Iowa Checklist

432 Species (213 Nesting)

Status Codes

R - Regular - recorded in 7-10 of the last 10 years (311 species)
C - Casual - recorded in 5-8 of the last 10 years (27 species)
A - Accidental - recorded in 0-4 of the last 10 years (91 species)
X - Extirpated - Gone from Iowa (1 species)
E - Extinct - Gone forever (3 species)

Evidence Codes

S - Specimen (317 species)
P - Photo (103 species)
R - Recording (2 species)
D - Documentation (11 species)

Any species checked as on the review list requires additional review prior to publication. See the Review List to determine your course of action for any observations of these species. Please submit a documentation of any species on the review list requiring committee review to the Iowa Birds Records Committee. The reports icon on review list species opens all reports submitted for that species. Photos were taken in Iowa; some are from old documentations on file and quality is low. IWAP indicates that the species is included in the Iowa Wildlife Action Plan.

  • Ducks, Geese, Swans
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
    Dendrocygna autumnalis
    RN S
    Fulvous Whistling-Duck
    Dendrocygna bicolor
    A P
    Snow Goose
    Anser caerulescens
    R S
    Ross's Goose
    Anser rossii
    R S
    Greater White-fronted Goose
    Anser albifrons
    R S
    Taiga Bean-Goose
    Anser fabalis
    A P
    Tundra Bean-Goose
    Anser serrirostris
    A P
    Brant
    Branta bernicla
    A S
    Cackling Goose
    Branta hutchinsii
    R S
    Canada Goose
    Branta canadensis
    RN S
    Mute Swan
    Cygnus olor
    R P
    Trumpeter Swan
    Cygnus buccinator
    RN S
    Tundra Swan
    Cygnus columbianus
    R S
    Wood Duck
    Aix sponsa
    RN S
    Garganey
    Spatula querquedula
    A P
    Blue-winged Teal
    Spatula discors
    RN S
    Cinnamon Teal
    Spatula cyanoptera
    R P
    Northern Shoveler
    Spatula clypeata
    RN S
    Gadwall
    Mareca strepera
    RN S
    Eurasian Wigeon
    Mareca penelope
    A S
    American Wigeon
    Mareca americana
    RN S
    Mallard
    Anas platyrhynchos
    RN S
    American Black Duck
    Anas rubripes
    RN S
    Mottled Duck
    Anas fulvigula
    C P
    Northern Pintail
    Anas acuta
    RN S
    Green-winged Teal
    Anas crecca
    RN S
    Canvasback
    Aythya valisineria
    RN S
    Redhead
    Aythya americana
    RN S
    Ring-necked Duck
    Aythya collaris
    RN S
    Greater Scaup
    Aythya marila
    R S
    Lesser Scaup
    Aythya affinis
    RN S
    King Eider
    Somateria spectabilis
    A S
    Common Eider
    Somateria mollissima
    A P
    Harlequin Duck
    Histrionicus histrionicus
    C S
    Surf Scoter
    Melanitta perspicillata
    R S
    White-winged Scoter
    Melanitta deglandi
    R S
    Black Scoter
    Melanitta americana
    R S
    Long-tailed Duck
    Clangula hyemalis
    R S
    Bufflehead
    Bucephala albeola
    RN S
    Common Goldeneye
    Bucephala clangula
    R S
    Barrow's Goldeneye
    Bucephala islandica
    A P
    Hooded Merganser
    Lophodytes cucullatus
    RN S
    Common Merganser
    Mergus merganser
    R S
    Red-breasted Merganser
    Mergus serrator
    R S
    Ruddy Duck
    Oxyura jamaicensis
    RN S
  • New World Quail
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Northern Bobwhite
    Colinus virginianus
    RN S
  • Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys, and Old World Quail
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Wild Turkey
    Meleagris gallopavo
    RN S
    Ruffed Grouse
    Bonasa umbellus
    RN S
    Sharp-tailed Grouse
    Tympanuchus phasianellus
    X S
    Greater Prairie-Chicken
    Tympanuchus cupido
    AN S
    Gray Partridge
    Perdix perdix
    RN S
    Ring-necked Pheasant
    Phasianus colchicus
    RN S
  • Grebes
