Backyard Birds of Iowa: a Comprehensive Guide to Birding (2024)

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Iowa is home to over 430 bird species.

This extensive guide will help you identify the most common ones by sight and sound.

You’ll also learn the best times of year to go birding.

Get tips for turning your yard into a bird-watcher’s paradise with the right feeders, baths, and native plants.

With this guide, you can enhance your bird-watching experience and gain a deeper understanding of Iowa‘s rich avian diversity.

Common Backyard Birds Found in Iowa

Iowa is home to a diverse range of bird species, and with the right bird ID skills, you can spot these feathered friends in your own backyard. From the vibrant Northern Cardinal with its red plumage and black mask to the tiny, round Black-capped Chickadee, often seen at feeders, Iowa‘s bird species offer a colorful array of avian friends. Keep an eye out for the Blue Jay, with its large blue crest, and the American Crow, which is highly social and often seen in groups. The White-breasted Nuthatch is another common visitor to feeders, known for hiding seeds under tree bark.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker, with its bright red streak, and the smaller Downy Woodpecker, the smallest in North America, are also frequent backyard visitors. The Mourning Dove, about the size of a robin, is often perched on telephone wires or trees. The European Starling, an invasive species, has dark feathers with white specks, while the American Goldfinch shines bright yellow in spring and summer.

These are just a few of the common backyard birds you might spot in Iowa. Keep reading to learn more about resident birds, identification tips, and how to attract these beautiful creatures to your yard.

Resident Birds of Iowa

Understanding the resident birds of Iowa helps you identify which species you can spot throughout the year. In this guide, we’ll cover all-year birds, summer visitors, and winter visitors, providing clear insights into their habits and characteristics.

All-Year Birds

Iowa is home to a variety of resident birds that can be spotted all year long. These familiar feathered friends include:

• American Robin: Bright red bellies and yellow beaks make these birds easily recognizable as they hop around your yard.
• Northern Cardinal: With their bright red feathers and black masks, these birds are a common sight, even in the snow.
• Mourning Dove: Perched on telephone wires or trees, these doves are about the size of robins.
• Blue Jay: Keep an eye out for their large blue crests and colorful feathers.

Summer Visitors

As summer approaches, Iowa’s avian population undergoes a vibrant transformation with the arrival of several migratory species. These summer visitors bring a burst of color and activity to backyards across the state. Keep an eye out for the following birds that are commonly seen during the warmer months:

Name of Bird	Migration Patterns	Food Sources
Red-winged Blackbird	Summer visitor	Insects, seeds
House Wren	Summer visitor	Insects, spiders, berries
Gray Catbird	Summer visitor	Insects, berries, fruits
Common Yellowthroat	Summer visitor	Insects, berries
Barn Swallow	Summer visitor	Flying insects
Indigo Bunting	Summer visitor	Seeds, insects
Common Grackle	Summer visitor	Insects, seeds, grains
Eastern Kingbird	Summer visitor	Insects, berries
Baltimore Oriole	Summer visitor	Fruits, nectar, insects
Cedar Waxwing	Summer visitor	Berries, insects
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Summer visitor	Nectar, insects
Red-headed Woodpecker	Summer visitor	Insects, seeds
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Summer visitor	Insects, seeds, fruits
Brown-headed Cowbird	Summer visitor	Seeds, grains
Chipping Sparrow	Summer visitor	Seeds

Winter Visitors

As the summer warmth fades, you’ll notice changes in the birds that visit your backyard.

The Dark-eyed Junco is one of the first winter visitors to arrive, signaling the onset of colder weather.

A variety of bird species adapt to the cold weather and provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching, particularly around feeders.

Keep an eye out for the vibrant Northern Cardinal, the Red-bellied Woodpecker, the lively Blue Jay, and the clever American Crow as they frequently visit backyards in search of food during winter.

