Callipepla californica Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: Five subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022); it is not known which subspecies was/were released in Nebraska. Comments: The only release of these birds was of about 70 in Butler, Madison, Knox, and Douglas Cos in 1939; a covey was reported in Madison Co in 1939 (Halbert […]
[RINGED TURTLE-DOVE]
Streptopelia “risoria” Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: The specific epithet risoria is not considered valid; according to AOU (1998), this “widely domesticated and locally introduced form is now deemed to be derived from the African S. roseogrisea [African Collared-Dove] rather than S. decaocto [Eurasian Collared-Dove]” (DeBenedictis 1994, Romagosa and McEneaney 1999). Recently the ABA Checklist […]
[AFRICAN COLLARED-DOVE]
Streptopelia roseogrisea Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: There are two subspecies recognized in the native African range, roseogrisea and arabica (Clements et al 2016). This species is presumed to be the wild ancestor of Ringed Turtle-Dove (see that species) and resembles it closely (see Comments). Comments: This species was formerly considered established in the United […]
[MEXICAN DUCK]
Anas diazi Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). See related taxonomic discussions under Mallard and Mottled Duck. Whether Mexican Duck is a valid species has been a matter of debate, although it was recently elevated to species status by AOS (Chesser et al 2020) based primarily on genomic studies […]
[MANDARIN DUCK]
Aix galericulata Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). Comments: There are reports from three locations. A free-flying, unmarked male was found at Pier Park, Grand Island, Hall Co 14 Dec 2011 and apparently wintered there, with sightings through 29 Feb 2012; a female was present 21 Feb (Steve […]
[RUDDY SHELDUCK]
Tadorna ferruginea Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (Gill et al 2022). Comments: The Nebraska reports are of single birds and are certainly escaped or released birds: one at Kearney Lake, Buffalo Co, 24 Feb 1997 was considered an escapee based on its behavior, including “aggressive begging, following people around, and approaching […]