30 Backyard Birds in Nebraska

Last Updated on January 13, 2024 by Greg Gillson

I’ve put this resource together for you to answer your question: What birds are in my backyard in Nebraska?

This article lists and discusses the identification of the most common birds in your backyard. The birds chosen in this article are compiled from actual data from the citizen science program eBird. Thus, it is more accurate than some other similar articles you may find on the web. I provide pictures of each bird species mentioned and I’ll tell how to attract them to your backyard.

These are the most common backyard birds in Nebraska:

1. American Robin
2. Mourning Dove
3. Northern Cardinal
4. Blue Jay
5. European Starling
6. Red-winged Blackbird
7. American Goldfinch
8. House Sparrow
9. Common Grackle
10. Downy Woodpecker
11. Dark-eyed Junco
12. Northern Flicker
13. House Finch
14. White-breasted Nuthatch
15. Black-capped Chickadee
16. Red-bellied Woodpecker
17. American Crow
18. Western Meadowlark
19. Eurasian Collared-Dove
20. Barn Swallow
21. Brown-headed Cowbird
22. House Wren
23. American Tree Sparrow
24. Eastern Kingbird
25. Baltimore Oriole
26. Orchard Oriole
27. Western Kingbird
28. Brown Thrasher
29. Chipping Sparrow
30. Red-headed Woodpecker

Nebraska Birds and Birding in Nebraska State

eBird lists over 440 types of birds as occurring in the state of Nebraska.

The most common bird in Nebraska: the most frequently seen bird in the state is American Robin. It is reported on 50% of bird watching lists.

If you are serious about knowing the birds native to Nebraska, then check out eBird for Nebraska. It has recent sightings and photos, illustrated checklists with weekly abundance bar charts for state, counties, and individual hotspots of the best birding locations.

If you want to know about other people interested in birds in your area, join a local bird group. The American Birding Association maintains a list of bird watching clubs for each state.

Nebraska Bird Identification

This section is the species accounts. These are designed to help you to recognize birds you see in your backyard. I have used eBird to select the birds that are most common. “Common” means the birds seen most often throughout the year, not necessarily the most numerous.

Each species account starts with a photograph. In the identification section I am using size and shape and bill type before considering the color or patterns on the birds. I find these more reliable when trying to identify an unknown bird. Pay attention to body and tail shape and especially bill shape of birds you see, not just plumage color.

In the section on bird feeders and foods I tell how to attract each species. Not all types of backyard birds will come to feeders. But all backyard birds can be attracted with water. So don’t forget to add a birdbath to your bird feeding station.

Do you live in eastern Nebraska? Western Nebraska?

To appear in this article, most birds are widely distributed throughout the state and are often year-round residents. However, for those birds that are more localized in place or time, I list the general region and seasonality. Please see the section following these species accounts for the lists of common species by season.

Even if a species is found in a general area, they occur only in the habitat they prefer. So, the exact habitat of your neighborhood is important for the presence of absence of certain kinds of birds.

1. American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

This familiar bird is a resident in the northern half of the United States and a winter visitor in the southern half.

American Robin. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: American Robins are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: 10 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. About the same size as a Blue Jay or one of the Scrub-Jays. Larger than Red-winged Blackbird. Smaller than a Mourning Dove. 

Shape: Very plump with a fairly long tail. 

Bill: Straight and fairly slender, curved at the tip. 

Color: Gray-brown upperparts, rusty orange breast.

Habitat, range & behavior: Open woodlands, farmlands, urban parks and lawns. 

Migratory, breeds north across Alaska and Canada. Resident in most of the United States (lower 48). Winters in the United States, Mexico, to central America. 

Hops on your lawn turning head this way and that looking for food. Their caroling song is one of the early signs of spring in the north.

Food and feeder preference: American Robins eat earthworms and other invertebrates in the lawn. May eat fruit from a tray feeder or the ground. Eat small berries from trees and bushes.

2. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Mourning Doves are the most widespread and most frequent backyard bird in the Lower 48 states of the United States.

Mourning Dove. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Mourning Doves are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: About 12 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. About same size as Northern Flicker. Larger than American Robin. Slightly smaller than domestic city pigeon. 

Shape: Very plump with a small round head. Tail is long and pointed. Legs are short. 

Bill: Small and rather slender. 

Color: Pale brown-pink body, darker wings and tail. White edges on side of tail.

Habitat, range & behavior: Semi-open areas such as urban areas, farmlands, woods. Often seen perched on wires, fences. 

They are residents across the lower-48 states and Mexico, with some movement out of northern areas in winter. 

Their mournful cooing is a familiar spring birdsong.

Food and feeder preference: Mourning Doves eat seeds almost exclusively. Attract with black oil sunflower seeds on a large sturdy tray feeder or on the ground.

3. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

This is one of the most common and popular backyard birds in the eastern half of the United States.

Northern Cardinal. GeorgeB2 from Pixaby

Range in Nebraska: Northern Cardinals are year-round residents in southern and eastern Nebraska, absent in northwestern Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: Cardinals are a bit smaller than American Robins, about the same size as Red-winged Blackbirds. 

Shape: Plump body with fairly long full tail. Wispy crest. 

Bill: Short, heavy, conical, pink. 

Color: That bright red color is matched by few other birds. Black face. The female is more gray, but with hints of red in wings and tail, and has a crest, too.

Habitat, range & behavior: Cardinals are year-round residents in shrubby woodland edges from the eastern United States to Texas and Arizona south into Mexico. 

