Percusión o Golpeteo.

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Accidental. This kite previously bred in eastern Nebraska—in Greenwood (Cass County), Rockport (Douglas or Washington counties), and Calhoun (Washington County), according to Bruner, Wolcott, and Swenk (1904)— but disappeared sometime after 1900. A reputed 1960 sighting for Douglas County was later retracted, but a bird photographed at Kearney on July 25, 2016, was Nebraska’s second accepted modern record (Nebraska Bird Review 84:117). The nearest breeding area of this species is in eastern Texas.

White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus

Accidental. This species was reported from Sarpy County, August–Septem- ber 1983, and from Polk County, May 6, 1995 (Nebraska Bird Review 51:91, 63:60). Four state records accrued by 2004 (Nebraska Bird Review 73:52). The fifth and sixth state records were from southeastern Lincoln County in the summers of 2007 and 2008 (Ne-

braska Bird Review 77:99). The near-

est breeding area of this species is in eastern Texas.

Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis

Rare. In addition to some old records for Adams and Douglas counties, there were three sightings between 1975 and 1977 in Douglas and Sarpy coun- ties, and earlier ones in Lincoln, Lan- caster, Antelope, Adams, and Web-

B A L D E A G L E A C C I P I T R I D A E

ster counties. Since 1991, breeding attempts have occurred regularly in the city of Ogallala (Nebraska Bird

Review 63:88–89) and more recently

in Red Cloud (Nebraska Bird Review 73:52), Benkleman (Nebraska Bird Re-

view 78:136), Imperial (Nebraska Bird Review 80:91), and North Platte (Ne- braska Bird Review 82:158). Possible

breedings have also occurred in Kear- ney and Omaha (Nebraska Bird Review 84:117). No nests of this species were discovered during the second atlas- ing period of the Breeding Bird Atlas project, but nesting was confirmed in one Dundy County survey block (Moll- hoff, 2016).

Migration: Eight total spring re-

cords are from April 15 to May 30, with a mean of May 15. Four fall re- cords are for September 9 (2 records), 11, and 19. Kansas fall records extend to late October.

Habitats: Associated with scrub

and open woodlands near water. The Ogallala nestings have been in a large tree in a residential area. Parks and golf courses are also used for nesting by these insectivorous hawks. By 2013 nesting in North Platte had occurred at three sites (Nebraska Bird Review 81:141).

Comments: Breeding by this at-

tractive kite began in Ogallala and has slowly spread over western Ne- braska. The breeding range in Kansas has slowly advanced northward to in- clude several north-central counties, so additional nesting locations in Nebraska should be expected. Breeding Bird Sur- veys between 1966 and 2015 indicate that the species collectively underwent a survey-wide population increase (0.55% annually) during that period.

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

This species is an uncommon spring and fall migrant and locally com- mon winter resident in Nebraska, es- pecially along the major rivers and reservoir areas, such as Lewis and Clark Lake, Lake McConaughy, John- son Lake, and Harlan County Reser- voir. Although it once bred regularly in eastern Nebraska, the first known modern-era nesting attempt was in 1973 in Cedar County (Nebraska Bird

Review 41:76). Recently nesting ef-

forts have occurred every year, often along the Platte River or other larger bodies of water. By 1998 nesting ef- forts were known from Douglas, Sher- man, Garden, Gage, Nemaha, Pawnee, and Boyd counties. By 2005, 35 nests were occupied, mostly along larger rivers. Between 1991 and 2009, 49 young fledged from 440 nests with known outcomes (Nebraska Bird Re-

view 78:121–126, 79:121–126), and

since then most Nebraska counties have hosted nests. A 2016 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission survey revealed 162 active nests, with sites recorded in 72 of the state’s 93 coun- ties, mostly along wooded rivers and in the Sandhills. Rivers with the larg- est numbers of active nests were the lower Platte (18), Elkhorn (15), Nio- brara (12), central Platte (11), and North Loup (10).

Migration: Sixty-five initial fall

sightings range from September 16 to December 31, with a median of No- vember 29. Half of the records fall within the period November 16 to De- cember 16. Eighty-eight final spring sightings are from January 8 to May 12, with a median of March 19. Half

N O RT H E R N H A R R I E R A C C I P I T R I D A E

of the records fall within the pe- riod March 17 to April 2. During win- ter bald eagles appear at lakes, res- ervoirs, or larger rivers throughout the Great Plains, especially after fish kills; up to 800 or more have gathered at Calamus Reservoir in March (Ne-

braska Bird Review 85:66).

