Poultry or Avian Science Commons^™

Egg Removal By Brown-Headed Cowbirds: A Field Test Of The Host Incubation Efficiency Hypothesis, Douglas R. Wood, Eric K. Bollinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) often remove host eggs, usually to the detriment of the host's reproductive success. We tested the hypothesis that host egg size and number influence the incubation efficiency of a parasitic egg. A single House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) or Brown-headed Cowbird egg was placed in each host nest (addition), and in some nests a host egg was removed as well (addition/removal). Hatching success and incubation length were measured to determine whether host-egg removal conferred an advantage in incubation efficiency compared to simple addition of a parasitic egg. Redwinged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) served …

Remembering Doris Gates, A Great Teacher, Mark M. Peyton

Nebraska Bird Review

Doris Gates (1915-1983) taught Biology at Huntley, NE from 1938-1941, North Platte from 1941-1955, and Chadron State College from 1955-1974. She lived until her death at the foot of "Rush No More Butte" south of Chadron, was a member of the North Platte Tout Bird Club, and served as President of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union and Editor of The Nebraska Bird Review.

Doris included plants and birds in her lectures on Biology, but she taught much more than that because she understood the beauty of life. She believed that beauty was in what you did rather than what you looked …

Book Announcement [September 1997]

Nebraska Bird Review

A 12-volume work entitled "Handbook of the Birds of the World" is in the making, with nine authors representing six countries (four from the U.S.) and 17 artists. The first three volumes have been published, and the fourth is due in December 1997. Each volume is illustrated with color photographs, color plates, and distribution maps. The publisher is Lynx Edicions, Passeig de Gracia, 12, 08007 Barcelona, Spain. The first four volumes can be purchased for us $580 (special offer until 12/31/97), or monthly payments can be arranged (no extra postage or packaging charges). Further information can be obtained on the …

Whooping Crane Sightings During March-May 1997 Migration, Steven Anschutz

Nebraska Bird Review

During the 1996-97 winter, 158 (143 adult/subadult and 15 juvenile) Whooping Cranes stayed at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Two early migrants in Nebraska were an adult-plumaged bird first observed on 9 March, and a juvenile confirmed on 19 March. Neither of these birds wintered at Aransas, so the total population was therefore 160 (144 adult/subadult and 16 juvenile). All 158 cranes wintering at Aransas were present 3 April, but by 10 April, about 103 cranes had begun to migrate, and by 24 April, only 13 cranes were still at Aransas. All cranes had migrated by 6 May.

Mountain Plover Nest In Kimball County, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Nebraska Bird Review

On 18 May 1995 I observed two adult Mountain Plovers 5 mi west and 1.25 mi north of Bushnell in southwest Kimball county. The birds were in an area of short-grass prairie interspersed with clumps of prickly pear and bare ground. I observed both birds almost continuously from 1-2 p.m. MDT. The first bird was along the road south of the fenceline, just after the road climbs on top of the plateau. The second bird was about 0.1 mi to the north on the west side of the road. Both birds were medium-sized, plain shorebirds, similar in shape and posture …

Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska, L. Iola Pennington

Nebraska Bird Review

1997 Report for Wauneta area, Chase County. I have seen 49 species, including 20 Turkey Vultures, many Wild Turkeys, a covey of Northern Bobwhite near my house, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in my garden flowers such as Gilia, and a Black-headed Grosbeak—a first for my acreage. On 6 September, a male Northern Cardinal brought two young to one of the seven water pans I keep for birds and animals. Other species listed in the area: Great Blue Heron, Gadwall, American Kestrel, Ring-necked Pheasant, Killdeer, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, …

Spring 1997 Bird Counts During Tristate Meeting, And For North Platte-Lincoln County, Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

