Iowa Bird Watching
Iowa enjoys a diverse collection of bird life, with 406 species of birds having been found in the state. Of these, 301 occur regularly, while another 101 are rare. Because Iowa lies between the two major migratory flyways of the Missouri River Valley and the Mississippi River Valley, birders have the opportunity to witness the passage of many species that do not nest in Iowa but that pass through the state in spring and fall. Furthermore, Iowa is a crossroads state. A number of southern birds spend the summer in Iowa, including yellow-throated and worm-eating warblers.