That large conical bill is made for chewing seeds. Watch them crack open sunflower seeds, spit out the hulls, and pluck the kernel with their tongues!

Food and feeder preference: Black oil sunflower seeds. Many types of seeds, berries, nuts in larger hopper or tray feeders.

You may like my in-depth article on attracting Northern Cardinals.

4. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

A common and well-known bird in the eastern half of the United States.

Blue Jay. skeeze from Pixabay

Range in Nebraska: Blue Jays are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: About that of American Robin. 

Shape: Fluffy, large crested head, ample tail. Large strong legs. 

Bill: Black, long and stout. 

Color: Blue above, white below. Black neck collar. White patches in wing.

Habitat, range & behavior: Woodlands and towns in the eastern half of the United States. In summer into southern Canada.  

Bold and brash. May bully smaller birds. Jays gulp lots of seeds or other food at once, storing it in their crop. Then they fly off and bury food items in a hidden cache.

Food and feeder preference: Omnivorous. They can quickly empty your feeder! Because they are also aggressive toward other feeder birds, some people put mesh cages around smaller bird feeders. Small birds can go through, squirrels and larger “pest” birds are prevented entry. Some people feed jays peanuts, perhaps away from the seed feeders.

5. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Introduced to North America in the late 1800’s, they crossed the continent, often to the detriment of native cavity-nesting birds. The prime example of an invasive species.

European Starling. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: European Starlings are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: About the size of a Red-winged Blackbird. Smaller than an American Robin. Larger than a White-crowned Sparrow or Spotted/Eastern towhee. 

Shape: Stocky with large head, short square-ended tail. Longer legs. 

Bill: As long as head. Sharp pointed. Yellow in spring, otherwise dark. 

Color: They are grayish brown much of the year, with glossy iridescence and white spotting during the spring.

Habitat, range & behavior: Lowland birds that need trees large enough for nest cavities but plenty of open area for feeding. They are most abundant in urban and suburban areas where they find food and artificial nest cavities. 

Resident from coast-to-coast from southern Canada to northern Mexico. In summer north across Canada and Alaska. Native range is Europe to Pakistan, north Africa. 

Often viewed as a pest, starlings often bully other backyard birds, taking over bird feeders, and stealing nest cavities from smaller native birds. 

In winter they can form into flocks of ten’s of thousands.

Food and feeder preference: European Starlings eat primarily insects when available, often feeding on the ground. Discourage them from your backyard hopper and tray feeders by never feeding birds table scraps (including bread or meat). They have weak feet and do not perch well on tube feeders. A cage mesh around smaller hopper feeders may keep them out.

6. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

These noisy flocking birds are most often found in marshes. But in winter they are found in backyards.

Male Red-winged Blackbird. Greg Gillson.

 

Female Red-winged Blackbird. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird.

Size: About 8-3/4 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. About the size of a Northern Cardinal. Smaller than an American Robin.

Shape: Pot-bellied with a longer bill and flat forehead. Tail average.

Bill: Long and sharp pointed.

Color: Males are black with red and yellow shoulder patch. Females are streaked brown and rusty (sparrow-like but pointed bill and flat forehead).

Habitat, range, and behavior: Cattail marshes and wetlands are their summer habitat. In winter they feed in grain fields.

They breed across most of the North American continent. In winter they withdraw from most of Alaska and Canada.

They are found in colonies in summer and large flocks in winter.

Food and feeder preference: They eat insects in summer. In winter they eat grain and seeds. They visit feeders, more often in large winter flocks, and eat most seeds and suet.

7. American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

A beautiful tiny finch familiar to many in it’s bright yellow summer plumage. Colloquially called a “wild canary.”

American Goldfinch. Greg Gillson

Range in Nebraska: American Goldfinches are summer residents in western and northwestern Nebraska, year-round residents in southern and eastern Nebraska.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: Very small at about 5 inches from bill tip to tail tip. Similar in size to a chickadee. Larger than hummingbirds. Smaller than juncos and House Finches. 

Shape: Tiny, somewhat plump with larger head and short tail. 

Bill: Short, conical, pink. 

Color: Males in summer are bright lemon yellow with black forehead and black wings and tail with white bars. White under tail coverts. Females dull olive, wings and tail browner. Winter birds are pale grayish-yellow with tan and brown wings and tail.

Habitat, range & behavior: This species is found in weedy fields and similar clearings with thistles and similar plants. 

It is found coast-to-coast throughout the year across most of the middle lower-48 states. In summer moves north to the Canada border. In the winter found south to the Mexico border. 

The flight is highly undulating, rising and falling as they flap in short bursts. 

Besides a long, sweet lilting song, they call in flight a lilting 4-part: “potato chip!”

Food and feeder preference: Feeds on weed seeds, thistle seed. May eat black oil sunflower seeds from tube feeder. Love Nyjer seed in a feeder called a “thistle sock.”

You may like my in-depth article on attracting American Goldfinches.

8. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Like the starling, this is another bird introduced from Europe in the 1800’s. This sparrow is commonly found in cities and farmlands. It is considered a pest in most areas where it has been introduced.

House Sparrow. Greg Gillson

Range in Nebraska: House Sparrows are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: The size of a House Finch or Dark-eyed Junco. 

Shape: Chunkier than native North American sparrows with large head, barrel chest, short neck, medium tail, short legs. 

Bill: Short, conical. 

