Bird List of KER

Birds of the University of Kansas

Field Station and Ecological Reserves

Two hundred thirty-seven bird species have been recorded on University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves (KSR) lands from 1948 to present. Eighty-eight of these species are confirmed breeding birds and another eight are probable breeders; these 96 confirmed or probable breeding species at KSR are denoted with an asterisk (*) in the accompanying checklist. The KSR avifauna is roughly apportioned as 20% year-round residents, 10% winter residents, 25% summer-only residents, and 45% strictly migrants or temporary visitants.

The avifauna of KSR is composed of species typical of the eastern deciduous forest and the prairie-forest ecotone, including early-successional shrublands and open lands in former agricultural areas. Several Great Plains specialties such as Harris’s Sparrow, Dickcissel, and Bell’s Vireo are commonly found on the northern tracts of KSR (Nelson Environmental Study Area, Rockefeller Experimental Tract, and Fitch Natural History Resrevation). KSR tracts in the Baldwin Woods have essentially one habitat type (mature eastern deciduous forest) and this single habitat produces a specialized avifauna with several species that have a limited range in Kansas (e.g., Pileated Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Cerulean Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler). The area’s birdlife represents primarily an eastern fauna, but is situated at or near the western range limit for many species. This geographic position affords many interesting opportunities for ecological research.

Any bird species seen on, or flying over, KSR areas has been included in this list. The checklist is based on field records of H. S. Fitch, R. Boyd, C. Cink, R. F. Johnston, M. Robbins, and G. L. Pittman and covers the period from 1948-present. The list was compiled by G. Pittman with the aid of the aforementioned records and field surveys from 1985 to present.

This checklist is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the avifauna of KSR; seasonal abundance of KSR species is presented in a separate Phenological Checklist. General information on ecology and abundance of species occurring on KSR, and the region, can be found in Thompson and Ely (1989), Birds in Kansas. Likewise, broader information on bird abundance and natural communities in the region can be obtained by contacting the Kansas Biological Survey. Detailed information on the local ecology of many of these species can be found in numerous scientific publications reporting research at KSR. Specific questions as to abundance and ecology of birds at KSR, and current emphasis of ecological research, can be obtained by the KSR administrative office. An extensive research collection of birds is housed at the Natural History Museum on the main campus of the University of Kansas.

The nomenclature and arrangement used follows the Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition, American Ornithologists' Union, 1983 and subsequent supplements through the 41st, 1997. Acknowledgement to Galen L. Pittman for providing this information.

November 24, 1997

Checklist of KSR birds

* Indicates either a confirmed or probable breeding species for the KSR.

