Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at suburban Des Moines, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at suburban Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopy of an Iowa Bird Life magazine cover page photograph, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Suburban Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa	Wooded residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim and Jane Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Dennis Thompson, Cecile Thompson, Ross Silcock, Tanya Bray, Beth Proescholdt, Ann Crane, Fred Crane, Jim Dinsmore, Sue Spieker, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Brown, John Cecil, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed kite has white tail, black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:10:00 on June 22, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-16	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve in Blackhawk County, IA on May 16, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and one documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Hartman Reserve, Cedar Falls, Iowa	River bottom and large field with scattered trees. The bird glided over from south to north and disappeared.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: We were looking for a Swallow-tailed Kite reported the day before, but this bird did not have the forked tail and contrasting black and white of that species. The underparts and tail were not white as would be expected for Black-shouldered Kite. I did note any contrast in the upper wing (white posterior edge of inner wing) -- I may not have seen this or this could of been a first-year bird that lacks this mark. The failure to flap wings and overall gray color is inconsistent with any falcon. I saw a Swainson's Hawk earlier in the morning and its contrasting underwing was very different than this bird. A Red-tailed Hawk was also seen earlier and had an obvious buteo shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:27:00/10:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Clive, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-23	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Clive in Polk County, IA on May 23, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Clive	Clive, Polk Co., Iowa. Same bird observed by many others and photographed by Tom Kent.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Really unmistakable perched at such close range. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) basically a white bird with a white tail, much less likely in Iowa.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-06-13	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Iowa City on Johnson County, IA on June 13, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Berry, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Iowa City	The north edge of Iowa City, near the Rochester Hy-vee.	Above a wooded residential area.	The documentation form by Robert Berry is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Glorine Berry and Diane Amundson. \| Elimination of similar species: I consulted three books and Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, Iowa on May 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Mississippi Kite	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No falcon is dark gray with a very dark otherwise unmarked tail from below, and no falcon has an unmarked whitish head and neck. A Common Nighthawk is brownish with obvious white wing patches from below. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:45:00 (20-30 seconds).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-22	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 22, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	"Peterson Pits" Mine Reclamation Area, Story County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall "Randy" Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Mary Kuhlman, Carlyn Fischer, Jan Walter, Daniel Pinkston, Dorothy Zehr, and Sibyl Sand. \| Elimination of similar species: Falcons also have pointed wingtips but wings typically appear more sickle-shaped, less plank-like. Falcon not expected to sail so effortlessly on fixed wings for so long. Dark slate-gray plumage and white head seen in good light does not fit with any North American falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hitchcock Nature Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-23	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 23, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Mississippi Kite	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Nature Area, Pottawattamie County (Five miles north of Crescent)		The documentation form by Babs & Loren Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roland Barth. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:49:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-26	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 26, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Mississippi Kite	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove, Marshall County - hawk-watch	Wooded ridge paralleling Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine, imm male, is similar. See above. It was near the size and shape of a Peregrine with long tapered wings & slim body. I knew this wasn't a Peregrine (but an immature male Peregrine & an imm. Mississippi Kite are similar). However the slim, pointed wings of this bird had a different shape; the tail was longer, proportionately, than a Peregrine's, & squared-off rather than tapered like a Peregrine's. I couldn't see if its tail flared at the tip, but in the gap where we had a second, very quick look, Eloise noted its twisting of the tail which is a Mississippi Kite trait. But it was the wing beat that determined absolutely that it was a Mississippi Kite- light, bouyant, [sic] floppy, leisurely, like a moth-so different from the powerful, rapid, direct flight of a Peregrine, and different from any other raptor's flight we have observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Windsor Heights, 1995	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-13	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at Windsor Heights in Polk County, IA on May 13, 1995. Includes one record review document with votes, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam	Mississippi Kite	Windsor Heights	Polk Co., Windsor Heights, 73rd Street north of University Ave., behind Olivet Church.		