Color: Males are brown and gray with a black mask. Females lack the black and are tan and brown with a pale line back from the eye.

Habitat, range & behavior: Cities and farms. 

Range in North American from southern Canada through Central America. In summer northward through Canada to southern Alaska. Originated in Middle East and spread to most of Europe and Asia. Introduced in South America, Africa, Australia–nearly anywhere there are people and cities. 

They tend to be messy… and have a good appetite, and may occur in large noisy chirping flocks. They are aggressive toward other feeder birds.

Food and feeder preference: They eat grain, seed, and insects. To discourage them from your hopper and tray feeders do not feed birds human food scraps. They have a bit of difficulty eating from tube feeders.

9. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

Sometimes considered a pest to crops, grackles are longer and lankier than very similar blackbirds.

Common Grackle. GeorgiaLens from Pixabay

Range in Nebraska: Common Grackles are summer residents throughout Nebraska, year-round residents in southeastern Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: Larger than Red-winged Blackbirds, they are near the length of Mourning Doves. 

Shape: Long, with long full keel-shaped tail, long legs, flat crown. 

Bill: Longer than head, pointed, but stouter than other blackbirds. 

Color: Glossy black with hint of bronze or green on head (depending upon population). Yellow eye.

Habitat, range & behavior: They are found in agricultural areas, woodland edges, city parks and lawns. 

Resident in the southeastern United States. In summer they migrate northward and west to the central United States and Canada. 

They monopolize feeders and are bullies toward other birds.

Food and feeder preference: Grain, corn, acorns, small aquatic fish and amphibians. To discourage them, use tube feeders, rather than hopper or tray feeders. Don’t over-feed, keep spilled seed picked up.

10. Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

This tiny woodpecker is found across the United States.

Downy Woodpecker. Greg Gillson

Range in Nebraska: Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: Bigger than a junco or House Finch. Smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird. About the same size as a White-crowned Sparrow, but with a much shorter tail. 

Shape: Stocky with large head and short stiff tail. 

Bill: Short, chisel shaped. 

Color: Black-and-white striped head. Black wings with white spots. Solid white back. White under parts. Black tail with white outer tail feathers with black bars or spots. Male with small red spot at back of head.

Habitat, range & behavior: Found in small deciduous trees, willows, and even weed stocks such as teasel, especially near water. 

Ranges coast-to-coast across all but northernmost parts of Canada and Alaska south to the southern US. Absent in the desert southwest. 

Interestingly, I learned today that the males may more often be found in smaller plants and twigs, while females are more likely on tree trunks.

Food and feeder preference: Insects, fruits, and seeds. Gleans arthropods from the bark of trees. Attract with suet feeder. Will also eat black oil sunflower seeds.

11. Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

Colloquially called “snow birds,” they often arrive in backyards in winter from nearby mountain forests or more northern climes.

Dark-eyed Junco. skeeze from Pixabay

Range in Nebraska: Dark-eyed Juncos are winter visitors throughout Nebraska. 

Identification: 

Size: Small birds about the size of a House Finch. 

Shape: Round body, short neck, round head, fairly long square-ended tail. 

Bill: Short, pointed, conical, pink. 

Color: Eastern birds are a darker all-gray with white belly. Western birds have jet black hood over head, brown back, and pink sides.

Habitat, range & behavior: Breed in coniferous forests. Winters widely. Avoids heavy brush, preferring widely spaced bushes. 

Breeds across most of Canada, Alaska, and the western half of the United States. Winters from southern Canada and all of the lower 48-states to extreme northern Mexico. 

Spend much of their time hopping and feeding on the ground.

Food and feeder preference: Eats mostly seeds, also insects in summer. Readily feed at backyard feeders on mixed seeds on hopper or tray feeders and ground.

You may like my in-depth article on attracting Dark-eyed Juncos.

12. Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

Of all the bird identification questions I get asked, this common larger backyard bird is the bird most people ask about. It doesn’t occur to those unfamiliar with it that this could be a woodpecker.

Northern Flicker. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Northern Flickers are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: About the size of a Mourning Dove. Larger than a robin. 

Shape: Stocky with short legs, short tail, big head. 

Bill: As long as head, thin, slightly curved. 

Color: Back is brown with black bars. Under parts pinkish with black spots. Undersides of black wing and tail feathers are bright salmon red (West) or yellow (East). Head gray (West) or brown (East) and males with red (West) or black (East) whisker marks and nape marks (East). Black crescent across chest. White rump seen in flight.

Habitat, range & behavior: Found in woodland edges and forests. 

Year-round resident from extreme southern Canada, across all of the lower-48 states and in the mountains of Mexico and Middle America. In summer breeds northward well into Canada and Alaska. 

Frequently noted hopping on ground pecking in the ground for insects. In late spring, males proclaim their territory by rapid pounding on a hollow tree branch, though the ringing of metal downspouts at dawn is louder and carries much farther, to the exasperation of anyone trying to sleep inside!

Food and feeder preference: Ants and beetles are their primary foods. Will eat black oil sunflower seeds and are attracted to suet.

13. House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

These are one of the most common backyard birds in the United States. There are other red finches, but these are the ones most likely in residential areas.

House Finch. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: House Finches are year-round residents in northeastern and far western Nebraska and isolated towns in between.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: About 6 inches from bill tip to tail tip. Larger than goldfinches and chickadees. Smaller than a White-crowned Sparrows or Spotted/Eastern towhees. 

Shape: Medium build with a medium-long notched tail. Round head. 

