Iowa Raptor Project

05/26/2026

We are heartbroken to announce that Juniper, our resident Northern Saw-whet Owl, passed away last week after complications from egg binding. This is a devastating loss for our program, and especially for our staff and volunteers.

Not only was she an amazing and confident educational ambassador, she also touched the lives of thousands who met her throughout her 6 years of life. Junie opened up our eyes to the fascinating world of Saw-whet Owls and greatly enhanced our conservation outreach.

We are going to miss her so much.

If you have photos or memories of Juniper, please share them with us. ❤️

05/21/2026

Check out this story from our friends at UI Center for Advancement (University of Iowa Alumni) about the work that we do in the field with raptors.

Our collaborative research projects on Iowa birds of prey help inform our educational messaging and provide great hands-on experiences for our University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College students and volunteers!

The University of Iowa College of Education
Iowa Wildlife Camps
School of the Wild
Kirkwood Parks

University of Iowa expert Dave Conrads leads a winter raptor survey that reveals bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and the science behind Iowa’s birds of prey.

05/14/2026

Remember that cold winter day with Good Morning America? Here's a little backstory from our friends at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement (University of Iowa Alumni). Go Hawks!

05/13/2026

What a wonderful World Migratory Bird Day we had on Saturday...the Baltimore Orioles stole the show!

For those who want a more intimate bird-banding experience, we will continue offering "Wild Wednesday" migratory bird-banding through May.

https://events.uiowa.edu/department/383

Attached are photos of birds banded today with School of the Wild (the Ruby-throated Hummingbird was released unbanded).

College of Education
University of Iowa

Kirkwood Parks
Kirkwood Community College

(All banding is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory.)

05/09/2026

Today, with School of the Wild, we learned that the difference between Canada and Nashville Warblers couldn't be more Black and White.

Still some room to sign up for tomorrow's big event!
https://events.uiowa.edu/department/383

College of Education
University of Iowa

Kirkwood Parks
Kirkwood Community College

(All banding is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory.)

05/08/2026

As part of our World Migratory Bird Day event TOMORROW:

Aaditya Deshpande will speak on the journey of Purple Martins from the Amazon rainforest right here to Macbride Nature Recreation Area! Aaditya will share the unique relationship humans have with these aerial acrobats!

Program times will be at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Register here for this event: https://events.uiowa.edu/event/37414

05/08/2026

Today's newest arrivals...just in time for World Migratory Bird Day! Still some room to sign up for Saturday's big event!

https://events.uiowa.edu/department/383

Iowa Wildlife Camps
School of the Wild
College of Education
University of Iowa

Kirkwood Parks
Kirkwood Community College

(All banding is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory.)

05/07/2026

Every day is a new adventure in bird banding...here are today's birds (with even a raptor in the mix!). Sign up at the link below for this Saturday's event, as well as our Wednesday banding events (like today's)!

https://events.uiowa.edu/department/383

(All banding is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory.)

05/06/2026

THIS SATURDAY as part of our World Migratory Bird Day event, Caden Dorrance will be leading bird hikes at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. All ages welcome!

🐦Caden is one of our fantastic student volunteers who has a wide array of bird knowledge that he is eager to share with you!

🦆Bring binoculars if you have them, otherwise we have some to borrow.

Register for this event: https://events.uiowa.edu/event/37414

05/05/2026

These four are scheduled to appear at our World Migratory Bird Day event this Saturday, May 9th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Come meet these incredible migratory raptors and get your photo taken with one!

Hercules (Red-tailed Hawk)
Omaha (American Kestrel)
Shiloh (Turkey Vulture)
Juniper (Northern Saw-whet Owl)

Tap the link in the comments for more details and registration! https://events.uiowa.edu/event/37414