Birds of North Dakota Field Checklist

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The following checklist includes 354 species of birds that are possible to see in North Dakota. Of these 354, there are 18 species that are either summer residents, periodic inhabitants, or primary migrants that are referred to as inferred nesting species. Inferred nesting species are those that have been seen during the breeding season but no actual nests have been found.

The dates for the season used in this checklist are defined as: Spring: March 15 - May 31; Summer: June 1 - July 31; Fall: August 1 - November 15; Winter: November 15 - March 14.

It is suggested you keep this field checklist through many seasons and record the date when you see a new bird. This will allow you to keep a "life list" and enjoy the experience of sighting and recording North Dakota bird species.

Abbreviations used in the checklist in relation to relative abundance are as follows:
Ab - ABUNDANT; a species that occurs in very large numbers and is easily observed. C - COMMON; a species that occurs in large numbers. F - FAIRLY COMMON; a species that occurs in moderate numbers. U - UNCOMMON; a species that occurs in low numbers. R - RARE; a species that occurs yearly somewhere in the state, but in very low numbers. O - OCCASIONAL; a rare species that occurs at intervals of 3 - 5 years. Ac - ACCIDENTAL; a species that is not expected to occur again or that occurs very infrequently. This classification includes species that have occurred in the state three or fewer times. E - EXTIRPATED; a species that formerly occurred naturally in the state. * - Breeds in North Dakota (i) - Inferred nesting species.

Abbreviations used in the checklist in relation to relative abundance are as follows:

Ab - ABUNDANT; a species that occurs in very large numbers and is easily observed.
C - COMMON; a species that occurs in large numbers.
F - FAIRLY COMMON; a species that occurs in moderate numbers.
U - UNCOMMON; a species that occurs in low numbers.
R - RARE; a species that occurs yearly somewhere in the state, but in very low numbers.
O - OCCASIONAL; a rare species that occurs at intervals of 3 - 5 years.
Ac - ACCIDENTAL; a species that is not expected to occur again or that occurs very infrequently. This classification includes species that have occurred in the state three or fewer times.
E - EXTIRPATED; a species that formerly occurred naturally in the state.
* - Breeds in North Dakota
(i) - Inferred nesting species.

Acknowledgements
The information used for this checklist was primarily taken from the following source:

Faanes, C.A., and R.E. Stewart, 1982. Revised Checklist
of North Dakota Birds; The Prairie Naturalist, Vol. 14 (3): 97 92.

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