Field Guide

Birds

Showing 1 - 10 of 14 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 a greater yellowlegs wading in water.
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
One of the more common of about 35 shorebirds that migrate through Missouri, the greater yellowlegs is large, with a slightly upturned bill and long, bright yellow legs.
Photo of a male common yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
The male common yellowthroat wears a black mask that contrasts strongly against the bright yellow underparts. The female is olive brown. A common summer resident in Missouri’s marshes and other wet areas.
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 bald eagle soaring
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Our national symbol, the mature bald eagle is unmistakable with its dark brown body, yellow bill, and white head and tail. It soars with wings held flat and can have a 7-foot wingspan.
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.
Photo of male Baltimore oriole perched on branch
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Often, you'll hear the male Baltimore oriole's loud, flutelike song before you locate the bright orange singer as he moves among the boughs of trees.
White-Throated Sparrow
White-Throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
White-throateds have a boldly striped black-and-white crown, gray cheek, and a yellow patch between the bill and the eye. They spend winter in Missouri.
Photo of a male orchard oriole
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
The orchard oriole is a common summer resident in Missouri. Males are rusty and black; females are olive green and yellowish. Look for them high in trees in places with scattered trees, especially near water.
Image of a rose-breasted grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
The rose-breasted grosbeak's song is a beautiful, robin-like carol. Grosbeaks are chubby birds with heavy bills used for gathering and eating beetles, seeds, and fruits.
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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