Birds of Iowa

The Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, or IOU, accepts around 450 birds. Of these, around 90 are accidental, 29 casual, 8 introduced, 3 extinct, and 1 extirpated. Migratory birds are seen in several parts of the state, with a common spot for birdwatching being the Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County.

The American Goldfinch has been officially adopted as Iowa’s state bird since 1933. Besides Iowa, it is also the state bird of New Jersey and Washington.

Birds of Iowa

Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier, Broad-winged Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk

Backyard Birds:

All-year-round: Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin

Migratory Birds

In Summer: Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Western Meadowlark, Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting

In Winter: Purple Finch, Brown Creeper, Dark-eyed Junco, American Tree Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee

Water Birds: Wood Stork, Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret

Rare Birds: Garganey, Snowy Plover, Black Rail, Curlew Sandpiper

Common Birds Identification by Color

Blue Birds

  • Eastern Bluebird
  • Western Bluebird
  • Mountain Bluebird
  • Blue Jay
  • Great Blue Heron

Black Birds

  • European Starling
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Common Grackle
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Black-and-white Warbler

Red Birds

Yellow Birds

  • Dickcissel
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • American Goldfinch
  • Western Tanager
  • Western Meadowlark

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