Iowa Bird Rehabilitation

Iowa Bird Rehabilitation Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wild birds in Iowa.
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Yesterday's storms kept us incredibly busy.Nearly every bird admitted was affected by severe weather somewhere across Io...
06/12/2026

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!F...
06/12/2026

🕊️ 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 seriesIn addition to the Indigo Bunting we shared earlier, we were also thrilled to ...
06/12/2026

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 v...
06/11/2026

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.

We were so inundated with baby birds in May that we never got the chance to share a few of the beautiful birds we releas...
06/11/2026

We were so inundated with baby birds in May that we never got the chance to share a few of the beautiful birds we released!

Part 1 of a 2-part release series

Every bird featured here came to us after a window strike. While their stays with us were relatively short, they were critical. Thanks to quick action by the people who found them and the care they received at IBR, each of these birds made a full recovery and returned to the wild.

Some were likely still migrating north, while others may be spending the summer right here in Iowa. No matter their destination, each one was given a second chance to soar.

For our first post, we wanted to highlight this stunning Indigo Bunting. Just look at that color! Photos hardly do it justice. We never get tired of seeing these incredible little birds up close.

Stay tuned for Part 2, featuring several more migratory songbirds that successfully returned to the skies!

06/10/2026

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for a Turkey Vulture release.

Patient #241 was admitted on April 6 with a fractured leg. We stabilized the break with a wrap, and once it healed, he needed time to rebuild strength. After that, he moved outdoors to practice perching and grasping, key skills for life back in the wild.

By June 8, he was more than ready.

As we released him, another vulture swooped in to greet him. Within minutes, two more joined. It was an incredible sight and a perfect welcome home.

What does it take to rehabilitate a Turkey Vulture?

On average, they eat one rat, one chick, and one mouse per day—about $5 daily. Over his 65 days in care, that totaled roughly $325 in food alone.

This is just one example of how your support helps us give birds a second chance.

Every Print Leaves a Legacy 🧡This year's exclusive design for the is here!Every day, birds rely on us for a second chan...
06/09/2026

Every Print Leaves a Legacy 🧡

This year's exclusive design for the is here!

Every day, birds rely on us for a second chance. In return, they enrich our world with their beauty, songs, and vital role in healthy ecosystems. Together, we can leave a positive legacy for future generations.

Order yours today to receive it before the festival, then stop by our booth June 26–28 to show it off!

We'd love to snap a photo with you and celebrate the difference you're making for Iowa's birds. 🐦✨

Pre-order here!
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ibrfundraiser/event/leave-a-legacy-2026/?blm_aid=467969

How easy is it to get 5 baby birds to say cheese? 📸Not very! One is always blinking, blurry, or looking the wrong direct...
06/09/2026

How easy is it to get 5 baby birds to say cheese? 📸

Not very! One is always blinking, blurry, or looking the wrong direction. 😅

Yesterday, we admitted an entire nest of beautiful nestling Eastern Bluebirds. Sadly, the remains of their mother were found nearby, and their father had disappeared as well.

Thankfully, the finder was paying close attention and didn't want these little ones to be left without care. After confirming that the remaining parent was no longer tending to the nest, she carefully brought the babies to us.

By the time they arrived, they were hungry, vocal, and very ready for breakfast! 🐦🧡

Thanks to compassionate people who take the time to help, these five little bluebirds now have a second chance.

We will be at Des Moines Arts Festival for our 5th year in a row!Dates are June 26-28th. We are always honored to be pa...
06/08/2026

We will be at Des Moines Arts Festival for our 5th year in a row!

Dates are June 26-28th. We are always honored to be part of the community outreach program and be able to share our work with so many families.

Each year, a special festival shirt is created for our volunteers, and last year's Ode to the Crow design was so popular that many of you asked for one after the festival.

So this year we are inviting the public to pre-order our Leave a Legacy shirt, inspired by our art project we will share with you at the Arts Fest.

However, the window to order is short! We will be taking pre-orders through Tuesday, June 9th, at 10pm. This way you will have it in time for the Arts Fest!

Pre-order today! Locally printed by
The Side Garage!

Leave a Legacy— shirts are just $25 each

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ibrfundraiser/event/leave-a-legacy-2026/?blm_aid=467969

Address

3108 49th Street
Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 9pm

Telephone

+14155961147

Website

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