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 Brewer's Blackbird at Cone Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Brewer's Blackbirds at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Brewer's Blackbird	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co, IA	Feed lot	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] These 4 birds were easy to pick out from Rustys + they staid [sic] together. [...] Rusty females were gray + darker wing and had bright yellow eye. Male Rusty were more opaque black with a refaced [?] edging on wing feathers and some [illegible] on flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Blue Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-03-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Great-tailed Grackles at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on March 20, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Great-tailed Grackle	Blue Lake	South Blue Lake in Monona County	marshywith [sic] several trees flooded	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Both sp. of grackle were present for comparison, up to 11 birds were seen in subsequent days, and 5 nests were observed as well. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:00:00/13:00:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-20	1993-06-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least five Great-tailed Grackles at MidAmerican Energy Ponds at Pottawattamie County, IA on June 20, 1993. There are details of another sighting of another Great-tailed Grackle near Osceola in Clark County, IA on June 26, 1993 on the documentation form.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	South IPL pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa (4+ males, 1 female); along Hwy. 2 in Nebraska City bridge area, Fremont County, Iowa (1 male)	[...] Observed in cattails at edge of IPL pond in Pottawattamie County [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	Council Bluffs	Off I-29 at south Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) with more rounded crown, characteristic call notes, much less likely to occur in Iowa. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) much smaller, different call notes, female lacks rich brown foreparts and superciliary stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Ohde, Bill	Great-tailed Grackle	Wapello Township	SE 1/4 of section 19, T74N, R4W, Louisa County, Iowa	Rural farmstead on edge of large timber block. In tall (15') backyard shrubs.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common grackle - this bird was nearly crow-sized, longer tailed, with the peculiar whistles and rattles. Boat-tailed grackle - song was wrong. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Crawford Creek Recreation Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-02	1992-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Crawford Creek Recreation Area in Ida County, IA on May 2, 1992.	Ernzen, Peter	Great-tailed Grackle	Crawford Creek County Recreation Area	Crawford Creek Recreational Area ICCB.	open park land, lake with cattails	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle, not as long, more irridescent, [sic] common grackle with in [sic] 20 ft. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:27:00/09:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Great-tailed Grackles at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 22, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake - Freemont [sic] County	Grassey [sic] islands in lake and bushes at lake's edge.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger + longer biled [sic] than common grackle Range would probably rule out Boat-tailed Grackle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:05:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-13	1985-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 13, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake, Fremont Co.	on mudflat area in middle of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from Common Grackle by larger size (twice the size of other nearby grackles), longer tail and flatter crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Finn Pond in Greene County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-31	1984-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Great-tailed Grackles at Finn Pond in Greene County, IA on May 31, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Finn Pond Wildlife Area	Finn Pond (2 miles west of Jefferson, Greene Co)	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle-size Boat-tailed Grackle- range and eye color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
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 Brewer's Blackbird northwest of Mason City, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-13	1999-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight Brewer's Blackbirds northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 13, 1998.	Goranson, Rita	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	Wheelerwood Drive, north + west of Mason City, 1 mile before intersection with Killdeer Ave	River + trees on one side - farm land on other side	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Had been seeing grackles - a larger bird - larger tail. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Brewer's Blackbird	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek M., Greene Co., IA	small island in pond	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bert Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark eye and lack of any rust color eliminates Rusty Blackbird, which is similar in size and shape to this bird. Common Grackle has a longer tail, females show lots of brown color, and the call note is different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:54:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird near Mason City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Brewer's Blackbirds near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	near Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparison made to Comm. Grackle above. Unlikely habitat and date for Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolingus). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-06-07	1985-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on June 7, 1985.	Proescholdt, Mark	Blue Grosbeak	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit - Shimek State Forest - Lee Co.	