Identification Tips for Iowa Birds

• Size is relative: When comparing bird sizes, think of the Northern Cardinal’s vibrant red feathers as a reference point, you can learn more about common backyard birds like this one at common bird species. Using common birds as a reference is a great way to gauge size. Compare unknown birds to a Robin (medium), a Blue Jay (larger), or a Chickadee (smaller) to get a quick sense of their proportions and narrow down your options.
• Focus on form: Body, tail, and bill shapes provide strong clues. These traits often outshine color as reliable identifiers. For instance, doves have rounded bodies, warblers are graceful and slim, and woodpeckers are built with a sturdy structure.
• Bill basics: Bill shapes and sizes vary and offer insight into a bird’s diet. Take note of distinctive bills like the Downy Woodpecker’s chisel-like tool or the Northern Cardinal’s cone-shaped beak.
• Color cues: Nature uses color to make a statement. Bright feathers, like the Cardinal’s bold red or the Goldfinch’s sunny yellow, are nature’s way of highlighting a bird’s presence. On the flip side, muted colors provide stealth through camouflage, making identification a challenge.
• Habitat clues: Different birds favor different habitats, so knowing your local environments can help. The Yellow Warbler loves being near water, while the Eastern Meadowlark is a fan of expansive fields.

Summary:

• Size comparisons with common birds help create a mental scale.
• Body, tail, and bill shapes are often more reliable than color alone.
• Bill characteristics provide insight into a bird’s diet and lifestyle.
• Bright colors attract, while muted colors conceal.
• Habitat knowledge helps predict and identify species accurately.

Attracting Iowa Birds to Your Yard

To attract Iowa’s birds to your yard, install bird feeders and baths, ensuring the water is clean and fresh. Plant native flora like sunflowers and milkweed to provide both nourishment and shelter for various species.

Bird Feeders and Bath Tips

To attract birds to your yard, provide a variety of bird feeders and water sources. Tube feeders are ideal for small seeds and will attract goldfinches and chickadees. Hopper feeders are versatile and can hold a mix of seeds, luring cardinals and sparrows. Tray feeders are perfect for offering fruits and will draw in robins, jays, and doves.

Birdbaths are essential, too, as all birds need water. Moving water, like a small fountain, is especially attractive.

Native Plants for Birds

Creating a bird-friendly habitat in your yard involves more than just feeders and birdbaths. By planting native plants, you’ll provide natural food sources and shelter for a variety of bird species. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Sunflowers: These bright flowers attract birds like goldfinches and chickadees, who feast on their seeds.
2. Milkweed: While known for their relationship with monarchs, milkweed plants also provide nectar for hummingbirds and food for seed-eating birds.
3. Blackberries: These juicy berries are loved by birds and bees alike, offering a natural food source and habitat.
4. Dogwoods: With their vibrant berries and foliage, dogwoods attract a variety of birds, including thrushes and waxwings, providing them with food and shelter.

Additionally, allowing your grass to grow longer creates a natural foraging area for ground-feeding birds, and leaving brush piles can provide extra cover.

Birding Organizations in Iowa

Birding is more fun with friends, and Iowa has a variety of organizations to help you connect with other enthusiasts. These groups can provide guidance, workshops, and tours to enhance your birding experience.

Here’s a table with some of the prominent birding organizations in Iowa:

Organization	Description	Website
Iowa Audubon Society	Offers meetups, workshops, and birding tours for enthusiasts	iowaaudubon.org
Iowa Ornithologists’ Union	Brings together birders of all skill levels to share knowledge and experiences	iowabirds.org
Local Chapters	Local chapters of national organizations can guide you to specific hotspots and events, helping you connect with fellow birdwatchers	Various

Joining these groups can provide you with a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for birding and the natural world. It’s a great way to make new friends, gain valuable knowledge, and explore Iowa’s diverse bird habitats together.

Now, let’s move on to some specific locations in Iowa that are popular among birdwatchers.

Bird Watching Locations in Iowa

To enhance your birding experience in Iowa, visit notable locations like Saylorville Reservoir and Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area. These sites offer diverse habitats that attract a wide variety of bird species, providing excellent opportunities for observation and study.

Saylorville Reservoir

Saylorville Reservoir is a popular birding hotspot in Iowa.

It offers a diverse range of bird species to observe.

Northern Cardinal

Keep your eyes open for the vibrant red feathers.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The lively antics of its namesake.

Blue Jay

Or the brilliant blue crest of this species.

A variety of feathered friends are available to observe in their natural habitat.

House Sparrow

You might also be lucky enough to spot the common House Sparrow.

American Crow

Or the clever American Crow.

Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area

Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area is a birdwatcher’s paradise, offering a diverse range of habitats for an array of avian species. This natural ecosystem is a haven for birds, including the red-winged blackbird, common grackle, northern flicker, barn swallow, and eastern kingbird. With its mix of marshland and creek, it provides the perfect environment for these birds to thrive.

