Checklist of Avifauna for the Nebraska Sandhills

The sandhills of Nebraska and extreme southern South Dakota are a unique and expansive area of predominantly prairie lands with interspersed wetlands and human settlements. A great variety of birds occur.

A modern-era checklist has just been prepared for the region, based upon a database of more than 148,000 records, with the first dated record from 1886.

The details convey there are 58 families with a representative 406 valid species. Other sorts of birds occur, specifically known hybrids. In the case of prominent name changes, previous alternate common names are indicated.

The source of the details needed to create this updated checklist was: Gill, Frank and D. Donsker (editors). 2015. International Ornithological Council world bird list (version 5.4). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.5.4. www.worldbirdnames.org", which is the result of a multi-year voluntary effort by globally situated experts. This freely-available spreadsheet also includes details on the published sources that indicated the original naming, as well as subspecies and their distribution. Each tidbit makes the information essential when considering world avifauna, but are interesting as well.

Species are listed in the taxonomic order indicated by this reference. In the case of prominent name changes, previous alternate common names are indicated. Some of the changes are slight, while there might also be a completely new common name.

Family Anatidae

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck; Dendrocygna autumnalis

Swan Goose; Anser cygnoides

Greater White-fronted Goose; Anser albifrons

Bar-headed Goose; Anser indicus

Snow Goose; Chen caerulescens

Ross's Goose; Chen rossii

Canada Goose; Branta canadensis

Cackling Goose; Branta hutchinsii

Brant Goose; Branta bernicla

Mute Swan; Cygnus olor

Trumpeter Swan; Cygnus buccinator

Tundra Swan; Cygnus columbianus

Wood Duck; Aix sponsa

Gadwall; Anas strepera

Eurasian Wigeon; Anas penelope

American Wigeon; Anas americana

American Black Duck; Anas rubripes

Mallard; Anas platyrhynchos

Blue-winged Teal; Anas discors

Cinnamon Teal; Anas cyanoptera

Northern Shoveler; Anas clypeata

Northern Pintail; Anas acuta

Green-winged Teal; Anas crecca

Canvasback; Aythya valisineria

Redhead; Aythya americana

Ring-necked Duck; Aythya collaris

Tufted Duck; Aythya fuligula

Greater Scaup; Aythya marila

Lesser Scaup; Aythya affinis

Common Eider; Somateria mollissima

Harlequin Duck; Histrionicus histrionicus

Surf Scoter; Melanitta perspicillata

White-winged Scoter; Melanitta fusca

Black Scoter; Melanitta americana

Long-tailed Duck; Clangula hyemalis

Bufflehead; Bucephala albeola

Common Goldeneye; Bucephala clangula

Barrow's Goldeneye; Bucephala islandica

Hooded Merganser; Lophodytes cucullatus

Common Merganser; Mergus merganser

Red-breasted Merganser; Mergus serrator

Ruddy Duck; Oxyura jamaicensis

Family Odontophoridae

Scaled Quail; Callipepla squamata

Northern Bobwhite; Colinus virginianus

Family Phasianidae

Wild Turkey; Meleagris gallopavo

Ruffed Grouse; Bonasa umbellus

Sage Grouse; Centrocercus urophasianus

Sharp-tailed Grouse; Tympanuchus phasianellus

Greater Prairie-Chicken; Tympanuchus cupido

Chukar Partridge; Alectoris chukar

Grey Partridge; Perdix perdix

Common Pheasant; Phasianus colchicus

Family Gaviidae

Red-throated Loon; Gavia stellata

Pacific Loon; Gavia pacifica

Great Northern Loon; Gavia immer

Yellow-billed Loon; Gavia adamsii

Family Podicipedidae

Pied-billed Grebe; Podilymbus podiceps

Red-necked Grebe; Podiceps grisegena

Horned Grebe; Podiceps auritus

Black-necked Grebe; Podiceps nigricollis; eared grebe

Western Grebe; Aechmophorus occidentalis

Clark's Grebe; Aechmophorus clarkii

Family Threskiornithidae

American White Ibis; Eudocimus albus

Glossy Ibis; Plegadis falcinellus

White-faced Ibis; Plegadis chihi

Family Ardeidae

American Bittern; Botaurus lentiginosus

Least Bittern; Ixobrychus exilis

Black-crowned Night Heron; Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night Heron; Nyctanassa violacea