Habitats: Bald eagles in Nebraska

utilize ice-free areas of larger tree- lined rivers and reservoirs during winter periods. Perching is usually done in tall cottonwoods near water. Twenty-four nests of this species were discovered during the second atlas- ing period of the Breeding Bird Atlas project, and nesting was confirmed in 26 survey blocks (Mollhoff, 2016), as compared with a confirmed nesting in one Grant County block during the first survey (Mollhoff, 2001).

Comments: Bald eagle winter pop-

ulations have greatly increased in re- cent years; now an average of more than 1,000 birds winter within the state. Lake McConaughy is espe- cially favored, but Johnson and Har- lan County Reservoirs, the J-2 hydro- plant near Lexington, the central Platte River, and the Republican and Missouri Rivers are also important concentra- tion areas. Usually about 25–30% of these birds are immatures, suggesting that favorable reproduction is occur- ring. Breeding Bird Surveys between 1966 and 2015 indicate that the spe- cies collectively underwent a survey- wide population increase (5.18% an- nually) during that period.

Northern Harrier Circus hudsonicus

This species is a common migrant and permanent resident through-

out Nebraska. Although in cold win- ters most birds may leave the state, in most areas and years the species can be regarded as a resident. It is proba- bly most common as a breeder in the Sandhills and the Rainwater Basin. It breeds locally almost throughout the Plains states and is a regular through- out during migration.

Migration: Thirty-nine initial

spring sightings range from January 1 to June 2, with a median of March 13. The wide spread of the records sug- gest it is a resident over much of the state. Thirty-six final fall records are from September 14 to December 31, with a median of December 9.

Habitats: This species occurs in

open habitats such as native grass- lands, prairie marshes, and wet mead- ows. Nesting is done in grassy or woody vegetation ranging from up- land grasses and shrubs to emergent vegetation in water more than two feet deep. Three nests of this species were discovered during the second atlasing period of the Breeding Bird Atlas project, and nesting was con- firmed in six survey blocks (Mollhoff, 2016), as compared with confirmed nestings in ten blocks during the first survey (Mollhoff, 2001).

Comments: Northern harriers are

graceful predators that are usually seen sweeping low over marshes and fields, showing white rump patches in both sexes. Adult males are oth- erwise silvery gray with black wing- tips, while females and young males are mostly chocolate brown. Breed- ing Bird Surveys between 1966 and 2015 indicate that the species collec- tively underwent a survey-wide popu- lation decline (1.21% annually) during

S H A R P-S H I N N E D H AW K A C C I P I T R I D A E

that period, and Nebraska had an es- timated 1.17% rate of annual decline.

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus

This species is an uncommon to occa- sional winter visitor and spring mi- grant throughout Nebraska. Although the only recent breeding records are for the northwest (Sioux County) and the Niobrara Valley (Brown County), the species may also nest in the Mis- souri River’s forested valley. It prob- ably nests locally in the Dakotas and Minnesota, has nested in Kansas and Oklahoma, and migrates throughout the Great Plains.

Migration: A total of 142 initial

spring records range from January 1 to June 1, with a median of March 29. Half the records fall within the two periods January 1–9 and March 17 to April 27, indicating that this species is probably a winter visitor and early spring migrant. Forty-one initial fall records are from July 26 to December 30, with a median of September 16. Half of the records fall within the pe- riod September 3–19. Thirty-five fi- nal fall sightings are from August 20 to December 31, with a median of No- vember 10.

Habitats: Throughout the year this

species is associated with fairly dense forests, especially mixed woods with some coniferous trees. The species of- ten preys on small birds such as spar- rows but also takes robins and even small chickens. Sharpshins often wait in hiding around bird feeders, and a rapid evacuation of the area will fol- low the hawk’s sudden appearance.

Comments: This is the smallest of

the accipiter hawks, a group noted for their rounded wings, long tails, and swift flight abilities. Breeding Bird Surveys between 1966 and 2015 indi- cate that the species collectively un- derwent a survey-wide population in- crease (0.92% annually) during that period. There was a confirmed nest- ing in one Brown County survey block during the first Breeding Bird Atlas survey, but none in the second (Moll- hoff, 2016).

Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii

This species is an uncommon winter visitor and spring migrant throughout Nebraska, and a local permanent res- ident. It is a rare to uncommon nester in the forests of eastern Nebraska, and there are recent breeding records for the Pine Ridge region and the North Platte and western Republican val- leys. It is a local but probably regular breeder in suitable habitats throughout the Plains states, especially in eastern and southeastern regions.

