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Birds of Iowa

The birds most often spotted in Iowa, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

71,793
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 71,793 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Iowa. The most frequently seen is the House Sparrow, with 7,912 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Iowa

House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
7,912 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
4,148 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
3,440 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
3,156 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
2,561 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
2,281 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
2,273 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
2,082 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
2,055 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
2,019 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
1,832 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,747 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
1,741 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
1,502 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
1,502 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
1,498 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
1,464 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
1,354 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
1,310 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
1,270 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
1,252 observations
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
1,240 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
1,159 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
1,145 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
1,131 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
1,068 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,025 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
977 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
942 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
936 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
911 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
909 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
875 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
826 observations · iNaturalist
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
817 observations
Northern House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
777 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
730 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
722 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
722 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
666 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
654 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
648 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
636 observations
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
633 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
592 observations
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
581 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
545 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
534 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
504 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
489 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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