Birds to See in Nebraska in April
134 bird species on our list for Nebraska are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Mourning Dove and Canada Goose. New this month: Barn Swallow, Baltimore Oriole, Red-headed Woodpecker and Northern Yellow Warbler and 44 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
Northern ShovelerBusiest month of the year · Aug–Jun
Wood DuckBusiest month of the year · All year
Lesser YellowlegsBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
Greater YellowlegsBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
Baird's SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
Long-billed DowitcherBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
From Nebraska’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 134 birds in April
134 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 4.39% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.54% in Apr
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 3.09% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.92% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.85% in Apr
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.72% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.26% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Apr- Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 1.97% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.78% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in Apr
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentCommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.37% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Apr
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 1.10% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 1.05% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Apr- Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.93% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.93% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.86% in Apr- Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.81% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.74% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.72% in Apr- Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.72% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.63% in Apr
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorCommon32–36 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.61% in Apr- Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.50% in Apr
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.48% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaPassage migrantCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.39% in Apr
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisPassage migrantCommon80–122 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.39% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusWinter visitorCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Apr
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Apr
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.34% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentCommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.31% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.29% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.29% in Apr
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.29% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.28% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.26% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.26% in Apr
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorCommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.26% in Apr- Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.25% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.24% in Apr
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.24% in Apr
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantUncommon36–42 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.23% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.20% in Apr
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorCommon14–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.20% in Apr
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.19% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.19% in Apr
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.18% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.18% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.18% in Apr
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusSummer visitorCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.18% in Apr
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusPassage migrantUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.17% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaPassage migrantCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.16% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.14% in Apr
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.13% in Apr
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.12% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.10% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Apr
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in Apr
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusPassage migrantUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Apr
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraSummer visitorUncommon36–43 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorUncommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in Apr
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorRare58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorUncommon57–64 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorCommon28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorUncommon19–25 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.03% in Apr
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorUncommon19–22 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosSummer visitorUncommon21–26 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesResidentUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in Apr
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisPassage migrantUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataPassage migrantUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.01% in Apr
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Apr
Common CraneGrus grusScarceRare100–130 cmRegularly Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorSummer visitorRare140–160 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.01% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentRare64–79 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · records held back in Apr (protected)
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantRare21–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made