Green Heron; Butorides striata

Western Cattle Egret; Bubulcus ibis

Great Blue Heron; Ardea herodias

Great Egret; Ardea alba

Reddish Egret; Egretta rufescens

Little Blue Heron; Egretta caerulea

Snowy Egret; Egretta thula

Family Pelecanidae

American White Pelican; Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Brown Pelican; Pelecanus occidentalis

Family Phalacrocoracidae

Neotropic Cormorant; Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Double-crested Cormorant; Phalacrocorax auritus

Family Cathartidae

Turkey Vulture; Cathartes aura

Family Pandionidae

Western Osprey; Pandion haliaetus

Family Accipitridae

White-tailed Kite; Elanus leucurus

Golden Eagle; Aquila chrysaetos

Sharp-shinned Hawk; Accipiter striatus

Cooper's Hawk; Accipiter cooperii

Northern Goshawk; Accipiter gentilis

Northern Harrier; Circus cyaneus

Bald Eagle; Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Mississippi Kite; Ictinia mississippiensis

Red-shouldered Hawk; Buteo lineatus

Broad-winged Hawk; Buteo platypterus

Swainson's Hawk; Buteo swainsoni

Red-tailed Hawk; Buteo jamaicensis

Ferruginous Hawk; Buteo regalis

Rough-legged Buzzard; Buteo lagopus

Family Rallidae

Yellow Rail; Coturnicops noveboracensis

Black Rail; Laterallus jamaicensis

King Rail; Rallus elegans

Virginia Rail; Rallus limicola

Sora; Porzana carolina

Common Moorhen; Gallinula chloropus

American Coot; Fulica americana

Family Gruidae

Sandhill Crane; Grus canadensis

Whooping Crane; Grus americana

Family Recurvirostridae

Black-necked Stilt; Himantopus mexicanus

American Avocet; Recurvirostra americana

Family Charadriidae

American Golden Plover; Pluvialis dominica

Grey Plover; Pluvialis squatarola; black-bellied plover

Semipalmated Plover; Charadrius semipalmatus

Killdeer; Charadrius vociferus

Piping Plover; Charadrius melodus

Snowy Plover; Charadrius nivosus

Mountain Plover; Charadrius montanus

Family Scolopacidae

American Woodcock; Scolopax minor

Wilson's Snipe; Gallinago delicata

Short-billed Dowitcher; Limnodromus griseus

Long-billed Dowitcher; Limnodromus scolopaceus

Hudsonian Godwit; Limosa haemastica

Marbled Godwit; Limosa fedoa

Eskimo Curlew; Numenius borealis

Whimbrel; Numenius phaeopus

Long-billed Curlew; Numenius americanus

Upland Sandpiper; Bartramia longicauda

Greater Yellowlegs; Tringa melanoleuca

Lesser Yellowlegs; Tringa flavipes

Solitary Sandpiper; Tringa solitaria

Willet; Tringa semipalmata

Spotted Sandpiper; Actitis macularius

Ruddy Turnstone; Arenaria interpres

Red Knot; Calidris canutus

Sanderling; Calidris alba

Semipalmated Sandpiper; Calidris pusilla

Western Sandpiper; Calidris mauri

Least Sandpiper; Calidris minutilla

White-rumped Sandpiper; Calidris fuscicollis

Baird's Sandpiper; Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper; Calidris melanotos

Dunlin; Calidris alpina

Stilt Sandpiper; Calidris himantopus

Buff-breasted Sandpiper; Tryngites subruficollis

Wilson's Phalarope; Phalaropus tricolor

Red-necked Phalarope; Phalaropus lobatus

Red Phalarope; Phalaropus fulicarius

Family Laridae

Black-legged Kittiwake; Rissa tridactyla

Sabine's Gull; Xema sabini

Bonaparte's Gull; Chroicocephalus philadelphia

Black-headed Gull; Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Little Gull; Hydrocoloeus minutus

