Birds to See in Iowa in September
136 bird species on our list for Iowa are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch and Gray Catbird. New this month: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Shoveler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Eurasian Teal and 18 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
Yellow-rumped WarblerRegular from September · Apr–May
Ruby-crowned KingletRegular from September · Apr–May
Blue-headed VireoRegular from September · Apr–May
Sharp-shinned HawkRegular from September · Sep–May
Lincoln's SparrowRegular from September · Apr–May
Orange-crowned WarblerRegular from September · Apr–May
At their peak
From Iowa’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 136 birds in September
136 birds
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 3.93% in Sep
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.80% in Sep
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.74% in Sep
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.73% in Sep
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.66% in Sep
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.58% in Sep
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.53% in Sep
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.45% in Sep
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.39% in Sep
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in Sep
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.07% in Sep
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.02% in Sep
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 1.81% in Sep
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.53% in Sep
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Sep
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.32% in Sep
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Sep
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Sep
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in Sep
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 1.05% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.01% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in Sep
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.97% in Sep
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Sep
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Sep
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.87% in Sep
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Sep
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.82% in Sep
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.78% in Sep
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Sep
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.73% in Sep- Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataPassage migrantCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.70% in Sep
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.69% in Sep
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.67% in Sep
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.65% in Sep
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Sep
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Sep
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantCommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.53% in Sep
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.52% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Sep
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.47% in Sep- Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaPassage migrantCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.45% in Sep
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.44% in Sep
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.44% in Sep
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorCommon32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.43% in Sep
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.43% in Sep
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.39% in Sep
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Sep
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.37% in Sep
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.37% in Sep
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.37% in Sep
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.36% in Sep
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Sep- Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.33% in Sep
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Sep
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Sep
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.29% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.27% in Sep
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.27% in Sep
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in Sep- Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.25% in Sep
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.24% in Sep- Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.22% in Sep
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.21% in Sep- Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in Sep
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.20% in Sep
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.20% in Sep
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.19% in Sep
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in Sep
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in Sep
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Sep
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Sep
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Sep
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorCommon80–122 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.14% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.14% in Sep
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.13% in Sep
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in Sep
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in Sep
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.13% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.12% in Sep
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Sep
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorCommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Sep
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.11% in Sep
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in Sep
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Sep
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in Sep
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in Sep
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.08% in Sep
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.06% in Sep
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.06% in Sep
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in Sep
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.06% in Sep
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Sep
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Sep
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.04% in Sep
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Sep
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Sep
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Sep
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentUncommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Sep
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Sep
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in Sep
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorRare31–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorRare36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.01% in Sep
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Mute SwanCygnus olorWinter visitorUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorRare58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantRare21–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Sep
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosSummer visitorRare21–26 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.00% in Sep
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Sep
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusPassage migrantRare17–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentRare23–26 cmRegularly Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made