In shade the birds are transformed into gray tones, which makes ornithology students shake their heads in disbelief after being informed that they missed this easy species on a field quiz during overcast weather. 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.


Painted Bunting -- Passerina ciris
Accidental . Photographed at Crane Meadows Nature Center, Hall County, May 30-3l, l996. Sight records exist for Scotts Bluff County in May of 1927, Adams County in May of 1962, Kearney County in April of 1960 and Sarpy County in May of 1967. Also reported from Morrill County, May 12, 1996 and Hall County, May 30, 1996 (Brogie, 1997). It is a summer resident from southern Kansas southward.



Family Icteridae

Dickcissel -- Spiza americana
A spring and fall migrant and summer resident nearly statewide, excepting the extreme western and southwestern parts of Nebraska, or generally east of a line from Sioux to Dundy counties. It is uncommon to rare in the Panhandle, but a common to abundant summer resident elsewhere in the state. Breeding occurs in all of the other Plains States, but it is rare in the westernmost areas and absent from northern Minnesota.

Migration: The range of 199 initial spring sightings is from April 16 to June 10, with a median of May 16. Half of the records fall within the period May 6-24. The range of 105 final fall sightings is from July 21 to October 30, with a median of August 22. Half of the records fall within the period August 10-September 2

Habitats: While in Nebraska this species is associated with grasslands having a combination of tall grasses, forbs and shrubs, and with various croplands, especially alfalfa, clover and timothy. Although generally abundant in eastern Nebraska, it is heavily parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds.

Comments: Dickcissels are still very common over much of Nebraska, but their numbers have greatly declined nationwide. In part this decline has resulted from poisoning by pesticides on their wintering grounds in South America, and perhaps also because of their sensitivity to parasitism by cowbirds. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 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.


Bobolink -- Dolichonyx oryzivorus
A spring and fall migrant throughout Nebraska, fairly common in central Nebraska, but less common in the eastern and western areas. A summer resident throughout most of the state, west to Sioux County in the Panhandle, Garden County in the Sandhills, and with the southern limits probably between the Platte and Republican rivers. Breeding occurs from North Dakota and Minnesota south locally to central Kansas, and migrants are regular to the south of this area.

Migration: The range of 116 initial spring sightings is from March 20 to June 20, with a median of May 16. Half of the records fall within the period July 29-August 20.

Habitats: While in Nebraska this species is usually found in ungrazed to lightly grazed medium to tall-grass prairies, wet meadows, retired croplands, and occasionally extends to small-grain croplands.

Comments: The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 20-50 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.


Red-winged Blackbird -- Agelaius phoeniceus
An abundant spring and fall migrant statewide, and a common to abundant summer resident throughout Nebraska in suitable habitats. Overwinters fairly frequently, and large numbers of migrants pass through the state every spring and fall. The species is a migrant or breeder throughout the Plains States.

Migration: The range of 90 initial spring sightings is from January 1 to May 26, with a median of March 3. Half of the records fall within the period February 17-March 17. Eighty final fall sightings range from August 8 to December 31, with a median of November 21. Half of the records fall within the period November 3-December 21.

Habitats: Breeding occurs on a wide range of habitats, from deep marshes or the emergent zones of lakes and impoundments, through progressively drier habitats such as wet meadows, ditches, brushy patches in prairie, hayfields, and weedy croplands or roadsides. Migrants often are seen in flocks of other blackbird species, feeding in fields or elsewhere, but roosting is typically done in wet areas rather than in residential locations.

Comments: This is one of Nebraska's most abundant breeding birds, numbering in the tens of millions, and also one of the most attractive. Like several other grassland nesting birds it is impacted greatly by brown-headed cowbirds; few nests of redwings in Nebraska seem to survive without being parasitized. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 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.


