Birds in Iowa - USA Birds

Iowa, sandwiched between two major river systems in the center of the upper Midwest, gives birders a little bit of everything. Iowa is home to a variety of stunning native bird species. In Iowa, more than 431 different species of birds can be spotted at various periods of the year.

Birds of Iowa comprises species that have been documented in the United States of America’s state of Iowa and have been accepted by the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union (IOU). As of August 2021, the official list contains 431 species. There are 91 accidental species, 29 casual species, eight introduced species to North America, three extinct species, and one extirpated species.

The eastern goldfinch, commonly known as the American goldfinch and wild canary, was named the official state bird by the General Assembly in 1933. It was chosen as the state bird because it is abundant in Iowa and frequently remains throughout the winter.

Iowa birds of prey

In the spring and fall, from trails along wooded cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River, you may witness hawks, ospreys, and bald eagles glide over the river.

Hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures are all examples of birds of prey. These birds have enormous hooked beaks capable of shredding flesh from their victims, strong legs, sharp talons, and acute vision. In Iowa, fifteen species have been identified.

Golden eagles are most common in Northeastern Iowa’s bluff land from November through March.

More information about these birds can be found in the section below.

Eagles in Iowa

Eagles are awe-inspiring creatures to observe. They soar high, swoop in quickly to pluck lunch from the water, and they are a sight to behold.

Iowa is home to numerous bald eagles, which appear to be everywhere throughout the winter months. If you live in Iowa, you can continue to see them on a regular basis while out and about during the dead of winter. Look up in the trees if you come across a stream or a lake.

Additional eagles can be found in the section below. If you’re interested in learning more, simply click the link for an expanded article on each!

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Owls in Iowa

Iowa is home to nine distinct species of owls. You may not have seen them all before, as two — the short-eared owl and the barn owl — are state endangered, and one — the long-eared owl — is a state threatened.

Let’s examine some of the most fascinating facts about each species, and if you’re interested in learning more, simply click the link for an expanded article on each!

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Common backyard birds of Iowa

Birds in Iowa range from the more common Black-capped Chickadee to the less common Yellow-headed Blackbird. The American Goldfinch was named the official bird of Iowa in 1933.

The following is a list of lovely common backyard birds found in Iowa, complete with photographs and identification. Additionally, we added information on the frequency with which the birds are observed, as well as the time of year during which they are observed.

Woodpeckers in Iowa

While birdwatching in the woods and forests is the best way to see woodpeckers in Iowa, some species such as Red-bellied, Hairy, Downy, and Northern Flickers can be seen at home feeders.

There are about 300 species of woodpeckers worldwide, with approximately 22 species present in the United States. I’ve discovered that Iowa has seven species of woodpeckers out of the 22. Several of these seven species are year-round residents of Iowa, while others visit on a seasonal basis.

Make sure to read all the way to the end, as we’ll discuss ways to attract woodpeckers to your yard.

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Best Birdwatching Spots in Iowa

Due to Iowa’s location between the two major migratory flyways of the Missouri River Valley and the Mississippi River Valley, birders can watch the passage of a variety of species that do not nest in the state but pass through during the spring and fall migrations. Additionally, Iowa is a state at a crossroads. Numerous southern birds, including yellow-throated and worm-eating warblers, spend the summer in Iowa.

When the majority of people think of Iowa, they immediately think of its remarkable agricultural productivity. However, above those fertile fields sits one of the best birdwatching locations in the country.

Here are the 5 spots you can visit for birdwatching.

Saylorville Reservoir
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
Cone Marsh
Waubonsie State Park
Red Rock Reservoir

Other Iowa birds

Birds are found throughout the world. Perhaps you simply enjoy sitting in your backyard or peering out the front window. While feeder operations may attract birds close enough to observe many features, you may be amazed at how many species are visible nearby simply by gazing in the trees, shrubs, and sky. Consider the following other birds that may be found in Iowa.

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Cardellina Canadensis – Canada Warbler

Setophaga Virens – Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga Discolor – Prairie Warbler

Setophaga Dominica – Yellow-Throated Warblers

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Pinus – Pine Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Fusca – Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

Setophaga Cerulea – Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga Tigrina – Cape May Warbler

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Setophaga Citrina – Hooded Warbler

Geothlypis Formosa – Kentucky Warblers

Geothlypis Philadelphia – Mourning Warbler

Oporornis Agilis – Connecticut Warbler

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Protonotaria Citrea – Prothonotary Warbler

Vermivora Cyanoptera – Blue-Winged Warblers

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Vermivora Chrysoptera – Golden-Winged Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Helmitheros Vermivorum – Worm-Eating Warbler

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Americana – Redhead

Anas Crecca – Green-Winged Teal

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Rubripes – American Black Duck

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Cyanoptera – Cinnamon Teal

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Columbianus – Tundra Swan

Cygnus Buccinator – Trumpeter Swan

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Semipalmata – Willet

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Scolopax Minor – American Woodcock

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Subruficollis – Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Calidris Fuscicollis – White-Rumped Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Alba – Sanderling

Arenaria Interpres – Ruddy Turnstone

Limosa Haemastica – Hudsonian Godwit

Bartramia Longicauda – Upland Sandpipers

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Larus Hyperboreus – Glaucous Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Sayornis Phoebe – Eastern Phoebe

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax Virescens – Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax Flavive – Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher

Contopus Virens – Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Tyrannus Forficatus – Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Verticalis – Western Kingbird

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Myiarchus Crinitus – Great Crested Flycatcher

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Egretta Caerulea – Little Blue Heron

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Ixobrychus Exilis – Least Bittern

Botaurus Lentiginosus – American Bittern

Coturnicops Noveboracensis – Yellow Rail

Porphyrio Martinicus – Purple Gallinule

Gallinula Galeata – Common Gallinule

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis Squatarola – Black-Bellied Plover

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Cyanocitta Cristata – Blue Jay

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Progne Subis – Purple Martin

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Hylocichla Mustelina – Wood Thrush

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Sialia Sialis – Eastern Bluebird

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Euphagus Cyanocephalus – Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus Carolinus – Rusty Blackbird

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole

Icterus Spurius – Orchard Oriole

Sturnella Neglect – Western Meadowlark

Sturnella Magna – Eastern Meadowlark

Dolichonyx Oryzivorus – Bobolink

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Erythropthalmus – Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Recurvirostra Americana – American Avocet

Gavia Immer – Common Loon

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Mexicanus – Prairie Falcon

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Lanius Borealis – Northern Shrike

Lanius Ludovicianus – Loggerhead Shrike

Baeolophus Bicolor – Tufted Titmouse

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Thryothorus Ludovicianus – Carolina Wren

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Chondestes Grammacus – Lark Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Melospiza Melodia – Song Sparrow

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Cistothorus Platensis – Sedge Wren

Troglodytes Hiemalis – Winter Wren

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Toxostoma crissale - Crissal thrasher photo capture in surprise

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Calcarius Ornatus – Chestnut-Collared Longspur

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Spiza americana – Dickcissel

Passerina Cyanea – Indigo Bunting

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Passerina Caerulea – Blue Grosbeak

Pheucticus Ludovicianus – Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

If you have encountered a bird in Iowa that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.