Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in Iowa

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in Iowa. A starting field list, drawn from iNaturalist research-grade observations, for what is likely living near you.

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Birds

Birds Commonly Recorded In Iowa

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 2,249 records
  2. Canada Goose Branta canadensis 2,141 records
  3. House Sparrow House Sparrow Passer domesticus 1,900 records
  4. Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 1,732 records
  5. Red-Winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus 1,517 records
  6. Bald Eagle Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus 1,306 records
  7. Mallard Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 1,138 records
  8. Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens 1,136 records
  9. Red-Tailed Hawk Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 922 records
  10. American Goldfinch American Goldfinch Spinus tristis 914 records
  11. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus 873 records
  12. Turkey Vulture Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 811 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In Iowa

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. Common Milkweed Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca 2,327 records
  2. Wild Bergamot Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa 1,443 records
  3. Amur Honeysuckle Amur Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii 1,366 records
  4. Dutchman's Breeches Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria 1,329 records
  5. Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata 1,254 records
  6. Tall Bellflower Tall Bellflower Campanulastrum americanum 1,252 records
  7. Ground-Ivy Ground-Ivy Glechoma hederacea 1,228 records
  8. Wild Carrot Wild Carrot Daucus carota 1,213 records
  9. Mayapple Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum 1,100 records
  10. American Pokeweed American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana 1,082 records
  11. Red Clover Red Clover Trifolium pratense 1,080 records
  12. Bloodroot Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis 1,074 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In Iowa

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Common Eastern Bumble Bee Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens 3,243 records
  2. Monarch Monarch Danaus plexippus 2,460 records
  3. Brown-Belted Bumble Bee Brown-Belted Bumble Bee Bombus griseocollis 1,891 records
  4. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 1,389 records
  5. Red Admiral Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta 1,192 records
  6. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 1,131 records
  7. Goldenrod Soldier Beetle Goldenrod Soldier Beetle Chauliognathus pensylvanicus 1,078 records
  8. Japanese Beetle Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica 958 records
  9. Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes 871 records
  10. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus 814 records
  11. Silver-Spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus 802 records
  12. Two-Spotted Bumble Bee Two-Spotted Bumble Bee Bombus bimaculatus 781 records

Go Deeper

Use the live finder to narrow this to your town and season. Then read Who Lives Here, how to attract wildlife to your yard, and planting for local wildlife. For tools and field guides, see the recommended gear.

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