Eastern Meadowlark -- Sturnella magna
A common spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, becoming rarer westwardly, and a summer resident in southeastern counties and locally elsewhere. The species is a fairly common breeder east of a line from Gage to Thurston counties, and there is local breeding along river courses and wet meadows as far west as Sioux and Garden counties, and probably throughout the Sandhills. The species also extends west along the Platte to the Colorado border, where hybridization with the Western Meadowlark is apparently quite frequent (Transactions Kansas Academy of Sciences 75:19). Sometimes it overwinters in the state. The species also breeds in Minnesota, Iowa, eastern Kansas, and most of Oklahoma.

Migration: Fifty-nine initial spring sightings range from January 1 to May 30, with a median of April 8. Half of the records fall within the period March 17-May 6. Thirty final fall sightings are from August 2 to December 31, with a median of October 10. Half of the records fall within the period September 20-November 20.

Habitats: Breeding birds are associated with tall-grass prairies, meadows, and open croplands of small grain, as well as weedy orchards and similar open, grass-dominated habitats. At the western edge of its range in the Sandhills and along the Platte River it is limited to low and rather moist habitats around marshes and in wet meadows.

Comments: Although national populations of the eastern meadowlark have decreased by 53 percent since 1966, the birds are still common in eastern Nebraska, and around Lincoln and Omaha the two species of meadowlarks are about equally common. In these areas the eastern species can usually be found on meadows near water, and the westerns on drier hilltops. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 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.


Western Meadowlark -- Sturnella neglecta
A common spring and fall migrant statewide, and a common summer resident virtually throughout Nebraska except perhaps in the extreme southeastern counties. Overwinters in the state fairly frequently. The species also breeds almost throughout the Plains States, excepting the eastern parts of Kansas and Oklahoma.

Migration: Sixty-one initial spring sightings range from January 1 to May 26, with a median of March 4. Half of the records fall within the period February 9-March 21. Forty-three final fall sightings are from August 20 to December 31, with a median of October 28. Half of the records fall within the period October 10-November 21. Apparently the western meadowlark is an earlier spring and later fall migrant than is the eastern meadowlark, and is more prone to overwintering than is that species.

Habitats: In Nebraska this species is associated with tall-grass and mixed-grass prairies, hayfields, wet meadows, the weedy borders of croplands, retired croplands, and to a limited extent with short-grass and sage dominated plains, where it is limited to moister situations.

Comments: This is the state bird of Nebraska (and also of several other states), which is a reflection of the affection with which our citizens look upon meadowlarks. The overall range of the western meadowlark is much greater than that of the eastern, and it has not suffered as much from land-use changes. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of more than 50 individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually. Breeding Bird surveys between 1966 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a probable population decline during that period.


Yellow-headed Blackbird -- Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
A common to abundant spring and fall migrant statewide, and a locally common summer resident in permanent marshes throughout Nebraska. Breeding occurs from North Dakota and Minnesota south locally to Kansas and southern Colorado.

Migration: The range of 103 initial spring sightings is from January 1 to June 5, with a median of April 21. Half of the records fall within the period April 11-May 1. Eighty-two final fall sightings range from July 23 to December 28, with a median of September 18. Half of the records fall within the period September 4-30.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species occurs in deep marshes, the marsh zones of lakes or shallow impoundments, and elsewhere where there are extensive stands of cattails, bulrushes or phragmites. It is often found breeding in association with red-winged blackbirds, utilizing the deeper portions of the marsh. Migrants are sometimes seen flying or perching with groups of red-winged blackbirds, but more often remain separate from them.

Comments: This very attractive species seems to prefer somewhat alkaline marshes over freshwater ones, and thus it becomes more common in the Sandhills marshes as one proceeds westward. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 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.


Rusty Blackbird -- Euphagus carolinus
A common spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, becoming rarer westwardly, and rare or irregular in extreme western counties. Overwinters frequently in the state. The species migrates through the entire Plains States region.

