Campephilus principalis Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: Two subspecies are recognized, principalis of the southeastern USA and bairdii of Cuba (Gill et al 2022). Most authorities consider both subspecies extinct or nearly so (AOU 1998). Comments: Bruner (1896) cited a report by G.A. Coleman that this species was rare in the vicinity of Peru. Bruner […]
BELTED KINGFISHER
Megaceryle alcyon Status: Fairly common regular breeder and spring and fall migrant statewide. Uncommon local winter visitor southern half of state, rare elsewhere. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM6277, 23 Jun 1916 Mitchell, Scotts Bluff Co. Taxonomy: No subspecies are currently recognized (Gill et al 2022). Belted Kingfisher was previously included in genus Ceryle, but recent genetic […]
BARRED OWL
Strix varia Status: Fairly common regular resident east, rare east central, rare casual elsewhere. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM7741, 28 Nov 1937 Fontenelle Forest, Sarpy Co. Taxonomy: Four weakly-defined subspecies are recognized by some authors (Pyle 1997, Mazur and James 2020, Clements et al 2016), two in Texas and the southern US (helveola, georgica), one in […]
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL
Aegolius acadicus acadicus Status: Rare regular breeder west, rare casual north central. Rare casual summer visitor away from northwest. Uncommon regular spring and fall migrant and winter visitor statewide. Documentation: Specimen: SUI 28762, Wood River, Hall Co 14 Oct 1884. Taxonomy: There are two subspecies recognized, brooksi of the Queen Charlotte Islands of western Canada, […]
[BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER]
Picoides arcticus Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: Nearctic three-toed woodpeckers (Picoides dorsalis, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and P. arcticus, Black-backed Woodpecker) are split from the Palearctic species (P. tridactylus, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker) based on genetic and vocal differences (Banks et al 2003). No subspecies are currently recognized (Gill et al 2022). Comments: Despite several Nebraska reports, none are acceptably documented; none […]
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER
Sphyrapicus nuchalis Status: Rare casual spring migrant west, accidental east. Rare regular fall migrant west, rare casual eslewhere. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM6310, 13 Sep 1919 Monroe Canyon, Sioux Co (Mickel and Dawson 1920). Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). This species was treated as a subspecies of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (AOU 1957) until […]