The Ornithologists' Unions of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota held a Tristate spring meeting at Sioux City, IA on 16-18 May, organized by Bill Huser and committee members from Iowa and South Dakota, and hosted by the Loess Hills Audubon Society from South Sioux City, NE. Field trips were made into nearby areas of all three states. During an indoor session, a paper on "Migrating Hawks along Iowa's Loess Hills" was presented by Loren and Babs Padelford. The banquet speaker was Ken Kaufman, who spoke on "Bird study and natural history in the 21st century." During the weekend, a total …

Summer Field Report, June-July 1997, W. Ross Silcock, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

A couple of preliminary notes: in the accounts below we have noted for several species "Reports were routine." This means that these species, mostly common in occurrence, were indeed present and reported, but the reports did not include unusual arrival or departure dates or high counts. For this Summer Report, observers are encouraged to report high counts on their BBS routes, as well as nesting data such as egg and fledging dates. Finally, this report includes a few observations from 1996.

In general, this was a rather routine summer period. The only real rarity was, however, a good one, a …

International Shorebird Survey Report For Southeastern Nebraska—Spring 1997, Kevin Poague, John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

In 1974, Manomet Observatory in Massachusetts organized the International Shorebird Survey (ISS) to collect information on shorebirds during migration. The project is intended to monitor shorebird population trends and to identify major migration routes, timing, and locations of staging areas. More than 600 contributors from 38 states of the United States, and countries, territories, and commonwealths throughout the hemisphere have contributed data since the program's inception. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission collected data for the ISS in the eastern Rainwater Basin area (Clay, Fillmore, York, and Seward counties) from 1993-1996.

Nebraska's eastern saline wetlands, located in or near the …

Two Hybrid Diving Ducks At Cunningham Lake, Douglas County, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

During the spring of 1997 I had the opportunity to observe and study two apparent hybrid diving ducks at Glenn Cunningham Lake, Douglas County. Both birds appeared to be mature males in breeding plumage. One bird was a suspected Redhead x Canvasback hybrid and the other was a suspected Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid. Sibley (1994) states that both hybrid combinations occur "occasionally."

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1997) 65(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $12.50 in the United States, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the United States, and $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. Pritchard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

1996 (Eighth) Report Of The Nou Records Committee, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

The functions and methods of the NOU Records Committee are described in its bylaws (NOU Records Committee 1986). The committee's purpose is to provide a procedure for documenting unusual bird sightings and to establish a list of all documented birds for Nebraska. THE OFFICIAL LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA was first published in 1988 (NOU Records Committee 1988) and has been appended six times (Mollhoff 1989, Grenon 1990, 1991, Gubanyi l996a, 1996b, 1996c). An update of THE OFFICIAL LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA was last published in 1997 (NOU Records Committee 1997) and includes the additions and changes …

Nebraska Bird Review (September 1997) 65(3), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Summer Field Report, June-July 1997 … 102

1996 (Eighth) Report of the NOU Records Committee … 115

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska … 126

International Shorebird Survey Report for southeastern Nebraska - Spring 1997 … 127

Mountain Plover Nest in Kimball County … 131

Whooping Crane Sightings during March-May 1997 Migration … 132

Shorebird Migration in the Eastern Rainwater Basin - Spring 1997 … 133

Two Hybrid Diving Ducks at Cunningham Lake, Douglas County … 135

Spring 1997 Bird Counts during Tristate Meeting, and for North Platte - Lincoln County … 137

Remembering Doris Gates, a Great Teacher … …

Shorebird Migration In The Eastern Rainwater Basin—Spring 1997, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

The Rainwater Basin is arguably Nebraska's most productive area for observing migrant shorebirds, especially in spring. After several years of irregular shorebirding in the region, in 1997 I decided to perform regular shorebird censuses in the eastern portion of the RWB (eRWB).

