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 Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-07	1991-05-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough in Clear Lake, IA on May 7, 1991.	Pinneke, Kim	Red-necked Grebe	Zirbel Slough	Zirbel Slough, Clear Lake, Iowa, Southeast part of southern pond	Slough/marshland with adjoining pond	The documentation form by Kim L. Pinneke is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe eliminated by size, lack of white face patch in breeding plumage. Eared Grebe eliminated by size, lack of white face patch in breeding plumage, overall color. Pied-billed Grebe eliminated by overall color, size, lack of "bump" on back of head and lack of face pattern. Western Grebe eliminated by lack of reddish-brown neck and breast color. Canada Goose eliminated by neck coloration and lack of "bump" on back of head. Mallard, Canvasback, Pintail, Oldsquaw, Redhead, Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck all eliminated by overall appearance and lack of conformity to the major details of the species in question. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:55:00/17:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Zirbel Slough, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-22	1991-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 22, 1991.	Pinneke, Kim	White-faced Ibis	Zirbel Slough	Zirbel Slough, Clear Lake Iowa	Slough/Marsh	The documentation form by Kim L. Pinneke is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis was ruled out due to the white patch noticed. Cormorant ruled out by bill shape and position of legs in flight. Mergansers ruled out by their lack of uniform coloring and bill shape. American Coot ruled out by bill shape. Night Herons ruled out by coloring, bill shape and length of neck in flight. Other herons ruled out by the same criteria. Stilts and Dowitchers ruled out by bill shape. Whimbrel and Curlew ruled out by size, coloring, by their lack of prominent white face spot, and neck length. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 19:30:00/19:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren north of Burlington, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-19	1986-04-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 19, 1986.	Fuller, James L	Bewick's Wren	Burlington	YMCA Camp Road - Approximately 2 miles N. of Burlington	Hilly + partially wooded, suburban homes	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Charles Fuller, Liz Christiansen, Bob Cecil, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren- white eye line + tail edging, general color, white breast, + tail flicking. Carolina Wren - general color, white breast, + tail flicking. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at YMCA Camp northwest of Boone, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-01-01	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at YMCA Camp northwest of Boone in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1998.	Healy, Kevin	Golden Eagle	Y Camp	YMCA Camp northwest of Boone IA	Soaring above Des Moines River	The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Turkey Vulture: similar in size, but flight different (i.e., this bird did not rock back and forth despite fairly stiff winds during time of observation). Also, wings were held flatter than what I expect for a Turkey Vulture. Harlan's Hawk: Breast and belly solid in color, no barring on tail, wing shape unlike that of Red-tailed Hawk. Size difference. Dark phase Rough-legged Hawk: No speckling on breast or belly, tail longer with thinner terminal band. Size difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Yellow River Forest, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Yellow River Forest at Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Goshawk	Yellow River State Forest	Yellow River Forest (Headquarters), Allamakee Co., Iowa	Mostly mature Maple/Basswood, with some farmland.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock and Barb WIlson. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteos: rather long tail, short wings. Uniform gray underparts. Cooper's Hawk: Too large, gray, and flapped too slowly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Mason City, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-26	1997-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 26, 1997.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Pine Warbler	Mason City	yard, Mason City Cerro Gordo Co.	Trees, open area along creek -	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: thought possible a yellow-throated vireo, but didn't have a hooked bill - had a line through eye - Didn't have a gray rump - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo north of Iowa City, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bell's Vireo north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 19, 1984.	Fuller, James L	Bell's Vireo	Iowa City	Yard of Home - N. of Iowa City (Johnson Co)	Shrubbery and trees in yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruby Crowned Kinglet - Too large, yellow on sides + buffy wing bars. White eyed Vireo - Dark eye Orange Crowned Warbler - eye ring, wing bars and white of breast and throat Chestnut sided warbler (imm.) - Yellow wing bars + sides back color gray-green not green. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of Lovilia, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of Lovilia in Monroe County, IA on October 4, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Lovilia	Wright residence - just north of Lovilia-Monroe Co.	Trees + shrubs along RR tracks-otherwise open	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib and many other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Fork tailed [sic] Flycatcher is generally darker bird with black head and has no red or orange-pink color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Lawrence's Warbler near Cedar Bluff, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-05-13	1995-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lawrence's Warbler near Cedar Bluff in Cedar County, IA on May 13, 1995.	Thompson, Carol A.	Vermivoras	Cedar Bluff	woods near Cedar Bluff, Ia	160 acre wooded-wetland above Cedar River	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bud Gode. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-winged - too yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at Coralville Dam, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Coralville Dam	woods below Coralville Dam	tangle/blow down, weed patch near riverbank	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Sandrock, Mary Noble, Ed Carpenter, and Inez Marks. \| Elimination of similar species: Lack of streaking on underparts, yellow at sides of breast, yellow rump eliminate all other warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Woodland Mounds State Preserve, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Woodland Mounds State Preserve in Warren County, IA on May 9, 1991.	Sinclair, Jim	Pine Warbler	Woodland Mounds State Preserve	Woodland Mounds Preserve, Warren Co.	open woodland	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Unstreaked back eliminates Blackpoll and Bay-breasted Warblers. Behavior and bill configuration eliminates Yellow-throated Vireo \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Olive-sided Flycatcher at Woodland Mounds County Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Olive-sided Flycatcher at Woodland Mounds County Park in Warren County, IA on April 13, 1988.	Sinclair, Jim	Olive-sided Flycatcher	Woodland Mounds State Preserve	Woodland Mounds County Park, Warren Co.	Mature oak - hickory	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only species possible would be the Eastern Phoebe - bird did not pump tail, did not have dark wings or dark head and was larger bodied than the Eastern Phoebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	63
