Bird Checklists of the United States
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
West Branch, Iowa
Checklist Codes
A = abundant -- can be seen casually without much effort or many seen at
once or consecutively
C = common -- takes some effort to locate or a few (2-5) seen at once or consecutively
U = uncommon -- takes much effort to locate and only 1-2 seen
O = occasional -- unusual passer-by, endangered, rare, not common to area
M = migrant -- seen only on migratory stop-overs, not resident
R = resident -- may migrate, remains for one or more seasons
W = water -- found or nests near bodies of water
S = secretive -- solitary, shy, and/or secretive
T = tree -- found or nests near woodlands, forests
P = prairie -- found in or near prairie, grasslands, fields, etc.
G = ground -- ground-nester
L = crepuscular -- active at dawn and dusk
N = night -- nocturnal
I = alien -- species introduced to North America, non-native
B = urban -- found in or near urban, suburban, or residential areas
E = nest -- known to nest at Herbert Hoover NHS
Month/day -- Average date of arrival
Month/day -- Average date of departure
* = Verified at HEHO
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Anatidae Duck Family ___ Wood Duck M - - - *,W,T,U,3/20,10/26 (Aix sponsa)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Cathartidae New World Vulture Family ___ Turkey Vulture - M - - *,T,U,4/1,10/18 (Cathartes aura)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Accipitridae Hawk and Eagle Family ___ Northern Harrier M - M - *,G,P,C (Circus cyaneus) ___ Rough-legged Hawk - - - R P,U,10/16,3/25 (Buteo lagopus) ___ Red-tailed Hawk M - - M *,T,P,O (Buteo jamaicensis) ___ Broad-winged Hawk M - - - *,P,O,3/24,10/28 (Buteo platypterus) ___ Bald Eagle - - - M W,T,O (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) ___ Osprey M - - - *,O (Pandion halietus)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Falconidae Falcon Family ___ American Kestrel M - M - *,P,T,U (Falco sparverius)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Phasianidae Pheasant,Grouse, & Quail Family ___ Northern Bobwhite M - M - T,P,O (Colinus virginianus ___ Ring-necked Pheasant R R R R *,P,C,E (Phasianus colchicus)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Ardeidae Heron Family ___ Great Blue Heron M - - - *,W,U (Ardea herodias) ___ Black-crowned Night-Heron - M - - N,W,O (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Charadriidae Plover Family ___ Killdeer - R - - *,P,W,C,3/10,11/4 (Charadrius vociferus)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Scolopacidae Sandpiper Family ___ Upland Sandpiper - M - - S,P,O,4/16,8/31 (Bartramia longicauda) ___ American Woodcock - M - - *,S,T,L,U,4/9,10/28 (Scolopax minor) ___ Common Snipe - M - - S,W,P,O,3/25,11/25 (Gallinago gallinago)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Columbidae Pigeon and Dove Family ___ Rock Dove R R R R *,I,B,A,E (Columba livia) ___ Mourning Dove M R M - *,P,C,E (Zenaida macroura)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Cuculidae Cuckoo Family ___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo - R - - T,S,C,5/16,9/25 (Coccyzus americanus) ___ Black-billed Cuckoo - R - - T,U,5/12,9/22 (Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Strigidae Typical Owl Family ___ Eastern Screech Owl R R R R *,N,P,T,C,E (Otus asio) ___ Great-horned Owl R R R R N,P,T,U,E (Bubo virginianus) ___ Barred Owl M - M - T,N,O (Strix varia)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Tytonidae Barn Owl Family ___ Barn Owl - R - - N,P,B,U (Tyto alba)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Caprimulgidae Nightjar Family ___ Whip-poor-will - R - - N,T,G,O,4/26,9/18 (Caprimulgus vociferus) ___ Common Nighthawk R R - - *,P,B,N,A,5/3,9/25 (Chordeiles minor)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Apodidae Swift Family ___ Chimney Swift R R - - *,B,T,A,4/18,9/16 (Chaetura pelagica)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Trochilidae Hummingbird Family ___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird - R - - P,T,O,5/7,10/1 (Archilochus colubris)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Alcedinidae Kingfisher Family ___ Belted Kingfisher - R - - W,S,O,3/27,11/18 (Ceryle alcyon)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Picidae Woodpecker Family ___ Common Flicker R R R R *,T,B,A (Colaptes auratus) ___ Red-bellied Woodpecker R R R R T,U (Melanerpes carolinus) ___ Red-headed Woodpecker - R - - T,P,U,5/1,11/20 (Melanerpes erthrocephalus) ___ Hairy Woodpecker R - R R *,T,B,S,A (Picoides villosus) ___ Downy Woodpecker R - R R *,B,T,A,E (Picoides pubescens) ___ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker M - - - *,C,T,B (Sphyrapicus varius)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Tyrannidae Tyrant Flycatcher Family ___ Eastern Kingbird M R - - *,P,W,T,C,5/8,9/8 (Tyrannus tyrannus) ___ Great-crested Flycatcher - R - - T,B,U,5/8,9/15 (Myiarchus crinitus) ___ Eastern Phoebe - R - - W,O,3/18,10/14 (Sayornis phoebe) ___ Eastern Wood-Pewee M R - - *,T,U,5/7,10/1 (Contopus virens)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Alaudidae Lark Family ___ Horned Lark R R R R P,O (Eremophila alpestris)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Hirundinidae Swallow Family ___ Barn Swallow - R - - *,B,P,A,E,4/20,9/24 (Hirundo rustica) ___ Cliff Swallow - R - - P,O,4/24,9/18 (Hirundo pyrrhonota) ___ Tree Swallow M - - - *,U,B (Iridoprocne bicolor) ___ Northern Rough-winged Swallow - R - - *,S,W,O,4/19,9/4 (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) ___ Purple Martin - R - - B,P,W,O,4/8,9/3 (Progne subis)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Corvidae Jay and Crow Family ___ Blue Jay R R R R *,T,A,E (Cyanocitta cristata) ___ American Crow R R R R *,P,A (Corvus brachyrhynchos
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Paridae Titmouse Family ___ Black-capped Chickadee R R R R *,T,C (Parus atricapillus)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Sittidae Nuthatch Family ___ White-breasted Nuthatch R - R R *,T,A (Sitta carolinensis) ___ Red-breasted Nuthatch - - - R T,O (Sitta canadensis)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Certhiidae Creeper Family ___ Brown Creeper M - - - *,T,C (Certhia americana)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Troglodytidae Wren Family ___ House Wren - R - - *,T,P,B,U,E,4/26,10/5 (Troglodytes aedon)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Mimidae Mimic Thrush Family ___ Brown Thrasher - R - - *,T,C,4/16,10/1 (Toxostema rufum)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Muscicapidae Old World Warbler & Thrush Family ___ American Robin M R - - *,B,P,A,E (Turdus migratorius) ___ Eastern Bluebird - R - - T,P,O,E,3/8,10/30 (Sialia sialia) ___ Golden-crowned Kinglet M - - - *,C,T (Regulus satrapa) ___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet M - - - *,T,C (Regulus calendula) ___ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - R - - T,O,4/15,9/1 (Polioptila caerulea)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Bombycillidae Waxwing Family ___ Cedar Waxwing M R M - *,T,A,3/7,10/12 (Bombacilla cedrorum)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Lanidae Shrike Family ___ Northern Shrike - - - R P,U (Lanius excubitor) ___ Loggerhead Shrike M - - - *,T,U,3/28,10/26 (Lanius ludovicianus)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Sturnidae Starling Family ___ European Starling R R R R *,I,B,P,T,A,E (Sturnus vulgaris)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Vireonidae Vireo Family ___ Solitary Vireo M - M - T,U (Vireo solitarius) ___ Red-eyed Vireo - R - - B,T,U,5/6,9/21 (Vireo olivaceus)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Emberizidae Warbler, Sparrow, & Allies Family ___ Prairie Warbler - R - - P,T,O (Dendroica discolor) ___ Palm Warbler M - M - T,P,O (Dendroica palmarum) ___ Ovenbird - R - - T,W,O,5/5,9/25 (Seiurus aurocapillus) ___ Louisiana Waterthrush - R - - W,O,4/23,9/1 (Seiurus montacilla) ___ Common Yellowthroat M R M - *,W,T,P,C,5/7,9/29 (Geothlypis trichas) ___ Yellow-breasted Chat - R - - T,O (Icteria virens) ___ Mourning Warbler M - M - T,P,O (Oporornis philadelphia) ___ American Redstart - R - - T,O,5/8,9/25 (Setophaga ruticilla) ___ Bobolink - R - - P,O,5/1,9/28 (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) ___ Eastern Meadowlark R R R R *,P,B,U (Sturnella magna) ___ Western Meadowlark - R - - *,P,B,C,3/12,10/18 (Sturnella neglecta) ___ Red-winged Blackbird M R - - *,W,P,A,E,3/12,11/17 (Agelaius phoeniceus) ___ Brewer's Blackbird M - M - *,P,C (Euphagus cyanocephalus) ___ Common Grackle - R - - *,P,B,C,E,3/14,11/11 (Quiscalus quiscala) ___ Brown-headed Cowbird - R - - P,B,U,E,4/10,8/24 (Molothrus ater) ___ Northern Oriole M - - - *,B,U,E,5/1,9/7 (Icterus galbula) ___ Northern Cardinal R R R R *,B,A,E (Cardinalis cardinalis) ___ Indigo Bunting - R - - T,P,O,5/6,9/27 (Passerina cyanea) ___ Rose-breasted Grosbeak - R - - T,P,B,O,5/1,9/21 (Pheucticus ludovicianus) ___ Dickcissel - R - - *,P,C,5/16,9/6 (Spiza americana) ___ Rufous-sided Towhee - R - - T,B,O (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) ___ Savannah Sparrow M - M - *,P,W,U (Passerculus sandwichensis) ___ Grasshopper Sparrow - R - - P,U,4/28,9/27 (Ammodramus savannarum) ___ Henslow's Sparrow - R - - *,P,S,U (Ammodramus henslowii) ___ Le Conte's Sparrow M - M - P,W,O (Ammodramus leconteii) ___ Vesper Sparrow - R - - P,U,4/2,10/23 (Pooecetes gramineus) ___ Lark Sparrow - R - - *,P,B,U,4/21,7/30 (Chondestes grammacus) ___ Dark-eyed Junco R - - R *,T,B,A (Junco hyemalis) ___ American Tree Sparrow - - - R *,P,C,10/24,3/30 (Spizella arborea) ___ Chipping Sparrow - R - - *,P,T,U,4/1,10/18 (Spizella passerina) ___ Clay-colored Sparrow M - M - T,P,O,4/18,10/12 (Spizella pallida ___ Field Sparrow - R - - P,O,4/11,10/12 (Spizella pusilla) ___ Harris Sparrow M - M - P,O,5/9,10/7 (Zonotrichia querula) ___ White-crowned Sparrow M - M - *,T,B,U,5/6,10/9 (Zonotrichia leucophrys) ___ White-throated Sparrow M - M - U,4/26,9/30 (Zonotrichia albicollis) ___ Song Sparrow R R R R *,T,P,A (Melospiza melodia) ___ Lapland Longspur - - - R P,U,10/23,3/18 (Calcarius lapponicus) ___ Smith's Longspur M - M - P,O (Calcarius pictus) ___ Snow Bunting - - - R P,U,11/6,3/10 (Plectrophenax nivalis)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Fringillidae Finch Family ___ Evening Grosbeak - - - R P,O (Coccothraus vespertinus) ___ Purple Finch - - - R *,T,C,3/24,10/16 (Carpodacus purpureus) ___ American Goldfinch R R R R *,P,T,C,E (Carduelis tristis)
Family/Species Sp S F W Notes Passeridae Old World Sparrow Family ___ House Sparrow R R R R *,B,I,A,E (Passer domesticus)
This checklist was compiled from distributions and descriptions in the sources listed in the bibliography. This checklist serves only as a guide as to which species may be in the area.
Bibliography
Brown, L. 1985. Audubon Society Nature Guides: Grasslands. Alfred A. Knopf. New York, New York. 606pp.
Farrand, Jr., J. 1988. Audubon Society master guide to birding. Vol:1-3. Alfred A. Knopf. New York, New York. 1200pp.
Moorman, R.B. 1970. Iowa bird migration calender. Cooperative Extension Office, Iowa State University.
Robbins, C.S., B. Bruun, and H.S. Zim. 1983. A Golden guide to field identification: birds of North America. Golden Press, Western Publishing Company, Inc. Racine, Wisconsin. 360pp.
Prepared by: Sharon L. Osowski
Biological Technician
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
National Park Service
West Branch, Iowa
For additional information contact:
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Box 607
West Branch, Iowa 52358
This resource is based on the following source:
Osowski, S.L. 1993. Bird checklist of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site,
Iowa. National Park Service. 6 pages.
This resource should be cited as:
Osowski, S.L. 1993. Bird checklist of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site,
Iowa. National Park Service. 6 pages. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie
Wildlife Research Center Online.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.govhoover.htm
(Version 22MAY98).
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