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 for Black-billed Magpie east of the Sergeant Floyd Memorial Bridge near Sioux City, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-29	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie east of the Sergeant Floyd Memorial Bridge near Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 29, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Black-billed Magpie	Interchange 144A	East of Floyd Monument Bridge across Mo. River Woodbury Co.		The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing with that profile larger + blacker than a blue jay. White color + tail eliminate crow \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie in Sioux Township in Plymouth County, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-08	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Black-billed Magpies at Sioux Township in Plymouth County, IA on May 8, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-billed Magpie	Sioux Township	234th St., s. of Westfield, Plymouth Co., IA.	riparian, in valley of Loess Hills, 1.5 miles from Big Sioux River bottoms.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller and Bill Huser were submitted. Other observers include Clint Lineberry, Dick Tetrault, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie near Larchwood, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-06	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie near Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on October 6, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black-billed Magpie	Larchwood	6 mi. W, 2 mi. S of Larchwood, Lyon County, Iowa	General: Hills bordering Big Sioux River Specific: Prairie hills, with some riverbottom & hillside timber, cropfields on tops of hills nearby.	The documentation form by Douglas Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Fribley and Paul Hagen. \| Elimination of similar species: Only similar groups would be crows, jays and blackbirds. Size, tail shape and unique color pattern dictate nothing else except Black-billed Magpie. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:04:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods in Iowa County, IA on May 10, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Black-headed Grosbeak	Amana Woods	Amana Woods	Deciduous woods. Trail through woods along ridge.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Tom Staudt and Carl Bendorf. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-15	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 15, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Black-headed Grosbeak	Big Creek State Park	North end Big Creek, end of 100 st north	Bushy hillside, county roadside	The documentation form by Eloise and Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted - no rose on throat on underwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:00:00/20:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Booneville in 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1990-05-30	1993-07-17	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Booneville in Dallas County, IA on May 30, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the field report by Eloise Armstrong.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-headed Grosbeak	Booneville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-01	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 1, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Millikin, Sara L.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Cedar Rapids	Usually on the ground where I had thrown seed	along railway right of way near my home and on ground near house and feeders	The documentation form by Sara L. Millikin is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Lillian Serbousek, Roberta Appedahl, Fred Nissen, Weir Nelson, Karl Goellner, and Lucile Liljedahl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from at daylight to 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-13	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 13, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, Midwest Black-headed Grosbeak records by date, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-headed Grosbeak	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Bird was in old willows at edge of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The brown color most closely matched that shown by Peterson (1980) for the male Black-headed Grosbeak. The features I saw best were the brown rump, the contrast between the brown breast and flanks and gray belly, the thin white wing bars, and the darker color of wings and tail. The fact that the bird was singing loudly and continuously indicates that it was a male. The lack of breast streaking, dark color, and failure to see an eye stripe also argue against the bird being a female. The rich brown coloration only fits Black-headed Grosbeak. No features that fit Rose-breasted Grosbeak, such as red on the breast or underwings, white flanks or rump, or light-colored bill, were seen. Failure to see a demarcated black head and white in the wing and tail in flight is disturbing, but the side to back lighting and brief duration of each look at the bird (when I concentrated on looking at the features cited above) may account for this. The wing bars were not as wide as usually depicked [sic] for males. Perhaps the bird was in first nuptial plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-29	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on July 29, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent.	McMahon, Jeri	Black-headed Grosbeak	Decorah	Trout River, near Decorah		A letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The female rose-breasted grosbeak, plus juveniles, were also present that day, so I could compare the 2 species very well. It was not an im. male rose-breasted, although I saw several of those.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Des Moines, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-14	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on May 14, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Black-headed Grosbeak	Des Moines	Yard of Vern Faber, 5021 SW 16th Place, Des Moines (Polk County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Vern Faber. \| Elimination of similar species: Differences between this bird and female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks has been described. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:35:00/07:35:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Elkhart, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-11-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Elkhart in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mosman, Dean	Black-headed Grosbeak	Elkhart	2 M.E. Elkhart, IA	in wooded area	The documentation form by Darwin (Dean) Mosman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Mosman and Diane Mosman. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak only species close to same appearance. No voice heard, behavior and habitat the same. Color and streaking only difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Larrabee, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-09-30	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on September 30, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Larrabee	4 mile E of Larrabee	Road ditch plum thicket some vines. Almost all of leaves dropped	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose breasted female Grosbeak. Orange breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Little Swan Lake, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-14	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Little Swan Lake in Dickinson County, IA on July 14, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Christopherson Slough / Little Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Woods, N. edge Little Swan Lake, Dickinson Co., Iowa (near Superior)	General: woodlands near lakeshore. Specific: bare branch understory of plum thicket (deep shade), at edge of planting of 25 ft. Austrian pines and black walnut trees.