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 Sioux Center, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on February 6, 1982.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Sioux Center	approximately three miles south-west of Sioux Center (Sioux Co.)		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Kevin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Prairie Falcon	Township of Saint John	1 mile west of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Harrison Co., St. Johns Twsp., Sect. 17.	Open agricultural land; few trees; Winter wheat field (growth of winter what less than 4 inches tall).	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: this species lacks black axillars and white superciliary stripe; moustache is thicker on this species. Merlin: this species is much smaller and lacks moustache and black facial pattern. Gyrfalcon: this species is larger and lacks superciliary stripe and black axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-18	1998-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 18, 1997.	Huser, Bill F.	Prairie Falcon	St. Joseph Hospital (historical)	St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned), Sioux City, Woodbury, IA	tall brick buildings with broken windows providing roosting sites for hundreds of Rock Doves. Numerous perches and open space for flight.	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst and Bob Moritz. \| Elimination of similar species: The distinct tear marks eliminated all hawks but falcons and also eliminated the Merlin. Long wings, relative to the tail, and body size eliminated Gyrfalcon. Size and direct comparison eliminated Kestrel. Lack of dark "helmet" eliminated Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge in Marion County, IA on October 27, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Falcon	Swan Wildlife Refuge	Swan Wildlife Refuge, Warren County [incorrect county], IA	Overlook of river bottom, waterfowl refuge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings and powerful, direct flight identified the bird as a falcon. Size eliminated all but the more likely Peregrine. The pale color and narrow facial markings with light supercilliary all but eliminated the Peregrine. The brief look at the black on the underwing confirmed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/15:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at the junction of Interstate 29 and U.S. 30 west of Missouri Valley in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at the junction of Interstate 29 and U.S. 30 west of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Prairie Falcon	Interchange 75				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Twelve Mile Lake Township in Emmet County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Twelve Mile Lake Township in Emmet County, IA on January 27, 1982.	Moats, Robert Moats, Barb	Prairie Falcon	Twelve Mile Lake Township	SE 1/4 Sec. 6 T98N-R34W Twelve Mile Lake Township		The documentation form by Bob and Barb Moats is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrin [sic] Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-10-29	1993-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on October 29, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough N.W.R., Kossuth Co., IA	long narrow slough	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The underwing markings and apparent light coloration argue against Peregrine Falcon. The date and location are appropriate for Prairie Falcon in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:50:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Worth Township in Boone County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Worth Township in Boone County, IA on February 20, 1982.	Martin, Kevin	Prairie Falcon	Worth Township	R. 26 T83 Sec. 12 NENE	open field	The documentation form by Kevin Martin is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Martin. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel and Peregrine do not have the black arm pits or brown back. to [sic] large for a Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-03	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 3, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Treynor Carson	between Treynor and Carson on highway 92, Pottawattamie Co., IA	gently rolling hills; small stream with scattered trees.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The falcon shape was clear to us. The bird was flying directly into a strong southwest wind, but I don't think an accipiter's wing could be that pointed even in a strong wind. The bird was too large and plain to be a kestrel and the flight pattern and behavior were unlike any of the many kestrels seen that day. The light color and open farmland habitat favor Prairie over Peregrine. A Merlin would be smaller and darker. However, I would not have identified this bird as to species with out seeing the underwing pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden in western Sioux County, IA on November 23, 1990.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Hawarden	some five miles east of Hawarden in western Sioux County.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Irvington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Irvington in Kossuth County, IA on October 23, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Prairie Falcon	Irvington	2 mi E of Irvington, Kossuth Co. Ia	open, harvested fields	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karla Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird did not have dark color of Peregrine's back, dark cap, or heavy 'sideburns'. Did not have the heavy barring on the underside of the tail like the Merlin. Dark axillaries and dark bar on underwing are features of no other raptor, falcon or other wise. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Lester, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Lester in Lyon County, IA on March 9, 1984.	Harr, Douglas C.	Prairie Falcon	Lester	2 miles east of Lester, Lyon County, along state highway #9	Seen along open, unplowed fields in NW Iowa plains. Sitting on fence post along field/highway edge.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon--Prairie falcon observed had lighter breast, finer (thinner) moustache, no horizontal bars on breast, barring absent on undersides of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:02:00/14:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-03	1993-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on April 3, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Lost Island Lake	East of Lost Island Lake, Clay County [actually Palo Alto County], Iowa	farmland near glacial lakes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Cecil, and Harold White. \| Elimination of similar species: This was the best view I have ever had at the underwing of Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-02-26	1989-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck in Black Hawk County, IA on February 26, 1989.	