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 of Mississippi Kite at Clive, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-23	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Clive in Polk County, IA on May 23, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Clive	Clive, Polk Co., Iowa. Same bird observed by many others and photographed by Tom Kent.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Really unmistakable perched at such close range. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) basically a white bird with a white tail, much less likely in Iowa.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-06-13	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Iowa City on Johnson County, IA on June 13, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Berry, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Iowa City	The north edge of Iowa City, near the Rochester Hy-vee.	Above a wooded residential area.	The documentation form by Robert Berry is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Glorine Berry and Diane Amundson. \| Elimination of similar species: I consulted three books and Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, Iowa on May 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Mississippi Kite	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No falcon is dark gray with a very dark otherwise unmarked tail from below, and no falcon has an unmarked whitish head and neck. A Common Nighthawk is brownish with obvious white wing patches from below. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:45:00 (20-30 seconds).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-22	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 22, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	"Peterson Pits" Mine Reclamation Area, Story County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall "Randy" Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Mary Kuhlman, Carlyn Fischer, Jan Walter, Daniel Pinkston, Dorothy Zehr, and Sibyl Sand. \| Elimination of similar species: Falcons also have pointed wingtips but wings typically appear more sickle-shaped, less plank-like. Falcon not expected to sail so effortlessly on fixed wings for so long. Dark slate-gray plumage and white head seen in good light does not fit with any North American falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hitchcock Nature Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-23	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 23, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Mississippi Kite	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Nature Area, Pottawattamie County (Five miles north of Crescent)		The documentation form by Babs & Loren Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roland Barth. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:49:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-26	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 26, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Mississippi Kite	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove, Marshall County - hawk-watch	Wooded ridge paralleling Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine, imm male, is similar. See above. It was near the size and shape of a Peregrine with long tapered wings & slim body. I knew this wasn't a Peregrine (but an immature male Peregrine & an imm. Mississippi Kite are similar). However the slim, pointed wings of this bird had a different shape; the tail was longer, proportionately, than a Peregrine's, & squared-off rather than tapered like a Peregrine's. I couldn't see if its tail flared at the tip, but in the gap where we had a second, very quick look, Eloise noted its twisting of the tail which is a Mississippi Kite trait. But it was the wing beat that determined absolutely that it was a Mississippi Kite- light, bouyant, [sic] floppy, leisurely, like a moth-so different from the powerful, rapid, direct flight of a Peregrine, and different from any other raptor's flight we have observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Windsor Heights, 1995	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-13	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at Windsor Heights in Polk County, IA on May 13, 1995. Includes one record review document with votes, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam	Mississippi Kite	Windsor Heights	Polk Co., Windsor Heights, 73rd Street north of University Ave., behind Olivet Church.		The documentation form by Pam Allen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Chris Edwards was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Tom Kent, Dick Tetrault, Reid Allen, and Jane Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite has a white tail and black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Des Moines, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Mississippi Kites in the Des Moines Area in Polk County, IA on August 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Olivet Baptist Church - Des Moines area	Church parking lot with large trees and open spaces and creek	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and Phil McFadden. \| Elimination of similar species: It's quite distinctive. A white-tailed Kite has black shoulders and a white tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township, 1989	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-07-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township in Hardin County on July 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting by David Conrads to Carl Bendorf, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Conrads, David J.	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Jackson Township	NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 SEC 13 T-88N R-20W Jackson Twp Hardin Co.	Upland forest, steep ravine	The documentation form by David J. Conrads is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Keith Franzen and Nixon Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Due to its significantly smaller size than a Cooper's Hawk, we concluded that it was a HY male Sharp-shinned Hawk. We also listened to "A Field Guide to Bird Songs" and although the Sharp-shinned recording was that of 175 "kek-kek-kek" warning/alarm call, the Cooper's Hawk recording was that of a food begging call which was very similar but of a significantly lower pitch than that of the bird we observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Northern Goshawk at Stephens State Forest, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-05-20	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Northern Goshawk at Stephens State Forest in Lucas County, IA on May 20, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Northern Goshawk	Stephens State Forest - Lucas Unit	Stephen's State Forest, Lucas County		The documentation form by Ann Johnson and Jim Bangma is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The powerful direct flight, the longish tail, and the rounded broad wings identified this bird as an accipter. Bangma's first comment was that the width of the wings reminded him of Hook-billed Kites in So. Texas, a dramatic characteristic that allows experienced hawk watchers to identify Northern Goshawk from a distance - literally a stovepipe with broad wings. Buteos have a much shorter tail that gives them an entirely different look and feel. A gray adult male Northern Harrier would look white below and have longer wings proportionate to the body. Although we were unable to see the bird at an angle to see every characteristic of this species, other accipters would have been rufous or brown from below. Although this is certainly a late date for this species, Northern Goshawk has been seen in the winter in and near this location. In breeding areas it feeds on grouse. We speculated on the reintroduction of Ruffed Grouse in this area and what effect it might have on late migration and even potential breeding. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown, 1989	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-10	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown in Benton County, IA on September 10, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Harris's Hawk	Blairstown	2 1/2 miles South of Blairstown (Benton Co.) along I-56	Feedlot and open grazing land (hilly)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Keith Carris, Carl Bendorf, Jim Fuller, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Hawk at one time - appeared to be about the same size. White-tailed hawk has similar shoulder patch but breast is light. Dark phase Swainson's or red tail do not have white undertail or this tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Broad-winged Hawk at Dubuque, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-01-02	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Broad-winged Hawk at Dubuque in Dubuque County, IA on January 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Miller, John Carl	Broad-winged Hawk	Dubuque	Dubuque, IA along the Heritage Trail near Sundown Ski area	Woodland with fields	The documentation form by John Carl Miller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Leta Miller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park, 1991	Administrative reports Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park in Plymouth County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Williams, Randall D.	Swainson's Hawk	Stone State Park	1 mile north of west entrance to Stone State Park on highway 12	hovering above loess bluff; overlooking Big Sioux River Floodplain	The documentation form by Randall D. Williams is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Franken. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: wings held flat when soaring; presence of red tail patagial patches present, no bib. Rough-legged Hawk: dark belly-band or girdle. carpal wing patches present. Dark band on trailing edge of wing (immature). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk east of Shenandoah, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-10-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk east of Shenandoah in Page County, IA on October 26, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Braley, Jean B.	Ferruginous Hawk	Shenandoah	E. of Shenandoah on Highway #2		The documentation form by Jean Braley is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Braley.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk east of Laurens, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-10-25	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on October 25 and 26, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Carlson, Judith	Ferruginous Hawk	Laurens	2 miles East Laurens, IA on Hiway [sic] 10	Road Ditch Fench [sic] Line & Large Farm Grove	The documentation form by Judith Carlson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ronald Harms were submitted later. Other observers include Helen Carlson. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Tail are darker and stockier in appearance. Osprey - smaller, darker on back and eye stripe wider, lower & longer. Rough Legged darker all over on front. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/18:15:00 and 10:30:00/11:25:00 on October 26, 1984.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Liscomb, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on September 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, notes about Ferruginous Hawk sightings in Iowa, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Ferruginous Hawk	Liscomb	Just west of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Open country over cultivated farm fields - Iowa River 1/2 mile away	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form was submitted by Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawks do not have definite light wing patches or "windows" on the inner primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Otter Creek Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on December 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ferruginous Hawk	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M., Tama Co., Iowa	large, wide riverbottom marsh with scattered woods.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: According to Eckert, the upper wing patches are diagnostic if the location is right. He gives the following example as an acceptable documentation: 'On the upper surface of each wing there was a rectangular or oval white patch on the flight feathers. This patch was on the inner primaries, and perhaps faded a bit into the secondaries and outer primaries.' This description fits the bird I saw. Eckert gives two other diagnostic marks that I did not see (feathered legs, rufous back and shoulders), but only one of these three marks is needed. The white tail is not diagnostic, but coupled with the light underparts and generally dark upper wing surface, tends to exclude Krider's and Harlan's Hawks which would have light upper wings and dark underparts, respectively. An ordinary Red-tailed Hawk would not ordinarily have an all white-tail nor such prominent upper wing patches. The raised wings in flight in the absence of wind favor Ferruginous Hawk over Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks. Rough-legged Hawk is excluded by the lack of prominent black and white pattern to body, wing and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:57:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk in Cherokee County, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-28	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk in Cherokee County, IA on March 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Ferruginous Hawk	Cherokee County	Hwy 7 & M 31	Bean ground with some water ways (grass)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Redtailed hawk, no horizontal streaking onthe [sic] belly and the rufous colored legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:40:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk in Story County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-09-29	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Tiegs Marsh in Story County, IA on September 29, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ferruginous Hawk	Story County	Tiegs Marsh, Story County	in open cropland near a small marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Fred J. Alsop were submitted later. Other observers