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-05-27	1976-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 27, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Hooded Warbler	Coralville Lake	wooded hillside n. of Co. Rd 'F', just w of highway 218	Specific: a wooded hillside, with mature oaks + shagbark hickories and a dense understory of 6'-10'- high shrubs, and forbs. General: above is part of a large tract of woodland that borders the n. shore of the Coralville Reservoir, separated from the resevoir [sic] by a road and a belt of second-growth woods. to the w. is an old farm, brushy grown-up pastures; to the n. is farmland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Song, black 'hood' eliminate Kentucky, Canada Warblers - Canada has necklace of streaks, not solid black on throat; Kentucky has no black on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Bronson, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-04	1984-05-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Hawk at Bronson in Woodbury County, IA on May 4, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Swainson's Hawk	Bronson	Woodbury County, Bronson, Iowa	Open pastures and barefields	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway III is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Harlan's: Harlan's has more white on the tail and on the underside of wing. Harlan's wings are not as long + does not have the distinct habit of flying with the wings at such a noticeable angle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Wolf Creek County Park, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-10-04	1993-10-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Wolf Creek County Park in Grundy County, IA on October 4, 1993.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Wolf Creek Recreation Area	Wolf Creek Co. Park - (Grundy Co.)	Big Oak trees along a stream	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-breasteds are buffy underneath and not clear white and lack the yellowish wash on throat and upper breast. Blackpolls are lightly streaked across breast and belly and lack the yellowish wash on throat and upper breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:12:00/10:12:40.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1998-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park in Sioux County, IA on December 2, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Surf Scoter	Winterfeld Boat and Fish Area	Winterfeld Park along the north side of Rock Valley in Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I rule out any possible confusions, as follows: - White-winged Scoter has white in the wing and lacks sharp contrast between crown and face - Black Scoter has rounded forehead and lacks pale head patches - Ruddy Duck is smaller, has differently shaped bill and dark line across cheek - Female Scaups have white in the wing, differently shaped white patch at base of bill, and little contrast between crown and face. \| The original documentation form event occurred for around 20 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk near Lake Mills and Rice Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-03	1978-06-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Hawk near Lake Mills and Rice Lake in Winnebago County, IA on June 3, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Swainson's Hawk	Lake Mills Rice Lake	Winnebago County, 1 1/2 miles SE of Lake Mills (1 mile N of Rice Lake)	mixed oak savannah with farmland. Bird flew from area of oak woodlot out over farmland and circled over me	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: red tail-no belly band, no red on tail, shape seemed slimmer than most red-tails. roughleg-no white on rump, no tail bands. Broadwing and red-shoulder- too big and no tail bands. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-08	1979-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on September 8, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Anderson Township	Wilson farm: T73-N, R-41W, Sec 26, NE Mills County, Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: these are Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or Blackheaded Grosbeaks. Or hybrids. Unfortunately, the identification depends on things I do not know. Ruth Green informs me that some Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in early September are so orange on the breast one would think them Black-headeds. Are these young Rose-breasted? What about the call? Do Rose-breasted Grosbeaks make a lower-pitched call, more mellow than the distinctive high-pitched call that is the only one I know for them? If you know, please tell me. These were odd-looking grosbeaks but I can't really identify them. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:45:00 and in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-23	1980-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, IA on September 23, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Bay-breasted Warbler	Mills County	Wilson Farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	General: edge of woods Specific: Oak dominant	The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll Warbler eliminated by tan sides + under tail coverts. (I couldn't see leg color). Pine Warbler - eliminated by back streaks, sides \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-05	1983-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Lincoln's Sparrow	Hastings	Wilson Farm, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from adult Song Sparrow by buffy breast + fine breast streaks, from young one by eye ring + general face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Connecticut Warbler in Mills County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Connecticut Warbler in Mills County, IA on May 26, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Connecticut Warbler	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Resembles the fall Mourning Warbler plumage. In fact, I must say this is either a female Connecticut Warbler in Spring plumage or a Mourning that retains fall plumage. I did not see if the eye ring is broken or not, nor the extent to which the under tail coverts cover the tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:01:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	39
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough, No large vegetation on there; Eleocharis at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-23	1979-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on July 23, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Twice I flushed the bird from the edge of the cattail patches. Flew away from me with slow, dignified wing beats.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bitterns have black, not gray flight feathers in wings. Immature Black-crowned Night heron has larger spots, a more streaked appearance. Note: both night herons were present at the slough last year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-01	1979-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 1, 1979 and several other dates.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Little Blue Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Shallow lake + marsh that is Willow Slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This heron resembles every other White Heron or egret. Albino Heron: this is what I thought it was at first, but it turned out to have color in bill & legs. "Great White Heron" can be eliminated by size and range. Snowy Egret: has black legs and bill. Great Egret: has yellow bill w/out black tip, & dark legs. Cattle Egret: has yellow to orange bill without black tip, has yellow to dark (not green legs) & is sociable, & wouldn't spend over a week in a marsh. Reddish egret: has a similar bill, but with base flesh-colored rather than gray. Has bluish, not green, legs, has a shaggy neck, and is unlikely to be found in Iowa. The white primaries eliminate other white large birds. The only thing left is immature Little Blue Heron.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20