A Bird's Eye View:
A Guide to Managing and Protecting Your Land
for Neotropical Migratory Birds
in the Upper Mississippi River Blufflands

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in March 2006. 

Orginally published by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in 2003, this book has been so popular that we updated and reprinted it in 2006.

This 52-page booklet describes the specific needs of "Iowa's jungle birds" - the Neotropical migratory birds that nest in the United States, Canada and southern Mexico and then migrate thousands of miles to winter in the tropical climates of southern Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. These birds face habitat pressures on two continents, and Iowa's habitat is important to their survival.

Because the Mississippi River is one of North America's major migratory flyways, protecting bird habitat along its shores is particularly important. The information in this booklet can also apply to bird habitat needs elsewhere in Iowa. Designed for landowners, conservationists, policy-makers or bird enthusiasts, this booklet explores the definition of neotropical migrants, the threats they face, why humans should care and what can be done to address those threats. It contains numerous photos, maps, illustrations and other support features.

Appendices include a glossary, list of neotropical migrants, financial and organizational resources for people protecting these birds, and a five-page list of references. It also contains an 8-page full-color section featuring a summarized version of the text and photos of Neotropical migrants grouped by common species, threatened or endangered species, upland species and floodplain species.

The booklet can be downloaded in PDF format using Adobe Acrobat in the following sections. Each of the page spreads below is linked to the download. NOTE: This entire book is copyrighted by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and all the photographs/artwork are copyrighted by the original artist. INHF and the photographers grant rights for people to print out a copy of this booklet for personal use. All other uses must be cleared with INHF or the original photographer/artist.

Pages 1-5: Front cover, publication information, acknowledgements, table of contents, introduction

Pages 6-10: Gaining perspective: What is a Neotropical migrant? What are the threats to these birds, and why should we care?

Pages 11-17: Habitat and habitat loss: What size, shape, and quality of habitat is needed for Neotrops to survive and thrive?

Pages 18-27: What needs to be done: Managing bluffland ecosystems (forests, cliffs, riparian lands, savannas, prairies, farmsteads). Selected management issues: logging, deer, invasive/non-native plants, finding management partners, success stories

Pages 28-34: Final thoughts, glossary, selected list/description of neotropical migrant species, list of neotrops at risk

Pages 35-38: Financial resource list, Blufflands Alliance partners, land trust organizations

Pages 39-44: References, back cover

8-page color insert (sorry, not available online)

You can also order a free copy of the 52-page booklet (including the 8-page color insert) OR just the 8-page color insert by contacting Diane Graves, INHF's receptionist. Please note which book you are ordering. Groups can purchase multiple copies; talk to Diane about prices.

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation thanks author Marlene Ehresman and other INHF staff and interns for revision and technical aspects of the second printing and the Cooperative Forest Management, USDA Forest Service, through the Upper Mississippi River Forestry Partnership and Helen R. McLaughlin memorial fund for the financial support that made the reprint possible. Continued thanks for the 2003 production of A Bird's Eye View to: the author and other INHF staff and interns; professional reviewers, and financial support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Alliant Energy Foundation, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Audubon–Upper Mississippi River Campaign, Audubon Iowa, and the Iowa Ornithologists Union and many others. A complete list of acknowledgements is listed on page 2 of the booklet.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.

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