Raptor of the Week: Long-eared Owl

Long-eared Owl
Asio otus

The crow-size long-eared owl occurs regularly but nests rarely in Iowa. Since it feeds on mice and uses old crow nests, it is difficult to understand why this owl is so rare here. In winter, conifer stands are good places to find it.

The Raptors of Iowa, paintings by James F. Landenberger

Raptor of the Week: Northern Hawk Owl

Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula

This is an accidental visitor to Iowa, with only two accepted records, one from Black Hawk County in 1981 and 1982 and one from Worth County in 2004 and 2005. As its name implies, its general shape and perching attitude are somewhat hawklike.

The Raptors of Iowa, paintings by James F. Landenberger

Raptor of the Week: Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus

The snowy is a rare winter visitor but is present in our state every year. It arrives as early as October and is normally gone by late March. Periodically, large invasions occur when lemmings, its principal food base, are in short supply in the Arctic. This is one of the few owls active during daylight.

The Raptors of Iowa, paintings by James F. Landenberger

Raptor of the Week: Merlin

Merlin
Falco columbarius

The midsize merlin is a rare migrant and a rare winter resident, first occurring during migration in late March and again in late August. A few very old nesting records exist. Two subspecies of this falcon occur in Iowa: the taiga merlin and the Richardson's or prairie merlin, a pale form.

The Raptors of Iowa, paintings by James F. Landenberger

Raptors of the Week: Gyrfalcon

Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus

The largest of the North American falcons lives mainly in the Arctic; it is of accidental occurrence in Iowa, with fewer than ten documented reports. The first acceptable records, from 1992 and 1993, were of gray-phase immature birds.

The Raptors of Iowa, paintings by James F. Landenberger

Raptor of the Week: Burrowing Owl

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

The burrowing owl is a Great Plains species that rarely nests in Iowa, and these nests, as expected, are mostly in the western half of the state. It is our only owl that nests underground. In its principal range, it uses prairie dog burrows for its nest; in Iowa, it probably uses badger dens.

The Raptors of Iowa, paintings by James F. Landenberger