Bill: Short, conical. 

Color: Brown and gray above with streaks on the sides of the pale underparts. Males with red (sometimes orange or rarely yellow) crown, chest, rump.

Habitat, range & behavior: You’ll find small flocks on wires, in short tree tops and in bushes. Originally deserts and grasslands. Rural areas and towns are where they’re now most common. 

Formerly found in the western United States and Mexico. Then introduced into the northeastern United States, but now found in nearly all of the lower-48 states and extreme southern Canada. Rare in plains states (Dakotas to Texas) and southern Florida. 

House Finches are not territorial, but males sing throughout the year–a lively, wiry song ending in a couple of buzzy notes.

Food and feeder preference: House Finches love sunflower seeds and tube feeders. May eat from thistle socks.

You may like my in-depth article on attracting House Finches.

14. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

A favorite feeder bird for many for its active antics and fearlessness. Though a small bird it is the largest nuthatch in North America.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Greg Gillson

Range in Nebraska: White-breasted Nuthatches are winter visitors in south-central Nebraska, year-round residents throughout remaining parts of state.

Identification: 

Size: About chickadee-sized in length. Smaller than a junco or House Finch. 

Shape: Appears large-headed, neckless, very short tailed. Short legs. 

Bill: Nearly as long as head, straight, thin. 

Color: Blue-gray above, white below. Black cap, wing tips, tail. Rusty feathers under tail.

Habitat, range & behavior: Common in oak and oak-pine woodlands, wooded towns. 

Found across the United States, southern Canada, mountains of central Mexico. Absent from treeless grasslands, deserts in the west. 

Crawls over tree branches and head-first down tree trunks searching for insects.

Food and feeder preference: Insects, seeds, acorns and other nuts. Love black oil sunflower seeds feeding on hopper and tray feeders. Suet blocks.

15. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

This is a common backyard bird in the northern half of the United States.

Black-capped Chickadee. Greg Gillson

Range in Nebraska: Black-capped Chickadees are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: Chickadees are small birds, the same general size as an American Goldfinch. 

Shape: Round body, big round head, long tail with rounded tip. 

Bill: Short, straight, stout. 

Color: Gray above, buffy below. Black cap and bib with white lower face. White edges on wing feathers.

Habitat, range & behavior: Deciduous and mixed forests. 

They range from the northern half of the United States, southern half of Canada, and most of Alaska. 

Small flocks flit actively from tree to tree acrobatically gleaning insects from twig tips. In winter chickadees make up the core of mixed-species flocks also containing nuthatches, kinglets, creepers, woodpeckers and others.

Food and feeder preference: Seeds, insects, berries. They eat at tube, hopper and tray feeders. They love black oil sunflower seeds and suet.

You may like my in-depth article on attracting Black-capped Chickadees.

16. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)

This is one of the most common backyard species in the eastern half of the United States.

Red-bellied Woodpecker. skeeze from Pixabay

Range in Nebraska: Red-bellied Woodpeckers are year-round residents in eastern and southern Nebraska. 

Identification: 

Size: Fairly large for a backyard bird. Between a Starling and American Robin in size. Smaller than a Northern Flicker. 

Shape: Stout with large head and short tail. Clings to tree trunk on strong short legs propped up with short stiff tail. 

Bill: Long, chisel-shaped. 

Color: Pale gray body, many thin black-and-white bars across back and wings. Red nape, extending forward on crown on male.

Habitat, range & behavior: These birds are found in many woodland types, including oak, hickory and pine. 

They are found from the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in the lower-48 states from Texas to extreme southern Canada, and eastward from Florida northward just to the southern edge of the New England states. 

In typical woodpecker fashion, it hitches up the tree trunk and larger branches.

Food and feeder preference: This species eats insects and nuts. They may eat peanuts from a tray feeder and eat from a suet block.

17. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

This larger all-black bird is common in cities and country. Its cawing call is familiar to most people.

American Crow. Greg Gillson.

Range American Crows are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. 

Size: About 17-1/2 inches long from bill tip to tail tip, though there is much size variation throughout its range. Larger than blackbirds and grackles. Smaller than ravens. 

Shape: Thick neck, large head, rather short square-ended tail. Longer legs. In flight has rounded wing tips with each primary feather separated from others forming “fingers.” 

Bill: As long as head, thick, black. 

Color: Glossy black throughout.

Habitat, range & behavior: They prefer open areas with trees, fields, farms, cities. 

They are common across most of the United States lower-48, except in the desert southwest. They move into southern Canada in summer. 

They gather in evening communal roosts in large flocks that may number into the thousands and then move out at dawn into the surrounding area.

Food and feeder preference: Omnivorous, American Crows feed on large insects, grain, small mammals, carrion. You probably don’t want these large entirely black birds in your backyard feeders. So don’t feed table scraps to birds.

18. Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

These are beautiful songsters of the prairie grasslands.

Western Meadowlark. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Western Meadowlarks are year-round residents throughout most of Nebraska, winter visitors only in southeastern Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: Bigger than a European Starling, smaller than an American Robin.

Shape: Stocky and pot-bellied, with short tail and flat forehead profile.

Bill: Long, straight, and sharp pointed.

Color: Straw and brown-colored upper parts. Bright yellow below with black necklace. White outer tail feathers. Duller in winter.

Habitat, range, & behavior: Fields, pastures, prairies.

The summer across the West from the Great Lakes to the Pacific, and western Canada to western Texas, and into Mexico. Move out of Canada in winter and spread to Gulf Coast.