Gaviiformes (Loons)
Gavidae
Gavia immer	Common Loon
Podicipediformes (Grebes)
Podicipedidae
Podilymbus podiceps	Pied-billed Grebe
Pelecaniformes (Pelicans and Allies)
Pelecanidae
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos	American White Pelican
Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocorax auritus	Double-crested Cormorant
Ciconiiformes (Herons, Storks, and Allies)
Ardeidae
Botaurus lentiginosus	American Bittern
Ardea herodias	Great Blue Heron
Ardea alba	Great Egret
Egretta caerulea	Little Blue Heron
Bubulcus ibis	Cattle Egret
Butorides virescens	Green Heron *
Nycticorax nycticorax	Black-crowned Night-Heron
Cathartidae
Cathartes aura	Turkey Vulture *
Anserifromes (Waterfowl)
Anatidae
Anser albifrons	Greater White-fronted Goose
Chen caerulescens	Snow Goose
Chen rossii	Ross's Goose
Branta canadensis	Canada Goose *
Aix sponsa	Wood Duck *
Anas strepera	Gadwall
Anas americana	American Wigeon
Anas rubripes	American Black Duck
Anas platyrhynchos	Mallard *
Anas discors	Blue-winged Teal *
Anas clypeata	Northern Shoveler
Anas acuta	Northern Pintail
Anas crecca	Green-winged Teal
Aythya valisineria	Canvasback
Aythya americana	Redhead
Aythya collaris	Ring-necked Duck
Aythya affinis	Lesser Scaup
Bucephala albeola	Bufflehead
Bucephala clangula	Common Goldeneye
Lophodytes cucullatus	Hooded Merganser
Oxyura jamaicensis	Ruddy Duck
Falconiformes (Hawks, Kites, and Falcons)
Accipitridae
Pandion haliaetus	Osprey
Ictinia mississippiensis	Mississippi Kite
Haliaeetus leucocephalus	Bald Eagle
Circus cyaneus	Northern Harrier *
Accipiter striatus	Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter cooperii	Cooper's Hawk *
Accipiter gentilis	Northern Goshawk
Buteo lineatus	Red-shouldered Hawk *
Buteo platypterus	Broad-winged Hawk *
Buteo swainsoni	Swainson's Hawk *
Buteo jamaicensis	Red-tailed Hawk *
Buteo lagopus	Rough-legged Hawk
Aquila chrysaetos	Golden Eagle
Falconidae
Falco sparverius	American Kestrel *
Falco columbarius	Merlin
Falco mexicanus	Prairie Falcon
Falco peregrinus	Peregrine Falcon
Galliformes (Fowl-like Birds)
Phasianidae
Phasianus colchicus	Ring-necked Pheasant *
Bonasa umbellus	Ruffed Grouse *
Meleagris gallopavo	Wild Turkey *
Odontophoridae
Colinus virginianus	Northern Bobwhite *
Gruiformes (Cranes, Rails and Allies)
Rallidae
Coturnicops noveboracensis	Yellow Rail
Rallus limicola	Virginia Rail
Porzana carolina	Sora
Fulica americana	American Coot
Gruidae
Grus canadensis	Sandhill Crane
Charadriformes (Shorebirds, Gulls, and Auks)
Charadriidae
Charadrius vociferus	Killdeer *
Scolopacidae
Tringa melanoleuca	Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes	Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa solitaria	Solitary Sandpiper
Actitis macularia	Spotted Sandpiper *
Bartramia longicauda	Upland Sandpiper
Calidris mauri	Western Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla	Least Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis	White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos	Pectoral Sandpiper
Gallinago gallinago	Common Snipe
Scolopax minor	American Woodcock *
Laridae
Larus pipixcan	Franklin's Gull
Larus philadelphia	Bonaparte's Gull
Larus delawarensis	Ring-billed Gull
Sterna caspia	Caspian Tern
Sterna forsteri	Forster's Tern
Chlidonias niger	Black Tern
Columbiformes (Pigeons, Doves and Allies)
Columbidae
Columba livia	Rock Dove *
Zenaida macroura	Mourning Dove *
Cuculiformes (Cuckoos and Allies)
Cuculidae
Coccyzus erythropthalmus	Black-billed Cuckoo *
Coccyzus americanus	Yellow-billed Cuckoo *
Strigiformes (Owls)
Tytonidae
Tyto alba	Barn Owl
Strigidae
Otus asio	Eastern Screech-Owl *
Bubo virginianus	Great Horned Owl *
Strix varia	Barred Owl *
Asio otus	Long-eared Owl
Asio flammeus	Short-eared Owl
Aegolius acadicus	Northern Saw-whet Owl
Caprimulgiformes (Goatsuckers and Allies)
Caprimulgidae
Chordeiles minor	Common Nighthawk
Caprimulgus carolinensis	Chuck-will's-widow *
Caprimulgus vociferus	Whip-poor-will *
Apodiformes (Hummingbirds and Swifts)
Apodidae
Chaetura pelagica	Chimney Swift *
Trochilidae
Archilochus colubris	Ruby-throated Hummingbird *
Coraciiformes (Kingfishers and Allies)
Alcedinidae
Ceryle alcyon	Belted Kingfisher
Piciformes (Woodpeckers and Allies)
Picidae
Melanerpes erythrocephalus	Red-headed Woodpecker *
Melanerpes carolinus	Red-bellied Woodpecker *
Sphyrapicus varius	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Picoides pubescens	Downy Woodpecker *
Picoides villosus	Hairy Woodpecker *
Colaptes auratus	Northern Flicker *
Dryocopus pileatus	Pileated Woodpecker *
Passeriformes (Perching Birds)
Tryrannidae
Contopus cooperi	Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus virens	Eastern Wood-Pewee *
Empidonax flaviventris	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens	Acadian Flycatcher *
Empidonax alnorum	Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax traillii	Willow Flycatcher
Empidonax minimus	Least Flycatcher
Sayornis phoebe	Eastern Phoebe *
Myiarchus crinitus	Great Crested Flycatcher *
Tyrannus verticalis	Western Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus	Eastern Kingbird *
Tyrannus forficatus	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Lanidae
Lanius ludovicianus	Loggerhead Shrike *
Vireonidae
