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

Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Liscomb, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-02-15	1989-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on February 15, 1989.	Proescholdt, Mark	Prairie Falcon	Liscomb	in Liscomb - (Marshall County)	small town	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A Peregrine is darker colored and lacks the dark axillars. A Merlin is smaller and has a barred tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:01:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher east and south of Fontanelle, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-06-21	1983-10-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher east and south of Fontanelle in Adair County, IA on June 21, 1983.	Felker, Scott	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Fontanelle	1 mi East and about 2 1/2 miles south of Fontanelle	small trees and brush near railroad track	The documentation form by Scott Felker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Blazek and an unidentified member of the Adair County Conservation Board. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Kingbird--above bird had very long tail and did not have yellowish underside. Eastern Kingbird--considerably larger and lighter colored \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sioux Township, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Sioux Township in Plymouth County, IA on February 13, 1982.	Farmer, Larry K.	Northern Goshawk	Sioux Township	Sec. 16, Sioux Township, Plymouth County	small trees, brush windbreak & weedy field, best pheasant habitat in Iowa	The documentation form by Larry K. Farmer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than coopers which frequently harasses feeder birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-09-16	1999-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at most sixty Brewer's Blackbirds at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 16, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Brewer's Blackbird	Clear Lake	North Shore Drive Clear Lake	Small wet area, some small trees - marsh	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rusty Blackbird - The birds were lacking rusty wings - And buffy eyebrow - Common Grackle - Lacking long-keel-shaped tail heavy bill-	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Cone Marsh, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 27, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pine Warbler	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh	small wooded area on northwest side of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has a thicker bill, pronounced eyering, and larger head. It is also more sedentary than this bird was. In the fall, Bay-breasted and Blackpoll warblers might be a consideration, but they have streaked backs and are rarely this yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow north of Muscatine, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	1999-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows north of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 27, 1998.	White, Gerald Forbes, Janet	Harris' Sparrow	Muscatine	Home feeder, RR 4 Box 30	small woods surrounded house in urban area	The documentation form written by Gerald White based on the observations of Janet Forbes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Looked up sparrows in the Peterson Eastern Bird guide and found the picture that matched the bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at YMCA Camp northwest of Boone, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-01-01	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at YMCA Camp northwest of Boone in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1998.	Healy, Kevin	Golden Eagle	Y Camp	YMCA Camp northwest of Boone IA	Soaring above Des Moines River	The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Turkey Vulture: similar in size, but flight different (i.e., this bird did not rock back and forth despite fairly stiff winds during time of observation). Also, wings were held flatter than what I expect for a Turkey Vulture. Harlan's Hawk: Breast and belly solid in color, no barring on tail, wing shape unlike that of Red-tailed Hawk. Size difference. Dark phase Rough-legged Hawk: No speckling on breast or belly, tail longer with thinner terminal band. Size difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Kent Park, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-06	1975-12-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Kent Park in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	F W Kent County Park	Kent Park, ~10 miles west of Iowa City IA	soaring over area of stubble fields, old fields growing up to brush, farms	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 'ringed' tail, proportion of head, neck, bill; lack of any white in wing-lining on body plumage: all eliminate imm. bald eagle. great size, lack of white in primaries eliminate black rough-leg. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:30:00/14:35:00 (seen twice) (total ~ 20 minutes).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-17	1987-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 17, 1987.	Schulein, Thomas M., 1945-	Summer Tanager	Hickory Hill Park	Near post #6 in the south canyon of Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City.	Somewhat open area near trail adjacent to deep woods	The documentation form by Thomas M. Schulein is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Scarlet Tanager has black wings and tail. Female Northern Cardinal has a crest, black around the mouth, a reddish bill and a proportionately longer tail. Female Pine Grosbeak has a dark bill, wing bars, and a dark tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-05-27	1976-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 27, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Hooded Warbler	Coralville Lake	wooded hillside n. of Co. Rd 'F', just w of highway 218	Specific: a wooded hillside, with mature oaks + shagbark hickories and a dense understory of 6'-10'- high shrubs, and forbs. General: above is part of a large tract of woodland that borders the n. shore of the Coralville Reservoir, separated from the resevoir [sic] by a road and a belt of second-growth woods. to the w. is an old farm, brushy grown-up pastures; to the n. is farmland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Song, black 'hood' eliminate Kentucky, Canada Warblers - Canada has necklace of streaks, not solid black on throat; Kentucky has no black on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 25, 1996.	Edwards, Chris	Black-legged Kittiwake	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co.	Spillway below dam	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Lowder and Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: The pattern of the upperparts is very distinctive. The black 'collar' eliminates similar species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-23	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form with handwritten annotations for a Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 23, 1978.	Brown, Larry D.	Snowy Egret	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, southeast quarter of lake	Standing along shore of lake in shallow water near a muskrat den. Lake shore environment with some reeds and cattails along shore plus other vegetation growing in shallow water where bird was observed.	The documentation form by Larry D. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife and two other birders. \| Elimination of similar species: Approximately 10-15 feet to the west of the Snowy stood an American Egret which was identified by its yellow bill and much larger size. By comparing the field marks and size of both, they could both be identified. