Q&A: Birdfeeders & Avian Influenza

January 10, 2025

Articles, News

Question: Should I be taking down my birdfeeders to avoid spreading avian influenza?

Answer: No. At this point, waterfowl are the concern. Since early December, Iowa has seen a sharp jump in affected waterfowl, mostly north of Interstate 80.

The public is encouraged to stay away from sick birds, especially waterfowl. Some sick birds twist their heads and necks or swim in tight circles, while others are still and don’t fly away as expected when approached.

Read about the resurgence of avian influenza in wild birds in a 12/16/24 news release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/5271/

Feb 10, 2025

Articles, Birds

Q&A: Gravel Roads in Wintertime

By Tony Moline
[from spring 2025 newsletter]

Question: Why do birds flock to gravel roads in the wintertime? Answer: Because they have no teeth! Instead, birds have a gizzard, a muscular part of their stomach that helps them grind up food. Small rocks and sand (or grit) are ingested by birds to create “teeth” in the gizzard.

Jan 31, 2025

Articles, Bird Counts, Christmas Bird Count

2024 Christmas Bird Count Follow-up Interview

With 2024 being the 125th anniversary of the Christmas Bird Count, Science Friday did an interview in early January titled "What Scientists Have Learned from 125 Years of Bird Counts."

Dec 30, 2024

Articles, Birds

Starling Murmuration

By Marty Corfman
Dubuque Audubon Society President

I will never stop being awed by this phenomenon, called a murmuration, when birds fly in synchronized patterns. This time of year, these formations can be seen most often toward dusk, when birds are looking for a roosting site, but they can be seen throughout the day as well.

Dec 12, 2024

Articles, Birds

Q&A: American Robins

By Mary Leigh
[from winter 2024 newsletter]

Question: Do American Robins remain in the Midwest all winter?
Answer: Yes! Although American Robins are regarded as a sign of spring in the Midwest, they are here year-round.

Dec 12, 2024

Articles

2024 eBird Taxonomy Update

By Mary Leigh
[from winter 2024 newsletter]

I noticed recently that my eBird life list bird count increased by 1 when I hadn’t added any new species. The explanation was the annual taxonomy update! Every year, based on new insights by ornithologists, species are split, lumped, and renamed.

Oct 12, 2024

Articles, Birds

Magic – Chimney Swifts

By Marty Corfman
[from fall 2024 newsletter]

My husband and I were driving past Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque at dusk, and I heard and saw many swifts hunting insects in the sky. I said, “Pull over, honey! This is gonna be cool!”

Oct 12, 2024

Articles

Birding Ethics

By Bob Walton
[from fall 2024 newsletter]

All sports have rules to follow, and birding should be no different. It is important that the welfare of all our birds be respected, resulting in little or no disturbance to the birds. The American Birding Association (ABA) has developed a Code of Birding Ethics that promotes respectful, enjoyable, and thoughtful birding.

Aug 4, 2024

News

Motus Wildlife Tracking Network 2023 Annual Report Published

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a collaborative global network of automated radio telemetry receivers for tracking small migratory wildlife (birds, bats, and insects) that have been tagged. In 2023, 151 birds were tracked in Iowa, from 21 species, all of which were tagged outside of Iowa!

Mar 1, 2024

Articles

Iowa Audubon History

[from March 2024 newsletter]

Doug Harr, president of the Iowa Audubon Society, recently received copies of some pages from Bird Lore magazine (an early publication started in 1899 by the original Audubon Society). The pages dated from 1899 to 1917. He shared these historical notes:

Mar 1, 2024

Articles, Events

Green Island Duck Waddle

Spring in the Mississippi Wetlands
By Bob Walton
[from March 2024 newsletter]

Dubuque Audubon’s annual Duck Waddle at the Green Island Marsh will be on March 9, 2024... Audubon’s first Duck Waddle was on March 17, 1979... The biggest thrill was seeing... every trip to Green Island is unique and special, but one of the most memorable was...

Q&A: Birdfeeders & Avian Influenza

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