The Iowa Records Committee was established in 1982 to review extraordinary avian reports in order to assure that publications of both historical and contemporary reports were supported by carefully examined evidence, and to maintain a central repository of this information. The species in the review list always require documentation, reviewed by the seven member Records Committee, to archive the details of birds rare in Iowa.  Most of these are accidental species with few reports over the years and species which are difficult to positively identify because of possible hybridization or confusion with similar species.

With the proliferation of quality digital images and the adding of a layer of external review which agrees with the goal of publishing only well-evidenced species, the Records Committee has begun to redefine Iowa's Review List, the list of species for which reports require a full seven-member review.  Most species remaining on the List are accidentals with few reports over the years, but nine casuals which are difficult to positively identify, some with possible hybridization confusion, also remain on the List. As always, seasonal field reports editors and eBird reviewers may request a full review of questionable IDs, but generally good photographs will be enough to satisfy the evidence requirement.

Status of Greater Prairie-Chicken: This species is regularly recorded in the Kellerton Grasslands in Ringgold County, but the viability of that population is subject to much debate. Birds encountered elsewhere, usually in winter, are considered accidental.

The Early-Late Dates are updated four times each year after each seasonal report has been published. This list is intended to give birders a guideline for providing details and perhaps documenting birds observed outside of the know time frames. These docs are reviewed by seasonal editors to substantiate changing patterns. Print a copy for your car.