Nebraska Bird Partnership

Bird of the Month:  Ferruginous Hawk

Ferruginous Hawk is the largest American hawk.  Before elimination of bison, these hawks often used bison bones and wool in construction of their nests.

Ferruginous Hawk is a Bird Partnership priority species for conservation.  To learn more about Ferruginous Hawk, visit the species profile page here.

Conservation Calendar

• January 15:  Deadline to submit nominations for 2010 Nebraska Bird Partnership awards.
• January 21:  6th Annual Tallgrass Prairie Management Seminar, Beatrice.  Contact Kent Pfeiffer ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more information.
• February 3:  Rainwater Basin Joint Venture 15th Annual Informational Seminar, Hastings.
• February 4:  Nebraska Environmental Trust will release the preliminary award list for 2010 grants.
• February 6:  Pheasants Forever 2010 State Habitat Meeting, Kearney.
• March 18-21:  Registration is now open for the 40th Annual Rivers and Wildlife Celebration, Kearney, co-hosted by the Nebraska Bird Partnership, Rowe Sanctuary, and Audubon Nebraska.  If you have an item to donate for the silent auction, please contact Chris Thody ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Q&A Corner

Question:  I had 7 Ringed Turtle Doves at my feeder this morning (Dec 30, 2009).  When did they establish in Nebraska?  Ed, Ceresco

Answer:  The doves in question were first recorded in Nebraska in 1997 and began to establish themselves shortly thereafter.  By the early 2000s they were locally common, particularly in small towns in central and western Nebraska.  They are now found statewide but are least common in metropolitan areas in eastern Nebraska.  These doves are actually called Eurasian Collared-Doves.  There are several similar species found in other parts of the world, some referred to as Turtle-Doves or Ringed Turtle-Doves, but this particularly species is native to the Eurasia.  Joel Jorgensen, Nongame Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

If you have bird or habitat questions you've been wondering about, send it to us here.  We aren't the experts, but we know the experts and can get you an answer.