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Author:   Paul A. Johnsgard
Publisher:   University of Nebraska Press
Imprint:   University of Nebraska Press
ISBN:  

9781496220264

ISBN 10:   1496220269
Pages:   528
Publication Date:   01 October 2020
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

List of Illustrations     Acknowledgments     Abbreviations and Symbols     Chapter 1. Introduction to Nebraska and Its Biological Environment     The Geography and Biogeography of Nebraska     Nebraska as a Biological Transition and Genetic Suture Zone     Dispersal Corridors and Historic Biogeographic Changes     Global Warming and Changing Climates     Chapter 2. Mammals     Dawn of the Age of Mammals, 150–65 Million Years Ago     Nebraska’s Mammals, 58–24 Million Years Ago     Nebraska’s Mammals, 23–22 Million Years Ago     Nebraska’s Mammals, 12–10 Million Years Ago     Selected Species Profiles     Family Didelphidae (Opossums)     Virginia Opossum. Didelphis virginiana     Family Leporidae (Hares and Rabbits)          White-tailed Jackrabbit. Lepus townsendii     Black-tailed Jackrabbit. Lepus californicus     Eastern Cottontail. Sylvilagus floridanus     Desert Cottontail. Sylvilagus audubonii     Family Soricidae (Shrews)      Cinereus (Masked) Shrew. Sorex cinereus     Family Vespertilionidae (Vesper Bats)      Townsend’s Big-eared Bat. Corynorhinus townsendii     Big Brown Bat. Eptesicus fuscus     Silver-haired Bat. Lasionycteris noctivagans     Eastern Red Bat. Lasiurus borealis     Hoary Bat. Lasiurus cinereus     Little Brown Myotis. Myotis lucifugus     Family Felidae (Cats)      Canada Lynx. Lynx canadensis     Bobcat. Lynx rufus     Cougar (Puma, Mountain Lion). Puma concolor     Family Canidae (Dogs)      Coyote. Canis latrans     Gray Fox. Urocyon cinereoargenteus     Red Fox. Vulpes vulpes     Swift Fox. Vulpes velox     Family Mustelidae (Weasels)      American Badger. Taxidea taxus     American Mink. Neovison vison     Northern River Otter. Lontra canadensis     Long-tailed Weasel. Mustela frenata     Black-footed Ferret. Mustela nigripes     Family Mephitidae (Skunks)      Striped Skunk. Mephitis     Eastern Spotted Skunk. Spilogale putorius     Family Procyonidae (Raccoons) Northern Raccoon. Procyon lotor     Family Cervidae (Deer)      Elk. Cervus canadensis     White-tailed Deer. Odocoileus virginianus     Mule Deer. Odocoileus hemionus     Family Antilocapridae (Pronghorns)      Pronghorn. Antilocapra americana     Family Bovidae (Bison, Sheep, and Goats)      American Bison. Bison bison     Bighorn (Mountain) Sheep. Ovis canadensis     Family Sciuridae (Squirrels, Marmots, and Prairie Dogs)      Black-tailed Prairie Dog. Cynomys ludovicianus     Southern Flying Squirrel. Glaucomys volans     Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel. Ictidomys tridecemlineatus     Least Chipmunk. Tamias minimus     Family Castoridae (Beavers)      Beaver. Castor canadensis     Family Heteromyidae (Pocket Mice and Kangaroo Rats)      Ord’s Kangaroo Rat. Dipodomys ordii     Olive-backed Pocket Mouse. Perognathus fasciatus     Plains Pocket Mouse. Perognathus flavescens     Family Dipodidae (Jumping Mice)      Meadow Jumping Mouse. Zapus hudsonicus     Family Cricetidae (New World Mice)      Prairie Vole. Microtus ochrogaster     Meadow Vole. Microtus pennsylvanicus     Bushy-tailed Woodrat. Neotoma cinerea     Eastern Woodrat. Neotoma floridana     Muskrat. Ondatra zibethicus     Northern Grasshopper Mouse. Onychomys leucogaster     White-footed Deer Mouse. Peromyscus leucopus     American Deer Mouse. Peromyscus maniculatus     Western Harvest Mouse. Reithrodontomys megalotis     Plains Harvest Mouse. Reithrodontomys montanus     Family Erethizontidae (Porcupines)      Porcupine. Erethizon dorsatum     Chapter 3. Birds     The Recent History of Nebraska’s Birds     Declining and Extripated Species     Introduced and Invading Species     Overall Population Trends     The Geography of Nebraska’s Bird Fauna     Selected Species Profiles     Class Aves (Birds)      Family Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)      Snow Goose. Anser caerulescens     Ross’s Goose. Anser rossii     Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii     Canada Goose. Branta canadensis     Trumpeter Swan. Cygnus buccinator     Wood Duck. Aix sponsa     Blue-winged Teal. Spatula (Anas) discors     Cinnamon Teal. Spatula cyanoptera     Northern Shoveler. Spatula clypeata     Gadwall. Mareca strepera     American Wigeon. Mareca americana     Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos     Northern Pintail. Anas acuta     Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca     Canvasback. Aythya valisineria     Redhead. Aythya americana     Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris     Lesser Scaup. Aythya affinis     Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola     Common Goldeneye. Bucephala clangula     Common Merganser. Mergus merganser     Ruddy Duck. Oxyura jamaicensis     Family Odontophoridae (New World Quails)      Northern Bobwhite. Colinus virginianus     Family Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Turkeys)      Ring-necked Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus     Sharp-tailed Grouse. Tympanuchus phasianellus     Greater Prairie-Chicken. Tympanuchus cupido     Wild Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo     Family Podicipedidae (Grebes)      Eared Grebe. Podiceps nigricollis     Clark’s Grebe. Aechmophorus clarkii     Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis     Family Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)      Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto     Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura     Family Cuculidae (Cuckoos)      Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus americanus     Family Caprimulgidae (Nightjars)      Common Nighthawk. Chordeiles minor     Common Poorwill. Phalaenoptilus nuttallii     Family