Migration: A total of 164 initial

spring sightings range from January 1 to June 10, with a median of March 16. Half of the records fall within the two periods January 1–9 and March 13 to April 26. Thirty-four initial fall records are from August 7 to Decem- ber 27, with a median of September 16. Half of the records fall within the period September 4 to October 1. Thirty-five final fall sightings are from September 8 to December 31, with a median of October 30. These dates suggest that the species is both a winter visitor and local permanent resident statewide. Cooper’s hawks

N O RT H E R N G O S H AW K A C C I P I T R I D A E

have consistently outnumbered sharp- shinned hawks in statewide Christmas Counts since 2013, suggesting that the Cooper’s hawk is increasing in Ne- braska, as indicated by recent Breed- ing Bird Surveys. By comparison, dur- ing Lincoln’s Christmas Counts from 1946 to 1997 the sharp-shinned hawk outnumbered the Cooper’s hawk by a ratio of more than three to one (John- sgard, 1998).

Habitats: Throughout the year this

species is associated with mature for- ests, especially hardwood forests. Nestings were confirmed in Hitch- cock and Frontier counties during the first breeding bird atlasing pe- riod of 1984–89 (Mollhoff, 2001). A dozen nests of this species were dis- covered during the second atlasing pe- riod of the Breeding Bird Atlas project, and nesting was confirmed in 11 sur- vey blocks (Mollhoff, 2016), as com- pared with confirmed nestings in two blocks during the first survey (Moll- hoff, 2001).

Comments: A larger relative of

the sharp-shinned hawk, the Coo- per’s preys on bigger birds and mam- mals, and is even more fearless in its attacks, taking birds up to the size of grouse, and mammals as large as skunks and opossums. The two accip- iter species are best distinguished by size, the Cooper’s nearly crow-sized, although large female sharpshins might approach small male Cooper’s hawks in body mass. Breeding Bird Surveys between 1966 and 2015 indi- cate that the species collectively un- derwent a survey-wide population in- crease (2.24% annually) during that period, and Nebraska had an incredi-

bly (and impossibly) high 14.38% es- timated rate of annual increase. Much of this increase might be the result of the birds becoming urbanized nesters; Lincoln now (2018) has several nest- ing pairs annually.

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

This species is an occasional win- ter visitor and spring migrant nearly statewide. The species is probably less common now than earlier, but there have been periodic observations from Box Butte, Cherry, Custer, Saunders, and Lancaster counties. During the winter of 2015–16, there were five reports from eastern and central Ne- braska (Nebraska Bird Review 84:10). The goshawk’s only breeding regions in the Great Plains are the Black Hills and northern Minnesota, but it is a migrant throughout.

Migration: Forty-eight spring re-

cords range from January 1 to June 1, with a median of March 15. Half of the records fall within the two peri- ods January 1–11 and April 14 to May 16, suggesting this species is both a winter visitor and late spring migrant. Twenty-two total fall records are from September 16 to December 31, with half of the records occurring within the two periods September 21 to Oc- tober 17 and December 25–31. Perhaps these apparent timing differences re- flect later fall and earlier spring arriv- als of adult birds.

Habitats: Throughout the year

this species is rarely found far from wooded to heavily forested areas.

Comments: The Latin name of the

H A R R I S’S H AW K A C C I P I T R I D A E

but the name refers to the royal ap- pearance of the bird. The common name goshawk refers to the spe- cies’ ability to attack and kill geese and various animals up to the size of woodchucks, and domestic fowl weighing up to about five pounds.

Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus

Accidental. The first evidence of this species’ occurrence in the state was a specimen collected at Elkhorn, Doug- las County, on October 28, 1922, which is now in the Hastings Museum (Nebraska Bird Review 45:52). The species was also observed in Scotts Bluff County on January 13 and 27, 1995 (Nebraska Bird Review 64:134), and a road-killed bird was found in Lancaster County on October 26, 2012 (Nebraska Bird Review 80:134–135). One was seen on November 5, 2017, and then for a few days near Nio- brara, Knox County. There are Kan- sas records for six counties, includ- ing one breeding record (Thompson et al., 2011). The nearest regular breed- ing area of this species is in western Texas.

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus

This species is an uncommon to occa- sional spring and fall migrant in east- ern counties and a rare permanent resident in southeastern and west- ern Nebraska. It has been observed west to Scotts Bluff County and re- ported rarely in the Pine Ridge region, but known breeding is mostly lim- ited to the Missouri Valley. It appar- ently bred in Douglas County in 1958 and again in 1964 (Nebraska Bird Re-

view 47:38) and in Fontenelle Forest

in 1995. Fontenelle Forest and Indian Cave State Park are likely potential breeding sites. In 2009 a nesting at- tempt was made at Pawnee Lake, Lan- caster County (Nebraska Bird Review 77:99, 143), and a probable breed- ing occurred in Jefferson County in 2016 (Nebraska Bird Review 84:85). A recent western breeding occurred in North Platte and possibly also near Wright’s Gap, Scotts Bluff County (Ne-

braska Bird Review 82:159). It also

breeds in eastern Kansas (at least 13 counties) and eastern Oklahoma.