Forage on fields and bare grounds, often found with cattle. In flocks in winter.

Foods and feeder preference: Grain and insects. They do not come to feeders.

19. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

These large pale pigeons have only been in the United States since invading Florida in 1983. But they have taken over much of the continent.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Eurasian Collared-Doves are year-round residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: Large pigeon. Larger than Mourning Dove. Same size as domestic pigeon.

Shape: Full plump breast. Round head. Long square tail.

Bill: Small, bluntly pointed.

Color: Cream-colored, may be slightly warmer brown on back or, conversely, may be nearly white. Black hind neck  mark. Broad white band at end of tail. From underneath when perched on wire, note the black base to the underside of the tail.

Habitat, range & behavior: These pigeons are found in residential areas and farmlands. Look for them perched on electric lines or in trees.

They are year-round residents in residential areas throughout almost all of the United States, except rare in the Northeast.

A pair of birds nest in one area nearly year-round, then build in numbers over a couple of  years. Then several birds from the group fly up to 500 miles and set up a new colony. In this way this species took over much of Europe in the last century, and most of North America, starting from Florida in 1983 (from birds escaped from or vagrant in Bahamas).

Food and feeder preference: Eat grain. Will eat all seeds at bird feeders. Large, hungry, and often visit feeders in groups.

20. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

These swallows are widely distributed throughout the world, primarily breeding in the northern hemisphere, and wintering in the mid-latitudes and southern hemisphere.

Barn Swallow. Greg Gillson.

 Range in Nebraska: Barn Swallows are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: About the size of a House Finch but with a much longer tail. 

Shape: Stocky, short necked but with long body and tail. Tail is forked, with very long outer tail feathers. Wings pointed. 

Bill: Short, wide. 

Color: Glossy dark purplish-blue above. Pinkish-orange below. 

Habitat, range & behavior: Barn Swallows live in open country, frequently near humans. Farmlands. Nest in barns, under small bridges. 

In North America breed from Mexico to northern Canada and Alaska, wintering from southern Mexico throughout most of South America. 

Frequently seen swooping low over the ground hunting flying insects. Perch on wires, fences. Voice is twitters and chirps with grating sounds. 

Food and feeder preference: Eat flying insects on the wing and are not attracted to backyard feeders.

21. Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Cowbirds are small blackbirds that lay their eggs in the nests of other smaller birds, such as warblers. The adoptive parents raise their young!

Brown-headed Cowbird. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Brown-headed Cowbirds are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: Larger than White-crowned Sparrows, but smaller than Rose-breasted or Black-headed Grosbeaks. Smaller than other blackbirds, starlings, and grackles.

Shape: Perhaps a little bit pot-bellied. Medium length tail. Flat forehead as typical for blackbirds.

Bill: Rather thick and stout.

Color: Males are glossy black with rich brown head. Females are dusty gray-brown throughout. Long-held juvenile plumage similar to pale female, scaly, being fed by Yellow Warbler or Song Sparrow or a hundred other host species.

Habitat, range & behavior: They are found in woodlands and farms. Also with other blackbirds in winter at shopping center parking lots.

In summer they breed across Canada and most of the United States and Mexico. In winter they move south out of Canada and occupy both coasts and southeastern States in the US.

These small blackbirds join other flocks of blackbirds in cattle feedlots. You may see cowbirds riding on the backs of cattle, sheep, or horses. They originally rode on the backs of American bison on the Great Plains, but expanded when forests were cut.

Food and feeder preference: Cowbirds eat grains, seeds, and insects. They will readily come to hopper and platform feeders. They are larger and more aggressive, so keep other birds from feeders and have a big appetite!

22. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

These birds will readily use nest boxes to raise their young.

House Wren. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: House Wrens are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: About the size of Black-capped Chickadee but with shorter tail.

Shape: Round body. Large head. Thin short tail.

Bill: Fairly long, thin, slightly down curved. Sharply pointed.

Color: Rather dull brownish-gray throughout. Paler throat and breast. Tail barred with black and pale bars along with the brown.

Habitat, range & behavior: Brushy areas, woodland edges, hedge rows, tree stumps in logged areas.

Breed across Canada and the northern and mid-latitudes of the United States. Winter to the southern United States and through Mexico. Found year round at southern edge of breeding range: California, North Carolina to northern Alabama, southern Arizona south through mountains of Mexico.

Stay hidden in brushy areas. Hop among tree roots, logged stumps.

Food and feeder preference: May feed at suet feeder.

23. American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)

These birds nest at the edge of the tundra. Don’t expect the first ones in fall until late October, at least.

American Tree Sparrow. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: American Tree Sparrows are winter visitors throughout Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: These are smaller sparrows, the size of juncos.

Shape: Small roundish body, rounded head, long tail.

Bill: Small conical. Bicolored–dark upper and yellow under mandibles.

Color: Pale gray breast and face. Rusty back, wings, crown, line back from eye. Two white wing bars. Dark central breast spot.

Habitat, range & behavior: In winter they like open weedy fields with small trees.

Breed in Alaska and northern Canada. Winter in northern half of the United States.

These birds spend much more time on the ground than in trees.

Food and feeder preference: They visit feeders for small seeds, but spend more time on the ground under the feeders.

24. Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

These birds often build nests in trees that overhang streams.

Eastern Kingbird. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Eastern Kingbirds are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Size: About the size of a Red-winged Blackbird. Smaller than a robin.