Apodidae (Swifts)      White-throated Swift. Aeronautes saxatalis     Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)      Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Archilochus colubris     Family Rallidae (Rails and Coots)      Common Gallinule. Gallinula galeata     American Coot. Fulica americana     Family Gruidae (Cranes)      Sandhill Crane. Antigone canadensis     Whooping Crane. Grus americana     Family Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)      Black-necked Stilt. Himantopus mexicanus     American Avocet. Recurvirostra americana     Family Charadriidae (Plovers)      Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus     Piping Plover. Charadrius melodus     Mountain Plover. Charadrius montanus     Snowy Plover. Charadrius nivosus     Family Scolopacidae (Sandpipers, Snipes, and Phalaropes)      Upland Sandpiper. Bartramia longicauda     Long-billed Curlew. Numenius americanus     Baird’s Sandpiper. Calidris bairdii     Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla     Long-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus scolopaceus     Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularia     Lesser Yellowlegs. Tringa flavipes     Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca     Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites subruficollis     Wilson’s Phalarope. Phalaropus tricolor     Red-necked Phalarope. Phalaropus lobatus     Family Laridae (Gulls and Terns)      Least Tern. Sterna albifrons     Black Tern. Chlidonias niger     Forster’s Tern. Sterna forsteri     Family Gaviidae (Loons)      Common Loon. Gavia immer     Family Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants)      Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus     Family Pelecanidae (Pelicans)      American White Pelican. Pelecanus erythroryhnchos     Family Ardeidae (Herons and Egrets)      American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus     Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias     Snowy Egret. Egretta thula     Family Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)      White-faced Ibis. Plegadis chihi     Family Cathartidae (New World Vultures)      Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura     Family Pandionidae (Ospreys)      Osprey. Pandion haliaetus     Family Accipitridae (Hawks and Eagles)      Golden Eagle. Aquila chrysaetos     Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus     Northern Harrier. Circus hudsonicus     Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus     Cooper’s Hawk. Accipiter cooperii     Northern Goshawk. Accipiter gentilis     Swainson’s Hawk. Buteo swainsoni     Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis     Ferruginous Hawk. Buteo regalis     Rough-legged Hawk. Buteo lagopus     Family Strigidae (Typical Owls)      Eastern Screech-Owl. Megascops asio     Great Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus     Burrowing Owl. Athene cunicularia     Long-eared Owl. Asio otus     Short-eared Owl. Asio flammeus     Northern Saw-whet Owl. Aegolius acadicus     Family Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)      Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon     Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)      Lewis’s Woodpecker. Melanerpes lewis     Red-headed Woodpecker. Melanerpes erythrocephalus     Downy Woodpecker. Dryobates pubescens     Hairy Woodpecker. Dryobates villosus     Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus     Family Falconidae (Falcons)      American Kestrel. Falco sparverius     Merlin. Falco columbarius     Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus     Prairie Falcon. Falco mexicanus     Order Passeriformes (Passerine Birds)      Family Tyrannidae (New World Flycatchers)      Western Wood-Pewee. Contopus sordidulus     Eastern Wood-Pewee. Contopus virens     Willow Flycatcher. Empidonax traillii     Least Flycatcher. Empidonax minimus     Cordilleran Flycatcher. Empidonax occidentalis     Say’s Phoebe. Sayornis saya     Western Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis     Eastern Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus     Family Laniidae (Shrikes)      Loggerhead Shrike. Lanius ludovicianus     Family Vireonidae (Vireos)      Warbling Vireo. Vireo gilvus     Family Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)      Pinyon Jay. Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus     Black-billed Magpie. Pica hudsonia     American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos     Family Alaudidae (Larks)      Horned Lark. Eremophila alpestris     Family Hirundinidae (Swallows)      Bank Swallow. Riparia riparia     Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor     Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina     Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx serripennis     Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica     Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota     Family Paridae (Chickadees and Titmice)      Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus     Family Sittidae (Nuthatches)      Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis     White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis     Pygmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmaea     Family Certhiidae (Treecreepers)      Brown Creeper. Certhia americana     Family Troglodytidae (Wrens)      Rock Wren. Salpinctes obsoletus     House Wren. Troglodytes aedon     Family Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)      Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Polioptila caerulea     Family Regulidae (Kinglets)      Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa     Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula     Family Turdidae (Thrushes)      Eastern Bluebird. Sialia sialis     Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides     Townsend’s Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi     Veery. Catharus fuscescens     Swainson’s Thrush. Catharus ustulatus     Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus     American Robin. Turdus migratorius     Family Mimidae (Thrashers, Catbirds, and Mockingbirds)      Gray Catbird. Dumetella carolinensis     Brown Thrasher. Toxostoma rufum     Sage Thrasher. Oreoscoptes montanus     Family Bombycillidae (Waxwings)      Bohemian Waxwing. Bombycilla garrulus     Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum     Family Motacillidae (Pipits)      American Pipit. Anthus rubescens     Sprague’s Pipit. Anthus spragueii     Family Fringillidae (Finches)      Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. Leucosticte tephrocotis     House Finch. Haemorhous mexicanus     Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra     Pine Siskin. Spinis pinus     American Goldfinch. Spinis tristis     Evening Grosbeak. Coccothraustes vespertinus     Family Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings)      Chestnut-collared Longspur. Calcarius ornatus     McCown’s Longspur. Rhynchophanes mccownii     Family Passerellidae (New World Sparrows and Towhees)      Grasshopper Sparrow. Ammodramus savannarum     Lark Sparrow. Chondestes grammacus     Lark Bunting. Calamospiza melanocorys     Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina     Brewer’s Sparrow. Spizella breweri     American Tree Sparrow. Spizelloides arborea     Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis     White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys     White-throated Sparrow. Zonotrichia albicollis     Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus     Henslow’s Sparrow. Centronyx henslowii     Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia     Swamp Sparrow. Melospiza georgiana     Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus     Eastern Towhee. Pipilo erythropthalmus     Family Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat)      Yellow-breasted Chat. Icteria virens     Family Icteridae (Blackbirds, Orioles, and Meadowlarks)      Yellow-headed Blackbird. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus     Bobolink. Dolichonyx oryzivorus     Eastern Meadowlark. Sturnella magna     Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta     Baltimore Oriole. Icterus galbula     Bullock’s Oriole. Icterus bullockii     Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus     Brown-headed Cowbird. Molothrus ater     Brewer’s Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus     Common Grackle. Quiscalus quiscula     Family Parulidae (New World Warblers)      Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata     Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas     American Redstart. Setophaga ruticilla     Yellow Warbler. Setophaga petechia     Yellow-rumped Warbler. Setophaga coronata     Wilson’s Warbler. Cardillina pusilla     Family Cardinalidae (Cardinals, Tanagers, and Grosbeaks)      Scarlet Tanager. Piranga olivacea     Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana     Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Pheucticus ludovicianus     Black-headed Grosbeak. Pheucticus melanocephalus     Lazuli Bunting. Passerina amoena     Indigo Bunting. Passerina cyanea     Dickcissel. Spiza americana     Chapter 4. Reptiles and Amphibians     An Introduction to Nebraska’s Reptiles and Amphibians     Selected Species Profiles     Amphibians (Salamanders, Toads, and Frogs)      Order Caudata (Salamanders)     Family Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders)     Barred Tiger Salamander. Ambystoma malvortium     Order Anura (Frogs and Toads)      Family Pelabatidae (Spadefoots)      Plains Spadefoot. Spea bombifrons     Family Bufonidae (Toads)      Woodhouse’s Toad. Anaxyrus (Bufo) woodhousei     Family Ranidae (Typical Frogs)      American Bullfrog. Lithobates (Rana) catesbiana     Plains Leopard Frog. Lithobates (Rana) blairi     Northern Leopard Frog. Lithobates (Rana) pipiens     Family Hylidae (Chorus Frogs)      Cope’s Gray Treefrog. Hyla chrysocelis     Boreal Chorus Frog. Pseudacris maculata     Reptiles (Turtles, Lizards, and Snakes)      Order Chelonia (Turtles)      Family Chelydridae (Snapping Turtles)      Eastern Snapping Turtle. Chelydra serpentina     Family Embydidae (Pond and Box Turtles)      Western Painted Turtle. Chrysemys picta     Ornate Box Turtle. Terrapene ornata     Family Trionychidae (Softshell Turtles)      Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle. Apalone mutica     Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle. Apalone spinifera     Order Lacertilia (Lizards)      Family Scincidae (Skinks)      Many-lined Skink. Eumeces (Plestiodon) multivirgatus     Northern Prairie Skink. Plestiodon septentrionalis     Family Phrynosomatidae (Spiny, Earless, Tree, and Horned Lizards)      Greater (Mountain) Short-horned Lizard. Phrynosoma hernandesi     Prairie Lizard. Sceloporus (undulatus) consobrinus     Common Sagebrush Lizard. Sceloporus graciosus     Order Serpentes (Snakes)      Family Colubridae (Harmless Egg-laying Snakes)      Gophersnake (Bullsnake). Pituophis catenifer     Family Natricidae (Live-bearing Snakes)      Wandering (Western Terrestrial) Gartersnake. Thamnophis elegans     Plains Gartersnake. Thamnophis radix     Common Gartersnake. Thamnophis sirtalis     Family Dipsadidae (Rear-fanged Snakes)      Plains (Western) Hog-nosed Snake. Heterodon nasicus     Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Heterodon platyrhinos     Family Viperidae (Pitvipers)      Prairie (Western) Rattlesnake. Crotalus viridis     Massasauga Rattlesnake. Sistrurus catenatus     Chapter 5. Species Checklist and Status/Habitat Codes     Data Sources and Abundance, Habitat, and Conservation Categories     Mammals     Birds     Reptiles and Amphibians     Amphibians     Lizards     Snakes     Chapter 6. Some Natural Treasures of Nebraska     References      

