Rolling plains and seemingly endless cornfields make Iowa a romantic vision for birders. While there are only a few falcons in Iowa, they’re framed by some of the most beautiful backdrops.
Iowa does have an environment well-suited to the behavior of falcons, though. They have more than enough flat, wide spaces to scan for rival birds or spot prey.
If you live in Iowa or plan on visiting soon, you don’t want to miss these majestic birds. I’ll make it easier for you to glimpse them with breakdowns of their birdcall, go-to habitats, and more.
American Kestrel
- Species Name: Falco Sparverius
- Weight: 80 grams to 165 grams
- Length: 22 cm to 31 cm
- Wingspan: 51 to 61 cm
This colorful and delicate falcon is one of the easiest falcons to spot. Not only are they well-populated in Iowa, but their plumage is impossible to confuse with nearly any other bird species.
Appearance
This stunning bird almost appears fairy-like with their small size, vibrant plumage, and tiny beak. They boast stunning cinnamon-brown plumage with patches of gray-blue, cream, and flecks of black.
Female American Kestrels look pretty similar, but in typical falcon fashion, they’re a little on the larger and bulkier side. They also have a browner body than the males but still have some flecks and patches of their own.
Range
You’ll have no trouble finding American Kestrels in Iowa. They’re a year-round species that residents and visitors regularly see perched on fence posts, bare tree branches, or telephone poles.
Diet
While falcons have a reputation for being swift predators that hunt some mammals, American Kestrels have to consider their very small size. They hunt insects most of the time, chasing after swift species like grasshoppers and dragonflies.
Breeding
Although American Kestrels usually have one clutch per year, they’ll occasionally lay two. Their eggs are characteristically tiny with cream and brown coloration.
If you want to help the Iowan American Kestrel population flourish, consider building a nest box in an open area near your home.
Birdcall
Even if you’re unable to spot an American Kestrel, you’ll recognize their distinctive klee-klee-klee call.
Fun Fact
Think American Kestrels are picky about where they build a nest? As it stands, they don’t build their nests at all: they inhabit the nests of other birds or prefer a human-made construction.
Merlin
- Species Name: Falco columbarius
- Weight: 125 grams to 300 grams
- Length: 24 cm to 33 cm
- Wingspan: 58 cm to 66 cm
This elegant falcon isn’t as large as some species nor as fae-like as others, but I find it distinctive all the same. They have large, dark eyes and a very memorable call.
Appearance
This beautiful falcon cuts a striking figure against Iowa’s smooth landscape, boasting a sleek body and a delicate beak. Alongside their large eyes, you’ll see a few visual variations such as the:
- Black Merlin – a rich gray-blue with a white stomach covered in streaks
- Prairie Merlin – a softer brown with a bright stomach coated with heavy spots
- Pacific Northwest Merlin – a very dark blue (almost black) with a white stomach
Range
Merlins aren’t the most common sight in Iowa, but you’ll see more of them during migration. Keep an eye out during late summer and early fall to glimpse small groups.
Diet
These falcons are extremely versatile in both their environment and their diet. While they hunt small mammals such as mice and bats, they also eat lizards, dragonflies, and small bird species.
Breeding
While merlins don’t mate for life, they show impressive dedication when protecting and nurturing their young. Like most falcons, they don’t make their own nests and much prefer to occupy old nests from other species.
Birdcall
The merlin has a dynamic call that alternates between shrill eee-eee-eee patterns or laughter-like chirping.
Fun Fact
Merlins don’t always peck or tear at their prey when hunting. They’re also prone to knocking them out with a quick drop from above.
Peregrine Falcon
- Species Name: Falco peregrinus
- Weight: 330 grams to 1,500 grams
- Length: 34 cm to 58 cm
- Wingspan: 29 cm to 47 cm
Who wouldn’t want to glimpse one of the most legendary birds known to humankind? The peregrine falcon is so well-known, that even people who know little about birds have heard of their feats.
Appearance
This stunning bird is a marvel of bold colors and flecked feathers. They have a cream body covered in heavy brown spots, bearing vivid yellow legs and yellow-rimmed eyes.
Female peregrine falcons look nearly identical to males but are significantly larger and bulkier.
Range
The peregrine falcon’s presence in Iowa is an interesting one. While most of the time they pass through during the summer and fall, you’ll find occasional pockets lingering in the state year-round.