Shape: Fairly sleek. Perches upright with big puffy head, full tail.

Bill: Fairly long, wide at base,

Color: Black head. Black tail with white band at tip. Dark gray upper parts. White under parts.

Habitat, range & behavior: Farms, clearings in woodlands.

Found across Canada and in the United States east from the Rocky Mountains.

These birds perch on fence lines, tips of small trees. Sally out and snatch flying insects and return to perch.

Food and feeder preference: They eat insects and do not come to feeders.

25. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

These are beautiful summer songbirds in the East.

Baltimore Oriole. Michael McGough from Pixabay.

Range in Nebraska: Baltimore Orioles are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: Smaller than a robin; just a bit smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird.

Shape: Rounded belly. The body is long with long under tail coverts, but the tail is somewhat short. Large head.

Bill: Fairly long and heavy. Pointed, slightly curved.

Color: The males are brilliant orange below, black above, including a hood over the head. Wings are black with two wing bars. Females are yellowish-orange below and more olive-green above, but still show the white wing bars.

Habitat, range & behavior: Shade trees and deciduous woodlands.

Found east of the Rocky Mountains from Canada southward. Winter in far southeastern coastal US and Florida, and southward.

Orioles build sock-like hanging nests made of long fibers. These nests often last the winter and may be observed once the leaves are off the trees.

Food and feeder preference: These birds eat insects, fruit, and nectar. You may be able to attract orioles to your feeders with cut oranges and special oriole nectar feeders similar to hummingbird feeders.

26. Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)

Males of these smallest of orioles in the United States are brownish orange. 

Orchard Oriole. Dan Pancamo CC BY-SA 2.0

Range in Nebraska: Orchard Orioles are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: Smaller than Baltimore Oriole or Red-winged Blackbird. Larger than a House Finch. About the size of an Eastern Towhee.

Shape: Kind of pot-bellied with ample tail and round head.

Bill: Pointed and fairly long, slightly down curved.

Color: Males are black on head, back, wings and tail. The under parts are rusty, fading to yellow on the lower belly. Females are yellow-green with dark gray wings.

Habitat, range, & behavior: Open woodlands, shade trees, river edges. 

They breed from the Great Plains to the eastern United States, south of the New England States, south into central Mexico. They winter from southern Mexico into northern South America.

These birds are not strongly territorial. A group of birds may build nests near each other or even in the same tree. They are late to arrive on their breeding grounds in spring, and early to depart in mid-summer.

Food & feeder preference: These birds eat primarily insects, but also fruit and flower nectar. May visit feeders for fruit or nectar.

27. Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)

You may note these birds aggressively and noisily chasing off other birds, such as crows and hawks, from their territories. And other interloping Western Kingbirds, of course.

Western Kingbird. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Western Kingbirds are summer residents in all of Nebraska except far eastern Nebraska where they are absent.

Identification:

Size: Larger than phoebes. Smaller than American Robins. The same size as Red-winged Blackbirds.

Shape: Long body with heavy chest. Large head with raised hind crown. Large bill. Long full tail. Upright posture.

Bill: Fairly long, but shorter than head, stout and wide at the base.

Color: Gray head, back, and chest. Yellow belly. Brown wings. Black tail with contrasting white outer tail feathers.

Habitat, range & behavior: Open country.

Summers in the western half of the United States and adjacent southern Canada.

Perches on electric wires, fence lines. Chases flying insects and returns to perch.

Food and feeder preference: Feeds on flying insects. Does not come to feeders.

28. Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)

These birds are accomplished singers, with over 1100 different songs recorded from one bird!

Brown Thrasher. Linda Jones. CC0.

Range in Nebraska: Brown Thrashers are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: Longer than a robin, smaller than a flicker.

Shape: Pot-bellied. Long tail with rounded tip. Large head.

Bill: Long and thin, slightly curved down.

Color: Rusty above. Gray face. Heavy rusty streaks below on cream-colored under parts. Two white wing bars.

Habitat, range & behavior: These birds live in woodland edges and hedges.

They are year-round residents in the Southeast. In summer they also breed northward, east of the Rocky Mountains to southern Canada.

You may find them feeding on the edge of lawns with a very horizontal posture. They may mimic other bird songs and calls.

Food and feeder preference: They primarily eat insects and invertebrates. But they will also come to platform feeders for sunflower seeds, nuts, suet, berries.

29. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)

Chipping Sparrows are a widespread species adapted to human disturbance. They are rather tame. They are frequently found in cemeteries with large trees.

Chipping Sparrow. Greg Gillson.

Range in Nebraska: Chipping Sparrows are summer residents throughout Nebraska.

Identification: 

Size: These are small sparrows, bigger than goldfinches or chickadees, but smaller than House Finches or Song Sparrows. 

Shape: Plump and fairly long-tailed. 

Bill: Short and conical. 

Color: Striped brown and dark brown above. Grayish under parts. Black line through eye. Crown streaked in winter but in summer becomes solid chestnut. Two white wing bars. 

Habitat, range & behavior: Grassy open conifer woodlands with some shrubs, parks, orchards. 

Breeds from Alaska, across Canada and south into highlands of Middle America. In winter retreats from northern areas to southern United States and northern Mexico. 

In summer solitary or in pairs. In winter they forage in flocks of up to 50 birds. 

Food and feeder preference: Weed seeds, supplemented with insects in summer. They may eat black oil sunflower seeds in your feeder, but more likely will feed on mixed seeds on the ground under the feeder.

30. Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

This black-and-white bird with a red head is well-named!

Red-headed Woodpecker. Public domain.

Range in Nebraska: Red-headed Woodpeckers are summer residents throughout Nebraska, year-round residents in extreme southeastern Nebraska.

Identification:

Size: Larger than a flicker. About the size of a Hairy Woodpecker, or a robin with a shorter tail.

Shape: Typical woodpecker shape with stout body, large round head, and short pointed tail.

Bill: Long, straight, chissel shaped.

Color: Black back, wing tips, tail. White tertials and secondary feathers and under parts. Entirely red head.

Habitat, range & behavior: Found in oak woodlands, farmlands, and forest edges.

These birds are year-round residents in the East and Midwest, summer residents in the Great Plains.

Frequently flycatch for insects. Often aggressive toward other cavity-nesting birds, including other woodpeckers and starlings.

Food and feeder preference: Eat insects, fruit, and nuts. May visit suet feeders.

Common Birds in Nebraska

To determine how common each species is I used the data from actual bird sightings from the citizen science program eBird. Birds are listed by frequency. That is, how often the species is recorded on checklists submitted to eBird (a percentage).

When choosing the birds to include in this article I leaned strongly to birds that are present throughout the year in good numbers. Thus, many of the common birds are year-round residents. This means that they live in the same location all year. They raise their young in your neighborhood. They don’t migrate. Or if the species does migrate, the ones living in your area don’t. If this is the case, some migrants may move into your area during certain times of year, adding to the same species that are in your yard full time.

Some migrant birds visit your yard during the “summer.” Often, they arrive in spring and remain until late fall. They nest and raise their young in your neighborhood. These are the summer residents.

Other migrant birds visit your backyard during the “winter.” Some of these winter visitors may arrive in July and remain into April. Others may only be found in the cold of December or January. They key here is that they nest and raise their young somewhere else. They only visit your yard in the non-breeding season.

Migration is an amazing spectacle.
There will be birds that fly through your region in spring or fall (or both). They may visit your backyard only a few days or weeks a year. They aren’t regular enough, or stay long enough, to be included in this article. But the number of briefly visiting migrant birds could double the number of species presented here. You may see them over time. Consult checklists in eBird for your county to see what is possible.

I have generally excluded common waterfowl, birds of prey, shorebirds, seabirds, and others that aren’t usually found in residential areas. But they may certainly fly over or be seen regularly if your home is on a shoreline, for instance.

Most common backyard birds in Nebraska throughout the year

The following list is the backyard birds that are, on average, most common throughout the entire year. The list is ordered by most common based on the frequency of how often each species is recorded on checklists submitted to eBird.

1. American Robin (50% frequency)
2. Mourning Dove (37%)
3. Northern Cardinal (36%)
4. Blue Jay (35%)
5. European Starling (33%)
6. Red-winged Blackbird (32%)
7. American Goldfinch (31%)
8. House Sparrow (29%)
9. Common Grackle (26%)
10. Downy Woodpecker (25%)
11. Dark-eyed Junco (25%)
12. Northern Flicker (24%)
13. House Finch (23%)
14. White-breasted Nuthatch (20%)
15. Black-capped Chickadee (19%)
16. Red-bellied Woodpecker (18%)
17. American Crow (18%)
18. Western Meadowlark (18%)
19. Eurasian Collared-Dove (18%)
20. Barn Swallow (17%)
21. Brown-headed Cowbird (15%)
22. House Wren (15%)

Most common backyard birds in Nebraska in winter

1. Dark-eyed Junco (57% frequency)
2. Northern Cardinal (39%)
3. House Sparrow (36%)
4. Downy Woodpecker (36%)
5. Blue Jay (34%)
6. European Starling (33%)
7. American Goldfinch (29%)
8. American Robin (28%)
9. White-breasted Nuthatch (27%)
10. House Finch (26%)
11. Red-bellied Woodpecker (24%)
12. Black-capped Chickadee (24%)
13. American Crow (20%)
14. American Tree Sparrow (19%)
15. Northern Flicker (19%)

Most common backyard birds in Nebraska in summer

1. Mourning Dove (68% frequency)
2. American Robin (58%)
3. Red-winged Blackbird (47%)
4. Common Grackle (46%)
5. Barn Swallow (39%)
6. House Wren (38%)
7. Brown-headed Cowbird (38%)
8. Eastern Kingbird (38%)
9. Western Meadowlark (35%)
10. Northern Cardinal (32%)
11. American Goldfinch (31%)
12. Blue Jay (28%)
13. European Starling (28%)
14. Baltimore Oriole (28%)
15. Orchard Oriole (27%)
16. House Sparrow (26%)
17. Western Kingbird (23%)
18. Brown Thrasher (23%)
19. Northern Flicker (21%)
20. Chipping Sparrow (20%)
21. Red-headed Woodpecker (20%)

 

Common Backyard Birds of Omaha, Nebraska

1. American Robin (57% frequency)
2. Northern Cardinal (53%)
3. Blue Jay (44%)
4. Downy Woodpecker (39%)
5. House Sparrow (36%)
6. European Starling (36%)
7. Dark-eyed Junco (33%)
8. Red-bellied Woodpecker (32%)
9. Black-capped Chickadee (32%)
10. White-breasted Nuthatch (31%)
11. Mourning Dove (30%)
12. House Finch (29%)
13. Common Grackle (29%)
14. American Goldfinch (28%)
15. Northern Flicker (22%)
16. Red-winged Blackbird (20%)

 Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Downy Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches are more common in Omaha than average for the state as a whole.

