Iowa Audubon

News

Jul 06, 2025
State of the Birds report 2025

In 2019, a study was published in the journal Science, with an alarm showing a net loss of 3 billion birds in North America isince the 1970s. The new 2025 State of the Birds report shows those losses are continuing, with declines among several bird trend indicators.  Still more grassland birds are declining, and perhaps even more notable is that duck populations, which had strong increases since 1970, have begun trending downward in recent years.  Both Mallards and Northern Pintails have decreased in numbers since 2019, with pintails now in the most serious decline.

But science is now showing that private lands conservation programs, and voluntary conservation partnerships for working lands, hold some of the best opportunities for sparking immediate turnarounds for birds.  It is up to all of us who enjoy our nation's natural resources to work with landowners, government agencies, and everyone possible, plus make monetary donations, to expand turnaround populations of birds on private lands in the coming years. Go to the following website to read the entire new State of the Birds report: 

 https://www.stateofthebirds.org/2025/



Dec 12, 2024
Urban Bird Treaty Act

In October, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced legislation to support a program conserving birds that live in and migrate through urban areas. The Urban Bird Treaty Act would authorize $1 million each year for a program currently administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).  North America has lost 3 billion birds over the past 50 years due to habitat loss and other threats. Dedicated funding to conserve habitat in cities and towns and create bird-friendly communities is an essential part of reducing this decline and bending the bird curve.


The Urban Bird Treaty program, currently managed by FWS, supports partnerships of local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, and local communities. It also provides funding for the Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In addition to community education and conservation, the program supports efforts to reduce hazards to birds in urban environments, including collisions with buildings, invasive species, toxins, and more.  It is important for us to contact our Iowa representatives and ask their support for this legislation.



Dec 12, 2024
Small Grant Application Period from January 1 to March 1, 2025

Iowa Audubon’s 2025 Small Grants Program will be open for applications from January 1 to March 1, 2025.  Our grants offer help with avian projects related to research, education, publications, and all wildlife habitat management and protection, especially in Audubon’s Important Bird Areas.  Five grants of up to $1,000 each will be for projects by individuals, organizations, or agencies in all counties, statewide.  Money for our grants is made possible by a gift to Iowa Audubon from the Wilson B. Reynolds and Juanita E. Reynolds Fund.  Visit our Small Grants webpage and click on upper right menu to find  application forms and instructions.


    
Iowa Audubon

Birds of Iowa

  • Yellow-breasted Chat
    © Doug Harr
  • Indigo Bunting
    © Doug Harr
  • Trumpeter Swan
    © Doug Harr
  • Common Gallinule
    © Doug Harr
  • Tree Swallow
    © Doug Harr
  • House Finch
    © Doug Harr
  • Barred Owl
    © Doug Harr
  • Eastern Kingbird
    © Doug Harr
  • Western Meadowlark
    © Doug Harr
  • Dickcissel
    © Doug Harr
  • Blue Jay
    © Doug Harr
  • Blue-winged Teal
    © Doug Harr
  • Great Blue Heron
    © Doug Harr
  • Scarlet Tanager
    © Doug Harr
  • American Goldfinch
    © Doug Harr
  • Cedar Waxwing
    © Doug Harr
  • Yellow Warbler
    © Doug Harr
  • Yellow-headed Blackbird
    © Doug Harr
  • American White Pelican
    © Doug Harr
  • Turkey Vulture
    © Doug Harr
  • Eastern Bluebird
    © Doug Harr
  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
    © Doug Harr
  • Fox Sparrow
    © Doug Harr
  • Tufted Titmouse
    © Doug Harr
  • Lesser Yellowlegs
    © Doug Harr
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
    © Doug Harr
  • Mississippi Kite
    © Doug Harr
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
    © Doug Harr
  • Least Sandpiper
    © Doug Harr
  • Yellow-billed Cuckoo
    © Doug Harr
  • Song Sparrow
    © Doug Harr
  • Ring-necked Pheasant
    © Doug Harr
  • Red-eyed Vireo
    © Doug Harr
  • Black-billed Magpie
    © Doug Harr
  • Broad-winged Hawk
    © Doug Harr
  • Common Yellowthroat
    © Doug Harr
  • Pine Siskin
    © Doug Harr
  • Eastern Towhee
    © Doug Harr
  • Belted Kingfisher
    © Doug Harr
  • Northern Cardinal
    © Doug Harr
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    © Doug Harr
  • Common Nighthawk
    © Doug Harr
  • Hermit Thrush
    © Doug Harr
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
    © Doug Harr
  • Sora
    © Doug Harr
  • Northern Pintail
    © Doug Harr
  • Merlin
    © Doug Harr
  • Pine Warbler
    © Doug Harr
  • Winter Wren
    © Doug Harr
  • Lark Sparrow
    © Doug Harr
  • Prairie Warbler
    © Doug Harr
  • Pied-billed Grebe
    © Doug Harr
  • Eastern Wood-Pewee
    © Doug Harr
  • Northern Shoveler
    © Doug Harr
  • Lesser Scaup
    © Doug Harr
  • Gray Partridge
    © Doug Harr
  • American Redstart
    © Doug Harr
  • Mourning Dove
    © Doug Harr
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
    © Doug Harr
  • American Bittern
    © Doug Harr
  • Downy Woodpecker
    © Doug Harr
  • Ring-billed Gull
    © Doug Harr
  • Northern House Wren
    © Doug Harr

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