Birdwatching

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Four women birdwatching; all are looking through binoculars
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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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Boy with binoculars
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Woman with Binoculars
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Learn about binoculars and field guides as well as birding apps and other helpful tools.

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Photo of a prairie warbler perched on a red cedar sprig
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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 Birdwatching

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Shawnee Bend Access, Camden County, Missouri, boat ramp viewed from fishing dock
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This area offers a boat ramp as well as an accessible multipurpose dock and a courtesy dock.

Birding Events

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 6:30 pm - Tuesday, March 18, 2025 7:30 pm
Location: Online only
Registration required by visiting https://www.mymcpl.org/events/103726/birds-missouri-zoom (all ages) What's that critter flying high in the sky? Or skirting between the forest understory? Birds of course! Join us virtually in learning about the birds that call Missouri home and the birds that just pass through. This program is in partnership with the Mid-Continent Public Library.
Registration period: March 1 - March 21
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025 6:00 pm - Friday, March 21, 2025 8:00 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Timberdoodle, bog sucker, labrador twister: these are just a few of names the American woodcock may go by. Discover what makes a woodcock such a unique bird before we venture out to try and observe these animals as they demonstrate their “sky dance.” Registration required. Ages 7-12
Registration period: February 23 - March 28
Date: Friday, March 28, 2025 1:00 pm - Friday, March 28, 2025 2:00 pm
Location: Online only
Hummingbirds are beautiful and unique birds. Discover more about these tiny fliers and learn how to attract these magnificent little jewels to your yard or garden, as well as how you can help prepare them for their fall migration.
Registration period: January 16 - April 6
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 9:00 am - Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:00 am
Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Join us for a beginner bird ID program and discover the various feathered visitors you’re likely to encounter throughout the year in the state of Missouri. This program reviews 20+ common Missouri birds, their physical characteristics, and what foods they’re attracted to. Also, tips will be provided on how to create a bird-friendly environment to attract birds to your backyard. At the end of the program, an optional bird hike along some of Rockwood Reservation's paths will be offered.

This program is one of several in our new Outdoor Skills Series (see detailed list below). Whether you’re seeking to connect more to nature or hone your outdoor skills, these classes are for you. Sign up for some or all and get to meet others that share your interests in the outdoors!

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Outdoor Skills Series Location Date Time

1. Backpacking Basics Pacific Library 2/27/2025 3:30-4:30

2. Compass and Map Caldwell Memorial WA 3/27/2025 11:00-12:30

3. Bird ID for Beginners Rockwoods Reservation 4/9/2025 9:00-10:00

4. Hike Conservation Area La Barque Creek CA 4/26/2025 10:00-2:00

5. Outdoor Cooking Rockwoods Reservation 5/7/2025 10:00-11:30

6. Discover Nature Fishing 1 Shaw Nature Reserve 5/9/2025 10:00-12:00

7. Tree ID + Guided Hike Caldwell Memorial WA 5/13/2025 10:00-12:00

8. Knot Tying Caldwell Memorial WA 5/23/2025 10:00-11:30

9. Primitive Camping 101 Caldwell Memorial WA 5/23/2025 12:00-1:00

10. Archery Rockwoods Reservation 6/10/2025 10:00-11:00

11. Atlatl Rockwoods Reservation 6/10/2025 11:30-12:30

Registration period: March 8 - April 11
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025 10:00 am - Saturday, April 12, 2025 11:30 am
Location: Online only

Hummingbirds 101: Creating Spaces for Natures Jewels

The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of Missouri’s most intriguing birds! Would you like to learn how to attract these unique birds to your yard or garden during spring and fall migration? Join naturalists from MDC and Missouri River Bird Observatory as we learn about the native plants, sweet nectar and insects loved by this tiny creature, also known as nature’s helicopter! A link will be sent to registered participants prior to the program.

Registration period: March 8 - April 12
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025 10:00 am - Saturday, April 12, 2025 11:30 am
Location: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center

Hummingbirds 101: Creating Spaces for Natures Jewels

The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of Missouri’s most intriguing birds! Would you like to learn how to attract these unique birds to your yard or garden during spring and fall migration? Join naturalists from MDC and Missouri River Bird Observatory as we learn about the native plants, sweet nectar and insects loved by this tiny creature, also known as nature’s helicopter!

Registration period: April 1 - April 15
Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 8:00 am - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 10:00 am
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those who need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+
Registration period: February 27 - April 17
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:15 pm - Thursday, April 17, 2025 7:15 pm
Location: Springfield Conservation Nature Center
In his latest book, “The Birds That Audubon Missed”, bird expert Kenn Kaufman focuses on the species that evaded John James Audubon and his peers. Kaufman explores an era in ornithology that few people may know. Learn more about the book and participate in a Q&A with the author. All ages. Registration required.
Registration period: April 1 - April 22
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 8:00 am - Tuesday, April 22, 2025 10:00 am
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those who need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+
Registration period: April 1 - April 30
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 8:00 am - Wednesday, April 30, 2025 10:00 am
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those who need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+
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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.