Migration: Forty-five initial spring sightings range from January 1 to May 19, with a median of March 22. Twenty-one final spring sightings range from January 5 to May 23, with a median of April 14. Twenty-five initial fall sightings are from August 10 to December 17, with a median of November 3. Twenty-one final fall sightings are from October 4 to December 31, with a median of December 26. The large proportion of final sightings in late December suggest that this species overwinters rather frequently in Nebraska.
Habitats. Migrants and wintering birds are usually found in deciduous woodlands near streams, rather than in the open marshlands, grasslands and croplands favored by other species of blackbirds in Nebraska.

Comments: This is the only blackbird that occurs in Nebraska strictly as a winter resident. There is an early report of nesting in Hall County, but this seems rather questionable, considering the known breeding range of this species.


Brewer's Blackbird -- Euphagus cyanocephalus
A common spring and fall migrant statewide, becoming very common in western areas, where it is also a summer resident. Overwinters in the state infrequently. Breeding occurs from North Dakota and Minnesota south to eastern Colorado, and migrants appear throughout the entire region.

Migration: Sixty-three initial spring sightings range from January 1 to May 25, with a median of April 12. Half of the records fall within the period March 22-April 24. Forth-five final fall sightings are from September 1 to December 31, with a median of November 5. There are a much lower proportion of late December records than for the rusty blackbird, suggesting that overwintering is rather rare in this species.

Habitats: Migrants are usually seen in pastures, barnyards and grain fields, often in the company of other kids of blackbirds. During the breeding season the birds favor low-stature grasslands, such as mowed roadsides or burned areas near railroads, residential areas, and farmsteads. Areas that have a combination of grassy habitats, scattered shrubs or small trees, and nearby water are especially favored.

Comments: Although often seen in western Nebraska during summer months, there is no evidence of breeding in the state. However , it is a common breeder in Colorado and Wyoming, so occasional breeding would not be surprising. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 20-50 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.


Great-tailed Grackle -- Quiscalus mexicanus
An increasingly regular and now locally uncommon spring and fall migrant, and a local summer resident in southern Nebraska. The species was first found breeding in the state in 1976, when nesting occurred in Adams and Douglas counties (Nebraska Bird Review 45:18). It has more recently been found nesting rather widely if locally in wetlands south of the Platte River, including Funk Lagoon, the Ogallala area, near Hastings, and around Grand Island. It has been seen north to at least Grant, Boone and Cuming counties of Nebraska, and Yankton County, South Dakota. It breeds commonly in Kansas, Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle.

Migration: Five initial spring sightings are from March 31 to May 14, with a mean of April 21. No late fall sightings are available.

Habitats: Breeding occurs in a wide variety of habitats, but these usually include both open ground and nearby water, so it is especially common in irrigated croplands.

Comments: It is regrettable that great-tailed grackles have made their way into Nebraska, since they are efficient predators of eggs and young of other species of songbirds. Yet, they are interesting to watch, and probably not nearly so destructive as brown-headed cowbirds. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 20-50 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.


Common Grackle -- Quiscalus quiscula
A common to abundant spring and fall migrant and summer resident statewide, and an occasional winter resident, especially in southern counties. The species breeds throughout the entire Plains States region, excepting the most arid portions of the southwest.

Migration: Eighty-two initial spring sightings range from January 22 to June 7, with a median of March 26. Half of the records fall within the period March 16-April 6. Ninety final fall records are from August 9 to December 30, with a median of October 28. Half of the records fall within the period September 30-December 3. Nearly half of the records are for December, suggesting that overwintering may occur fairly frequently.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species frequents woodland edges or areas partially planted to trees, such as residential areas, parks, farmsteads, shelterbelts and the like. Tall shrub thickets near croplands or marshlands are also used. Migrants are often seen in large flocks in residential and rural areas.

Comments: Like the other "blackbirds," this grackle is especially abundant during fall migration, when vast mixed flocks appear during late September and October on their way southward. Common grackles are also egg-stealers and nestling-eaters, so they sometimes cause some damage to the reproductive efforts of other nesting songbirds. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 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.


Brown-headed Cowbird -- Molothrus ater
A common to abundant spring and fall migrant, and a common summer resident statewide. Breeding also occurs throughout the entire Plains States region.