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Pied-billed Grebe
    Podilymbus podiceps
    RN S
    Horned Grebe
    Podiceps auritus
    RN S
    Red-necked Grebe
    Podiceps grisegena
    RN S
    Eared Grebe
    Podiceps nigricollis
    RN S
    Western Grebe
    Aechmophorus occidentalis
    RN S
    Clark's Grebe
    Aechmophorus clarkii
    A P
  • Pigeons, Doves
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Rock Pigeon
    Columba livia
    RN S
    Eurasian Collared-Dove
    Streptopelia decaocto
    RN S
    Passenger Pigeon
    Ectopistes migratorius
    EN S
    Inca Dove
    Columbina inca
    A P
    Common Ground Dove
    Columbina passerina
    A P
    White-winged Dove
    Zenaida asiatica
    RN P
    Mourning Dove
    Zenaida macroura
    RN S
  • Cuckoos, Roadrunners, Anis
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Groove-billed Ani
    Crotophaga sulcirostris
    A P
    Yellow-billed Cuckoo
    Coccyzus americanus
    RN S
    Black-billed Cuckoo
    Coccyzus erythropthalmus
    RN S
  • Goatsuckers
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Common Nighthawk
    Chordeiles minor
    RN S
    Chuck-will's-widow
    Antrostomus carolinensis
    RN P
    Eastern Whip-poor-will
    Antrostomus vociferus
    RN S
  • Swifts
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Chimney Swift
    Chaetura pelagica
    RN S
  • Hummingbirds
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Mexican Violetear
    Colibri thalassinus
    A P
    Ruby-throated Hummingbird
    Archilochus colubris
    RN S
    Anna's Hummingbird
    Calypte anna
    A P
    Rufous Hummingbird
    Selasphorus rufus
    C S
    Broad-billed Hummingbird
    Cynanthus latirostris
    A P
  • Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    King Rail
    Rallus elegans
    CN S
    Virginia Rail
    Rallus limicola
    RN S
    Sora
    Porzana carolina
    RN S
    Common Gallinule
    Gallinula galeata
    RN S
    American Coot
    Fulica americana
    RN S
    Purple Gallinule
    Porphyrio martinicus
    A S
    Yellow Rail
    Coturnicops noveboracensis
    R S
    Black Rail
    Laterallus jamaicensis
    A R
  • Limpkins
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Limpkin
    Aramus Aramus guarauna
    A S
  • Cranes
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Sandhill Crane
    Antigone canadensis
    RN S
    Whooping Crane
    Grus americana
    AN S
  • Stilts and Avocets
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Black-necked Stilt
    Himantopus mexicanus
    RN P
    American Avocet
    Recurvirostra americana
    RN S
  • Lapwings and Plovers
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Black-bellied Plover
    Pluvialis squatarola
    R S
    American Golden-Plover
    Pluvialis dominica
    R S
    Killdeer
    Charadrius vociferus
    RN S
    Semipalmated Plover
    Charadrius semipalmatus
    R S
    Piping Plover
    Charadrius melodus
    RN S
    Snowy Plover
    Anarhynchus nivosus
    A P
  • Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Upland Sandpiper
    Bartramia longicauda
    RN S
    Whimbrel
    Numenius phaeopus
    R P
    Eskimo Curlew
    Numenius borealis
    E S
    Long-billed Curlew
    Numenius americanus
    AN S
    Bar-tailed Godwit
    Limosa lapponica
    A P
    Hudsonian Godwit
    Limosa haemastica
    R S
    Marbled Godwit
    Limosa fedoa
    RN S
    Ruddy Turnstone
    Arenaria interpres
    R S
    Red Knot
    Calidris canutus
    C S
    Ruff
    Calidris pugnax
    C S
    Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
    Calidris acuminata
    A P
    Stilt Sandpiper
    Calidris himantopus
    R S
    Curlew Sandpiper
    Calidris ferruginea
    A P
    Sanderling
    Calidris alba
    R S
    Dunlin
    Calidris alpina
    R S
    Baird's Sandpiper
    Calidris bairdii
