Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

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

Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a American White Pelican at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	American White Pelican	Bettendorf	Bettendorf, IA. shoreline of Missisippi River, Scott County	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kingman, Chris Kingman, Keith Blunt, Donna Blair, and Mary Foulk. \| Elimination of similar species: All swans - dark torsi and they all lack the lark dark punched bill and black primaries and secondaries. Snow Goose - much smaller and lacks the large pale punched bill and black secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-08-07	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	American Wigeon	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniformly brown head eliminates Wood Duck. Normal bill eliminates Shoveler. Size + rusty sides, lack of white in tail (not mentioned above) eliminates Mallard. Size + rusty sides eliminate Blue-winged Teal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	3
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-03-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Tundra Swans at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 21, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Tundra Swan	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maureen Pace. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose: eliminated by size, relative length of neck, and bill color. Trumpeter Swan eliminated by yellow spots on bills.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire in Scott County, IA on February 21, 1982.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Mute Swan	Le Claire	Miss. River between I80 & Le Clair [sic]	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: The points about (#2-4) eliminate both the Whistling & Trumpeter Swans. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Goose species at West Overlook at Coralville Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Goose species at West Overlook at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on March 4, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Ducks, Geese, Swans	Coralville Dam	opposite W. Overlook campground, Coralville Lake Johnson Co., IA	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The unidentified goose was the size of the white-fronteds, dwarfing the Ross'...Underparts plain medium brown except or a line of indistinct pale crescents over the shoulder and elongate tertiaries [sic] each with a white streak suggestive of a blue phase Snow Goose. The extensive dark on the hindcrown, cheek, and through the eye on this bird is unique in my experience. \| The original documentation form event occurred around noon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	27
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 23, 1990.	Bendorf, Carl J.	White-faced Ibis	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Lowder, Ann Barker, and John Daniels. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/17:50:00 and 18:40:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Cherokee Airport, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Cherokee Airport in Cherokee County, IA on May 29, 1986.	Brewer, Marion M.	White-faced Ibis	Cherokee Municipal Airport	local airport which has a couple of acres of wet land.	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species:From out of nowhere an ibis dropped into view, a night-heron sized bird, long decyred bill, rusty red front half of the dark back half with little irredesent [sic] green, rusty legs, and a dirty white that was over the forhead [sic] around the eye and to the lower manible [sic]. That told me I had seen a white-faced Ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-23	1986-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on April 23, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	White-faced Ibis	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - 240 acre cattail marsh which is two miles north of Rippey in Greene County Iowa	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The birds were obviously ibis species. I believe they were white-faced ibis. Glossy ibis in spring may also show a faint whitish border to the facial area but it would not be as broad as in this case and would not extend behind the eye or under the chin as was the case in this sighting. The legs and feet would also not appear totally reddish in the glossy but would be gray with reddish joints. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-12	1994-10-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on October 12, 1994.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh (Sac County)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: Shorebird possibilities with long decurved bills are Whimbrel, which is generally much smaller with a relatively longer and thinner bill. Long-billed Curlew also has a much longer and thinner bill, and is generally lighter in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Glossy Ibis at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-11	1984-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glossy Ibises at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984.	Hovell, Leroy E. Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibis	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa	The documentation form by Wayne Stanley & Leroy Hovell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcolm, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| Elimination of similar species: All characteristics matched Glossy Ibis including the blue skin at the base of the curved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	1992-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	South of south dike at Otter Creek Marsh, Tama County	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other large marsh bird has such a thick downcurved bill and a reddish-brown color. Long-billed Curlew has a long downcurved bill, but the bill is quite thin, and its coloration is generally brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Settling Ponds south of Council Bluffs, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Settling Ponds south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 31, 1986.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Snowy Egret	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Settling Ponds, S. of Council Bluffs, Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret + Cattle Egret have yellow bills. The Little Blue Heron's bill shouldn't look so black & thin, & in any case that species lacks yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Fremont County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-08-12	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for eight Snowy Egrets at Fremont County, IA on August 12, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Snowy Egret	Fremont County	Missouri River floodplain just south of the Bridge to Nebraska City; Fremont County	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bill eliminates Great Egret & Cattle Egret. Immature Little Blue Herons have uniformly colored legs. Both Great Egrets & Little Blues were present & they were not feeding actively like the Snowys - not running around, that is.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Ottumwa, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on June 26, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a field report, a letter from Don Johnson to Tom Kent, and a draft of the field report.	Johnson, Donald G.	House Finch	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Iowa	The field report by Don Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Elaine Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-01	1991-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park in Linn County, IA on April 1, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Red-necked Grebe	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, Linn County	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Keith Carris. \| Elimination of similar species: The red neck and white face patch eliminate any of the other larger or smaller grebes. The ruddy duck has a white face patch (of different shape) but has a much rounder head and very different shaped ducklike bill, and is smaller in general size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:43:00/18:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-08-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on August 28, 1990.