Field Guide

Birds

Showing 1 - 10 of 46 results
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 Vireo
Vireo flavifrons
While most vireos are drab, the yellow-throated vireo boasts a bright yellow breast, throat, and spectacles. Look for it in places with mature trees.
Photo of a northern parula warbler a long distance away
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana (formerly Parula americana)
The northern parula is a small summer resident warbler with gray-blue upperparts, two white wingbars, and a greenish-yellow patch on the back. The male has black and chestnut bands on the yellow breast.
Photo of a yellow-breasted chat perched on a small branch
Yellow-Breasted Chat
Icteria virens
Our largest warbler, the yellow-breasted chat utters a wide variety of mews, chats, whistles, and stutters. Look for singing males during breeding season. Other times, they hide successfully in brambles and thickets.
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 white-eyed vireo perched on a small branch
White-Eyed Vireo
Vireo griseus
The white-eyed vireo’s white irises would seem its most distinctive feature, but it’s actually better known for its distinctive, loud, vociferous song.
Photo of a warbling vireo perched on a small branch
Warbling Vireo
Vireo gilvus
The warbling vireo is a drab little bird with a colorful, brilliant song. It’s a common summer resident. Listen for it in forests, woodlands, and suburbs, especially in large trees near water.
Photo of a chimney swift in flight, viewed from below
Chimney Swift
Chaetura pelagica
About the only way to see chimney swifts — unless you look in a chimney flue — is while they’re flying. They look like “flying cigars,” with long narrow wings, and chitter loudly as they fly.
Photo of a male purple martin perched on martin box
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Generations of Americans have greeted the annual return of purple martins, with their cheerful calls, graceful flight, and faithful reappearance each year. But martin populations have been declining. Find out what you can do to help these agile fliers.
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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