13 Birds With White Heads in Iowa (Photos + Where to Find Them)

Did you know that Iowa hosts one of North America’s most impressive concentrations of white-headed birds during migration season? From the iconic bald eagle to elegant swans and coastal visitors like gulls and terns, the state’s diverse wetlands, rivers, and lakes create perfect staging grounds for these distinctive species.

Whether you’re scanning the Mississippi River bluffs, exploring prairie wetlands, or watching waterfowl congregate at wildlife refuges, you’ll discover that white plumage on a bird’s head serves as nature’s most reliable field mark for quick identification.

You’ll find 14 remarkable species with white heads throughout Iowa’s habitats, each offering unique viewing opportunities across different seasons.

This guide shows you exactly what to look for, where to find them, and when these birds appear in your area, helping you maximize your birdwatching success whether you’re a beginner or experienced birder.

Bald Eagle

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) stands as North America’s most recognizable raptor, with its brilliant white head and tail contrasting sharply against dark brown body plumage. Adults reach 30-43 inches in length with wingspans stretching 6-8 feet, making them impossible to miss when soaring along Iowa’s major waterways.

You’ll spot these magnificent birds year-round in Iowa, though winter brings the highest concentrations when northern eagles migrate south. The Mississippi River corridor becomes particularly crowded with eagles from December through February, with some areas hosting hundreds of wintering individuals during peak season. Lock and Dam sites between Dubuque and Keokuk offer exceptional viewing opportunities, as open water below dams provides consistent fishing access even during freezing conditions.

Pro Tip: Look for bald eagles perched in large trees near water during early morning hours when they’re most actively hunting. Their distinctive white heads become visible from remarkable distances, even without binoculars.

Iowa’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs all attract bald eagles, but the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers host the largest populations. Red Rock Lake, Coralville Lake, and Saylorville Lake also provide reliable viewing sites, especially during winter months when ice forces eagles to concentrate near open water. Nesting pairs occupy territories along major rivers throughout the state, with Iowa’s bald eagle population continuing to grow steadily since their recovery from endangered species status.

Watch for their distinctive hunting behavior—bald eagles often steal fish from ospreys rather than catching their own, a behavior called kleptoparasitism. They also scavenge carrion and hunt waterfowl, particularly injured or weak birds during harsh weather.

Osprey

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) brings specialized fishing expertise to Iowa’s waters, sporting a bright white head with a distinctive dark eye stripe that creates a masked appearance. These fish hawks measure 21-23 inches long with 5-6 foot wingspans, featuring crooked, gull-like wings that make them instantly recognizable in flight.

Key Insight: Ospreys are the only raptors that dive completely underwater to catch fish, plunging feet-first from heights up to 100 feet above the water surface.

You’ll encounter ospreys from late March through October as they migrate through Iowa, though nesting populations remain relatively small compared to more permanent residents like bald eagles. The Mississippi River valley serves as a major migration corridor, with birds stopping at lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands throughout the state to refuel during their journey between Central American wintering grounds and northern breeding territories.

Spring migration peaks during April and early May, while southbound birds pass through from late August into October. Coralville Lake, Saylorville Lake, and Red Rock Lake consistently attract migrating ospreys, where shallow water areas provide ideal fishing conditions. The birds hover over water before executing spectacular dives, often emerging with fish grasped in their specialized talons.

Look for ospreys near dead standing trees, power poles, or platform nests near water. Unlike bald eagles, ospreys almost exclusively eat live fish they catch themselves, specializing in species swimming near the surface. Their reversible outer toes and barbed foot pads help secure slippery prey during flight back to feeding perches.

Snow Goose

Snow geese (Anser caerulescens) transform Iowa’s wetlands into white blankets during migration seasons, with their pure white plumage and distinctive pink bills creating unforgettable spectacles. These medium-sized geese measure 25-31 inches long with wingspans reaching 4.5-5 feet, traveling in massive flocks that number in the thousands.

Common Mistake: Don’t assume all white geese are snow geese—Ross’s geese often mix with snow goose flocks and require closer inspection to identify correctly.

