Species Breeding Dates and Habitats
Many of the birds we see in Iowa are migrating further north for the breeding
season or on their way back in late summer. Use this list to help with the
approximate
early and late breeding dates as well as typical nesting habitat.
Remember, this is a project related to breeding birds only. Other
interesting observations should be reported through
seasonal
field reports
. Click on the header labels to sort.
| Species | Early Date | Late Date | Habitat |
| Canada Goose | 15-March | 15-July | Wetlands |
| Trumpeter Swan | 15-March | 15-July | Dense marsh vegetation |
| Wood Duck | 15-April | 31-August | Woods near water |
| Gadwall | 20-May | 31-July | Wetlands |
| American Wigeon | 15-May | 31-July | Wetland-open water |
| American Black Duck | 01-May | 30-June | Wetland-open water |
| Mallard | 01-May | 31-July | Wetlands |
| Blue-winged Teal | 20-May | 31-July | Wetlands |
| Northern Shoveler | 01-June | 15-August | Wetlands |
| Northern Pintail | 01-May | 30-June | Wetlands |
| Green-winged Teal | 20-May | 31-July | Wetlands |
| Canvasback | 20-May | 31-July | Prairie Marshes |
| Redhead | 20-May | 31-July | Wetlands |
| Ring-necked Duck | 20-May | 31-July | Sedge Meadow Marshes |
| Lesser Scaup | 20-May | 31-July | Marshes, ponds |
| Bufflehead | 20-May | 31-July | Tree cavities |
| Hooded Merganser | 01-May | 15-July | Woods near water |
| Ruddy Duck | 01-June | 15-August | Wetlands |
| Gray Partridge | 15-May | 15-August | Farmland |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | 15-April | 31-August | Farmland, brush |
|