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted grosbeak (female)--little or no yellow-tan color to breast & more heavily spotted or streaked. Blue Grosbeak (female)--a more uniform, unstreaked brown or tan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:22:00/13:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Manti Memorial Park in 1968	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Rare birds	1907-03-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Black-headed Grosbeaks at Manti Memorial Park in Fremont County, IA on October 30, 1968. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Black-headed Grosbeak in Western Iowa in Iowa Bird Life 39(2):43 by Genevieve Edna DeLong, and two publications used as reference for the review.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-headed Grosbeak	Manti Memorial Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-09	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock in Floyd County, IA on May 9, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Knoop, Pearl	Black-headed Grosbeak	Marble Rock	Floyd county, about a mile south of Marble Rock, along river	Narrow tree and shrubby area along the Shellrock. This type of habitat extends along the river on both sides. More bushy in some places than others. There are nearby cultivated fields and tree areas.	The documentation form by Pearl Knoop is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: female rose-breased [sic] grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Marquette, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-01	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Marquette in Clayton County, IA on October 1, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Marquette	Home of Pat Heidenreich near Marquet [sic], Clayton Co., IA	Second growth overgrown ditch in broken forested area.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Heidenreich and others at Iowa Audubon Council meeting. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Rose-breasted would have a streaked breast, this bird did not. Immature Rose-breasted would also have a pinkish breast with reddish underwing linings, this bird was buff with cinnamon wash on breast and yellow underwing linings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:12:00/13:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Nevada, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-21	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Nevada in Story County, IA on May 21, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Abbott, Bill	Black-headed Grosbeak	Nevada	1031 H. Ave. Nevada, Iowa 50201		The documentation form by Bill Abbott is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The fact this bird was sighted on May 21 and 22 makes it very unlikely an immature Rose breasted grosbeak. The red patch shown on the shoulder of an immature grosbeak was not observed. The breast on the bird observed was not as spotted or steaked [sic] as shown on the female rose breasted grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:00:00 on May 21 and 07:00:00 on May 22.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-09	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on August 9, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Overton, Michael D.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Fremont Co., Riverton Wildlife Area, .25 miles N. of jct. check station road & Fremont co. Rd. J46	Open tallgrass ditch with scattered small trees and shrubs along road between mixed hardwood bottomland forest and agricultural cropland	The documentation form by Michael Overton is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Dixie Overton. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The bird observed showed no fine black streaking on the breast and only limited fine black streaking on the lower flanks. The chin, throat, breast, upper belly, and flanks were a strong ochre color. The lesser underwing coverts showed as a yellow edge on the folded wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Robertson Bird Sanctuary in Waterloo in 1970	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1970-09-30	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Robertson Bird Sanctuary in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on September 20, 1970. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Black-headed Grosbeak at Waterloo in Iowa Bird Life 40(3):74 by Russell Hays also seen by Evelyn Ehlers and Clarice Hewitt.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-headed Grosbeak	Robertson Bird Sanctuary				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-20	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on May 20, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Ann Sernett to Thomas Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Ronald	Black-headed Grosbeak	Rush Lake	South side Rush Lake, Palo Alto Co. and Mable [sic] Grous grove, Pocahontas Co.	Open woods	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Ann Luther, Mabel Grous, Ken Sernett and Ann Sernett. \| Elimination of similar species: there were many [female symbol] Rose-brested [sic] around to compare.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Warren County Conservation Board Headquarters, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-12	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Conservation Board Headquarters in Warren County, IA on May 12, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Ken Brock to Tom Kent and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Black-headed Grosbeak	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Warrren Co. Conservation Board Headquarters	small deciduous trees	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Several [female symbol] Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were present for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-07	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh in Wayne County, IA on September 7, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, two letters from Charlotte Scott to Thomas Kent, and a letter from Thomas Kent to Charlotte Scott.	Scott, Charlotte	Black-headed Grosbeak	Woodpecker Marsh	on a country road near Woodpecker Marsh			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-legged Kittiwake at Estherville, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-11-02	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Estherville in Emmet County, IA on November 2, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings and the review, and field notes submitted to the committee.	Henrickson, Dennis	Black-legged Kittiwake	Estherville	RR4 Estherville, Iowa 51334		The field notes by Dennis Henrickson are the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Most were mature and immature Franklins with a few Ring billed. Eventually one appeared within 20 ft of the tractor that was different. During its first pass I noticed its size between a Franklin and Ring billed, a dark spot and streak behind the eye and that the upper wing front was blackish.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Rathbun, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-04-26	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on April 26, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Thomas N.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun	Boat ramp (closed off) on Lake Rathbun	The documentation form by Tom Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ray Cummins was submitted. Another observer is Mike Stevens. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's gull - no black area on neck- wing pattern different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-12	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 12, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Dam	Above Saylorville Dam, Polk County, Iowa	Mostly open water and grassy shore on north side of dam.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pauline Mooney, Dick Mooney, and Margaret Brooke. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for a Little gull. Neck bar separated it from a Bonaparte's and Sabine's. Notched tail also was useful in distinguishing it from Bonaparte's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10