Crops on one side of road, pasture on the other side	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Buntings are much smaller, do not have the big grosbeak bill, and lack the brownish wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/18:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Clinton Township in Linn County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirty-five Brewer's Blackbirds at Section 8 of Clinton Township in Linn County, IA on December 20, 1986.	Zobac, Aldrich	Brewer's Blackbird	Clinton Township	Section 8, Clinton Township Farm on Young Rd. in S. part of Section 8	Farmyard + corn fields adjacent to farm. Large grove of evergreens. Grove of trees.	The documentation form by Aldrich Zobac is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gladys Zobac. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Relative size of bird: Smaller than grackle Slightly larger than Cowbird. [...] Birds were feeding + flying around with huge flock of starlings + sparrows (house sparrows). At first glance - when birds were first sighted - thought we were spotting a cowbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 26, 1978.	Greer, Janet	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Council Bluffs	Feeder at 341 Steven Circle, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501		The documentation form by Janet Greer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include the Greer family. \| Elimination of similar species: There are none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	75
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark south of Glenwood, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark south of Glenwood in Mills County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Rose, Douglas L.	Eastern Meadowlark	Glenwood	3 mi s. of Glenwood Miles [sic] Co.	plowed field bordered by grassland	The documentation form by Doug Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Genny Curry and Howard Curry. \| Elimination of similar species: W. Meadowlark - pure white outer tail feathers and yellow only on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1988.	Blevins, Brian L.	Eastern Meadowlark	McCausland	Road just west of McCausland, Iowa.	Pasture with livestock and livestock feeders	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Western meadowlark - eliminated by Song [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:54:00/14:57:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Petersen, Peter C.	Eastern Meadowlark	Muscatine	2 mi. E. Muscatine along Hwy 22	grassy roadside	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg and Chris Reed. \| Elimination of similar species: Western has 6-7 note call, much less musical \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:01:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Dickcissel at Hallet's Quarry at Ames, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dickcissel at Hallet's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on November 28, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dickcissel	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, Story Co., IA	weeds along gravel pit	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I immediately recognized the bird by the call note, which is very distinctive. Additionally, the black throat, yellow wash on the breast, and chestnut shoulder patch were diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	72
Rare bird documentation form for Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1984.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Indigo Bunting	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co., Iowa (S.W. Boat ramp)	Brushy, weedy tangle on lake shore, (Veg. browned Killed by frost.)	The documentation form by Joseph Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow species: White wing-bars lacking, No hint of rust on crown, back or wings. No distinct supercilium. No strong streakage. No strong head pattern. Was a nondescript small brown finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	71
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on June 11, 1993.	Proescholdt, Mark	Blue Grosbeak	Liscomb	North of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Trees along a gravel road	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting has a quite different song, is much smaller, and lacks the big bill and Chestnut wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:50:00/09:51:00 and 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak north of the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-07	1987-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak north of the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on June 7, 1987.	Moore, Francis L.	Blue Grosbeak	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Just N. of Croton Unit Shimek S.F., Lee Co., IA	ALong [sic] fence line at edge of pasture adjacent to gravel road.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Size was noticably [sic] larger than Indigo Bunting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:37:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-07	1986-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center in Black Hawk County, IA on May 7, 1986.	Bebout, Viola	Blue Grosbeak	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Car was in Parking lot facing trees. Was having a "tea" break. Hartman Reserve, located between Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Ia.	Highland trees, low bushes (forest)	The documentation form by Viola P. Bebout is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includeGeorge Bebout and Everett Alton. \| Elimination of similar species: When first seen, blue! Eliminated Blue Bird, (no red breast, wrong size). Eliminated Blue Bunting again because of size and bird had orange markings on wings. If Bird had not sat in direct sunlight for 10 minutes (plus) we could not have positively identified it. Did not sing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-07	1986-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center in Black Hawk County, IA on May 7, 1986.	Bebout, George	Blue Grosbeak	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Hartman Reserve, Nature Center, Cedar Falls, IA.	Deciduous Brush, 20-30 Ft. in height.	The documentation form by George Bebout is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Viola Bebout and Everett Alton. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue Bird, Indigo Bunting and Cowbird were eliminated by virtue of comparisons of features to pictures in Golden Guide to Birds Of [sic] North America. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70