The Nebraska Sandhills
 
Sandhill Birds
The combination of the diverse habitat, central location and limited human development has resulted in an unusually high number of bird species for a grassland. In fact, over 300 different species have been recorded throughout the Sandhills.  Tallgrass, mixed-grass, and shortgrass prairie plants grow on the arid dunes and in the many wetlands, creating a unique and diverse habitat attractive to many types of birds.
 
 
Speotyto cunicularia
Burrowing Owl
 
Burrowing Owl
 
 
Tympanuchus phasianellus
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
 
Sharp-tailed Grouse
 
 
Cathartes aura
Turkey Vulture
 
Turkey Vulture
 
 
Buteo swainsoni
Swainson’s Hawk
 
Swainson’s Hawk
 
 
Phalacrocorax auritus
Double-crested cormorant
 
Double-crested Cormorant
 
 
Cygnus buccinator
Trumpeter Swan
 
Trumpeter Swans with cygnets.
 
 
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
American White Pelican
 
American White Pelican
 
 
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Willet
 
Willet
 
 
Numenius americanus
Long-billed curlew
 
Long-billed Curlew
 
 
Bartramia longicauda
Upland Sandpiper
 
Upland Sandpiper.
 
 
Hirundo rustica
Barn Swallow
 
Barn Swallow
 
 
Myiarchus crinitus
Great Crested Flycatcher
 
Great Crested Flycatcher
 
 
Eremophila alpestris
Horned lark
 
Horned Lark
 
 
Lanius ludovicianus
Loggerhead Shrike
 
Loggerhead Shrike
 
 
Tyrannus verticalis
Western Kingbird
 
Western Kingbird
 
 
Tyrannus tyrannus
Eastern Kingbird
 
Eastern Kingbird
 
 
Chordeiles minor
Common Nighthawk
 
Common Nighthawk
 
 
Chondestes grammacus
Lark Sparrow
 
Lark Sparrow
 
 
Located near the geographic center of North America, the Sandhills attract many species common in both the east and the west. Because the central flyway for migrating birds goes straight through the Sandhills, many species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and song birds pass through during the spring and fall. Others will visit only for the winter, while many others come only for the summer breeding season.
 
With limited agriculture and urban development, the natural habitat of the Sandhills is becoming increasingly important as many bird populations are decreasing nationwide. One such example is the Greater Prairie Chicken. While once abundant across central North America, it has become extremely rare or extinct over much of its range. This is primarily due to the conversion of grassland habitat into cropland. Thus the Sandhills, where crops are few and far between, remain one of the most vital areas for Greater Prairie Chickens.
 
Click on the pictures below to see just a few of the bird species found throughout the Sandhills.
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