Welcome to Nebraska, home to various wildlife, including green birds. Green birds can be found everywhere across the state, from countryside farms to urban parks.
These birds come in various species, from the familiar robin to the more exotic rose-breasted grosbeak.
Whether you are an experienced birdwatcher or are just beginning to explore the world of bird-watching, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Nebraska’s green birds. In this guide, learn about their behavior, habitats, and the best times and locations to spot them.
15 Green Birds In Nebraska
Nebraska is a state that is known for its diverse wildlife, especially its birds. More than 450 species of birds, some rare and colorful, have been recorded in Nebraska.
Here are 15 green birds that you can see in Nebraska.
1. New World Warblers
The New World warblers, also known as wood-warblers, are a family of birds belonging to the Parulidae family. These birds are found exclusively in the New World, characterized by their small size and bright, colorful feathers.
Although they are often called singers, they are not closely related to Old World or Australian warblers.
Old World warblers are a group of birds found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, while Australian warblers are a group of passerine birds found in Australia and nearby islands.
New World and Old World or Australian warblers are not closely related despite their similar names.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
2. Violet-Green Swallow
The violet-green swallow is a species of bird that is part of the swallow family. It is native to North America and can be found along the western coast, from Alaska to Mexico, and in the midwestern states of Montana and Texas.
These birds are aerial insectivores, meaning they feed on insects while in flight. They are small and have distinctive coloring, with a violet-green hue on their chest and back. They also have a forked tail, a pointed bill, and white underparts.
These birds often form large flocks and can be seen in summer when they migrate to find food. They live in open woodlands and near wetlands, where they can easily find food. When they aren’t migrating, they are typically found nesting in tree cavities or on ledges.
The violet-green swallow is an integral part of the North American ecosystem, as it helps to keep insect populations in check.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Tachycineta |
| Species | T. thalassina |
3. Kentucky Warbler
The Kentucky warbler is a small species of New World warbler found in North America. It has a distinctive yellow breast and a grayish-brown back, with a black streak on each side of its head. Its wings are short and rounded, and its tail is short and pointed.
It is a sluggish and heavy warbler, preferring to spend most of its time on or near the ground rather than in the air. It is usually quite secretive, but its melodious song can be heard from the canopy of trees during the breeding season.
The Kentucky warbler’s diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, which it finds while foraging on the ground. It is popular among bird watchers because of its brightly colored plumage, unique song, and secretive behavior.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Geothlypis |
| Species | G. formosa |
4. Green-Winged Teal
The American teal is a small, dabbling duck native to North America. It is widely distributed across the continent, breeding in northern regions from Alaska to the Atlantic Coast but not on the Aleutian Islands.
The American teal was previously grouped with the Eurasian teal but has since been reclassified as its unique species. This species is one of North America’s most common and widespread ducks, inhabiting wetland habitats such as marshes, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
It feeds on insects, small fish, aquatic vegetation, and grains and is an important prey species for predators like foxes, hawks, and owls. The American teal is a famous game bird hunted for its meat and feathers.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. carolinensis |
5. Green Heron
The green heron, or Butorides virescens, is a species of heron found in North and Central America.
This species of heron is smaller than other herons and has a unique name; its scientific name is derived from the Middle English term butor, meaning “bittern”, and the Ancient Greek -oides, meaning “resembling”.
The second part of its scientific name, virescens, is Latin for “greenish”, which is an apt description for the heron’s predominantly green plumage. This heron species is typically found near freshwater bodies such as lakes, streams, and rivers.
It is a water bird known for its stealth and quickness while hunting its prey. It is also known for its unique courtship display involving a stick or twig.
The green heron is a remarkable species found in the Americas and is worth looking out for when exploring the outdoors.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. virescens |
6. Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s warbler is a small bird that belongs to the New World warbler family. It is mainly identified by its characteristic green color on its upper side and yellow underside. Its wings are rounded, and its tail is long and slim.