Migration: Eighty-three initial spring sightings range from January 6 to May 26, with a median of April 17. Half of the records fall within the period April 2-May 1. Eighty-five final fall sightings are from August 1 to December 31, with a median of October 7. Half of the records fall within the period September 11-November 27. Nearly 20 percent of the records are for December suggesting a small incidence of overwintering.

Habitats: Breeding by this socially parasitic species usually occurs in woodland edges, brushy thickets and other habitats where low and scattered trees are interspersed with grasslands. Migrants are often found in fields among cattle. Prairie and edge-nesting host species are most often parasitized , including song sparrow, indigo bunting and field sparrow, but some woodland-nesting birds such as wood thrush are also vulnerable.

Comments: Brown-headed cowbirds are very serious brood parasites for many species of Nebraska's songbirds, with dickcissels, yellow warblers, red-winged blackbirds and northern cardinals being among the species most frequently exploited. Unlike the common cuckoo of Europe, the newly hatched cowbird does not eject the eggs or young of its host species from the nest, but by its constant begging manages to get the majority of the food brought to the nest, often causing starvation of the host's own chicks. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 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.


Orchard Oriole -- Icterus spurius
A spring and fall migrant throughout Nebraska, most common in the eastern half, and a summer resident virtually statewide, becoming less common in the extreme western areas. The species breeds widely from North Dakota and Minnesota south to Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle.

Migration: The range of 188 initial spring sightings is from March 24 to June 10, with a median of May 9. Half of the records fall within the period May 3-14. The range of 115 final fall sightings is from July 21 to October 9, with a median of August 24. Half of the records fall within the period August 14-September 5.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species occupies lightly wooded river bottoms, scattered trees in open country, shelterbelts, farmsteads, and residential areas, and orchards. Relatively open rather than closed woodlands are preferred, and areas of low junipers or even grasslands may be used, if suitable nest sites are available nearby.

Comments: Orchard orioles are surprisingly abundant along the riparian woodlands that extend west along the Platte Valley to Colorado and Wyoming. At Cedar Point Biological Station they are much more abundant than northern (Baltimore and Bullock's) orioles. All of these orioles are prone to nests in trees occupied by nesting kingbirds, since they evidently gain some protection from the highly territorial and aggressive kingbirds. 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.


(Hooded Oriole -- Icterus cucullatus
Hypothetical . There is a sight record for Columbus, Platte County, for May of 1965 (Nebraska Bird Review 33:65). It is accidental in Kansas, and unreported from elsewhere in the Plains States. It breeds in New Mexico.


(Scott's Oriole) -- Icterus parisorum
Hypothetical . Three sight records. The first was for record for Hall County in 1975, when a bird was observed from late May to late June (Nebraska Bird Review 43:66). Also observed in McPherson County in 1978 (Nebraska Bird Review 46:67), and in Hall County, on July 2, 1997. . It is unreported from elsewhere in the Plains States, but is accidental in Colorado and Kansas, and breeds in New Mexico.


"Northern" Oriole" (Baltimore & Bullock's Orioles) -- Icterus galbula & I. bullockii
Collectively, common spring and fall migrants and summer residents statewide. The eastern phenotypic taxon ("Baltimore" oriole) is present over most of Nebraska during summer, but in western counties many of the birds are of the western ("Bullock's" oriole) phenotype, or are apparent hybrids (Candor 66:130-150; 79: 335-42; Brown et al., 1996). Collectively these two poorly distinguished species breed throughout the entire Plains States region.

Migration: The range of 192 initial spring sightings (both taxa combined) is from April 16 to June 5, with a median of May 6. Half of the records fall within the period May 1-10. The range of 136 final fall sightings is from July 26 to October 25, with a median of September 7. Half of the records fall within the period September 2-13.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species occupies wooded river bottoms, upland forests, shelterbelts, and partially wooded residential areas and farmsteads. In extreme western Nebraska river-bottom stands of cottonwoods and willows are the usual habitat of bullockii -type birds or apparent hybrids.

