Iowa Bird Rehabilitation

Big shout out to Emily and Caitlin for an awesome rescue of a young Great Horned Owl!

This guy was spotted on private property a few days ago. After a several pictures, videos, and more than 24 hours in the same area and mostly on the ground, we felt it was best to catch and assess.

He was a bit weak and slightly thin, and we quickly transferred him to SOAR - Saving Our Avian Resources for a full exam.

Our work is absolutely impossible without our volunteers! Thank you Emily and Caitlin! 🧡

This is the album cover,

now suggest the band name?

Comment below 😆

All these young kestrels are headed to our SOAR - Saving Our Avian Resources for continued care.

American Kestrels have experienced significant population declines across North America, including in Iowa, largely due to habitat loss, the removal of standing dead trees used for nesting, and a reduction in available prey. Fortunately, targeted conservation and nest-box programs are actively aiding in their recovery.

Yesterday's storms kept us incredibly busy.

Nearly every bird admitted was affected by severe weather somewhere across Iowa. By the end of the day, we had admitted 59 birds from 15 different cities:

🐦 33 Robins
🐦 6 House Finches
🐦 5 House Sparrows
🕊️ 4 Mourning Doves
🐦 2 Red-winged Blackbirds
🪵 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers
🦆 1 Mallard
🦆 1 Wood Duck
🪵 1 Hairy Woodpecker
🪵 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
🦅 1 Cooper's Hawk
💙 1 Eastern Bluebird
💙 1 Blue Jay

These birds came to us from:

Johnston, Osceola, Urbandale, Ankeny, Des Moines, Slater, Grimes, Ames, Arispe, Corning, State Center, Cedar Rapids, Guthrie Center, Ottumwa, and even Revere, Missouri!

A huge thank you to everyone who transported birds to us, and an even bigger thank you to our incredible IBR transport volunteers who stepped in when people couldn't make the trip themselves.

Many of these babies arrived cold, wet, injured, and in critical condition after being blown from their nests. Because of your quick action, they are now safe, warm, dry, and resting with full bellies.

Storms can be devastating for young birds, but yesterday was a powerful reminder of what a community can accomplish when people come together to help wildlife. 🧡

🕊️ Shop for a Cause! 🕊️ Today and Tomorrow!

Join us for our Garage Sale Fundraiser ​benefiting Iowa Bird Rehabilitation!

Find amazing deals on gently used treasures—household items, furniture, clothes, books, toys, and more!

Every dollar you spend helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned wild birds across Iowa.

🛍️ Come shop, save, and support our feathered friends!
🗓️ Friday June 12th, 8a -3p
Saturday, June 13th, 8a -12p

📍 811 NW Rockcrest Road, Ankeny

Help give birds a second chance--one bargain at a time!

Part 2 of our window-strike release series

In addition to the Indigo Bunting we shared earlier, we were also thrilled to release a wonderful variety of migratory songbirds this spring, including a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, Northern Waterthrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, and an Ovenbird.

Not every window strike victim is as fortunate as these birds. Window collisions are one of the leading human-caused threats to wild birds, but when people act quickly and get injured birds to a rehabilitator, lives can be saved.

Each of these birds was able to recover and continue its journey—a reminder that even small acts of compassion can make a huge difference.

Which species is your favorite?

Can you identify all of these species from the photos?

Storms are hitting hard across Iowa, please take a moment to check your yard for downed birds.

Nestlings are especially vulnerable in this weather. They can quickly become cold and soaked. If you find one, gently dry it off and provide warmth right away. Even holding a baby bird in your hands can help restore body heat while you arrange next steps.

Please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

These two baby robins came to us last night after the heavy rain. Today alone, we’ve admitted 20 babies—nearly all nestlings, all cold and wet. And the calls are continuing to come in.