Field Guide

Birds

Showing 1 - 10 of 29 results
Photo of a male scissor-tailed flycatcher perched on a barbwire fence.
Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus forficatus
One of Missouri’s most breathtaking birds, the scissor-tailed flycatcher captures insects in midair, then flits back to its perch. You’re most likely to see it in summer, in our southwestern prairies.
Photo of an eastern kingbird perched on a branch.
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
The eastern kingbird’s spirited territorial defense, tidy, black-and-white plumage, and distinctive, fluttery flight have long captured the attention and admiration of people.
Photo of a prairie warbler perched on a red cedar sprig
Prairie Warbler
Setophaga discolor (formerly Dendroica discolor)
The prairie warbler has yellow underparts with black streaks on the sides. It lives in dry shrubby glades and old fields with scattered shrubs and red cedars — not in prairies.
Photo of a red-eyed vireo perched on a small branch.
Red-Eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Singing an incessant series of question-and-answer homilies from dawn to dusk, even through the hottest of summer days, the red-eyed vireo has been called the “preacher bird.”
Yellow-Throated Warbler
Setophaga dominica (formerly Dendroica dominica)
The yellow-throated warbler creeps along branches high in the tops of trees, searching the bark for insects. Listen for its distinctive song, a cascade of clearly whistled tew notes.
Photo of a male evening grosbeak eating sunflower seeds at a feeder.
Evening Grosbeak
Coccothraustes vespertinus
Evening grosbeaks are sporadically present in Missouri — flocks sometimes wander here from the north during winter. When flocks appear at backyard birdfeeders, it creates a local sensation.
Photo of a male cerulean warbler held in a hand
Cerulean Warbler
Setophaga cerulea (formerly Dendroica cerulea)
A summer resident in Missouri, the cerulean warbler is more common in the southeastern Ozarks but rare elsewhere in the state. Its numbers are small and declining, and for that reason our nation may soon classify it as endangered.
Photo of a perched loggerhead shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus
This robin-sized, gray and white bird has a black eye-mask extending behind its large, hooked bill. It has the unusual habit of hanging its prey items — little birds, mice, frogs, and big insects — on tree thorns or barbed wire.
Image of a male scarlet tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
In summer, scarlet tanagers feed on insects and fruit in the canopy of oak-hickory forests and in large shade trees of the eastern U.S. and southern Canada.
Rusty Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus
Missourians most often see rusty blackbirds during spring and fall migration, though in southern Missouri they sometimes stay through the winter. Look for them foraging in pastures and fields near water.
See Also
Photo of a Snowberry Clearwing
Snowberry Clearwing
Hemaris diffinis
The snowberry clearwing is a moth that confuses people because it looks like a bumblebee and flies like a hummingbird!
White-Lined Sphinx Moth
White-Lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
The white-lined sphinx moth sometimes confuses people because it flies, hovers, and eats from flowers like a hummingbird. The adults often fly during daylight hours as well as in the night and are often found at lights.
Photo of a Virginia Creeper Sphinx moth
Virginia Creeper Sphinx
Darapsa myron
The Virginia creeper sphinx moth is common in woods and brushy areas and comes to lights at night. The larvae eat Virginia creeper and grape leaves.
Photo of a tricolored bat hanging from a cave ceiling.
Tri-Colored Bat
Perimyotis subflavus (formerly Pipistrellus subflavus)
Tri-colored bats, formerly called eastern pipistrelles, are relatively small and look pale yellowish or pale reddish brown. The main hairs are dark gray at the base, broadly banded with yellowish brown, and tipped with dark brown.
Photo of four gray myotises clinging to a cave ceiling.
Gray Myotis (Gray Bat)
Myotis grisescens
Gray myotises are difficult to distinguish from other mouse-eared bats. A key identifying feature of the gray myotis is that its wing is attached to the ankle and not at the base of the toes. It’s an endangered species.
Photo of a little brown myotis hanging from cave wall with lesions on its wrist.
Little Brown Myotis (Little Brown Bat)
Myotis lucifugus
The little brown myotis (little brown bat) is one of our most common bats, but populations are declining. White-nose syndrome has taken a heavy toll in northeastern states. This species is now listed as vulnerable across its range.
Photo of an Indiana myotis hanging from a cave ceiling.
Indiana Myotis (Indiana Bat)
Myotis sodalis
The Indiana myotis, or Indiana bat, summers along streams and rivers in north Missouri, raising its young under the bark of certain trees. It is an endangered species.

About Birds in Missouri

About 350 species of birds are likely to be seen in Missouri, though nearly 400 have been recorded within our borders. Most people know a bird when they see one — it has feathers, wings, and a bill. Birds are warm-blooded, and most species can fly. Many migrate hundreds or thousands of miles. Birds lay hard-shelled eggs (often in a nest), and the parents care for the young. Many communicate with songs and calls.

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