Ross's Gull; Rhodostethia rosea

Laughing Gull; Leucophaeus atricilla

Franklin's Gull; Leucophaeus pipixcan

Mew Gull; Larus canus

Ring-billed Gull; Larus delawarensis

California Gull; Larus californicus

Great Black-backed Gull; Larus marinus

Glaucous-winged Gull; Larus glaucescens

Glaucous Gull; Larus hyperboreus

Iceland Gull; Larus glaucoides

Thayer's Gull; Larus thayeri

American Herring Gull; Larus smithsonianus

Lesser Black-backed Gull; Larus fuscus

Caspian Tern; Hydroprogne caspia

Least Tern; Sternula antillarum

Common Tern; Sterna hirundo

Forster's Tern; Sterna forsteri

Black Tern; Chlidonias niger

Family Stercorariidae

Pomarine Skua; Stercorarius pomarinus; pomarine jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger; Stercorarius parasiticus

Long-tailed Jaeger; Stercorarius longicaudus

Family Columidae

Rock Dove; Columba livia; rock pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove; Streptopelia decaocto

Mourning Dove; Zenaida macroura

White-winged Dove; Zenaida asiatica

Family Cuculidae

Yellow-billed Cuckoo; Coccyzus americanus

Black-billed Cuckoo; Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Family Tytonidae

Western Barn Owl; Tyto alba

Family Strigidae

Flammulated Owl; Psiloscops flammeolus

Eastern Screech Owl; Megascops asio

Snowy Owl; Bubo scandiacus

Great Horned Owl; Bubo virginianus

Barred Owl; Strix varia

Great Grey Owl; Strix nebulosa

Burrowing Owl; Athene cunicularia

Northern Saw-whet Owl; Aegolius acadicus

Long-eared Owl; Asio otus

Short-eared Owl; Asio flammeus

Family Cprimulgidae

Common Nighthawk; Chordeiles minor

Common Poorwill; Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Chuck-will's-widow; Antrostomus carolinensis

Eastern Whip-poor-will; Antrostomus vociferus; whip-poor-will

Family Apodidae

Chimney Swift; Chaetura pelagica

White-throated Swift; Aeronautes saxatalis

Family Trochilidae

Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Archilochus colubris

Broad-tailed Hummingbird; Selasphorus platycercus

Rufous Hummingbird; Selasphorus rufus

Calliope Hummingbird; Selasphorus calliope

Family Alcedinidae

Belted Kingfisher; Megaceryle alcyon

Family Picidae

Lewis's Woodpecker; Melanerpes lewis

Red-headed Woodpecker; Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Acorn Woodpecker; Melanerpes formicivorus

Red-bellied Woodpecker; Melanerpes carolinus

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Sphyrapicus varius

Red-naped Sapsucker; Sphyrapicus nuchalis

Downy Woodpecker; Picoides pubescens

Hairy Woodpecker; Picoides villosus

Northern Flicker; Colaptes auratus

Family Falconidae

American Kestrel; Falco sparverius

Merlin; Falco columbarius

Gyrfalcon; Falco rusticolus

Prairie Falcon; Falco mexicanus

Peregrine Falcon; Falco peregrinus

Family Tyrannidae

Eastern Phoebe; Sayornis phoebe

Say's Phoebe; Sayornis saya

Olive-sided Flycatcher; Contopus cooperi

Western Wood Pewee; Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood-Pewee; Contopus virens

