Corvids are some of the most adaptable and clever birds on the planet. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist They’re everywhere: In the streets, in the skies, in the parking lots and even on baseball fields — corvids. You’ll know them as crows, ravens, blue jays and black-billed magpies. Worldwide, over 130 species of birds belong in the Corvidae family. Widely distributed, these birds thrive in diverse ecosystems, from dense forests to urban environments. They are typically medium to large …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Sometimes, our fascination with wildlife can lead to the perpetuation of myths and misconceptions. From fabled tales that have been passed down through the generations to more quirky beliefs that find their way into modern folklore, animal myths captivate our imagination and influence the way we perceive and interact with the creatures that share our planet. In this article, let’s peel back the layers of misinformation to reveal the captivating truths behind many remarkable …

Best of Show BEST OF SHOW – Lego Aviary Photo by Chris Bergstrom, Blair @chriscosmosphotography Since Nebraskaland Magazine’s photo contest began, we have seen tens of thousands of images, but none as unique as Chris Bergstrom’s Best in Show winner, “Lego Aviary.” The image made our team laugh and also brought into discussion how much planning must have been done to capture this photograph. “It took me hundreds of shots,” Chris said. “I have a passion to shoot night skies, …

A stopwatch is nearly as important to your fishing success as your rod and reel. By Jeff Kurrus Staring into an 8-inch hole in the ice, your eyes following the thinnest fishing line you’ve ever seen, might be the most addictive activity on the planet. So addictive, in fact, that a stopwatch is nearly as important to your fishing success as your rod and reel. Using this uncommon ice fishing device, an angler can assure that they will in fact …

By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist It is a long-held tradition to take time around the New Year to reflect on what’s important, to acknowledge accomplishments and to imagine how we can live more closely aligned with our values in the next year. If the outdoors and conservation are important to you, here are a few ways to better connect with nature in 2024. Track the Changes As we see more changes in our climate, we also are witnessing changes …

How tuberculosis ended public spitting. By Patricia C. Gaster, History Nebraska During the late 19th century, spittoons became a common feature of saloons, hotels, stores, banks, railway carriages and other places where adult men gathered. Many localities passed laws against public spitting other than into a spittoon, but such laws were seldom enforced. Some people of this era objected to restrictions on where they could spit as an infringement on their individual liberty. Nonetheless, anti-spitting sentiment was growing. The Norfolk Weekly …

Story and photos by Jeff Kurrus It’s easy to become entranced with these gigantic birds, their honks seemingly daring you to take the plunge into the deep water that is Canada goose hunting. But before you do, I’m going to encourage you not to. Find something, anything else, to do with your time. You’ll thank me for it. Just What I Needed First, you don’t have enough decoys. Well, maybe you do. But you probably don’t. In the beginning of …

Trumpeter swans are one of North America’s greatest conservation success stories. By Olivia DaRugna, Wildlife Diversity Biologist Trumpeter swans are among the largest and heaviest of native waterfowl in North America, weighing about 25 pounds and standing close to 4 feet. Their large size makes getting airborne quite the achievement. Similar to an airplane, swans need a large, open space where they can gain enough speed, running to take flight using their long wings and shallow, rapid wingbeats to slowly …

The survival instincts of animals kick into high gear in the winter. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist As winter blankets the landscape with frost and snow, the survival instincts of wildlife kick into high gear. In this season of scarcity, the availability of quality habitats becomes crucial for the well-being and sustenance of various species. From birds and mammals to insects and aquatic life, each organism seeks refuge in habitats that provide warmth, food and protection from the elements. …

This December, look for the color red in nature. By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist This article is part of the Nebraska Nature in Color series. This limited series will run monthly December 2023- June 2024. When contemplating the colors of December in Nebraska, the hues that come to mind are the browns of a sleepy landscape and the blanket of white that, at times, covers this seemingly barren terrain. But soon after, the color red also comes to mind, …