Spring migration brings the most dramatic displays from late February through April, when snow geese stop at Iowa wetlands to feed and rest during their journey to Arctic breeding grounds. Autumn migration occurs from October through November, though spring concentrations typically exceed fall numbers. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley and Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in north-central Iowa host some of the state’s largest snow goose congregations, with flocks sometimes exceeding 100,000 birds.

You’ll hear snow geese before seeing them—their high-pitched, barking calls carry for remarkable distances. Watch for them in agricultural fields adjacent to wetlands, where they feed on waste grain and emerging crops. Morning and evening flights between roosting wetlands and feeding fields create spectacular aerial displays as thousands of birds move in coordinated formations.

The blue morph, a color variant with dark body plumage and white head, occasionally appears within flocks. Despite different coloring, blue morphs belong to the same species and interbreed freely with white morphs.

Ross’s Goose

Ross’s goose (Anser rossii) resembles a miniature snow goose but displays several distinctive features once you learn where to look. These compact geese measure 23-25 inches long with 4-4.5 foot wingspans, featuring stubby pink bills without the dark “grin patch” that characterizes snow geese.

You’ll find Ross’s geese traveling with snow goose flocks throughout Iowa during migration seasons, though they appear in much smaller numbers than their larger relatives. The same wetland refuges that attract snow geese—particularly DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Union Slough, and Pools 19-20 on the Mississippi River—also host Ross’s geese from late February through April and again from October through November.

Close observation reveals Ross’s geese possess a distinctive appearance beyond size differences. Their bills appear stubbier and triangular compared to snow geese, with a smooth transition between the bill base and forehead creating a steeper, more rounded head profile. The bill shows warty protuberances at its base during breeding season, though this feature becomes less prominent during migration periods when you’re most likely to encounter them in Iowa.

Pro Tip: When scanning large snow goose flocks, look for noticeably smaller birds with shorter necks and more compact body shapes—these are likely Ross’s geese worth investigating more closely.

Watch for Ross’s geese feeding in agricultural fields near wetlands, where they graze on waste grain, grass shoots, and sedge roots. Their feeding behavior mirrors snow geese, with both species often intermixing so thoroughly that separating them requires patient observation of individual birds within the flock.

Some Ross’s geese display blue morph coloring similar to snow geese, with dark bodies and white heads. These blue morphs occur less frequently in Ross’s geese than in snow goose populations, making them particularly noteworthy finds.

Trumpeter Swan

Trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) reign as North America’s largest waterfowl, with adults measuring 54-62 inches long and boasting wingspans exceeding 6-8 feet. Their entirely white plumage, black bills, and impressive size create unmistakable silhouettes whether swimming on wetlands or flying overhead with distinctive slow, powerful wingbeats.

Iowa’s trumpeter swan population includes both year-round residents and winter visitors from northern breeding grounds. The state’s reintroduction program has successfully established breeding pairs at several locations, while migrant trumpeters from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada supplement numbers during winter months. You’ll find the highest concentrations from November through March, when ice coverage forces birds to concentrate at sites with open water.

Important Note: Trumpeter swans require specific habitat conditions—shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation for nesting and open water with aquatic plants for winter feeding.

Look for trumpeters at wildlife refuges and wetland complexes across northern and central Iowa. Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Arrowhead and Trumbull Lakes in Clay County, and various county conservation areas maintain populations. The birds prefer shallow marshes where they can tip-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation and tubers, their primary food sources.

Trumpeter swans pair for life and maintain strong family bonds, with juveniles (called cygnets) remaining with parents through their first winter. Young birds display grayish plumage that gradually transitions to pure white by their second or third year. Watch for family groups swimming together, with adults positioning themselves protectively on either side of their offspring.

Listen for their distinctive calls—deep, resonant, horn-like notes that sound like “koo-hoo, koo-hoo” and carry across wetlands. These vocalizations distinguish trumpeters from tundra swans, which produce higher-pitched, more melodious calls.

Tundra Swan

Tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) visit Iowa as migrants traveling between Arctic breeding grounds and Atlantic Coast wintering areas, bringing elegant beauty to the state’s wetlands during spring and late autumn. These large swans measure 47-58 inches long with 5.5-6.5 foot wingspans, appearing nearly identical to trumpeter swans at distance but displaying subtle differences upon closer inspection.

