Nebraska has 465 bird species officially enlisted and accepted by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union or NOU. The state has 95 accidental, 119 casual, three extirpated, and two extinct species. The passenger pigeon and Carolina parakeet are the two birds that no longer exist in Nebraska.
One would find backyard or migratory birds in Nebraska all year round or seasonally. Yet certain birds remain specific to a particular region. For instance, the common loon is mostly found in eastern Nebraska during spring and fall. Whereas the great Blue heron inhabits the western and central part of the state. The double-crested cormorant majorly thrives in northern and western Nebraska.
The sandhill crane, wild turkey, and double-crested cormorant are some big birds found here. On the other hand, the black-capped chickadee and white-breasted nuthatch are the smaller birds of Nebraska.
The western meadowlark has been designated as Nebraska’s state bird officially.
Backyard Birds:
All-year-round: American Robin, Western Meadowlark, Northern Cardinal, Hairy Woodpecker
Migratory Birds:
In Summer: Black and White Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Cliff Swallow, Summer Tanager, Chipping Sparrow
In Winter: Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Great Blue Heron
Birds of Prey: Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk
Water Birds: American Coot, Common Loon, Wood Stork, Black-bellied Whistling-duck, Roseate Spoonbill