Red-Necked Grebe At Sutherland Reservoir, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Joel G. Jorgensen

Nebraska Bird Review

On 26 September 1996, we saw and photographed a Red-necked Grebe at Sutherland Reservoir in Lincoln County. When we arrived at the northwest end of the lake, Dinsmore noticed a slightly smaller, bigger-headed grebe resting with a couple of Western Grebes. Both of us immediately recognized the bird as a Red-necked grebe. We studied it at close range from 2:43-3:17 p.m. CST. Compared to a Western Grebe, in addition to the size differences mentioned above, this bird was shorter-necked. The mantle was dark gray with some brown flecking. The flanks were grayish. The foreneck was very buffy, almost reddish in …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1997) 65(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is pUblished quarterly in Marc~ June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists1 Union, Inc., as its official journal, and is sent to members not in arrears for dues. Annual sUbscription rates (on a calendar-ye~ basis only): $12.50 in the united states, $15.00 in Canada and Mexico, and $17.50 for all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4.00 each, postpaid, in the united states, and $5.00 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary H. Pritchard, NOU Librarian, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

"Notes On Nebraska Bird Sightings," From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1997) 65(2)., John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

Lapland Longspurs Road Kill. The 10 April 1997 snowstorm had some devastating effects on Lapland Longspurs in northeast Nebraska. Tom Welstead, Wildlife Biologist in Norfolk, reported counting 103 dead birds in 0.6 miles on Highway 121 south of Battle Creek. Other unconfirmed reports of numerous dead birds on the roads were suspected to be longspurs also. While the extent of the kill was unknown, it may have been widespread. Tom also reported seeing dead birds in the parking lot of a Quick Shop in Burwell days later, apparently deposited by falling from the grilles of vehicles after they had …

Spring Field Report, March-May 1997, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

First a correction: in the Fall Seasonal Report (NBR 63:101) the account on Whooping Crane listed 2 reports 25 November; these should have been 25 October.

This report includes observations, designated (B), reported to the Nebraska Birdline (402-292-5325), operated by Loren and Babs Padelford. While these are anonymous submissions, many are reported to us subsequently by the original observers; those which are not but are significant but unsubstantiated, are indicated herein as such by a phrase like "no details submitted". We have also used this phrase for other unsubstantiated reports herein. Hopefully, observers involved will send us a few …

Nebraska Bird Review (June 1997) 65(2), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

A George Miksch Sutton Bibliography … 46

Birds of the Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area … 59

NOU Fall Count 1996; NAMC Count in Two Counties 10 May 1997 … 67

Table for NOU Fall Count and NAMC Spring Count … 68

Notes on Bird Sightings in Nebraska … 73

Spring Field Report, March-May 1997 … 74

Observers for Spring Field Report … 99

Red-necked Grebe at Sutherland Reservoir … 99

Birds Of The Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area, Timothy M. Bergin

Nebraska Bird Review

The Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area (LOSRA) is located immediately downstream from Lake McConaughy, which was formed by the construction of Kingsley Dam across the North Platte River, and includes riparian woodland, shrubland, grassland, marsh, sandbeach, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Birds were surveyed in LOSRA from 1988 to 1992 and censused in the southwest campground of LOSRA from late May to mid-July during the 1991 and 1992 breeding seasons. Seventy-five bird species (56 terrestrial and 19 aquatic) were observed, including several hybridizing species. Thirty-one terrestrial species inhabited the southwest campground, but only 60% of these were counted during biweekly censuses; …

A George Miksch Sutton Bibliography, Paul A. Johnsgard

Nebraska Bird Review

Members of the Nebraska ornithologists' Union often do not realize that the reason a George Miksch Sutton sketch of a burrowing owl is used as the logo of our organization, and also appears on the cover of every issue of The Nebraska Bird Review, is because Dr. Sutton was a native Nebraskan. He was born in Bethany (now part of northeastern Lincoln) in 1898, and several years of his childhood were spent there before the family left the state permanently. In spite of Dr. Sutton's great influence on American ornithology and bird art, no bibliography of his writings has …

Nou Fall Count 1996; Namc Count In Two Counties 10 May 1997

Nebraska Bird Review

The NOU count during Fall Field Days 27-28 September 1996 was centered at the Nebraska National Forest (NNF) , which is mostly in Thomas County, and also included Thomas outside the forest and three other counties: Cherry, Brown, and Blaine (see Table 1). The total number of species was 116 compared to 103 for the same area about 10 days later in 1995. Twelve species seen in 1995 were absent in 1996, and 22 species seen in 1996 were absent in 1995.