Migration: Forty-nine initial spring

sightings are from January 1 to June 10. Eleven final fall sightings are from September 25 to December 27, with a median of November 16, with no clear indication of migratory tendencies.

Habitats: In Nebraska this species

is found in relatively moist wood- lands, especially floodplain forests, with adjacent open country for forag- ing. One nest of this species was dis- covered during the second atlasing period of the Breeding Bird Atlas proj- ect, and nesting was confirmed in one Lancaster County survey block (Moll- hoff, 2016).

Comments: This rarely seen hawk

has apparently increased in the Mid- west in recent decades, probably at least in part because of forest regen- eration trends. Eastern Nebraska rep- resents the western edge of its his- toric Great Plains breeding range, although there is also a Pacific coast population. Breeding Bird Surveys be- tween 1966 and 2015 indicate that the species collectively underwent a sur- vey-wide population increase (2.7% annually) during that period.

S WA I N S O N’S H AW K A C C I P I T R I D A E

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus

This species is an uncommon spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska, and an occasional summer resident in the Missouri’s forested valley and the Panhandle. Nesting has occurred in eastern Nebraska, but there are few recent records. Breeding has oc- curred since 2008 in North Platte (Ne-

braska Bird Review 76:100, 80:92).

One nest of this species was discov- ered during the second atlasing period of the Breeding Bird Atlas project, and nesting was confirmed in two survey blocks of Sarpy and Lincoln counties (Mollhoff, 2016). It still breeds locally in Minnesota, Kansas (in at least three counties), and Oklahoma, and has bred in South Dakota. Wintering oc- curs in South America.

Migration: Excluding a single Jan-

uary record, the range of 82 initial spring sightings is from March 4 to June 6, with a median of April 26. Half of the records fall within the pe- riod April 17 to May 1. Nineteen fi- nal spring sightings are from April 12 to June 8, with a median of May 15. Eleven initial fall sightings are from August 8 to October 3, with a median of September 12. Sixteen final fall sightings are from August 25 to No- vember 19, with a median of October 5. Most broad-winged hawks winter in South America.

Habitats: Associated with mature

deciduous forests, especially those near water, during the breeding sea- son. Migrant birds are sometimes seen in flocks over open country.

Comments: Like the red-shouldered

hawk, this little woodland-nesting bu- teo has regionally declined in popu-

lation and shows little sign of recov- ery. It is a highly migratory species and, like the Swainson’s hawk, is per- haps exposed to pesticides on its win- tering grounds. Breeding Bird Surveys between 1966 and 2015 indicate that the species had a survey-wide popu- lation increase (1.02% annually) dur- ing that period.

Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni

This species is a common to uncom- mon spring and fall migrant and sum- mer resident almost statewide, becom- ing less common eastwardly, and with the eastern limits of regular breeding probably west of a line from Gage to Burt counties. Largest numbers occur during the fall migration period in late September, but wintering occurs in southern South America. It also breeds elsewhere in the Plains states except- ing the easternmost regions and mi- grates throughout the region.

Migration: Ninety-three initial

spring sightings are from January 1 to June 8, with a median of April 18. Half of the records fall within the pe- riod April 3 to May 3. Sixty-five final fall sightings are from August 4 to De- cember 27, with a median of Septem- ber 26. Half of the records fall within the period September 14 to October 1.

Habitats: While this species oc-

curs in Nebraska it is associated with open country, especially high plains and sandhills with only scattered trees available for nesting sites. Six- teen nests of this species were discov- ered during the second atlasing pe- riod of the Breeding Bird Atlas project, and nesting was confirmed in 40 sur- vey blocks (Mollhoff, 2016), as com-

Z O N E-TA I L E D H AW K A C C I P I T R I D A E

pared with confirmed nestings in 36 blocks during the first survey (Moll- hoff, 2001).

Comments: This is a plains-

adapted, largely insect-eating hawk that is still quite common in western Nebraska, although mass poisoning by pesticides on wintering regions in South America has done great damage to populations. West of Kearney many of the buteos seen from roadsides are likely to be Swainson’s hawks, whereas east of Grand Island red- tailed hawks increasingly compose the majority. Breeding Bird Surveys be- tween 1966 and 2015 indicate that the species collectively underwent a sur- vey-wide population increase (0.72% annually) during that period, and Ne-