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Red-necked Grebe	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough Nat. Wild. Refuge middle of the largest pool	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Not highly contrasted black & white like Western. Smaller bird with thicker neck. Head wasn't pointed or peaked like Western. Bigger than Pied-billed with longer neck, different beak. Shorter-bodied than loon, longer necked, different facial markings. Bigger bird than Horned Grebe. longer lighter color bill (later, after looking at field guide). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Lake Manawa, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 14, 1988.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-necked Grebe	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Hartman, Joe Cassidy, Mary Johnson, Don McDonnel, Babs Padelford, and Bruce Wetteroth. \| Elimination of similar species: Good size grebe, much larger than neon(?) by Pied-billed. Swimming, the body was a little shorter than that of a Common Merganser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir Off Whitebreast Boat Ramp in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1999.	Fuller, James L	Pacific Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir (Marion County) Off Whitebreast Boat Ramp	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon is larger with a much larger bill, lacks a chin strap, has some flatness on the top of the head, and an uneven dark-white line on the side of the neck. The crown and hindneck are also darker than the back. The Red-throated Loon has a smaller bill that is usually keeps tipped up from the horizontal. It shows much more white than dark on the neck, lacks a chin strap, and normally shows light flecking on the back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1999.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir (Marion County) Off Whitebreast Point.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon is generally darker, shows less white on the side of the neck and face, and usually exhibits a chin strap. Winter adult Pacific does not show light flecking on the back. Common Loon is larger with a larger bill, and shows an angular head outline. The dark-white line on the side of the neck is irregular and indistinct, compared to the Red-throated. Both other loons hold their bills horizonatally [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-13	1998-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond in Pottawattamie County on November 13, 1998.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Red-throated Loon	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Mid-America Power Plant south pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Tree Sparrow at West Branch, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-03-14	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Eurasian Tree Sparrows at West Branch in Cedar County, IA on March 14, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Veal, Sally	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	West Branch	in my backyard in West Branch	The documentation form by Sally Veal is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by James Sandrock, Carl Bendorf, Thomas Kent, James Fuller, Peter Petersen, Thomas Staudt, and Francis Moore were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Walter Zuurdeeg, Ann Barker, Mary Lou Petersen, and Gerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: As I was filling my bird feeders I noticed two birds in the silver maple behind the house that at first glance appeared to be house sparrows. I was struck by the neat appearance and greater activity of these particular birds and by the fact that they were not associating with the flock of house sparrows near the bird feeders. Even without binoculars I was able to see the black spots on the birds faces. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00 through the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Iowa City, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-04	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on February 4, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Hoary Redpoll	Iowa City	Ken Lowder backyard and feeder north of Iowa City (Johnson County).	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Lowder, Jim Scheib, and John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparisons to Common Redpoll are made by utilizing the field characteristics described in an article by Czaplak in December, 1995 "Birding". Undertail coverts: This bird showed two very short streaks (almost dots) on longest covert, whereas a Common typically has wide bold streaking. The brightest adult male Commons may have only one medium width streak, but this bird had no red or pink on breast, and so was not an adult male Common. Rump: The rump was white with faint streaking. Most Commons have extensive streaking. Bright adult Commons can have no streaking, but the rump is pinkish-red. Mantle: The ground color of the back of the Common is described as warm brown, or sometimes paler grayish-brown. This bird had grayish feather edgings, with whitish-gray in the middle of the mantle and toward the back. Flank Streaking: Common typically has thick brown streaking. This bird had more wispy gray-brown streaking, which extended back to the base of the tail. Breast and Rump Color: Common has pinkish-red to bright red breast. This bird was buffy under chin, and the rest of the breast was white. Size & Structure: Common has a less bulky neck and greater slope to forehead. This bird has a steep forehead slope and what appeared to be a bulky "no-neck". Bill shape: The bill was short on this bird. The width at the base of the bill appeared to be the same dimension as the length. Common typically has longer bill. Head: This bird showed a buffy wash to the face, sides of the nape, and upper breast, which Common typically does not have. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Norwalk, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on February 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, several photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Hoary Redpoll	Norwalk	Feeding station at 532 120th Avenue, Norwalk, Warren County, IA	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and thels, one an adult male and the other a probable adult female, were present on the same day. Oftentimes all three birds were on the feeder concurrently which allowed for a number of comparisons. Characteristics which differentiated this bird from the Common Redpolls and identified it as a Hoary Redpoll: underlying color was lighter than the warmer, darker brown of the Commons, More extensive white feather edgings to the secondaries, tertials, and scapulars than shown on Commons, Broad white edge to the greater coverts, Buffy face and strong white supercilliary, Smaller red cap, Broken and shorter flank streaking, Short, triangular bill with resulting pushed in face, Nearly white undertail covers (Although brightly colored adult male Common Redpolls may have diminished markings on their undertail coverts, this bird had no red except for the cap.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00 and periodically throughout the day. one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair, Stephen Dinsmore, and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Rick Trieff and Jane Fuller . \| Elimination of similar species: The only species this bird could be confused with is Common Redpoll. Two individua	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Cherokee, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-02-22	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on February 22, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Hoary Redpoll	Cherokee	635 Central Cherokee, IA	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Tom Phipps. \| Elimination of similar species: Was with a group of Common Redpolls + Purple Finches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Mason City, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-09-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of the review, a letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock, and another letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock forwarded to Tom Kent.	Moore, Mildred L.	House Finch	Mason City	1225 N. Jefferson Ave., Mason City, Iowa	A letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15