Migration timing varies by season, with northbound tundra swans appearing from late February through April and southbound birds passing through from late October into December. Unlike Iowa’s resident and wintering trumpeter swans, tundras typically stop briefly rather than establishing extended stays. Pool 19 on the Mississippi River near Keokuk, Big Creek Lake near Polk City, and DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge occasionally host tundra swans during migration peaks.

Key Insight: The small yellow spot near the eye on a tundra swan’s bill doesn’t always appear clearly—many individuals show minimal or no yellow marking, making voice and subtle shape differences more reliable identification features.

You’ll find tundra swans feeding on aquatic plants in shallow water, often associating with geese and other waterfowl at stopover sites. They prefer deeper water than trumpeters in many situations, readily swimming in areas where other swans might tip-up to reach bottom vegetation. Agricultural fields near wetlands also attract tundras, where they feed on waste grain and crop shoots alongside snow geese and Canada geese.

Watch for tundra swans in flight during migration periods—large flocks sometimes pass overhead at considerable altitudes, their white bodies catching sunlight and making them visible even without optics. Their flight calls, higher-pitched than trumpeter vocalizations, often alert you to passing flocks before visual contact.

American White Pelican

American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) bring tropical flair to Iowa’s waters despite their North American range, displaying brilliant white plumage accented by black flight feathers visible only in flight. These massive birds measure 50-65 inches long with wingspans reaching 8-10 feet—second only to California condors among North American birds—making them absolutely unmistakable on Iowa’s larger water bodies.

You’ll encounter white pelicans from April through October as they migrate through Iowa and establish summer feeding territories, though nesting occurs primarily in western states and Canadian provinces. The Mississippi River, particularly large pools like Pool 9 near Lansing and Pool 19 near Keokuk, regularly hosts pelican flocks. DeSoto Bend, Red Rock Lake, Coralville Lake, and other large reservoirs also attract these impressive birds, where cooperative feeding behavior creates memorable wildlife spectacles.

Pro Tip: Watch for pelicans feeding cooperatively—groups form semicircles and drive fish toward shallow water, then plunge their bills simultaneously to scoop up concentrated prey.

Unlike brown pelicans that dive for fish, American white pelicans feed while swimming, using their enormous pouched bills to scoop up fish, crayfish, and salamanders. Groups coordinate their movements, swimming in formation to corral fish into tight schools before feeding. This cooperative hunting strategy proves highly effective in shallow water where fish cannot easily escape.

Watch for pelicans soaring on warm thermals during midday hours—their massive wingspans allow them to glide effortlessly at remarkable altitudes, often traveling considerable distances between roosting and feeding sites. Their synchronized flight displays, with entire flocks tilting and turning in unison, create spectacular aerial shows.

Breeding adults develop a distinctive fibrous plate on their upper bill during spring, though this feature sheds after egg-laying and typically isn’t visible on birds seen in Iowa. Summer and autumn birds show bright orange bills and legs that fade to yellowish during winter.

Ring-Billed Gull

Ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) rank as Iowa’s most common and widespread gull species, displaying bright white heads, light gray backs, and the distinctive black ring around yellow bills that inspired their name. These medium-sized gulls measure 17-21 inches long with 4-foot wingspans, adapting readily to both natural and human-modified habitats throughout the state.

You’ll find ring-billed gulls year-round in Iowa, though numbers peak during migration seasons when northern breeding birds pass through or remain for winter. Spring migration occurs from March through May, while autumn movements span September through November. Winter populations concentrate near open water, particularly along the Mississippi River and at larger reservoirs that don’t freeze completely.

Common Mistake: Don’t call all gulls “seagulls”—many species live far from oceans, and ring-billed gulls breed primarily on inland lakes across the northern Great Plains and Canada.

Look for ring-bills at virtually any Iowa water body, from small farm ponds to major rivers. They also frequent parking lots, agricultural fields, landfills, and urban areas where food sources attract them. Red Rock Lake, Saylorville Lake, and Coralville Lake host particularly large concentrations, while Mississippi River pools provide consistent viewing opportunities throughout the year.

Ring-billed gulls display opportunistic feeding behavior, consuming fish, invertebrates, earthworms, insects, rodents, grain, and human food waste. Watch for them following plows in agricultural fields, where they snatch earthworms and grubs exposed by cultivation. They also catch flying insects in aerial pursuits and steal food from other birds through kleptoparasitism.