Reviews

Nature writing at its best. -Nancy Plain, Roundup Magazine * Roundup Magazine * A classic of nature writing that combines the keen observance of the scientist with the sensitivity of the naturalist. -Outdoor Press * Outdoor Press * Many scientists and historians have written about the natural history of the Great Plains, but few so compellingly as Paul Johnsgard. -Annals of Iowa * Annals of Iowa * Celebrates the gifts of a half century spent roaming Nebraska's back roads, trails, and sometimes-forgotten places. -Nebraska Magazine * Nebraska Magazine *

Celebrates the gifts of a half century spent roaming Nebraska's back roads, trails, and sometimes-forgotten places. -Nebraska Magazine * Nebraska Magazine * Many scientists and historians have written about the natural history of the Great Plains, but few so compellingly as Paul Johnsgard. -Annals of Iowa * Annals of Iowa * A classic of nature writing that combines the keen observance of the scientist with the sensitivity of the naturalist. -Outdoor Press * Outdoor Press * Nature writing at its best. -Nancy Plain, Roundup Magazine * Roundup Magazine *

Author Information

Paul A. Johnsgard is Foundation Regents Professor Emeritus in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has received conservation and research awards from the National Audubon Society, the American Ornithologists’ Union, the National Wildlife Federation, and other state and national organizations. Johnsgard is the author of more than one hundred books on natural history, including Those of the Gray Wind: The Sandhill Cranes; Prairie Dog Empire: A Saga of the Shortgrass Prairie; and The Nature of Nebraska: Ecology and Biodiversity, all available in Bison Books editions.  

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