    R S
    Least Sandpiper
    Calidris minutilla
    R S
    White-rumped Sandpiper
    Calidris fuscicollis
    R S
    Buff-breasted Sandpiper
    Calidris subruficollis
    R S
    Pectoral Sandpiper
    Calidris melanotos
    R S
    Semipalmated Sandpiper
    Calidris pusilla
    R S
    Western Sandpiper
    Calidris mauri
    R S
    Short-billed Dowitcher
    Limnodromus griseus
    R S
    Long-billed Dowitcher
    Limnodromus scolopaceus
    R S
    American Woodcock
    Scolopax minor
    RN S
    Wilson's Snipe
    Gallinago delicata
    RN S
    Spotted Sandpiper
    Actitis macularius
    RN S
    Solitary Sandpiper
    Tringa solitaria
    R S
    Lesser Yellowlegs
    Tringa flavipes
    R S
    Willet
    Tringa semipalmata
    R S
    Greater Yellowlegs
    Tringa melanoleuca
    R S
    Wilson's Phalarope
    Phalaropus tricolor
    RN S
    Red-necked Phalarope
    Phalaropus lobatus
    R S
    Red Phalarope
    Phalaropus fulicarius
    C P
  • Skuas and Jaegers
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Pomarine Jaeger
    Stercorarius pomarinus
    A P
    Parasitic Jaeger
    Stercorarius parasiticus
    C S
    Long-tailed Jaeger
    Stercorarius longicaudus
    A S
  • Auks, Murres, and Puffins
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Thick-billed Murre
    Uria lomvia
    A D
    Long-billed Murrelet
    Brachyramphus perdix
    A D
    Ancient Murrelet
    Synthliboramphus antiquus
    A D
  • Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Black-legged Kittiwake
    Rissa tridactyla
    R P
    Ivory Gull
    Pagophila eburnea
    A P
    Sabine's Gull
    Xema sabini
    R S
    Bonaparte's Gull
    Chroicocephalus philadelphia
    R S
    Black-headed Gull
    Chroicocephalus ridibundus
    AN? P
    Little Gull
    Hydrocoloeus minutus
    C P
    Ross's Gull
    Rhodostethia rosea
    A P
    Laughing Gull
    Leucophaeus atricilla
    R P
    Franklin's Gull
    Leucophaeus pipixcan
    RN S
    Black-tailed Gull
    Larus crassirostris
    A P
    Heermann's Gull
    Larus heermanni
    A P
    Short-billed Gull
    Larus brachyrhynchus
    A P
    Ring-billed Gull
    Larus delawarensis
    RN S
    California Gull
    Larus californicus
    R P
    Herring Gull
    Larus argentatus
    RN S
    Iceland Gull
    Larus glaucoides
    R P
    Lesser Black-backed Gull
    Larus fuscus
    R P
    Slaty-backed Gull
    Larus schistisagus
    A P
    Glaucous-winged Gull
    Larus glaucescens
    A P
    Glaucous Gull
    Larus hyperboreus
    R P
    Great Black-backed Gull
    Larus marinus
    R P
    Least Tern
    Sternula antillarum
    RN S
    Caspian Tern
    Hydroprogne caspia
    R S
    Black Tern
    Chlidonias niger
    RN S
    Common Tern
    Sterna hirundo
    R S
    Arctic Tern
    Sterna paradisaea
    A P
    Forster's Tern
    Sterna forsteri
    RN S
    Royal Tern
    Thalasseus maximus
    A P
  • Loons
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Red-throated Loon
    Gavia stellata
    R P
    Pacific Loon
    Gavia pacifica
    R S
    Common Loon
    Gavia immer
    RN S
    Yellow-billed Loon
    Gavia adamsii
    A P
  • Storks
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Wood Stork
    Mycteria americana
    A P
  • Frigatebirds
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Magnificent Frigatebird
    Fregata magnificens
    A P
  • Boobies and Gannets
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Brown Booby
    Sula leucogaster
    A P
  • Darters
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Anhinga
    Anhinga anhinga
    A D
  • Cormorants
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Double-crested Cormorant
    Nannopterum auritum
    RN S
    Neotropic Cormorant
    Nannopterum brasilianum
    RN P
  • Pelicans
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    American White Pelican
    Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
    RN S
    Brown Pelican
    Pelecanus occidentalis
    A P
  • Bitterns, Herons, and Allies
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    American Bittern
    Botaurus lentiginosus
    RN S
    Least Bittern
    Botaurus exilis
    RN S
    Great Blue Heron
    Ardea herodias
    RN S
    Great Egret
    Ardea alba
    RN S
    Snowy Egret
    Egretta thula
    R S
    Little Blue Heron
    Egretta caerulea
    CN? P
    Tricolored Heron
    Egretta tricolor
    A P
    Reddish Egret
    Egretta rufescens
    A P
    Western Cattle Egret
    Ardea ibis
    RN S
    Green Heron
    Butorides virescens
    RN S
    Black-crowned Night Heron
    Nycticorax nycticorax
    RN S
    Yellow-crowned Night Heron
    Nyctanassa violacea
    RN S
  • Ibises and Spoonbills
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    White Ibis
    Eudocimus albus
    A P
    Glossy Ibis
    Plegadis falcinellus
    R P
    White-faced Ibis
    Plegadis chihi
    RN S
    Roseate Spoonbill
    Platalea ajaja
    A P
  • New World Vultures
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Black Vulture
    Coragyps atratus
    C S
    Turkey Vulture
    Cathartes aura
    RN S
  • Ospreys
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Osprey
    Pandion haliaetus
    RN S
  • Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    White-tailed Kite
    Elanus leucurus
    A P
    Swallow-tailed Kite
    Elanoides forficatus
    CN S
    Golden Eagle
    Aquila chrysaetos
    R S
    Northern Harrier
    Circus hudsonius
    RN S
    Sharp-shinned Hawk
    Accipiter striatus
    RN S
    Cooper's Hawk
    Accipiter cooperii
    RN S
    American Goshawk
    Accipiter atricapillus
    R S
    Bald Eagle
    Haliaeetus leucocephalus
    RN S
    Mississippi Kite
    Ictinia mississippiensis
    RN P
    Red-shouldered Hawk
    Buteo lineatus
    RN S
    Broad-winged Hawk
    Buteo platypterus
    RN S
    Swainson's Hawk
    Buteo swainsoni
    RN S
    Red-tailed Hawk
    Buteo jamaicensis
    RN S
    Rough-legged Hawk
    Buteo lagopus
    R S
    Ferruginous Hawk
    Buteo regalis
    C P
  • Barn Owls
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    American Barn Owl
    Tyto furcata
    RN S
  • Typical Owls
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Eastern Screech-Owl
    Megascops asio
    RN S
    Great Horned Owl
    Bubo virginianus
    RN S
    Snowy Owl
    Bubo scandiacus
    R S
    Northern Hawk Owl
    Surnia ulula
    A P
    Burrowing Owl
    Athene cunicularia
    CN S
    Barred Owl
    Strix varia
    RN S
    Great Gray Owl
    Strix nebulosa
    A S
    Long-eared Owl
    Asio otus
    RN S
    Short-eared Owl
    Asio flammeus
    RN S
    Boreal Owl
    Aegolius funereus
    A S
    Northern Saw-whet Owl
    Aegolius acadicus
    R S
  • Kingfishers
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Belted Kingfisher
    Megaceryle alcyon
    RN S
  • Woodpeckers
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Lewis's Woodpecker
    Melanerpes lewis
    A P
    Red-headed Woodpecker
    Melanerpes erythrocephalus
    RN S
    Acorn Woodpecker
    Melanerpes formicivorus
    A P
    Red-bellied Woodpecker
    Melanerpes carolinus
    RN S
    Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
    Sphyrapicus varius
    RN S
    Red-breasted Sapsucker
    Sphyrapicus ruber
    A P
    Black-backed Woodpecker
    Picoides arcticus
    A P
    Downy Woodpecker
    Dryobates pubescens
    RN S
    Hairy Woodpecker
    Dryobates villosus
    RN S
    Northern Flicker
    Colaptes auratus
    RN S
    Pileated Woodpecker
    Dryocopus pileatus
    RN S
  • Caracaras and Falcons
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Crested Caracara