Invasive Species Impacting Iowa Birds

Invasive species can have a significant impact on Iowa’s native bird populations and ecosystems. Here’s what you need to watch out for:

• House Sparrows — Originally from Europe, these non-native birds are considered invasive in Iowa. They’re aggressive and outcompete native birds for food and nesting sites.
• European Starlings — Introduced in the 1890s, starlings are another invasive species that can disrupt local ecosystems.
• Brown-Headed Cowbirds — While not strictly invasive, these birds often lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, contributing to a decline in native bird numbers.
• American Robin — Keep an eye out for unusual behaviour in this usually solitary bird.
• House Wren — Although not an invasive species, the house wren’s presence as a summer visitor may impact the behaviour of native birds.

Iowa’s Backyard Birds Habitation Guide

If you’re hoping to spot birds in open fields and meadows, keep an eye out for the Mourning Dove, Eastern Meadowlark, and Red-winged Blackbird. For those interested in forest and woodland birds, you may encounter the American Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Eastern Wood-Pewee.

Open Fields and Meadows

Open fields and meadows in Iowa provide a natural habitat for a diverse range of birds, each with their own distinct characteristics.

These spaces offer essential nesting sites, feeding grounds, and water sources, catering to the needs of these feathered friends.

Keep a lookout for the Mourning Dove, often perched on telephone wires or trees, or the Eastern Meadowlark, which shows a clear preference for open fields.

You may also be lucky enough to spot the Ruby-throated Hummingbird or the vibrant Eastern Bluebird, as they consider these open spaces their playgrounds, often treating onlookers to a spectacular display.

Forests and Woodlands

Now, let’s explore the avian inhabitants of Iowa’s forests and woodlands. These habitats are home to a diverse range of bird species, including the familiar American Crow, the energetic White-breasted Nuthatch, and the elusive Eastern Wood-Pewee.

Wetlands and Waterways

Iowa’s wetlands and waterways attract a diverse range of waterfowl and migratory birds.

Watch for the vibrant Baltimore Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, and Indigo Bunting.

Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Effigy Mounds National Monument provide varied habitats, from marshlands to lakes, serving as vital resting and feeding places for migratory waterfowl.

Wetland restoration efforts have improved these spaces, resulting in ideal conditions for birdwatching and wildlife photography.

These areas play a crucial role in the life cycles of numerous species, providing sustenance, protection, and breeding grounds.

Iowa Birds’ Behavior, Migration, and Range

Bird behavior, migration patterns, and their range across Iowa offer fascinating insights into their lives. The American Crow, for instance, is highly social, often gathering in groups, whereas the Northern Cardinal prefers to feed alone. Iowa experiences distinct seasonal shifts in its bird populations. Some, like the Barn Swallow, are summer visitors, while others, such as the Yellow Warbler, are migratory passersby.

Bird habitats vary, too. The Mourning Dove, Eastern Meadowlark, and Red-winged Blackbird favor open fields and meadows. In contrast, the American Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Eastern Wood-Pewee inhabit forests and woodlands. Wetlands and waterways attract the Yellow Warbler, which is often spotted near streams, rivers, and lakes, especially in willow and alder trees.

Each bird species has its unique behavior, migration pattern, and preferred range, contributing to the diverse and dynamic birdlife of Iowa.

Iowa’s Birds in Different Environments

Iowa’s diverse landscapes offer a range of habitats for its feathered inhabitants. From the wide-open spaces of its meadows to the lush forests and tranquil waterways, each environment attracts a unique assortment of birds.

The state’s open fields and meadows play host to a variety of species, including the graceful Mourning Dove, the vibrant Eastern Meadowlark, and the striking Red-winged Blackbird. These birds feel right at home amidst the tall grasses and wildflowers, where they can easily spot their next meal.

Venture into the forests and woodlands, and you’ll encounter a different set of avian friends. The mischievous American Crow caws from treetops, while the White-breasted Nuthatch, a master of bark-stored seeds, scurries up and down tree trunks. Keep an ear out for the distinctive call of the Eastern Wood-Pewee, a small, gray bird that often forages for insects high in the canopy.

Wetlands and waterways attract their own special visitors, like the Yellow Warbler, a bright yellow songbird often found near streams, rivers, and lakes. Willows and alders are their favorite haunts, where they flit about in search of tasty insects.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of Iowa’s birds and their preferred environments:

1. Open Fields and Meadows: Mourning Dove, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird
2. Forests and Woodlands: American Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Wood-Pewee
3. Wetlands and Waterways: Yellow Warbler

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)