Streptopelia decaocto Status: Common, locally abundant, regular resident statewide. Documentation: Specimens: ZM-18428 (female) and 18429 (male), 29 Nov 2005 “found dead one day after blizzard” in Bassett, Rock Co. Taxonomy: There have been two subspecies recognized in the native range of this species: decaocto from Europe to western China and Korea, and xanthocyla in Burma […]
BAND-TAILED PIGEON
Patagioenas fasciata Status: Rare casual spring and fall visitor. Documentation: Photograph: 15 May 2000 Gering, Scotts Bluff Co (Jorgensen 2002). Taxonomy: New world pigeons previously included in Columba have been allocated to the genus Patagioenas (Banks et al 2003). There are six subspecies recognized (Clements et al 2016), four from Mexico to Argentina, and two […]
ROCK PIGEON
Columba livia Status: Common regular resident statewide. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM 13458, 26 May 1977 Lincoln, Lancaster Co. Taxonomy: According to Clements et al (2016), “Rock Pigeon” conflicts with established names in Australia for species of Petrophassa, but “Feral Pigeon” is available for worldwide introduced populations. Here, however, we retain “Rock Pigeon” due to its general […]
RUDDY DUCK
Oxyura jamaicensis Status: Common, locally abundant, regular spring and fall migrant statewide. Locally uncommon regular breeder Sandhills, rare Rainwater Basin, rare casual elsewhere. Rare casual summer and winter visitor statewide. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM12481, 26 Dec 1912 Lancaster Co. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). Two subspecies are recognized by some authorities: […]
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Mergus serrator Status: Uncommon regular spring migrant east and central, rare west. Uncommon regular fall migrant statewide. Rare casual summer visitor central and east. Uncommon regular winter visitor west, south, east. Documentation: Specimen: HMM 2492, Apr 1900 Funk WPA, Phelps Co. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). Spring: Jan 28, 29, 30 […]
COMMON MERGANSER
Mergus merganser americanus Status: Common, locally abundant, regular spring and fall migrant statewide. Rare casual summer visitor statewide. Rare regular breeder central, accidental west. Fairly common, locally abundant, regular winter visitor statewide. Documentation: Specimen: WSC 522, fall 1975 Madison Co. Taxonomy: Three subspecies are generally recognized, merganser and orientalis of the Paleartic and americanus of […]