Field Guide

Birds

Showing 31 - 40 of 104 results
Photo of a bay-breasted warbler
Bay-Breasted Warbler
Setophaga castanea (formerly Dendroica castanea)
The male bay-breasted warbler is easy to identify, while females and nonbreeding males present a challenge. This species migrates through Missouri in spring and fall.
A close up of a small bird with blue feathers and a white front, holding a sunflower seed in its beak.
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
White-breasted nuthatches, the upside-down birds, creep up and down tree trunks and on the tops and bottoms of branches. The call is a nasal “yank” or “yank-yank.”
Photograph of a Brown Creeper
Brown Creeper
Certhia americana
Like a wren that behaves like a woodpecker, the brown creeper is a small brown and white bird that creeps in upward spirals around the trunks of trees, using its tail as a prop.
Photo of an eastern meadowlark, side view, on snowy ground.
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
In prairies and other open grassy areas, eastern meadowlarks sing sweet, slurring songs from fence posts and power lines. Note the long, sharp bill and the yellow breast with black V-shaped marking.
Photo of a western meadowlark showing yellow moustachial streak.
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
The western meadowlark is less common in Missouri than the eastern meadowlark. Slightly paler and with a very different song, it’s a permanent resident only in the northwest corner of the state.
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.
Photograph of a European Starling
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Few Americans love this bold nonnative bird, purposefully introduced to our continent in the late 1800s and now abundant throughout our country.
Photo of a male indigo bunting perched on a branch, side view.
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
One of the most colorful birds in Missouri, the indigo bunting is frequently seen flying up from gravel roads. It is one of the most abundant and easily seen and heard birds in the state.
Photo of a male blue grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea (formerly Guiraca caerulea)
The male blue grosbeak is one of Missouri’s most colorful birds, but it is uncommon. To see one, learn to recognize its voice, and visit likely habitats in the Ozarks, May–September.
Photo of a male house sparrow
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
The house sparrow was brought to America from Europe, but instead of controlling insect pests, it became a pest itself. Also called the English sparrow, its hordes compete with native birds for nesting sites.
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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