Considered the national emblem of our country, the adult Bald Eagle, with its prominent white head and tail, is familiar to most Iowans. This plumage is not fully acquired until the bird is four or five years old, and prior to that eagles are mainly dark brown with more white acquired with each succeeding molt. By about 1900, Bald Eagles had disappeared as a nesting bird from Iowa although for many years increasing numbers were found wintering in the state, especially along the Mississippi River. Starting with a single nest in northeastern Iowa in 1977, the number of nesting pairs has increased dramatically and by 2003, it was estimated that about 160 pairs were nesting in the state. Nests have been found in more than 60 counties although the Mississippi River and its major tributaries are the prime nesting areas. The species is still considered endangered in Iowa but its recent resurgence in numbers is a major conservation success story of the past several decades.
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indicates a designated IBA.