Red-winged Blackbirds are less common in Omaha than in the rest of the state, on average.

 

Common Backyard Birds of Lincoln, Nebraska

1. American Robin (59% frequency)
2. Northern Cardinal (53%)
3. Blue Jay (53%)
4. Mourning Dove (43%)
5. European Starling (42%)
6. American Goldfinch (38%)
7. Downy Woodpecker (34%)
8. Dark-eyed Junco (34%)
9. House Sparrow (34%)
10. Red-winged Blackbird (32%)
11. House Finch (31%)
12. Common Grackle (30%)
13. Northern Flicker (30%)
14. Black-capped Chickadee (27%)
15. Red-bellied Woodpecker (25%)
16. American Crow (24%)
17. White-breasted Nuthatch (23%)

American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, European Starlings, Downy Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Flickers are more common in Lincoln than in the rest of the state, on average.

Wrapping Up

The vast plains and diverse habitats of Nebraska host a vibrant array of feathered friends. Here are some common birds you might encounter across the state outside of your backyard:

Open Fields and Meadows:

• Eastern Meadowlark: This grassland resident sports a striking yellow breast marked with a black V-shaped necklace, along with white outer tail feathers. Their bubbly song rings out across meadows and fields.
• Western Meadowlark: Similar to the Eastern Meadowlark but with a white crescent bib instead of a V, this grassland songbird thrives in the western parts of the state.
• Red-winged Blackbird: These sleek blackbirds showcase prominent red epaulets on the males, adding a bold splash of color to open fields and marshes. Their loud “onk-la-lee” calls are a familiar sound of the countryside.
• Dickcissel: This sparrow-sized bird sports a black bib and chest band, contrasting with its yellow breast and brown body. Males sing a rapid “dick-cissel-cissel” melody during breeding season.

Forests and Woodlands:

• Carolina Chickadee: These energetic little acrobats flit through trees, constantly chattering and calling, adding a touch of liveliness to woodlands.
• American Goldfinch: These flashes of sunshine, with their vibrant yellow bodies and black wing bars, flit among trees and feeders, feasting on seeds.
• Blue Jay: These bold and vocal birds, with their bright blue plumage and black crest, add a dash of personality to any wooded area. Their loud “caw-caw” calls echo through the trees.
• Common Yellowthroat: While primarily yellow, males boast a distinctive orange mask and bib surrounding their black heads. They frequent damp meadows and shrublands along forest edges.

Waterways and Marshes:

• Canada Goose: These large, honking waterfowl are a familiar sight on ponds and lakes, often seen in graceful V-formations during migration.
• Mallard Duck: The most common duck in North America, mallards sport a green head and neck in males, with a brown body and orange bill. Females have a mottled brown plumage.
• Great Egret: These elegant wading birds stand tall with their snowy white plumage and long, graceful legs. Look for them fishing in marshes and shallow waters.
• Killdeer: These plovers, with their loud, piercing call, flit along shorelines and mudflats, often performing distraction displays to protect their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the state bird of Nebraska?

The state bird of Nebraska is the Western Meadowlark! This cheerful songbird sports a striking yellow breast marked with a black V-shaped necklace, along with white outer tail feathers. They are commonly found in open grasslands and meadows across the state, and their bubbly song brings a touch of beauty and melody to the Nebraska landscape.

Chosen as the state bird in 1929, the Western Meadowlark embodies the spirit of Nebraska with its resilience, adaptability, and melodious voice. It thrives in the vast plains and fields, representing the agricultural heritage of the state. So, keep your ears peeled for its distinctive song the next time you’re exploring the Nebraskan countryside, and you might just catch a glimpse of this beloved symbol of the Cornhusker State!

What is the screeching bird in Nebraska?

The Eastern Screech Owl is probably what you can hear. While I wouldn’t want to disclose specific locations that might disturb the sensitive habitat of the Eastern Screech Owl, I can offer some general tips to increase your chances of encountering these fascinating birds in Nebraska:

Habitat:

• Wooded areas: Look for mature deciduous forests and oak woodlands, especially with cavities suitable for nesting. Ravines and parks with large trees can also be good spots.
• Edges and clearings: Screech owls often hunt along forest edges and open areas within wooded spaces. They might perch on snags or fence posts overlooking clearings.
• Waterways: They sometimes hunt near wetlands, ponds, or streams, particularly during dawn and dusk when their prey is more active.

What are the nuisance birds in Nebraska?

While some birds are cherished friends, others can become nuisances due to their behavior or impact on property. In Nebraska, several species commonly fall into this category:

House Sparrows: These invasive birds readily nest in buildings and crevices, causing damage and sanitation concerns. Their droppings can stain structures and pose health risks.

Pigeons and Rock Doves: Flocking in urban areas, they can generate large amounts of droppings, damage buildings, and spread diseases. Their persistent cooing can also be bothersome.

Starlings: Large flocks create noise and mess with their droppings, damaging buildings and vehicles. They can also compete with native birds for food and nesting sites.

Grackles: Similar to starlings, large flocks of grackles create noise and droppings problems, especially around agricultural areas. They can also damage crops and compete with native birds.

Cowbirds: These brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, forcing the host species to raise their young. This can negatively impact populations of native songbirds.

Related Articles:

Red, Orange, & Yellow Birds of Nebraska

Birds at your feeder in Nebraska