Nebraska Bird Partnership

Western Nebraska is referred to as the shortgrass region of the state and contains a surprisingly high diversity of bird habitats.  This region includes shortgrass, mixedgrass, and sandsage prairie types, badlands, Ponderosa pine forest, playa wetlands, and more.

More than 300 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in this region.  Priority shortgrass prairie species include McCown's and Chestnut-collared Longspurs, Burrowing Owl, and Mountain Plover. Brewer's Sparrow is associated with sandsage prairie in the western Panhandle.  Lark Bunting is common in the mixedgrass prairie community.  Lewis' Woodpecker is a less common species found in the Ponderosa pine forest of the Pine Ridge in northwest Nebraska.  Playa wetlands in the southern Panhandle and southwest Nebraska are particularly important for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds including Mallard and Northern Pintail. Back to BCR map.