Juvenile ring-bills show mottled brown plumage during their first year, gradually transitioning through intermediate plumages before acquiring full adult appearance by their third year. This progression creates confusion for beginning birders, as first-year birds appear completely different from adults.

Herring Gull

Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) visit Iowa primarily during migration and winter, bringing larger size and more robust structure compared to the abundant ring-billed gulls. These substantial gulls measure 22-26 inches long with 4.5-5.5 foot wingspans, displaying white heads, light gray backs, and stout yellow bills marked with a red spot on the lower mandible.

Winter months from November through March provide the best opportunities to find herring gulls in Iowa, when northern breeders move south to escape frozen conditions. The Mississippi River corridor hosts the most reliable populations, particularly near locks and dams where open water persists through winter. Large reservoirs including Red Rock Lake and Saylorville Lake also attract herring gulls, though numbers remain modest compared to ring-billed gull concentrations.

You’ll notice herring gulls associating with other gull species at feeding and roosting sites, often dominating smaller ring-bills through size advantage. They feed on similar food sources—fish, invertebrates, carrion, and garbage—but their larger bills allow them to handle bigger prey items. Watch for herring gulls dropping mollusks and other hard-shelled prey onto parking lots and roads, a behavior that breaks shells to access meat inside.

Herring gulls require several years to attain full adult plumage, with first-year birds showing entirely dark brown plumage that gradually lightens through successive molts. This complicated age progression makes identification challenging, as each age class displays different plumage patterns.

Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte’s gulls (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) arrive as delicate migrants, displaying distinctive black heads during spring breeding plumage and white heads with dark ear spots during autumn and winter. These small gulls measure just 11-15 inches long with 2.5-3 foot wingspans—Iowa’s smallest regular gull species—featuring buoyant, tern-like flight that distinguishes them from stockier gulls.

You’ll encounter Bonaparte’s gulls during migration seasons, with spring passage occurring from April through May and autumn movement spanning September through November. Small numbers occasionally winter along the Mississippi River where open water persists. Large reservoirs including Saylorville Lake, Red Rock Lake, and Coralville Lake host migrant Bonaparte’s gulls, though Mississippi River pools typically provide the most consistent viewing opportunities.

Pro Tip: Look for Bonaparte’s gulls picking food delicately from the water surface rather than plunging or diving—their feeding behavior resembles terns more than typical gulls.

Bonaparte’s gulls feed primarily on small fish and aquatic invertebrates, often hovering briefly before dipping to the water surface to snatch prey items. They also catch flying insects during emergences, their agile flight allowing them to pursue airborne prey effectively. Watch for them feeding near river currents and reservoir inflows, where water movement concentrates small fish and invertebrates near the surface.

These gulls show striking wing patterns in flight—white leading edges on outer wings create distinctive triangular shapes visible at considerable distances. Their black bills, pink legs, and smaller size distinguish them from ring-billed gulls even when plumage details aren’t visible.

Forster’s Tern

Forster’s terns (Sterna forsteri) grace Iowa’s wetlands and water bodies during migration and summer months, displaying white heads with black eye patches during non-breeding season and black caps during breeding plumage. These medium-sized terns measure 13-15 inches long with 2.5-3 foot wingspans, featuring elegant pointed wings, deeply forked tails, and orange-red bills with black tips that distinguish them from similar species.

You’ll find Forster’s terns from late April through September, with breeding populations nesting at scattered wetland locations across Iowa. Migration peaks occur in May and again from August through September, when northern breeders pass through the state. Shallow marshes, wet meadows, and lake edges provide ideal habitat, with Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, DeSoto Bend, and Mississippi River backwaters hosting the most consistent populations.

Common Mistake: Don’t confuse Forster’s terns with common terns—Forster’s show pale gray (not dark gray) wing tips and have orange bills with more black at the tip during breeding season.

Watch for Forster’s terns hovering over water before plunging to catch small fish, their specialized hunting technique requiring shallow water where prey swims near the surface. They typically hover 10-30 feet above water, wings beating rapidly, then fold wings and plunge headfirst to grasp fish with their bills. Unlike some terns that fully submerge, Forster’s terns usually grab prey from just below the surface without completely entering the water.

