Birds of Iowa
The birds most often spotted in Iowa, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
Most-observed birds in Iowa
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
3,960 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
3,414 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
3,296 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
3,042 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
2,454 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
2,201 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
1,988 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
1,942 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
1,836 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
1,783 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
1,768 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,613 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
1,579 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
1,431 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
1,362 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
1,344 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
1,304 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
1,273 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
1,269 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
1,232 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
1,205 observations
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
1,168 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
1,132 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
1,129 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
1,058 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
972 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
953 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
922 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
878 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
873 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
835 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
807 observations
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
783 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
754 observations · iNaturalist
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
732 observations
Northern House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
721 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
659 observations
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
659 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
646 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
614 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
613 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
611 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
600 observations
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
574 observations
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
573 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
564 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
516 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
511 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
470 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
456 observations