If you plan on taking a trip soon, consider swinging by the recreational Yellow River State Forest. Peregrine falcons are a more common sight here, alongside a slew of warblers, hawks, and owls.
Diet
Unlike the merlin’s diverse diet or the American Kestrel’s fondness for insects, peregrine falcons prefer an all-bird diet. They frequently hunt species such as ducks, doves, and various songbirds.
Breeding
Peregrine falcons have one of the most interesting breeding behaviors. Males will put on a stunning courtship display to attract the attention of females, circling and dropping in feats of spectacular agility.
Once a female peregrine falcon is satisfied, she’ll choose the nesting sight and co-parent with the male. They also mate for life and will even return to their favorite breeding spots, so you could potentially encounter the same birds for years!
Birdcall
Peregrine falcons have very unique calls depending on where they are or what they’re doing. They’ll sometimes let out an ee-up ee-up pattern when seeing other falcons, then switch to a kak-kak when they spot danger.
Fun Fact
Peregrine falcons give a whole new meaning to the term ‘living life on the edge’. Some of their nests sit at 1,300 feet high!
Prairie Falcon
- Species Name: Falco mexicanus
- Weight: 500 grams to 970 grams
- Length: 38 cm to 45 cm
- Wingspan: 102 to 107 cm
Despite Iowa being mostly made of prairies, the prairie falcon is one of the rarer species you’ll spot in the state. That’s not to say they’re not worth it – they’re stunning birds with gorgeous plumage.
Appearance
This falcon is one of the more subtle birds among their species, bearing soft gray-brown feathers with a white stomach and smaller beak. Their plumage helps them blend into drier environments, making it easier for them to drop in on unexpecting prey.
They have unique streaks running down their face almost like a cheetah’s.
Range
If you want to spot the prairie falcon in time, visit the western portion of Iowa during the winter months. They’re otherwise quite scarce throughout the rest of the state.
Diet
You name it, the prairie falcon will likely try to eat it. They eat a wide variety of small mammals, lizards, snakes, and any small bird species that cross their path.
Breeding
Prairie falcons will use the nests of other birds to hold their eggs, sometimes nesting on the very edge of a cliff ledge. Females will lay up to six eggs at a time and will trade shifts with the male to keep them warm.
Birdcall
These falcons have an incredibly shrill call, sometimes sounding like kek-kek or ki-ki-ki.
Fun Fact
This may come as a shock, but some experts believe prairie falcons could be almost as fast as a peregrine falcon. However, due to their different hunting style, this detail is still up for debate.
Gyrfalcon
- Species Name: Falco rusticolus
- Weight: 1,350 to 2,100 grams
- Length: 48 to 65 cm
- Wingspan: 110 to 160 cm
This massive and majestic falcon is an incredibly rare sight in Iowa, but it’s one you don’t want to overlook.
Appearance
You can quickly spot a gyrfalcon by its size. These tall, bulky birds have a broad chest, flecked wings, and a small, curved beak.
They remind me a little of snowy owls in their patterns and coloration. You’ll be able to identify them even more easily when they take flight thanks to their spiked tail feathers.
Range
Gyrfalcons usually stick to the north since they’re built for cold, windy environments. However, they may occasionally stray down to Iowa during the winter season.
Diet
Their large size translates into their diet. While some falcons hunt insects or small mammals, gyrfalcons tend to go for medium-sized animals such as foxes, gulls, hares, and ptarmigans.
Breeding
Gyrfalcons aren’t picky about where they choose to nest: all they care about is that someone else made the nest! They tend to have three to five eggs at a time and will split hunting duties.
They also sometimes mate for life.
Birdcall
This falcon’s call ranges between short and quiet or long, sharp, and swooping. If you’re one of the lucky few to glimpse them in Iowa, you may hear a kak-kak-kak or a chee-awww-awww.
Fun Fact
The gyrfalcon is a surprisingly long-lived bird, able to hit up to 30 years in captivity.
Iowa Is an Underrated Treasure for Falcon-Watching
While Iowa will continue to be best known for its agricultural production and lovely countryside, it’s an underrated treasure for birders who like to take the scenic route. The few falcons who call this state home look spectacular against the state’s lovely plains.
Just make sure to time your birding session down to the T since most of these species are on the rarer side. If you need a reliable place to get started on your next birding trip, consider swinging by the scenic Yellow River State Forest – they see a regular population of peregrine falcons.
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