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mabled Godwit at Willow Slough in northeast Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Marbled Godwit	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Standing in shallow water in drying slough.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit is similar, but has contrasting rump + wing stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:00:00/06:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull in the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	1994-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull in the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Wickham, Peter P.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Cedar Rapids	Cedar River, on sandbar across from Cargill plant, Cedar Rapids, IA	Standing, walking around on sandbar	The documentation form by Peter Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark mantle, yet whitish head, neck, and underparts identified it as an adult gull, and immediately eliminated Herring, Ring-billed and other gray or whitish-backed gulls. It was too small for Great Black-backed Gull, which has flesh-colored legs anyway, or Slaty-backed Gull, which has pinkish legs. The mantle wasn't truly black, as a Great Black-backed mantle would be. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Highway 415 North of Polk City at NW 100 ST Big Creek State Park	State park, open grassland, trees on edge - flew to wooded edge	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Northern Harrier - no white rump patch + this bird had white eye brow line. Coopers Hawk - vertical streaks more widely spaced than coopers horizontal streaks - underside appeared white in flight. This bird had white eye brow line and was much larger in size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Hanover Township	Iowa; Allamakee County, Hanover Twsp., Sect. 8	Steep flood plain bluffs with mixed (cedar and deciduous) forest vegetation	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk: Although size overlap is possible, this species lacks the blue-gray underparts and bold facial patterns mentioned above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-22	1984-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, IA on January 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Red-shouldered Hawk	Clear Creek Township	Jasper County, Clear Creek Twnshp T8IN-R21W Section 13 SE	Steep hills, flat valleys, wooded slopes	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red tail does not have barred tail, does not have orange brown breast as well as underside wing linings. Broad wing has fewer bars on tail, does not have orange brown underside wing linings neither have dark, white spacing on top side secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Rare bird documentation form for American Pipit at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1999-01-01	1999-01-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Pipit at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Sinclair, Jim	American Pipit	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi St. Pk.	stream bed in bottomland forest	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The long bill eliminated any kind of sparrow and the white outer tail feathers eliminated water thrush species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	15
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at White Pine Hollow, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-25	1989-11-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at White Pine Hollow in Dubuque County, IA on October 25, 1989.	Rouw, Mark	Golden Eagle	White Pine Hollow State Park	White Pine Hollow Dubuque County Iowa	Stream valley bordered by steep bluffs in woodland	The documentation form by Mark D. Rouw is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature bald eagle was eliminated because of this birds distinctive white patches and shorter beak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Sundown Ski Area near Asbury, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-12-26	1981-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush Sundown Ski Area near Asbury in Dubuque County, IA on December 26, 1981.	Miller, John Carl	Hermit Thrush	Asbury	Along the Heritage Trail across the crick from the longest ski run of Sundown Ski Area.	Streamside cover consisting of: understory (shrubs and bushes). Young tree growth and some mature trees (all deciduous). Cedars nearby.	The documentation form by John Carl Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Larson. \| Elimination of similar species: smaller than a robin larger than a sparrow \| The original documentation form event occurred from 08:30:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Acadian Flycatcher at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Acadian Flycatchers at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Acadian Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Streamside woods and thickets	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Visually similar or identical to other empidonax. Others eliminated by voice (others do not give accented 'pit-see!') Habitat perfect for Acadian, although this would not eliminate all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	66
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids, 1990	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Wickham, Peter P.	Baltimore Oriole	Cedar Rapids	Bird feeder, 100 Thompson Drive S.E., Cedar Rapids	Suburban area, with condominiums, private homes, lawns & trees	The documentation form by Pete Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Durbin and three unidentified people with other bird feeders. \| Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that I can think of. It wasn't a Bullock's type, which would have orange on the face and a big white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 11, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Scarlet Tanager	Iowa City	My backyard north of Iowa City	Suburban Yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Western Tanager has dark wings, but it has wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	45
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1997-12-12	1998-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA from December 12, 1997 to December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly Statser, Jack L.	Baltimore Oriole	Bettendorf	1515 29 Street Bettendorf, Scott County, IA.	suburban yard surrounded by a wooded ravine.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay and Jack Statser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Blevins. The documentation form was written by Kelly McKay from a phone conversation with Jack Statser. \| Elimination of similar species: Orchard Oriole - smaller; much darker red-orange underparts; all dark tail. American Redstart - very much smaller; all black with orange restricted to spots on sides, wings, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1989-04-15	1989-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on April 15, 22, and 23, 1989.	Allen, Reid I.	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines, IA	Suburban yard, with wooded area behind home consisting of large trees and brushpiles	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Song sparrow has center dot and no buffy upper breast streaking. Savannah has white dotted breast. Vesper sparrow has white out tail. Mostly distinguished because of its song which was sung two or three times and Reid played a tape and it came right up to us as we were sitting and waiting for the Armstrongs to come to our house. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61