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; Empidonax flaviventris

Acadian Flycatcher; Empidonax virescens

Willow Flycatcher; Empidonax traillii

Alder Flycatcher; Empidonax alnorum

Least Flycatcher; Empidonax minimus

Hammond's Flycatcher; Empidonax hammondii

Cordilleran Flycatcher; Empidonax occidentalis

Vermilion Flycatcher; Pyrocephalus rubinus

Cassin's Kingbird; Tyrannus vociferans

Western Kingbird; Tyrannus verticalis

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher; Tyrannus forficatus

Eastern Kingbird; Tyrannus tyrannus

Great Crested Flycatcher; Myiarchus crinitus

Family Laniidae

Loggerhead Shrike; Lanius ludovicianus

Great Grey Shrike; Lanius excubitor; northern shrike

Family Vireonidae

White-eyed Vireo; Vireo griseus

Bell's Vireo; Vireo bellii

Yellow-throated Vireo; Vireo flavifrons

Plumbeous Vireo; Vireo plumbeus

Cassin's Vireo; Vireo cassinii

Blue-headed Vireo; Vireo solitarius

Warbling Vireo; Vireo gilvus

Philadelphia Vireo; Vireo philadelphicus

Red-eyed Vireo; Vireo olivaceus

Family Corvidae

Grey Jay; Perisoreus canadensis

Blue Jay; Cyanocitta cristata

Steller's Jay; Cyanocitta stelleri

Pinyon Jay; Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Black-billed Magpie; Pica hudsonia

Clark's Nutcracker; Nucifraga columbiana

American Crow; Corvus brachyrhynchos

Northern Raven; Corvus corax; common raven

Family Bombycillidae

Bohemian Waxwing; Bombycilla garrulus

Cedar Waxwing; Bombycilla cedrorum

Family Paridae

Tufted Titmouse; Baeolophus bicolor

Black-capped Chickadee; Poecile atricapillus

Mountain Chickadee; Poecile gambeli

Family Alaudidae

Horned Lark; Eremophila alpestris

Family Hirundinidae

Sand Martin; Riparia riparia; bank swallow

Tree Swallow; Tachycineta bicolor

Violet-green Swallow; Tachycineta thalassina

Purple Martin; Progne subis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Barn Swallow; Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow; Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cave Swallow; Petrochelidon fulva

Family Regulidae

Golden-crowned Kinglet; Regulus satrapa

Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Regulus calendula

Family Troglodytidae

Rock Wren; Salpinctes obsoletus

Sedge Wren; Cistothorus platensis

Marsh Wren; Cistothorus palustris

Bewick's Wren; Thryomanes bewickii

Carolina Wren; Thryothorus ludovicianus

Winter Wren; Troglodytes hiemalis

House Wren; Troglodytes aedon

Family Polioptilidae

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher; Polioptila caerulea

Family Sittidae

Pygmy Nuthatch; Sitta pygmaea

Red-breasted Nuthatch; Sitta canadensis

White-breasted Nuthatch; Sitta carolinensis

Family Certhiidae

Brown Creeper; Certhia americana

Family Mimidae

Grey Catbird; Dumetella carolinensis

Northern Mockingbird; Mimus polyglottos

Sage Thrasher; Oreoscoptes montanus

Brown Thrasher; Toxostoma rufum

Curve-billed Thrasher; Toxostoma curvirostre

Family Sturnidae

Common Starling; Sturnus vulgaris; European starling

Family Turdidae

Varied Thrush; Ixoreus naevius

Eastern Bluebird; Sialia sialis

Mountain Bluebird; Sialia currucoides

Townsend's Solitaire; Myadestes townsendi

Veery; Catharus fuscescens

Gray-cheeked Thrush; Catharus minimus

Swainson's Thrush; Catharus ustulatus

Hermit Thrush; Catharus guttatus

Wood Thrush; Hylocichla mustelina

American Robin; Turdus migratorius

Family Cinclidae

American Dipper; Cinclus mexicanus

Family Passeridae

House Sparrow; Passer domesticus; English sparrow

Family Motacillidae

Buff-bellied Pipit; Anthus rubescens; American pipit

Sprague's Pipit; Anthus spragueii

Family Fringillidae

Evening Grosbeak; Hesperiphona vespertinus

Pine Grosbeak; Pinicola enucleator

Grey-crowned Rosy Finch; Leucosticte tephrocotis

Purple Finch; Haemorhous purpureus

Cassin's Finch; Haemorhous cassinii

House Finch; Haemorhous mexicanus

Common Redpoll; Acanthis flammea

Red Crossbill; Loxia curvirostra

Two-barred Crossbill; Loxia leucoptera; white-winged crossbill

American Goldfinch; Spinus tristis

Lesser Goldfinch; Spinus psaltria

Pine Siskin; Spinus pinus

Family Parulidae

Ovenbird; Seiurus aurocapilla

Worm-eating Warbler; Helmitheros vermivorum

Louisiana Waterthrush; Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush; Parkesia noveboracensis