include Dr. George Brown and Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawk eliminated by lack of dark bar on leading edge of underwing, position of white wing patches, white tail with rusty tip, lack of belly band, and rust color on back and wings. Rough-legged hawk eliminated by lack of wrist marks, rust color on back and wings, all white legs, unbanded tail and lack of belly band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00 and 10:10:00 to 10:15:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Rathbun Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-02-01	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on February 1, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Heusinkveld, Bill	Ferruginous Hawk	Rolling Cove Park	Rolling Cove Area, Rathbun Lake, Appanoose County	Perched in Large Tree in Grove next to Lake Rathbun	The documentation form by Bill Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marjorie Heusinkveld \| Elimination of similar species: Red tail eliminated by complete lack of belly band, no red tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:04:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk east of Osage, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-03-13	1993-03-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk east of Osage in Mitchell County, IA on March 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hartogh, Mary Jo	Ferruginous Hawk	Osage	9 mi. E of Osage along a gravel road-Mitchell Co.	Hayfield near a road	The documentation form by Mary Jo Hartogh is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Hartogh and Annjean Hartogh. \| Elimination of similar species: Compared it with a bald eagle and red-tailed hawk which does not have large reddish patches where the legs would be held in flight, nor the outline inside the wings in the same color. A red-tail might have one or the other white, but not both tail and head in my experience. Also the red-tail usually has a darker shade of brown on its middle belly, if it has color there. The rough-legged has a dark tail band which at that proximity should have been seen and its color is also a darker brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:25:00/08:26:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Red Rock Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Ferruginous Hawk	Lake Red Rock	Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	pasture with wooded draw to the south	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was a classic case of delayed reaction as I began sorting through in my mind as I drove down the road. The large size and bulk of the bird, plus the broad, rounded tail made it an obvious buteo. After double-checking all phases of the rough-legged hawk in Clark's Hawks, I once again eliminated rough-leg because of the nearly all white underparts. However, redtail wasn't fitting either, even a light phase, and a few miles down the road the ferruginous crossed my mind. I pulled off the road, made a few notes, and began researching with the guides at hand. The most troublesome field mark was the 'white tail with gray band.' I have seen numerous redtails give the white rump appearance but none have had the distinctive white tail/gray terminal band. There was absolutely no dark patagial marking on the underwing. The combination of field marks (or lack thereof) would seem to approach an immature Krider's redtail. I eliminated this bird because of the appearance of one, wide gray tail band and the more uniform coloring of the body - very little white mottling. Although I wish I'd had a longer look, I came to the conclusion that the combination of what I had observed pointed toward an immature ferruginous hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-17	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, IA on January 17, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes of the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ferruginous Hawk	Benton Township	Benton TWP, Fremont Co., IA.	Open Missouri riverbottom; soybean stubble fields	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See attached discussion. (After writing my field notes at the site of observation and returning home later I found the stnadard field guides most unhelpful. Dunne et al's discussion of Ferruginous was tremendous, indicating variation in Ferruginous Hawks, and especially in discussion of flight characteristics, 'jizz', and behavior [...] The only possibility which is realistic to consider is Redtailed [sic] Hawk, or possibly Rough-legged Hawk. While similar in 'jizz' to a rough-leg (long tail, flight with 'crooked' (=osprey-like) wings, darker mottling underneath, longish wings), Roughleg can be eliminated by the following characters - absence of characteristic underwing pattern, including significant wrist mark (Ferruginous should show this to some extent according to Dunne et al, but I did not see it; remember I did not see the underparts well), and method of hunting-I have never seen a roughleg fly this low over the ground for this long (about a mile) - much lower and more consistently so than a harrier. Regarding elimination of Red-tail - I really think it is easier to eliminate Red-tail than rough-leg based on 'jizz'. The tail was too long, was never spread, and wings were long than Red-tail's. Tail pattern and 'three points of light' combination also is never seen on a Redtail [sic], especially when viewed from above. (The similarity to Roughleg [sic] in pattern can be seen in the front end paper in Dunne et al). Habitat and behavior also are important - while Redtails [sic] are very common in Fremont County, they are definitely not common on the open Missouri bottomlands. Redtail [sic] is a bird of edge habitat. I always look closely at any buteo seen from October to April on the open bottomlands. I have never seen any other buteo fly as low to the ground for as long as this bird - when i say low, I mean 1-2 ft above the ground. At no time was the bird higher than 6', and that was when perched on possibly the lowest post for some distance. Even a Harrier will rise and fall while hunting. This bird stayed low, in the manner of a hunting Golden Eagle (which I have seen in Western Kansas) - a point also mentioned by Dunne et al. Another point noted by Dunne et al and also shown in my sketch (purposely!) and, mentioned in my field notes was the osprey-like crook in the wings-while flying low over the ground. Dunne et al note that this is characteristic of a hunting Ferruginous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Paulina, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-06-03	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Paulina in O'Brien County, IA on June 3, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Ferruginous Hawk	Paullina	5 miles North of Paulina Iowa OBrien [sic] Co.	Flat, Agricultural, only farm Groves for Trees	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Swainson's Hawk have dark primaries. Red Tails with light tails have a terminal band. This one didn't. Red Tails do not have dark legs that are feathered to the ankle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:18:00 and 09:40:00 to 09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1