Haemorhous mexicanus frontalis Status: Common regular resident statewide. Documentation: Specimen: HMM 2425, 29 Jan 1916 Haigler, Dundy Co. Taxonomy: This species, along with Purple Finch and Cassin’s Finch, were recently assigned (Chesser et al 2012) to their own genus (Haemorhous, from Carpodacus) based on a study by Zuccon et al (2012). Of about 11 subspecies […]
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR
Calcarius ornatus Status: Fairly common regular spring and fall migrant west, uncommon central, rare east. Fairly common regular breeder west, locally uncommon north central. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM7614, 20 Mar 1900 Mullen, Hooker Co. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). Spring: Apr 3, 4, 4 <<<>>> Apr 21, 21, 22 Earlier dates […]
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
Spinus tristis Status: Common regular spring and fall migrant and breeder statewide. Abundant regular winter visitor statewide. Documentation: Specimen: tristis, UNSM ZM16086, Lancaster Co 2 Aug 1889; pallidus, UNSM ZM7180, Springview Bridge, Keya Paha Co 16 Jun 1902. Taxonomy: Spinus, a former sub-genus of Carduelis, was raised to generic status based on genetic data (Chesser et […]
SMITH’S LONGSPUR
Calcarius pictus Status: Uncommon regular spring and fall migrant east, rare casual elsewhere. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM7609, 25 Oct 1890 Lincoln, Lancaster Co. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). Spring: Mar 27, 27, 29 <<<>>> Apr 29, 30, May 3 Earlier dates are discussed below. Although migrants presumably pass through Nebraska on […]
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH
Leocosticte tephrocotis tephrocotis, L. t. littoralis Status: Rare regular winter visitor west. Documentation: Specimen: tephrocotis, UNSM ZM7133, 15 Feb 1896 Harrison, Sioux Co. Photograph and description: littoralis, 30 Dec 2020 Toadstool Road, Sioux Co (Mlodinow, eBird.org). Taxonomy: There are six subspecies, in two groups (Macdougall-Shackleton et al 2020): Gray-cheeked Group (“Hepburn’s Rosy-Finch”) consists of griseonucha […]
[EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH]
Carduelis carduelis Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: There are 14 subspecies recognized, all in Eurasia (Gill et al 2022). Comments: One was reported without details at a feeder in Scribner, Dodge Co 13 and 17 Feb 1996 (Carson 1996). This species is listed by AOU (1998); it has been widely introduced in the US without […]