North American Migration Counts (NAMC) for Boone and Sarpy Counties on 10 May 1997 are included in Table …

The Effect Of Color On The Feed Preferences Of Chickens, Danny Paul Pino Jr

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of In Ovo Glucose Injections On Hatchability, Chick Weight, And Subsequent Body Weight, James Woodard Barr Iii

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Survey Of Bald And Golden Eagles In Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

John Dinan, Nongame Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd st., P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370 (phone: 402/471-0641; Fax: 402/471-5528), supplied the results of the 1997 (January 1-15) Bald and Golden Eagle surveys, with six organizations and twelve individuals participating.

Conditions for 1997 survey: Temperatures ranged from 8 to 35°F. The Niobrara River had 50-100% ice cover except the upper portion, which was mostly open. The unchannelized portion of the Missouri River was 90-100% ice-covered, but the channelized portion was open and was carrying floating ice below Tekamah. The Platte River had 50-90% ice …

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc. Treasurer's Annual Report 12/31/96, Elizabeth Grenon

Nebraska Bird Review

Treasurer's Annual Report 12/31/96

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union Executive Committee Highlights Of Meeting, 28 September 1996, Robin Harding

Nebraska Bird Review

The meeting was held at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey during Fall Field Days.

Betty Grenon, Treasurer, indicated that Dr. and Mrs. R. G. Cortelyou gave many items to N.O.U. when they moved to Mercer Island, WA. The funds from contributions for these items will be used to establish a scholarship fund to recruit new members. The scholarship recipient will get an all-expenses-paid trip to an N.O.U. meeting. Details will be worked out later.

Neal Ratzlaff, President, said that N.O.U. has 501 C3 status and is recognized by the federal government as a nonprofit organization.

The status of the …

Nebraska Christmas Bird Count For 1996

Nebraska Bird Review

The official count period for the 97th National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count was 20 December 1996 through 5 January 1997. One location (Harlan County) conducted counts outside the official period.

The numerical data are presented in Table 1 (pages 28-34) in a west (left) to east (right) order for nine locations in Nebraska. Unusual species that were underlined in the individual reports are marked by an asterisk (*) before the number in a particular column, and unusual numbers underlined in the reports are shown in bold. For Bald Eagles, the total number, which is given first, includes any adults …

Notes On Bird Sightings In Nebraska March 1997, Ruth C. Green, Alice Kenitz, Joel G. Jorgensen, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Nebraska Bird Review

Albino Eastern Bluebirds. On 24 July 1996, I banded two totally white Eastern Bluebirds in Sarpy County, Nebraska. These two birds were in a nest with two other normally plumaged siblings. They were not only white-plumaged, their feet and bills were white and the eyes were a pinkish-red. They were just as well developed as the two normal birds and were ready to fledge, which they did the following day.

I believe these birds fit the description of total albinism as defined by John K. Terres in The Audubon Encyclopedia of North American Birds. He defines total albinism …

Bald Eagle Counts At Two Central Nebraska Public Power And Irrigation District Facilities, Mark M. Peyton, Rodger Knaggs

Nebraska Bird Review

Since 1988, the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) has provided free access to the public at its Johnson #2 (J-2) Hydroelectric Plant south of Lexington, Dawson County, and the use of spotting scopes and binoculars to view Bald Eagles foraging and perching along the tailrace of the plant. Central also provided a small trailer from 1990-95 for viewing Bald Eagles near the outlet of the Kingsley Hydroelectric Plant at Lake Ogallala in Keith County. In 1996, Central completed construction of a permanent viewing facility at this location. Central provides personnel at both locations to answer questions and …