Golden-winged Warbler; Vermivora chrysoptera

Blue-winged Warbler; Vermivora cyanoptera

Black-and-white Warbler; Mniotilta varia

Prothonotary Warbler; Protonotaria citrea

Tennessee Warbler; Leiothlypis peregrina

Orange-crowned Warbler; Leiothlypis celata

Nashville Warbler; Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Connecticut Warbler; Oporornis agilis

MacGillivray's Warbler; Geothlypis tolmiei

Mourning Warbler; Geothlypis philadelphia

Kentucky Warbler; Geothlypis formosa

Common Yellowthroat; Geothlypis trichas

Hooded Warbler; Setophaga citrina

American Redstart; Setophaga ruticilla

Cape May Warbler; Setophaga tigrina

Cerulean Warbler; Setophaga cerulea

Northern Parula; Setophaga americana

Magnolia Warbler; Setophaga magnolia

Bay-breasted Warbler; Setophaga castanea

Blackburnian Warbler; Setophaga fusca

American Yellow Warbler; Setophaga aestiva

Chestnut-sided Warbler; Setophaga pensylvanica

Blackpoll Warbler; Setophaga striata

Black-throated Blue Warbler; Setophaga caerulescens

Palm Warbler; Setophaga palmarum

Audubon's Warbler; Setophaga auduboni; yellow-rumped warbler. There may also be occurrences of the more eastern Myrtle's Warbler, which now has a distinct scientific name.

Yellow-throated Warbler; Setophaga dominica

Prairie Warbler; Setophaga discolor

Grace's Warbler; Setophaga graciae

Black-throated Grey Warbler; Setophaga nigrescens

Townsend's Warbler; Setophaga townsendi

Black-throated Green Warbler; Setophaga virens

Canada Warbler; Cardellina canadensis

Wilson's Warbler; Cardellina pusilla

Fmmily: Incertae Sedis

[Genus relationships not certain.]

Yellow-breasted Chat; Icteria virens

Family Icteridae

Yellow-headed Blackbird; Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Bobolink; Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Western Meadowlark; Sturnella neglecta

Eastern Meadowlark; Sturnella magna

Bullock's Oriole; Icterus bullockii

Baltimore Oriole; Icterus galbula

Orchard Oriole; Icterus spurius

Red-winged Blackbird; Agelaius phoeniceus

Brown-headed Cowbird; Molothrus ater

Rusty Blackbird; Euphagus carolinus

Brewer's Blackbird; Euphagus cyanocephalus

Common Grackle; Quiscalus quiscula

Great-tailed Grackle; Quiscalus mexicanus

Family Emberizidae

Lark Bunting; Calamospiza melanocorys

Red Fox Sparrow; Passerella iliaca; fox sparrow

Song Sparrow; Melospiza melodia

Lincoln's Sparrow; Melospiza lincolnii

Swamp Sparrow; Melospiza georgiana

Harris's Sparrow; Zonotrichia querula

White-crowned Sparrow; Zonotrichia leucophrys

White-throated Sparrow; Zonotrichia albicollis

Golden-crowned Sparrow; Zonotrichia atricapilla

Dark-eyed Junco; Junco hyemalis

Savannah Sparrow; Passerculus sandwichensis

Nelson's Sparrow; Ammodramus nelsoni; Nelson's salt-marsh sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrow; Ammodramus caudacutus