The documentation form by Pam Allen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Chris Edwards was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Tom Kent, Dick Tetrault, Reid Allen, and Jane Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite has a white tail and black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Des Moines, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Mississippi Kites in the Des Moines Area in Polk County, IA on August 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Olivet Baptist Church - Des Moines area	Church parking lot with large trees and open spaces and creek	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and Phil McFadden. \| Elimination of similar species: It's quite distinctive. A white-tailed Kite has black shoulders and a white tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at MacBride Field Campus, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-06	1984-01-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at MacBride Field Campus in Johnson County, IA on January 6, 1984.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Northern Goshawk	Macbride Nature Recreation Area	Macbride Field Campus Johnson Co.	mixed conifer and deciduous forest. hilly with open areas	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon and a Christmas Bird Count group. \| Elimination of similar species: large size and eyebrow strip eliminate other accipiters. Buteo's are generally browner, shorter tail, and also lack an eyebrow strip. Osprey is also browner and has more extensive white on the head. Osprey also would have noticeably long wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-03-18	1984-03-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on March 18, 1984.	Thompson, Dennis	Northern Goshawk	Lake Red Rock	North edge of Red Rock Res. Marion County	Pinegrove of 4 or 5 acres on north side of Red Rock Res. Thick grove of pines 30-40 ft. tall.	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Cooper's or Sharp-shinned. Silver-gray coloration eliminated buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Cherokee, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 15, 1984.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Goshawk	Cherokee	3 miles northwest of the town of Cherokee	Red Cedar and oak timber	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers and Sharpshinned hawks, this was an adult bird and it did not have the rust colored barring on the chest that they do. Falcons have narrow pointed wings. Male Northern Harriers are lighter and have a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on January 22, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	3 mi. S. of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co.	Open field edge along Wapsipinicon River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have wide, bold, white eyestripe or fluffy undertail coverts. Sharp-shinned Hawk is a lot smaller than this bird was. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-28	1984-01-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on January 28, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	N.W. side of Big Marsh, Butler Co.	Open marsh with some tree and shrub wildlife plantings	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Dan Perkins. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have white eyestripe or long fluffy undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Elkhart, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Elkhart in Polk County, IA on January 29, 1984.	Mosman, Dean	Northern Goshawk	Elkhart	2 M.E. of Elkhart, IA	Timber Area	The documentation form by Darwin (Dean) Mosman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Diane Mosman and Mike Mosman. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's is too small also no eye line. No barring on breast of Goshawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-02-15	1984-02-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on February 15, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	northeast Bremer Co, road just east of Sweet Marsh	from trees along marsh, over farmland	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt and Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk - too large for that; other hawk (buteos or harrier) - not that because of accipiter shape + flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:08:00/13:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Roseate Spoonbill at Waubonsie Wildlife Area, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Roseate Spoonbill at Waubonsie Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on August 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an article from North American Birds, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Roseate Spoonbill	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie W.A., Fremont Co., IA	roosting in willows in flooded bottomland	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Michael D. Overton were submitted later. Other observers include Dixie Overton, Ann Johnson, James Scheib, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Peter Ernzen, Dick Tetrault, Beth Proescholdt, Dennis Henrickson, John Sullivan, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, B.J. Rose, Ross Silcock, James Dinsmore, Babs Padelford, and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: The heron shape, pink body color, and bill shape are unique to this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:13:00/19:51:00 on August 4, 05:53:00/06:15:00 on August 5, and 18:44:00/19:47:00 on 13 August.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Lake Rathbun, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1983-12-19	1984-01-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Lake Rathbun in Lucas County, IA on December 19, 1983.	