Midwest · Central Flyway

Birds in Nebraska

Birds in Nebraska: Nebraska's Platte River hosts one of Earth's great migration spectacles each spring. This guide lists the common backyard birds, a month-by-month calendar, and the best places to go bird watching in Nebraska.

400+Bird species
3Habitat types
1Birding hotspots

Popular cities in Nebraska:

Common Birds in Nebraska

The most frequently reported bird species across Nebraska. Click any bird for full profiles, photos, calls, and attraction tips.

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Backyard Birds in Nebraska

Nebraska backyard birds that regularly visit feeders and gardens. These are the species you’re most likely to attract with the right food, plants, and habitat setup.

Find the right feeder →Bird-friendly plants →

Where to Go Bird Watching in Nebraska

The best places to see birds in Nebraska, from national wildlife refuges to local sanctuaries.

1

Rowe Sanctuary

600,000 Sandhill Cranes on the Platte River each March.

Birds in Nebraska by Month

What to expect each month: migration arrivals, departures, and seasonal highlights.

Birds by Habitat in Nebraska

Nebraska spans 3 major habitat types. Explore birds adapted to each environment.

🌊Wetland BirdsMarsh, lake, and river species—waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds.
🌲Forest BirdsWoodland and canopy birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and owls.
🏙️Urban BirdsCity-adapted birds thriving in parks, gardens, and neighborhoods.

Birds in neighboring states

About birding in Nebraska

Nebraska is located in the Midwest region of the United States and falls along the Central Flyway, one of four major North American migration routes. The state is home to more than 400 bird species across 3 habitat types: wetland, forest, urban.

Whether you’re a backyard birder in Omaha or planning a trip to Rowe Sanctuary, this guide covers the most commonly seen species, seasonal patterns, and practical tips for attracting and identifying birds in Nebraska.