Proescholdt, Beth	Prairie Falcon	Reinbeck	Black Hawk County - 4 1/2 miles east of Reinbeck on #175	open farmland, unused silos beside busy road	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Dennis Thompson, Cecille Thompson, Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - the bird we saw was very light brown, had a thin mustache stripe & not a Peregrine's wider sideburn, & it had dark axillars as well as underwing coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-03-01	1989-04-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck in Black Hawk County, IA on March 1, 1989.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Falcon	Reinbeck	4 miles e. Reinbeck, Black Hawk County, IA	Farmstead with silos, open fields	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Chuck Fuller, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Other hawks were eliminated by the long, pointed wings and general body shape. Size eliminated all falcons but the peregrine, but the presence of the black axillars confirmed that this was indeed a Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:56:00/18:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-02-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck in Blackhawk County, IA on February 27, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Reinbeck	4 1/2 miles east of Reinbeck - Black Hawk Co.	Silo - open farmland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - Facial pattern adult - no black axillary areas & darkness of back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:34:00/06:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-12	1996-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake in Sac County, IA on March 12, 1996.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Wall Lake	1 m. East of Wall Lake	Gravel pits, Railroad Tracks, and Farmland	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Natasha Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin - was to [sic] big to be a Merlin didn't have strong tail bars. Peregrine - didn't have strong face marks or cap on head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, IA on October 25, 1990.	Petersen, Marietta	Prairie Falcon	Walnut	RR #1, Walnut, Iowa 51577	The area is Upland Prairie Land-pasture, hayfields, corn a soybean fields- and hilly. Little Timber along creek bottoms. We live on a farm in Northwestern Cass County. The bird was sitting on top of a semi-dead Ash tree in our old orchard.	The documentation form by Marietta Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Red Tailed would not have those kind of face markings. But it was about the size of a Red Tailed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-02-22	1997-02-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 22, 1997.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Cerro Gordo Wind Farm	1/2 m. S of 210th + Cardinal, Cerro Gordo Co.	Dead Cottonwood in Farmland (Open)	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: This Falcon had the Dark Armpits. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area in Sioux County, IA on January 4, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Fairview Area	Iowa in Sioux County just east of the Big Sioux River in the Fairview area		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I at once ruled out a Peregrine: the bird did not have strong head markings (no dark crown, and no heavy 'sideburns') and was altogether too light to be a female Peregrine.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon near the Bellevue Bridge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon near Bellevue Bridge in Mills County, IA on October 20, 1981.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, Sandra Padelford, Babs	Prairie Falcon	Bellevue Bridge	Mills County, Highway 370, approx 1 1/2 miles east of the Bellevue Bridge	Missouri River bottomland; cornfields	The documentation form by Babs Padelford, Sandy Kovanda, and Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pale brown upperparts and black axillars elimate [sic] Peregrine Falcon. Size and black axillars eliminate Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon north of Laurens, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon north of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on February 1, 1988.	DeWall, Rita	Prairie Falcon	Laurens	5 miles north of Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa	Open farm ground	The documentation form by Rita Dewall is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Judy Carlson, Helen Carlson and Ron Reese. \| Elimination of similar species: More brown than Peregrine Falcon, both female Merlin and Peregrine Falcon lack underwing pattern observed in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon north of Laurens, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon north of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on February 4, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Laurens	4 miles N of Laurens - Pocahontas & Palo Alto Co. line area	open farmland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Snyder and Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - Peregrine darker upperparts & lacks the dark underwing areas. Merlin - size and underwing areas. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:40:45.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon northeast of Clio, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-01-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon northeast of Clio in Wayne County, IA on January 13 in 1991.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Clio	Three-quarters of a mile northeast of Clio, Wayne County.	Open farming area, with a few scattered trees. Mostly grassy fields in surrounding area.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other large falcons are not generally this light in color, and do not display the black underwing areas this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-31	1996-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 31, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Prairie Falcon	Spirit Lake	NE of Spirit Lake - Dickinson County	Gravel roadside - on telephone pole	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine & Gyrfalcon don't have dark axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35