Comments: So many of the orioles that breed along the North Platte Valley are apparent hybrids that it is difficult to map the breeding ranges of these two orioles accurately. Until recently they had been regarded as a single species, but current evident suggests that the incidence of hybridization is declining, so they have again been "split" taxonomically. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 20-50 individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually, and the continuous line represents the approximate center of the zone of secondary contact between them. Breeding Bird surveys between 1984 and 1993 indicate that the Baltimore oriole, but not the Bullock's oriole, has undergone a significant population decline during that period.



Family Fringillidae

Gray-crowned Rosy Finch -- Leucosticte tephrocotis
A rare and irregular winter visitor to Nebraska, mainly in the Panhandle. Outside of this area, the species has also been seen in Brown, Perkins, and Gage counties. It is a winter visitor in Colorado, and a sporadic visitor to the Black Hills.

Migration: Six fall sighting range from October 1 to November 6, with a median of October 25. Thirteen spring sightings are from January 1 to March 11, with a median of February 12.

Habitats: During the winter this species is usually found on open plains, fields, weedy areas, and sometimes at bird feeders.

Comments: This is an alpine-nesting bird that descends to foothills and plains during winter, and so sometimes reaches western Nebraska. Several different populations exist on various mountain ranges, which mainly differ in the color of their crown plumage.


Pine Grosbeak -- Pinicola enucleator
A rare and irregular winter visitor to Nebraska with vagrants appearing at various places in the state, but with few recent records. It had been reported from Douglas, Lancaster, Hall, Brown, Madison, and Antelope counties in earlier years (Bruner Wolcott and Swenk, 1904). It is a resident in Colorado, and has also been observed in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Migration: Fourteen initial fall sightings range from October 21 to December 31, with a median of November 24. Thirteen final spring sightings are from January 15 to May 22, with a median of March 10. There is no clustering of fall or spring records.

Habitats: During the winter this species is normally associated with seed-bearing trees, including both coniferous and deciduous species.

Comments: Like many of the other finches, this is an irruptive species, which has not visited Nebraska for some time.


Purple Finch -- Carpodacus purpureus
An uncommon migrant and winter visitor in eastern Nebraska and the Pine Ridge; rare elsewhere in the state. Breeding occurs in northern Minnesota, and during winter the species is rather widespread in northern and eastern areas. The capture of a newly fledged juvenile in Sarpy County provides evidence of an extralimital Nebraska breeding (Ruth Green, personal communication).

Migration: Thirty-seven initial fall sightings range from August 14 to December 26, with a median of October 27. Half of the records fall within the period October 15-November 6. Forty-nine final spring sightings are from January 2 to June 5, with a median of April 23. Half of the records fall within the period April 16-May 8.

Habitats: Non-breeding birds are associated with woodland streams, and sometimes also appear at bird feeders during winter.

Comments: This irregular winter visitor strongly resembles the house finch, and one must look closely to determine the distinctions between them. Females have a more contrasting face pattern than do female house finches, and in purple finch males the raspberry red color extends down the entire back and rump area. The Cassin's finch is even more similar to the purple finch, but is a western species.


Cassin's Finch -- Carpodacus cassinii
A rare migrant and winter visitor in the Panhandle, but also repeatedly observed in Logan County, and rarely to Boone, Adams and Webster counties. It is also a winter visitor to eastern Colorado and western Oklahoma, but rare or absent elsewhere in the Plains States.

Migration: The only fall records are for October 26 & 27. Thirteen winter and spring records range from January 1 to May 14, with a median of April 12. Half of the records fall between March 30 and May 3.

Habitats: Normally associated with open coniferous forests during winter, usually foraging on the ground for seeds.

Comments: Compared to the very similar purple finch, males of this species have only their crown area bright red, and females have a less contrasting facial pattern and narrower breast striping.