The male Wilson’s warbler has a black patch on its crown, which helps to differentiate it from the female. However, the size and shape of the crown patch varies depending on the subspecies of the Wilson’s warbler. The female typically has either a reduced or absent crown patch.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Cardellina |
| Species | C. pusilla |
7. Painted Bunting
The painted bunting is a bird species belonging to the cardinal family, Cardinalidae. It is native to North America and has brightly colored plumage, which can only be seen in two-year-old males.
In the first year, the male and female painted buntings look very similar and can only be distinguished with close inspection. The male birds display their bright colors of blue, red, and green in their second year of life.
The female birds have a duller coloration, mainly yellow and green. The painted bunting is an integral part of the North American bird population, as its bright colors provide an exciting sight for birdwatchers and naturalists.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae |
| Genus | Passerina |
| Species | P. ciris |
8. MacGillivray’s Warbler
MacGillivray’s warbler is a species of small songbird native to North America. It is one of the New World warblers, a group of birds known for their bright and cheerful songs. These birds are relatively large, with a thick body and short wings.
They tend to be sluggish and prefer to stay close to the ground, though they occasionally fly up into a tree to sing. MacGillivray’s warbler is known for its characteristic singing, which is loud and melodic.
The birds are often seen in open woodlands and shrubby habitats. They feed mainly on insects, which they find on the ground, but they will also eat some fruits and berries. During breeding season, the males will sing to attract females and to protect their territory.
MacGillivray’s warbler is an important species in many North American ecosystems, and it is essential to the balance of predator and prey populations.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Geothlypis |
| Species | G. tolmiei |
9. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a stunningly beautiful bird with a distinctive broad tail. It is a medium-sized hummingbird species that can be found in a variety of highland regions across the Western Hemisphere.
This species can be seen in Western Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
It is known for its fast and acrobatic flight, making it a joy to watch as it flits. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird has a wide range of colors, with its back and wings an iridescent green color and its throat a brilliant pink or red.
Its deep black tail has an iridescent sheen highlighted by its white spots.
Along with its bright colors, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird has an unmistakable call to signal its presence. This hummingbird species is known to feed on various insects and nectar from flowers.
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird uses its long beak and tongue to reach the nectar. They generally live in forests, meadows, and gardens, with ample food and shelter. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is an essential species in the ecosystems it inhabits.
It is a vital pollinator for various plants, including many species of native wildflowers.
They also act as a natural pest control, helping to limit the number of insects in their environment. Overall, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a fascinating species that is a pleasure to observe.
With its vibrant colors and acrobatic flight, it is an important species essential for its environment’s health.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. platycercus |
10. Northern Parula
The northern parula is a small New World warbler species commonly found in eastern North America. It breeds from the southern parts of Canada down to Florida. These birds prefer habitats with dense shrubbery and thickets, such as woodlands and swamps.
The northern parula is a brightly colored bird with a bright yellow chest, a gray back, and white or yellowish stripes along its wings. Males are slightly larger than females, with a black band across the throat and two white wing bars.
During the breeding season, the male northern parula engages in a courtship display that combines singing and tail-spreading.
The female lays a clutch of 2-5 eggs, which take about two weeks to hatch. Once the young are born, both parents feed and care for them.
The northern parula is a species of Least Concern, according to the IUCN, since it is pretty standard throughout its range.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. americana |
11. Great Crested Flycatcher
The great crested flycatcher is an impressive bird that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is characterized by its large size and diet, consisting primarily of insects.
This species is a ubiquitous bird in North America, making its home over much of the eastern and midwestern parts of the continent. The great crested flycatcher is an arboreal bird, meaning it lives in the treetops and rarely ventures to the ground.
This species is a master of camouflage, often blending in with its surroundings and making it difficult to spot. Despite its elusive nature, it can be identified by its distinct call, a sharp series of whistles.
