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-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 of Laughing Gull at Rathbun Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-08-06	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on August 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photocopy of a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Thomas N.	Laughing Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun	Sandbar	The documentation form by Tom Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted later. Other observers include Dot Cornett, Chuck Fuller, and Mary Montgomery. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Bill was slimmer than ring bill gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Red Knot at Rathbun Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-07-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on July 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Thomas N.	Red Knot	Rathbun Lake	County: Appanoose Lake Rathbun Location in Detail: Boat Ramp - East Island View - Island		The documentation form by Tom Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I noticed a bird the same size as a killdeer next to it but chunkier. I knew it was unusual and also knew it was a Red Knot from the breast and the bill size which I estimated as twice as long as the Killdeers bill and Dowitcher - bill was shorter than dowitcher and dark back. I tried to think of other shorebirds it could have been and the dowitcher species was what I could imagine, but its bill was too short. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:30:00/19:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rosy Finch at Oelwein, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-03-12	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rosy Finch at Oelwein in Fayette County, IA on March 12, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Richard Wilkinson to Thomas H. Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom	Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch	Oelwein	Oelwein, IOWA	Feeds on feeder. Come to a Rocky Ravine like spot by house.	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Nicholas Halmi was submitted later. Other observers include Russel Hays, Frank Moore, Joe Schaufenbuel, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, Peter Petersen, Bernie Knight, Robert Myers, and eight more birders from Cedar Rapids-Marion. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird doesn't have any black on back or breast like the Black Rosy Finch. This bird had gray on head to distuinguish [sic] it. From the Brown capped Rosy Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:28:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at George Wyth State Park, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-05-14	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on May 14, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, request for reconsideration, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Lazuli Bunting	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Marginal woodland with small stream bordered with, Hedgerows, scrub growth, and wild patches.	The documentation form by Tom Stone Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird - has slender bill and no wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-12	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, correspondence about bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Mississippi Kite	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Lowland river bottoms with Deciduous Woodland	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone Sr. \| Elimination of similar species: Like Marsh Hawk which has a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Black-backed Gull at George Wyth State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-03	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Greater Black-backed Gull at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 3, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Great Black-backed Gull	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth S.P.	Wooded area and open lakes, river. Specific - George wyth lake about 10 acres marshy nearby ponds and lakes, and the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: second year Herring Gull is alot smaller and has a two-tone coloring of the beak. And beak is not as heavily built. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:00:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mississippi Kite at Waubonsie State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-14	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mississippi Kites at Waubonsie State Park on May 14, 1980. Includes one record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Mississippi Kite	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie S.P.	The Loess hills, Dry woodland with some open areas on the slope of loess hills	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Sr.. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Marsh Hawk has a white rump patch and tail isn't black. Does not fly like a kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-07-01	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County, IA on July 1, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Prairie Warbler	Yellow River State Forest	Yellow River State Forest	The bird was at the edge of a pine plant with blackberry bushes very thick, deciduous Saplings and fellow trees at edge of Pine plant.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Russ Hayes and Tom Stone, Sr. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Cape May Warbler has rusty cheek patch. The Pine Warbler does not have a distinct cheek patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-16	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 16, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kleen, Vernon M.	Franklin's Gull	Lock Number 19	Hamilton (Hancock Co), Il. + Keokuk, Iowa	The bird was flying over + around the pool of the Mississippi River just below the lock and dams at Keokuk. The water was open.	The documentation form by Vernon Kleen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Cecil was submitted. Other observers include Doug Reeves, Kathy Andrews, Mary Grapperhans, Joel Greenberg, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: white windows in wing eliminated Laughing; lack of extensive white in wing eliminated Bonaparte's and Black-headed or Sabines \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff east of Tabor, 1982	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-09-08	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ruff east of Tabor in Fremont County, IA on September 8, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and American Birds, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ruff	Tabor	4 miles east of Tabor, in Fremont County	Lake Mar-I-War, being a waste disposal pond at Mar-I-War Farms' hog operation.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tanya Bray, Barbara L. Wilson, Thomas H. Kent, and Joe Schaufenbuel were submitted. Other observers include Lynn Schaufenbuel, Peter Petersen, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Yellowlegs, and Pectoral, Western, Least, and Semipalmated Sandpipers.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Forney Lake, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-26	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 26, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Western Tanager	Forneys Lake	Forney lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Cottonwood Belt near Forney Lake - Riparian Island in Missouri River Bottom Farmland	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Myers was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellowthroated Vireo - Red Head, bill not 'hooked', more active. Northern Oriole (1st Yr Male) - Yellow coloration contrasting with red head [rather distinctive species]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