House Finch -- Carpodacus mexicanus
A locally common permanent resident in both western and eastern Nebraska, as a result of a rapid immigration into the state (mainly through cities) from both directions during recent years. Probably the entire state will be occupied in a few years; only the Sandhills region still remains largely uncolonized. It also now breeds in Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, and southward to Texas.

Habitats: Associated with open woods, river-bottom thickets, scrubby vegetation, ranchlands and (in Nebraska) suburbs and towns.

Comments: House finches arrived in eastern Nebraska in the late 1980s from western Iowa, and at the present rate should encounter their western relatives in only a few years, probably along the Platte River. The entire eastern population derives from a few birds released in New York City in the 1940s, when commercial pet dealers dumped their illegally captive birds in order to escape arrest and prosecution. This eastern population has become infected with a bacteria-caused eye disease once carried only by domestic fowl, and which may cause blindness. There have been a few observations of infected goldfinches as well. Breeding Bird surveys between 1984 and 1993 indicate that the species has undergone a significant population increase during that period.


Red Crossbill -- Loxia curvirostra
An irregular winter visitor and migrant throughout Nebraska, probably most common in the Panhandle, and a local but regular breeder in the Pine Ridge area (Nebraska Bird Review 40:71). Breeding is regular in South Dakota and Minnesota, and erratic in North Dakota. During winter the species occurs south to Texas.

Migration: Thirty-one initial fall sightings range from July 26 to December 29, with a median of November l2. Half of the records fall within the period October 28-December 14. Forty-four final spring sightings are from January 1 to June 2, with a median of April 1. Half of the records fall within the period March 19-May 19.

Habitats: During the breeding season this species is primarily associated with coniferous forests. Migrants and wintering birds are also largely confined to conifer plantings or forests, but sometimes flocks also may be found foraging in stands of sunflowers or ragweeds.

Comments: Red crossbills periodically appear in eastern Nebraska , especially around coniferous plantations, where they can pry seeds out of cones using their unique bills, which are turned screwdriver-like to open the seed-containing bracts. Different populations around the country vary in bill shape, flight call and alarm call, suggesting that there may be several "sibling species" now considered as a single species. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 5-50 individuals per Breeding Bird survey route annually.


White-winged Crossbill -- Loxia leucoptera
A rare and irregular winter visitor and spring migrant, mostly in eastern Nebraska. The largest number of records are from Douglas-Sarpy, Lancaster, and Adams counties, but the species has been seen as far west as Scotts Bluff County. Known breeding is limited to northern Minnesota, but during winter the species appears south as far as Kansas and rarely to Oklahoma.

Migration: Three fall records are from October 16 to November 24. Twenty-two spring sightings range from January 1 to June 14, with a median of March 6. Half of the records fall within the period February 4-April 20.

Habitats: Associated with coniferous forests or plantations throughout the year, especially pines, in our area.

Comments: This is another irruptive winter finch, feeding in the same manner as the red crossbill. Like other fringilline finches, the young are fed on regurgitated seeds; thus the birds can begin nesting at almost any time of the year, especially after a bumper crop of conifer seeds has matured.


Common Redpoll -- Carduelis flammeus
An occasional winter visitor statewide. Locally common in some winters, but absent in others. It is generally widespread through the Plains States as a migrant or a winter visitor.

Migration: Twenty initial fall sightings range from August 8 to December 30, with a median of November 26. Thirty final spring sightings are from January 10 to May 30, with a median of March 17. Half of the records fall between March 7 - 26.

Habitats: While in Nebraska this species is associated with conifers, deciduous thickets, and weedy fields, and sometimes visits bird feeders.

Comments: Like most other fringilline finches, this species has a rather short, notched tail and red in the head region, specifically on the forehead in the case of the redpoll. Another finch trait is a high degree of sociality, sometimes even during the breeding season.