The great crested flycatcher is an integral part of the natural ecosystem in North America, as it helps to keep insect populations in check.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Myiarchus |
| Species | M. crinitus |
12. Lesser Goldfinch
The lesser goldfinch is a tiny songbird found in the Americas. It is one of three species that make up the New World goldfinch clade, which is part of the genus Spinus. This clade includes the American goldfinch and Lawrence’s goldfinch.
The physical distinction between the male and female lesser goldfinch is that males have a black forehead, while females do not. This trait is shared with the other two species in the clade.
The male lesser goldfinch uses this black forehead to attract a mate during the breeding season.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Spinus |
| Species | S. psaltria |
13. Black-Throated Green Warbler
The black-throated green warbler is a species of songbird found in parts of North America and Central America. It belongs to the family of New World warblers, small passerine birds.
The black-throated green warbler is a small bird with olive-green upperparts, yellowish underparts, and a black throat and breast. It has a white eye ring, wing bars, and a yellowish supercilium. The male has a black forehead, crown, and nape.
The female is similar but duller. These birds inhabit deciduous and mixed forests and can be found in woodlands, parks, gardens, and scrublands. They feed primarily on insects but also eat various fruits and seeds.
In the breeding season, the male will sing a complex song from high in a tree, often in a group of other birds. The black-throated green warbler is considered a species of most minor concern by the IUCN, as its population is stable and not facing any significant threats.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. virens |
14. Pine Warbler
The pine warbler is a small songbird from the New World warbler family. This family, also known as “wood-warblers,” consists of roughly 115 species of birds native to the Americas.
The pine warbler is native to many parts of North America, including the eastern United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is a migratory species, meaning the birds leave their nesting grounds in the warmer months to spend the winter in more hospitable climates.
The pine warbler is a small bird, usually measuring around 4.5 to 5.5 inches in length. It has a distinct yellowish-olive coloration on its back, wings, and tail and a white underside with bold black streaks on its chest.
It has a black and yellow striped head and a yellow-tipped tail. The male and female birds look very similar, but the male birds are more colorful. The pine warbler is not a very vocal bird, although it produces various soft chirps and tweets.
It feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates but will also eat fruit and seeds. Its preferred habitat is coniferous and mixed woods, but it can also be found in more open areas.
It builds its nest in the lower branches of coniferous trees, using grass, plant fibers, and pine needles to construct a cup-shaped structure. The pine warbler is an important species for many reasons.
Its presence is an indicator of a healthy, diverse ecosystem, and its insect diet helps control insect populations. It is also an essential species for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts, providing a beautiful and unique bird to observe in its natural habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. pinus |
15. Hooded Warbler
The Hooded Warbler is a species of bird found in the New World covering North America areas.
It breeds during the summer months across the eastern United States and into southern Canada. It migrates south for the winter, with some birds traveling to Central America and the West Indies.
Some Hooded Warblers will occasionally stray far from their normal range and end up in Western Europe, although this is rare. The Hooded Warbler is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring 4.5 and 5.5 inches.
It has a grey-brown head and upperparts, yellow underparts, and a white eye ring, which gives it its distinctive name.
Its song is described as a rapid series of high-pitched notes, and it is usually found in deciduous forests, where it searches for insects and spiders on the underside of leaves.
The Hooded Warbler is listed as a species of most minor concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, as its population is believed to be stable. However, its population numbers could decline due to habitat loss caused by urbanization and agricultural activities.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect and conserve the species, and the Hooded Warbler is hoped to continue to thrive in its natural habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. citrina |
Conclusion
Green birds have become a common sight in Nebraska. As a result of their abundance, green birds have become a beloved part of the Nebraska landscape.
As the human population continues to expand in the region, it is essential to protect natural habitats to ensure the green bird population remains healthy.
By providing food and nesting areas, we can ensure that green birds remain a part of Nebraska’s diverse wildlife for many years t