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 of Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-05	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 5, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Thayer's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa		The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than adult Herring Gull (winter plumage, red spot end of lower mandible) beside it, legs a little pinker. Larger than Ring-billed Gulls- flock of 14 adjacent. [...] Headmuch [sic] smaller relative to body than in the Herring Gull- also flatter-appearing. [...] 1. Bill was black (or very dark); this , combined with the rather pale underparts relative to the rest of the (also rather pale) plumage tends to rule out a first year Herring Gull. 2. Bill and head size and shape were not as heavy-appearing as in Herring Gull. Direct comparison with adjacent adult Herring Gull was very useful in deciding this. [...] 5. Size and pinker legs than Herring Gull are not sure characters, but lend support to identification as Thayer's Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a Hoary Redpoll at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on January 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Hoary Redpoll	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs. Bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Thistle feeder located next to a 20' Linden three about 30' north of house	The documentation form by Wallace E. Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common redpoll. This bird was paler and had a red washed unstreaked rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a photograph, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Smith's Longspur	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA.	General: Back yard opening to a 100 acre farm field. Evergreens, bushes, trees. Specific: Foot of tray feeder beside tree.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ronald Harms and Rita DeWall were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Water Pipit near Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Water Pipit near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on February 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Water Pipit	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	General: Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Specific: Base of stone fireplace with feeder on top. Fireplace is 6' from concrete patio in back yard.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper sparrow. Breast not streaked as heavily as vesper sparrow + white outer tail feathers more prominent than on vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-03	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on June 3, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	House Finch	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA Rt 2 Box 9 50574	Backyard. Trees, shrubs, bird baths, feeders, etc.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00 and 18:00:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Little Spirit Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of around six Greater Prairie-Chickens at Little Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Baker, Warren L.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Little Spirit Lake Wildlife Management Area	South end - west side Little Spirit Lake, Iowa	- cut field, next to lake	The documentation form by Warren L. Baker is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Karen Baker were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharpe [sic] Tailed grouse \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-11	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two birds (Ibis species) at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibises	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	The starting point was on the northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley and Leroy Hovell is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Leroy Hovell was submitted later. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcom, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| The original documentation form event occurred after 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-10-09	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American crow and the common raven lack do not have such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American crows. Ring-necked pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie east of Lindsay Wilderness Area, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie east of Lindsay Wilderness Area in Van Buren County, IA on November 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Vickers, William P.	Black-billed Magpie	Lindsay Wilderness Area	East of Lindsay Wilderness, Bonaparte, Ia	Second growth woodland near open pasture	The documentation form by William Vickers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W.C. Cockerell and Mike Bentler. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead shrike, which is much smaller \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-22	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on December 22, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Pine Grosbeak	Saylorville Lake	woods at end of NW 100th St @ Big Creek Lake T81N R25W NE 1/4 sec. 21	She was perched at the top of a deciduous tree (locust?) in a small wooded area, dominated by deciduous trees. Some conifers were present. Kevin stated that when he first saw the bird it flew like a woodpecker (undulating) and landed in the tree.	The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterrichis the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Kevin Healy. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration and size eliminated the other finches. Too large and wrong coloration for Goldfinches. Coloration, bill shape, size not like crossbills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pygmy Nuthatch at Des Moines, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-01-26	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pygmy Nuthatch at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on January 26, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, multiple articles from Iowa Bird Life, correspondence related to bird sighting and review, and two documentations submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Pygmy Nuthatch	Des Moines	[...] 5400 Woodland Ave.		The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Nicholas Halmi was submitted later. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Mary Brown, Dorothy Ely, Peter C. Petersen, Mary Lou Petersen, Margaret Brooke, Lillian Serbousek, Allen Mueller, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] According to plumage descriptions of the Pigmy and Brown-headed Nuthatches, the only noticeable difference between the two (short of having the bird in hand) is in the color of the crown and nape. The field guides are agreed that the crown of the Brown-headed is brown, but there is a lack of unanimity in their descriptions of the crown of the Pigmy. [...] Margaret Brooke, in writing up the observation for IBL, describes the cap as being "brownish" but has no doubt about this nuthatch being a Pigmy. Mary and I feel the grayish olive description comes closest and cinches the Pigmy identification. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	51
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1971	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1971-11-04	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1971. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Western Tanager	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	Well-kept back yard of apartment in the heart of Des Moines	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for goldfinch, wing bars eliminate Summer or Scarlet Tanagers which would not be here at this time. Bill obviously not oriole or finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted briefly, mid-afternnon [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29