Xema sabini Status: Uncommon regular fall migrant statewide. Accidental in spring. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM6624, early Sep 1899 Lincoln, Lancaster Co (Swenk 1902). Taxonomy: There are no subspecies generally recognized (Gill et al 2022), although some authors recognize up to four (Howell and Dunn 2007; Pyle 2008). Spring: There is one record: 28 Mar 2009, […]
LAUGHING GULL
Leucophaeus atricilla Status: Rare regular summer visitor statewide. Rare casual winter visitor statewide. Documentation: Photograph: 27-29 Apr 1990 Gavin’s Point Dam, Cedar Co (Brogie 1990; Grenon 1991). Taxonomy: Two subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022), megalopterus of coastal southeast Canada, eastern and southern USA to eastern Central America, southwest USA, and western Mexico, and […]
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE
Rissa tridactyla subsp. Status: Rare casual spring migrant statewide. Rare regular fall migrant statewide. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM16143, 20 or 21 May 1990 adult Lake McConaughy, Keith Co. (Johnsgard 1990, Grenon 1991). Taxonomy: There are two subspecies, tridactyla of the North Atlantic, including eastern Canada, and pollicaris of the North Pacific, including western Alaska (Gill […]
BONAPARTE’S GULL
Chroicocephalus philadelphia Status: Fairly common regular spring and fall migrant statewide. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM6622, 31 Mar 1893 Lancaster Co. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized. Spring: Mar 19, 20, 20 <<<>>> May 25, 25, 26 Earlier dates are 7 Mar 1983 Wayne Co, 11 Mar 2013 Platte Co, and 12 Mar 2016 Lancaster Co. Later […]
ROSS’S GULL
Rhodostethia rosea Status: Rare casual fall visitor. Documentation: Photograph: 17 Dec 1992 Sutherland Reservoir, Lincoln Co (Dinsmore and Silcock 1993, Rosche 1993, Gubanyi 1996). Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). Fall: There are three records: 26 Nov-7 Dec 2010 Gavin’s Point Dam, Cedar Co (Brogie 2011) 3-4 Dec 2010 Branched Oak Lake, […]
LITTLE GULL
Hydrocoloeus minutus Status: Rare casual spring and fall migrant statewide. Documentation: Photograph: 26 Apr 1995 Wehrspann Lake, Sarpy Co (Gubanyi 1996). Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized. Spring: There are five records. The alternate-plumaged individual at Wehrspann Lake 26 Apr 1995 (cited above) was with a large flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls, typical of this species (and […]