"You cannot see the Front Range from the western border of Kansas, but the effects of the Rocky Mountains modify the biota of lands east to the Mississippi River and beyond. A knowledgeable observer traveling west from Indiana might discern subtle shifts in the composition of forests and in the plants growing along the railroad rights-of-way, but from western Missouri to the far edge of Kansas change becomes obvious. Biotic transition is the theme when moving west into the deepening rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains; it is the phenomenon that makes bird finding in western Missouri and Kansas an adventure in finding the unexpected."

 There are 453 species (including 13 hypothetical species) on the official KOS checklist, published by the Kansas Ornithological Society. The central position of the state in the continent, and the diversity of habitats (ranging from Ozark forest to sand/sage prairie) ensures a diverse avifauna. Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Eastern and Western Meadowlarks, Rose-breasted and Black-headed Grosbeaks, Painted and Lazuli Buntings, and Brown Thrashers and Sage Thrashers epitomize the schizophrenic nature of the avifauna of Kansas. Come visit and see for yourself! 

• The Prairie Falcon - the online newsletter of the Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society in Manhattan KS. Updated monthly.
• Birds of the Cimmarron National Grassland - Free bird guide available from the US Forest Service
• Phenological checklist of the Birds of the Northern Flint Hills - updated 1995
• Phenological checklist of the Birds of Konza Prairie - updated from Zimmerman (1985); Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) added in Jan 1996.
• Breeding Birds of the Platte River Valley - Check out this well-designed and very useful compendium of data, authored by Gary Lingle and Craig Faanes. The body of the latter is in exile just outside the Washington Beltway, but his soul remains on the Great Plains. Thanks, Craig!
• Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks
• Sandhill Cranes - Pictures, data, and conservation thereof. Maintained by the Nebraska Dept. of Game and Parks.
• Konza Prairie Information, including pictures of prairie fires and grazing bison
• Kansas Prairie Wildflower pictures - maintained by C. Owensby, KSU Range Research
• The Kansas Paddler Home Page - T.J. Hittle's links to canoeing, kayaking, and other resources that might interest river runners, stream conservationists, and just plain folks who are interested in protecting and appreciating our native streams.
• Western Hemisphere Shorebird Gallery - lots of pictures of shorebirds, useful for browsing or for learning
• George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center - private, non-profit organization in Bartlesville OK, dedicated to finding cooperative conservation solutions for birds and the natural world through science and education.
• Winter Birdfeeding Survey for KS - Organized by Elmer Finck at Emporia State, and funded by KDWP's Chickadee Checkoff Funds.

• Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (Please consider joining the Friends of Quivira support group for this refuge)
• Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve - Our newest member of the National Parks System, this jewel of the prairie nestles in the Flint Hills about 50 miles south of Manhattan.
• Pratt Area Birding Guide - Good resource for those planning a birding trip to the Red Hills.
• Cheyenne Bottoms
• Kansas State Parks
• Contact information for National Wildlife Refuges in Kansas