    Caracara plancus
    A P
    American Kestrel
    Falco sparverius
    RN S
    Merlin
    Falco columbarius
    RN S
    Gyrfalcon
    Falco rusticolus
    C P
    Peregrine Falcon
    Falco peregrinus
    RN S
    Prairie Falcon
    Falco mexicanus
    R S
  • Parrots
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Carolina Parakeet
    Conuropsis carolinensis
    E D
  • Flycatchers
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Great Crested Flycatcher
    Myiarchus crinitus
    RN S
    Western Kingbird
    Tyrannus verticalis
    RN S
    Eastern Kingbird
    Tyrannus tyrannus
    RN S
    Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
    Tyrannus forficatus
    RN S
    Fork-tailed Flycatcher
    Tyrannus savana
    A P
    Olive-sided Flycatcher
    Contopus cooperi
    R S
    Western Wood-Pewee
    Contopus sordidulus
    A D
    Eastern Wood-Pewee
    Contopus virens
    RN S
    Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
    Empidonax flaviventris
    R S
    Acadian Flycatcher
    Empidonax virescens
    RN S
    Alder Flycatcher
    Empidonax alnorum
    RN R
    Willow Flycatcher
    Empidonax traillii
    RN S
    Least Flycatcher
    Empidonax minimus
    RN S
    Western Flycatcher
    Empidonax difficilis
    A P
    Eastern Phoebe
    Sayornis phoebe
    RN S
    Say's Phoebe
    Sayornis saya
    CN P
    Vermilion Flycatcher
    Pyrocephalus rubinus
    A P
  • Vireos
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    White-eyed Vireo
    Vireo griseus
    RN P
    Bell's Vireo
    Vireo bellii
    RN S
    Yellow-throated Vireo
    Vireo flavifrons
    RN S
    Blue-headed Vireo
    Vireo solitarius
    R S
    Philadelphia Vireo
    Vireo philadelphicus
    R S
    Warbling Vireo
    Vireo gilvus
    RN S
    Red-eyed Vireo
    Vireo olivaceus
    RN S
  • Shrikes
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Loggerhead Shrike
    Lanius ludovicianus
    RN S
    Northern Shrike
    Lanius borealis
    R S
  • Jays, Magpies, Crows
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Canada Jay
    Perisoreus canadensis
    A P
    Pinyon Jay
    Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
    A P
    Blue Jay
    Cyanocitta cristata
    RN S
    Clark's Nutcracker
    Nucifraga columbiana
    A S
    Black-billed Magpie
    Pica hudsonia
    CN S
    American Crow
    Corvus brachyrhynchos
    RN S
    Fish Crow
    Corvus ossifragus
    RN P
    Common Raven
    Corvus corax
    A S
  • Chickadees, Titmice
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Black-capped Chickadee
    Poecile atricapillus
    RN S
    Boreal Chickadee
    Poecile hudsonicus
    A P
    Tufted Titmouse
    Baeolophus bicolor
    RN S
  • Larks
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Horned Lark
    Eremophila alpestris
    RN S
  • Swallows
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Bank Swallow
    Riparia riparia
    RN S
    Tree Swallow
    Tachycineta bicolor
    RN S
    Violet-green Swallow
    Tachycineta thalassina
    A P
    Northern Rough-winged Swallow
    Stelgidopteryx serripennis
    RN S
    Purple Martin
    Progne subis
    RN S
    Barn Swallow
    Hirundo rustica
    RN S
    Cliff Swallow
    Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
    RN S
    Cave Swallow
    Petrochelidon fulva
    A D
  • Kinglets
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    Corthylio calendula
    R S
    Golden-crowned Kinglet
    Regulus satrapa
    R S
  • Waxwings
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Bohemian Waxwing
    Bombycilla garrulus
    R S
    Cedar Waxwing
    Bombycilla cedrorum
    RN S
  • Nuthatches
     SpeciesDistributionStatusReviewNestingEvidenceIWAP
    Red-breasted Nuthatch
    Sitta canadensis
    RN S
    White-breasted Nuthatch
    Sitta carolinensis
    RN S