Check-list of the Birds of Kansas

This carefully compiled inventory offers a snapshot of the avian life that has graced the plains of Kansas. Drawing on a tradition that began with early 20th‑century surveys, the author updates the state’s bird record while pointing out where our knowledge still falls short. The text invites amateur naturalists and seasoned ornithologists alike to contribute observations of nesting, migration, and distribution, linking their data to the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History. By framing the checklist as a collaborative project, it underscores the ongoing role of field notes and specimen collections in filling the gaps.

The work lists 375 confirmed species—over 450 when subspecies are counted—highlighting the 173 that have bred within state borders. Each entry follows the American Ornithologists' Union taxonomy and notes whether a bird is a regular visitor, a rare transient, or known only from a single specimen. A separate hypothetical list flags birds reported but not yet verified, encouraging further documentation. Readers will find vivid examples, from the common loon drifting over prairie lakes to the elusive western grebe that may still linger in western habitats.