Hoary Redpoll -- Carduelis hornemanni
An apparently accidental winter visitor to Nebraska. Redpolls assigned to this species have been observed in Lancaster, Custer, Scotts Bluff, and Sarpy counties, but intergrades or hybrids with Common Redpolls also occur and confuse identification (Nebraska Bird Review 40:85; 44:35). It is rare in South Dakota and not reported for Kansas or Oklahoma.

Migration: Five sightings range from January (no specific date) to May 20 with the largest number of sightings in February (3).

Habitats: Usually found in the same habitats as, and in company with, common redpolls.


Pine Siskin -- Carduelis pinus
An irregular but sometimes common migrant and winter visitor statewide, and an occasional summer resident throughout . Regular breeding is limited to the Pine Ridge area, but sporadic nestings have occurred widely in the state, including several eastern and southeastern counties following cold springs (Wilson Bulletin 41:77). It regularly breeds in western South Dakota and Minnesota, is an erratic breeder in eastern South Dakota, North Dakota and Kansas. It also occurs widely through the Plains States during migration or winter.

Migration: Sixty initial fall sightings range from July 25 to December 31, with a median of October 16. Half of the records fall within the period October 1 - November 18. Thirty-five final springs sightings range from January 19 to June 9, with a median of May 12. Half of the records fall within the period May 8 - June 1.

Habitats: Non-breeding birds occur in both wooded and treeless areas, often feeding in small flocks on weed seeds. Breeding occurs in both conifers and deciduous trees, including evergreen plantings, ornamental shrubs such as lilacs, vines, and diverse other rural to suburban or urban locations.

Comments: This goldfinch-sized species may be very common at a locality one year and gone the next, in an unpredictable manner. Like goldfinches it has yellow present on its body plumage, but in this case the yellow is mainly located near the bases of the flight feathers, while the breast is heavily streaked. 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.


Lesser Goldfinch -- Carduelis psaltria
Accidental . Photographed near Harrison, Sioux County, on May 20, l984 (Nebraska Bird Review 52:42).


American Goldfinch -- Carduelis tristis
A common permanent resident statewide. Winter populations vary from year to year. Breeding occurs almost throughout the Plains States, excepting the southernmost areas.

Habitats: During the fall and winter flocks of this species may often be found foraging in fields of tall weeds such as ragweeds and sunflowers. Breeding usually occurs in rather open grazing country, farmyards, swamps, weedy fields, and other open habitats where thistles and cattails (the down of which is used for nest lining and the seeds for feeding the young) are abundant.

Comments: Sometimes called "wild canaries" or "thistle-birds," American goldfinches delay their breeding until the latter part of summer, when thistle down and thistle seeds are available in quantity. 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.


Evening Grosbeak -- Coccothraustes vespertina
An irregular and rare winter visitor, reported from the entire state, but seen most often in the Panhandle. Local breeding occurs in the Black Hills and in northern Minnesota, but during winter the species is widespread in northern areas of the Great Plains.

Migration: Thirty-four initial fall sightings are from September 3-December 31, with a median of November 9. Half of the records fall within the period October 19-November 29. Fifty-two final spring sightings are from January 5 to May 28, with a median of April 25. Half of the records fall within the period April 21-May 20.

Habitats: While in Nebraska this species is usually associated with streamside woodlands having seed-bearing deciduous trees, and sometimes also appears at bird-feeding stations.

Comments: This large, massive-billed finch is especially fond of sunflower seeds, and can easily crack hard seeds that it encounters. Its bright yellow eyebrows and white wing-patches make identification easy.



Family Passeridae

House Sparrow -- Passer domesticus
An abundant introduced permanent resident throughout Nebraska and the other Plains States.
Habitats. This species is always associated with humans, breeding in cities, suburbs, and around farm buildings. Nesting occurs in almost any kind of cavity or crevice, including those provided by buildings, dense vines growing against walls, tree cavities, old swallow nests, and other diverse locations.

Comments: This familiar species hardly requires any descriptive comments. It is slowly becoming less numerous, as farms are declining in number, and as it is encountering competition from the house finch. The inked area on the range map represents a mean density of 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.


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