Breeding Forster’s terns nest in small colonies on floating vegetation mats or artificial platforms at marsh sites, often associating with black terns and other wetland species. Their nesting habitat requirements—shallow marshes with abundant floating vegetation—have declined across Iowa, making breeding populations relatively localized compared to historical distributions.

Caspian Tern

Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) dominate Iowa’s tern community through sheer size and presence, measuring 19-23 inches long with 4-4.5 foot wingspans that approach small gull dimensions. These impressive terns display white heads with black caps during breeding season and streaked crowns during migration periods, featuring massive coral-red bills that appear disproportionately large and create their most distinctive field mark.

You’ll encounter Caspian terns from April through September as migrants passing through Iowa, though breeding occurs rarely within the state. Spring migration peaks in May, while autumn movement spans August through early October. Large reservoirs and river systems provide the most consistent viewing opportunities—Red Rock Lake, Saylorville Lake, Coralville Lake, and Mississippi River pools all attract migrant Caspian terns during passage periods.

Key Insight: Caspian terns are the world’s largest tern species, with some individuals approaching ring-billed gull size but maintaining characteristic tern features including pointed wings, forked tails, and plunge-diving hunting behavior.

Watch for Caspian terns hovering powerfully over water before executing dramatic plunges from heights up to 50 feet. Their size allows them to target larger fish than smaller tern species, and they occasionally steal prey from other birds through aggressive kleptoparasitic behavior. Listen for their distinctive harsh, grating calls—”kraa-ah” notes that carry considerable distances across water.

Caspian terns show aggressive territorial behavior during nesting season, though Iowa hosts few breeding pairs. Birds seen in the state are primarily migrants traveling between Great Lakes breeding colonies and coastal wintering areas, or post-breeding wanderers exploring potential habitat after nesting season concludes.

Common Tern

Common terns (Sterna hirundo) visit Iowa during migration seasons, bringing graceful flight and efficient fishing skills to the state’s water bodies. These medium-sized terns measure 12-15 inches long with 2.5-3 foot wingspans, displaying white heads with black caps during breeding plumage and white foreheads with black nape patches during migration periods when you’ll most likely see them in Iowa.

Spring migration occurs from late April through May, while autumn passage spans August through September. Common terns appear less frequently than Forster’s terns in Iowa, though both species sometimes occur together at favored stopover sites. Large reservoirs including Red Rock Lake and Coralville Lake attract migrant common terns, as do Mississippi River pools and other substantial water bodies with productive fisheries.

Important Note: Common terns breed primarily on coastal and Great Lakes shorelines, making Iowa sightings exclusively migrants passing between breeding and wintering grounds.

You’ll observe common terns feeding through aerial hunting, hovering over water before plunging to catch small fish near the surface. Their fishing technique closely resembles Forster’s tern behavior, though commons typically fish over deeper water and less frequently hunt over marsh habitats. Watch for their buoyant, bouncing flight style as they patrol productive feeding areas, their long wings and forked tails creating elegant silhouettes.

Common terns travel impressive distances during migration, with some individuals moving between Arctic breeding grounds and South American wintering areas. Birds passing through Iowa may be en route to distant destinations, making each sighting represent a momentary stop in transcontinental journeys spanning thousands of miles.

Making the Most of Your White-Headed Bird Watching

Iowa’s diverse collection of white-headed birds offers year-round viewing opportunities, from resident bald eagles patrolling rivers to massive spring waterfowl migrations that transform wetlands into wildlife spectacles.

Success depends on timing your visits to match seasonal patterns—winter for eagles and gulls, spring migration for waterfowl and terns, and summer for breeding pelicans and terns.

Start with accessible locations like DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Red Rock Lake, and Mississippi River overlooks, where multiple species often appear during single visits.

Bring binoculars or a spotting scope for distant birds, and consider visiting during early morning or late afternoon when bird activity peaks and lighting conditions enhance white plumage visibility.

The white heads that distinguish these 14 species serve various purposes—age indicators for bald eagles, breeding signals for gulls and terns, and simple species identification for swans and geese.

Learning these patterns transforms casual wildlife watching into engaging natural history exploration, revealing the remarkable diversity that makes Iowa an unexpected hotspot for white-headed bird species throughout the year.