Invasive Birds in Iowa: Status, Problems, and Threats

Authors

James J. Dinsmore, Iowa State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Research

Keywords

birds, invasive species, exotic species, introduced species, Iowa's avifauna

Abstract

A total of 18 invasive bird species has been introduced into or have expanded their range to include Iowa. These include ten non-North American species, one North American species that has been displaced and now is established in Iowa, and seven native species that have been released to reestablish Iowa populations. Twelve of those are regularly occurring species in Iowa, and they comprise 3.0% (12 of 404) of the species known from Iowa and 5% (10 of 199) of Iowa's nesting avifauna. These percentages are similar to those found in neighboring states. Several more species are likely to become established in the near future. Two invasive species, European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), are among the most numerous species found in Iowa and have negative effects on other species. Most of the other invasive bird species seem to have little effect on other bird species. Two species, Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) and Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), are close to becoming established in Iowa. Both have the potential to be harmful to other bird species.

Publication Date

December 2001

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

108

Issue

4

First Page

212

Last Page

220

Copyright

© Copyright 2001 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Dinsmore, James J. (2001) "Invasive Birds in Iowa: Status, Problems, and Threats," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 108(4), 212-220.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol108/iss4/17