Birdwatching

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Birding is popular because it’s easy to get started, and it offers increasingly greater rewards the more you learn. It’s also an inexpensive hobby — a field guide and pair of binoculars are all you need.

Read on for tips on how to get started identifying Missouri's birds around your home or out in the field. This section provides information on:

  • Birdwatching tools
  • Identifying birds
  • Bird behavior and habitats
  • Great places to watch birds in Missouri
  • MDC bird-related events
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Featured Topics
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Learn about binoculars and field guides as well as birding apps and other helpful tools.

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Learn key features that will help you tell bird species apart.

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Upload and store your bird sightings in this online database and view sightings of other birders around the world. 

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The Missouri Birding Trail was created to show birders the best places to find birds around the state. 

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Great Places for

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Current River Conservation Area encompasses approximately 29,000 acres of forested ozark land.

Birding Events

Private Event | My Events | My Profile

Displaying 1 - 13 of 13
Registration period: June 10 - July 10
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026 7:00 pm - Friday, July 10, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Creve Coeur Park-Lake

Join a naturalist on an evening birding adventure in Creve Coeur Park! There is a whole host of species that live near this natural lake during the summer months. Who knows what we might see or hear on this wonderful evening of birding!

This lesson is designed to be open to everyone no matter their experience level in birding. No binoculars? No problem! Binoculars and field guides will be available for those that need them.

During the program we will be walking the Mallard Lake Loop trail.
Registration period: June 17 - July 15
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 7:00 am - Wednesday, July 15, 2026 8:00 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Summer mornings are for the birds! Join a naturalist at Powder Valley for an early morning summer birding hike on our Broken Ridge Trail. Learn about our summer resident birds, as well as some birding basics to get you started. Binoculars will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite pair if you have one!

Broken Ridge is a 2/3 mile paved loop trail with multiple steep inclines. Make sure to dress for the weather and bring plenty of water.

Please make sure to register all who will be attending the program, including adults and children of all ages.

Registration period: May 28 - July 17
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026 8:00 am - Saturday, July 18, 2026 11:30 am
Location: Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Join us for a 2.5 mile hike to view the herons and egrets feeding in the MTC marsh. The young have just left the nests so we may see both young and adults feeding together. See some of the showiest members of all wading birds. Meeting details will be provided to registrants beforehand.
Registration period: May 20 - July 18
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026 5:30 pm - Saturday, July 18, 2026 7:00 pm
Location: Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Here is your chance to see a ruby-throated hummingbird up close! Join master hummingbird bander Sarah Driver to learn more about this winged jewel while attempting to capture some birds for banding. Ages 7 and up. Registration required.
Registration period: July 2 - July 20
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026 2:00 pm - Thursday, July 23, 2026 4:30 pm
Location: Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
This is an educational class on the painted bunting, a beautiful migratory bird native to southern Missouri. We will learn how to identify this species based on appearance and call. We will also talk about its conservation status and threats both here and in its other habitats. Finally, we will learn how to draw this colorful bird using oil pastels. No experience is required, and all materials will be provided. All you need is an open mind!
Registration period: July 6 - July 23
Date: Friday, July 24, 2026 6:00 pm - Friday, July 24, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Twin Pines Conservation Education Center

Learn how to create suet to feed to your native birds!

- recipe handouts, and suet molds and feeders provided
Registration period: June 17 - July 29
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 10:00 am - Wednesday, July 29, 2026 12:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are back for the summer! These little jewels are beautiful and entertaining visitors to your garden. Learn all about hummingbirds, then make your very own mini hummingbird feeder! All materials will be provided.

Please note: This program is for registered participants only, as supplies are limited. Please make sure to register all who will be attending the program, including adults and children.

Registration period: July 10 - July 31
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 5:00 pm - Tuesday, August 4, 2026 7:30 pm
Location: Sikeston Public Library
This is an educational class on the painted bunting, a beautiful migratory bird native to southern Missouri. We will learn how to identify this species based on appearance and call. We will also talk about its conservation status and threats both here and in its other habitats. Finally, we will learn how to draw this colorful bird using oil pastels. No experience is required, and all materials will be provided. All you need is an open mind!
Registration period: June 29 - August 11
Date: Monday, August 17, 2026 9:00 am - Monday, August 17, 2026 12:00 pm
Location: Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Tiny bird. Major main-character energy. Join us for a relaxed watercolor program where you'll discover the surprising superpowers of the ruby-throated hummingbird, learn easy watercolor techniques as you create your own nature-inspired artwork. A perfect blend of wildlife discovery and creative expression...a colorful masterpiece worthy of your wall—or your next social post. No experience required. Ages 12+.
Registration period: June 23 - August 22
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026 5:30 pm - Saturday, August 22, 2026 7:00 pm
Location: Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Here is your chance to see a ruby-throated hummingbird up close! Join master hummingbird bander Sarah Driver to learn more about this winged jewel while attempting to capture some birds for banding. Ages 7 and up. Registration required.
Registration period: February 5 - September 9
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 7:00 am - Saturday, September 12, 2026 10:00 am
Location: Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Enjoy coffee and learning about birds? Join us at Mingo NWR Visitor Center for Birds and Brew! This program will give you an opportunity to enjoy some bird friendly coffee, starting at 7:00AM, and at 7:30 AM we will hit the trail to explore the world of summer birds on a short walk on the Swampwalk (Boardwalk). The easy rated walk will be about a 1 mile long on boardwalk and asphalt trail surfaces. Bring your binoculars or a pair can be provided during the program. Registration is required. Any minor must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Registration period: February 5 - October 7
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 7:00 am - Saturday, October 10, 2026 10:00 am
Location: Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Enjoy coffee and learning about birds? Join us at Mingo NWR Visitor Center for Birds and Brew! This program will give you an opportunity to enjoy some bird friendly coffee, starting at 7:00AM, and at 7:30 AM we will hit the trail to explore the world of summer birds on a short walk on the Swampwalk (Boardwalk). The easy rated walk will be about a 1 mile long on boardwalk and asphalt trail surfaces. Bring your binoculars or a pair can be provided during the program. Registration is required. Any minor must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Registration period: February 5 - November 4
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026 7:00 am - Saturday, November 7, 2026 10:00 am
Location: Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Enjoy coffee and learning about birds? Join us at Mingo NWR Visitor Center for Birds and Brew! This program will give you an opportunity to enjoy some bird friendly coffee, starting at 7:00AM, and at 7:30 AM we will hit the trail to explore the world of summer birds on a short walk on the Swampwalk (Boardwalk). The easy rated walk will be about a 1 mile long on boardwalk and asphalt trail surfaces. Bring your binoculars or a pair can be provided during the program. Registration is required. Any minor must be accompanied by a registered adult.
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Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. Find places to view eagles on your own, or join us at some of the many Eagle Days events scheduled around the state.

Eagle Days Events

There are no events scheduled at this time.