Le Conte's Sparrow; Ammodramus leconteii

Baird's Sparrow; Ammodramus bairdii

Henslow's Sparrow; Ammodramus henslowii

Grasshopper Sparrow; Ammodramus savannarum

American Tree Sparrow; Spizelloides arborea

Chipping Sparrow; Spizella passerina

Field Sparrow; Spizella pusilla

Clay-colored Sparrow; Spizella pallida

Brewer's Sparrow; Spizella breweri

Vesper Sparrow; Pooecetes gramineus

Lark Sparrow; Chondestes grammacus

Black-throated Sparrow; Amphispiza bilineata

Cassin's Sparrow; Peucaea cassinii

Green-tailed Towhee; Pipilo chlorurus

Spotted Towhee; Pipilo maculatus

Eastern Towhee; Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Family Calcariidae

McCown's Longspur; Rhynchophanes mccownii

Lapland Longspur; Calcarius lapponicus

Smith's Longspur; Calcarius pictus

Chestnut-collared Longspur; Calcarius ornatus

Snow Bunting; Plectrophenax nivalis

Family Cardinalidae

Summer Tanager; Piranga rubra

Scarlet Tanager; Piranga olivacea

Western Tanager; Piranga ludoviciana

Dickcissel; Spiza americana

Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed Grosbeak; Pheucticus melanocephalus

Northern Cardinal; Cardinalis cardinalis

Blue Grosbeak; Passerina caerulea

Indigo Bunting; Passerina cyanea

Lazuli Bunting; Passerina amoena

Painted Bunting; Passerina ciris

This is an updated checklist for a regional area within Nebraska which conforms to international standards of name designation and taxonomy. The Nebraska bird group standards are based upon a lesser extent of species evaluation ... those only for North America.

Avian taxonomy is an ever-changing situation. Updates are typically issued on a yearly basis, so any field guide may be out-of-date within months after it is published. Name and taxonomy standards used vary greatly, from state to national to international.

It requires a focused effort to update particulars within any digital record-keeping methodology. Changes have to be carefully integrated with all previous, related details, while maintaining their essential intregrity. For a database, temporary alterations have to be allowed as additions and edits occur. Then the information has to be checked again to ensure essential accuracy.

It took numerous hours of a pre-holiday weekend to update the bird nomenclature details included in the database of the Great American Sandhills. It was a much more interesting endeavour than going shopping for holiday gifts!

A day earlier effort to update using the American Ornithologists Union checklist simply did not work. The effort was abandoned as the resultant details were confusing due to a lack of flexibility, especially when considering taxonimc sequence. Any use of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union state checklist was immediately not feasible, due its simplicity and since it could not be saved digitally for later consideration at the home computer, where the hours of editing would occur.

The most problemantic item in regards to updating any personal database is the taxonomic sequence. Common and scientific names can be easily changed. Yet, none of the issued sources provide a specific number of identification, so there is the necessity to derive some means so that once the information is updated, it can be properly sorted for presentation that is proper and adheres to the original source.

After editing the records based upon the AOU checklist, the species sequence was not right. They attribute a species number based not upon when it was first designated, but upon an arbitrary designated number when something occurred. The Winter Wren is an example of this stupidity. The species has been known for nearly two centuries, yet when it was split to include the Pacific Wren of the northwest, its id value was changed.

The NOU checklist indicates nothing as far as a value where the list can be downloaded and used to prepare an electronic checklist, with a value that would allow creating a list with the proper taxonomic sequence.

The most problematic item is determining a sequence. Records need to be sorted so they can be regularly displayed in the right manner. Yet there is no number designated by any of the checklists available. In the case of the update using the IOC list, at least the row of the spreadsheet could be used to provide a faux number to enter so the species could be kept in the proper order. It would certainly make this sort of effort easier if a number was designated by authorities.

The extent of birds has been studied for decades, so it would seem that some numbering sequence could have been adopted that would be dynamic and suitable for the long-term. Alas, that is not the case now and never has been. Determining the order for species has always been essential and it will continue to be essential. Certainly the nomenclature experts could consider and develop a resolution...