Brown, Mike	Northern Goshawk	Rathbun Lake	Lucas Co., Iowa approx. 3.5 miles southeast of Russell, Lake Rathbun area	upland mixture of corn stubble, woodland and planted prairie grasses	The documentation form by Mike Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Winter and Bill Rybarczyk. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger and grayer undersides than other Accipiters. Shorter wings, no rump patch, and different flight pattern than N. Harrier. Wings not pointed like a falcon's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Roseate Spoonbill at Union Slough National Wildlife Slough in 1960	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1960-08-16	1993-08-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Roseate Spoonbill at Union Slough National Wildlife Slough in Kossuth County, IA on August 16, 1960. Includes a record review document with votes, letters from Thomas Kent to Harold Burgess, two letters from Harold Burgess to Thomas Kent, a letter from John Guthrie to Harold Burgess, a memo from Roswell D. Van Duesen to Harold Burgess, and the original sighting record found in the publication Roseate Spoonbill Observed at Union Slough by Harold Burgess in Iowa Bird Life 30(3):67-68. Roseate Spoonbill seen by Harold Burgess, Roswell D. Van Deusen, and Charles Van Kirk.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Roseate Spoonbill	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Swainson's Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-12	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Swainson's Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 12, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mayfield, John E.	Swainson's Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames IA	Open park land, Large trees with grass beneath.	The documentation form by John Mayfield is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Chipping sparrow: observed warbler had less vibrant color, was less active, warbler bill not sparrow bill. Palm warbler: no yellow or yellowish color, no tail wagging definitely not a palm warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Selasphorus species at Chester, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Beneficial birds Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-25	2000-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Selasphorus species at Chester in Howard County, IA on September 25, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Tyler, Eleanor Tyler, Sanford	Rufous Hummingbirds	Chester	Feeder at Chester, Iowa home of Sanford + Eleanor Tyler	Bottle feeder + Locust Tree	The documentation form and letter by Eleanor and Sanford Tyler is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis Moore, Robert K. Myers, Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Steve Dinsmore, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Dennis Thompson, Kevin Tyler, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Allen's - eliminated by type of Storm and direction of Storm.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Marbled Godwit at Cherokee, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of forty-six Marbled Godwits at Cherokee Airport in Cherokee, Cherokee County, IA on May 17 and 19, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting and others, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Marbled Godwit	Cherokee Municipal Airport	Cherokee Airport	General: flooded corn field Specific: Waters Edge	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian which was also in the field. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:45:00/20:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Norwalk, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	2000-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The original documentation reports the bird as a Black-shouldered Kite	Johnson, Ann	White-tailed Kite	Norwalk	My home in northern Warren County, Iowa	Agricultural area with some riparian edges	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape and flight pattern initially eliminated buteos and accipiters. I seriously considered both Northern Harrier and Peregrine Falcon. Until the bird got close enough to see the underparts, Peregrine was the most likely candidate based on the straight trailing edge of the wing, although I have never seen a Peregrine glide so effortlessly with few wing strokes taken. The flight pattern and white head made me aware that this was probably a kite. Of the other possibilities for this bird, all were eliminated by the white tail with no markings. Only a Ferruginous Hawk would share this characteristic. The black carpal spots on white wing linings were somewhat reminiscent of an Osprey, but other patterns, size, and flight pattern are not consistent. Although Northern Harrier males look very white from below, their heads are dark not white, and only the outer primary tips are dark as opposed to this bird's entire primary area. The tundra race of the Peregrine Falcon would appear light colored on the head, but would also show more dark markings underneath than this bird had. Mississippi Kite looks fairly white headed at a distance, but the underparts and tail are gray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-18	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on September 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration, map, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee. Within the original documentation, the bird is identified as a Black-shouldered Kite.	Petersen, Peter C.	White-tailed Kite	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	S.E. corner Otter Creek marsh, near Chelsea, Ia.	rather dry marsh, some wooded margins	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similar raptor would be an Osprey which is much larger, has a black mask, elbow with large black area, mottled gray underwing and on tail and dark on upper surface of wing. Gulls are closer, but wings with dark area at tips of wings on top side, shorter tail, different flight, not pursued by small birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25