Vireo griseus	White-eyed Vireo *
Vireo bellii	Bell's Vireo *
Vireo solitarius	Blue-headed Vireo
Vireo flavifrons	Yellow-throated Vireo *
Vireo gilvus	Warbling Vireo
Vireo philadelphicus	Philadelphia Vireo
Vireo olivaceus	Red-eyed Vireo *
Corvidae
Cyanocitta cristata	Blue Jay *
Corvus brachyrhynchos	American Crow *
Alaudidae
Eremophila alpestris	Horned Lark *
Hirundinidae
Progne subis	Purple Martin *
Tachycineta bicolor	Tree Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis	Northern Rough-winged Swallow *
Riparia riparia	Bank Swallow
Hirundo rustica	Barn Swallow *
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	Cliff Swallow
Paridae
Poecile atricapillus	Black-capped Chickadee *
Baeolophus bicolor	Tufted Titmouse *
Sittidae
Sitta canadensis	Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis	White-breasted Nuthatch *
Certhiidae
Certhia americana	Brown Creeper
Troglodytidae
Thryothorus ludovicianus	Carolina Wren *
Troglodytes aedon	House Wren *
Troglodytes troglodytes	Winter Wren
Cistothorus platensis	Sedge Wren *
Cistothorus palustris	Marsh Wren
Sylviidae
Polioptila caerulea	Blue-gray Gnatcatcher *
Regulidae
Regulus satrapa	Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus calendula	Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Turdidae
Sialia sialis	Eastern Bluebird *
Myadestes townsendi	Townsend's Solitaire
Catharus fuscescens	Veery
Catharus minimus	Gray-cheeked Thrush
Catharus ustulatus	Swainson's Thrush
Catharus guttatus	Hermit Thrush
Catharus mustelinus	Wood Thrush *
Turdus migratorius	American Robin *
Mimidae
Dumetella carolinensis	Gray Catbird *
Mimus polygottos	Northern Mockingbird *
Toxostoma rufum	Brown Thrasher *
Sturnidae
Sturnus vulgaris	European Starling *
Bombycillidae
Bombycilla cedrorum	Cedar Waxwing *
Parulidae
Vermivora chrysoptera	Golden-winged Warbler
Vermivora peregrina	Tennessee Warbler
Vermivora celata	Orange-crowned Warbler
Vermivora ruficapilla	Nashville Warbler
Parula americana	Northern Parula *
Dendroica petechia	Yellow Warbler *
Dendroica pensylvanica	Chestnut-sided Warbler
Dendroica magnolia	Magnolia Warbler
Dendroica tigrina	Cape May Warbler
Dendroica caerulescens	Black-throated Blue Warbler
Dendroica coronata	Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dendroica virens	Black-throated Green Warbler
Dendroica fusca	Blackburnian Warbler
Dendroica pinus	Pine Warbler
Dendroica palmarum	Palm Warbler
Dendroica castanea	Bay-breasted Warbler
Dendroica striata	Blackpoll Warbler
Dendroica cerulea	Cerulean Warbler
Mniotilta varia	Black-and-white Warbler
Setophaga ruticilla	American Redstart
Protonotaria citrea	Prothonotary Warbler
Helmitheros vermivorus	Worm-eating Warbler
Seiurus aurocapillus	Ovenbird *
Seiurus noveboracensis	Northern Waterthrush
Seiurus motacilla	Louisiana Waterthrush *
Oporornis formosus	Kentucky Warbler *
Oporornis philadelphia	Mourning Warbler
Geothlypis trichas	Common Yellowthroat *
Wilsonia citrina	Hooded Warbler
Wilsonia pusilla	Wilson's Warbler
Wilsonia canadensis	Canada Warbler
Icteria virens	Yellow-breasted Chat*
Thraupidae
Piranga rubra	Summer Tanager *
Piranga olivacea	Scarlet Tanager *
Piranga ludoviciana	Western Tanager
Emberizidae
Pipilo erythrophthalmus	Eastern Towhee *
Pipilo maculatus	Spotted Towhee
Spizella arborea	American Tree Sparrow
Spizella passerina	Chipping Sparrow *
Spizella pallida	Clay-colored Sparrow
Spizella pusilla	Field Sparrow *
Pooecetes gramineus	Vesper Sparrow
Chondestes grammacus	Lark Sparrow *
Passerculus sandwichensis	Savannah Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum	Grasshopper Sparrow *
Ammodramus henslowii	Henslow's Sparrow *
Ammodramus leconteii	Le Conte's Sparrow
Passerella iliaca	Fox Sparrow
Melospiza melodia	Song Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii	Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana	Swamp Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis	White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia querula	Harris's Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys	White-crowned Sparrow
Junco hyemalis	Dark-eyed Junco
Calcarius lapponicus	Lapland Longspur
Calcarius pictus	Smith's Longspur
Cardinalidae
Cardinalis cardinalis	Northern Cardinal *
Pheucticus ludovicianus	Rose-breasted Grosbeak *
Guiraca caerulea	Blue Grosbeak *
Passerina cyanea	Indigo Bunting *
Passerina ciris	Painted Bunting
Spiza americana	Dickcissel *
Icteridae
Dolichonyx oryzivorus	Bobolink
Agelaius phoeniceus	Red-winged Blackbird *
Sturnella magna	Eastern Meadowlark *
Sturnella neglecta	Western Meadowlark
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	Yellow-headed Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus	Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus	Brewer's Blackbird
Quiscalus quiscala	Common Grackle *
Quiscalus mexicanus	Great-tailed Grackle
Molothrus ater	Brown-headed Cowbird *
Icterus spurius	Orchard Oriole *
Icterus galbula	Baltimore Oriole *
Fringillidae
Carpodacus purpureus	Purple Finch
Carpodacus mexicanus	House Finch
Carduelis pinus	Pine Siskin
Carduelis tristis	American Goldfinch *
Coccothraustes vespertinus	Evening Grosbeak
Passeridae
Passer domesticus	House Sparrow *

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Last modified 15 January, 2002.