Field Guide

Birds

Showing 21 - 30 of 69 results
Image of bachman's sparrow
Bachman's Sparrow
Peucaea aestivalis (formerly Aimophila aestivalis)
Bachman's sparrow is a large, ground-nesting sparrow that lives in dry, scrubby areas. It is listed as endangered in Missouri, where its historic habitat is in decline.
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.
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.
Photo of a male painted bunting, side view.
Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris
The male painted bunting is one of the most colorful birds in North America, with its blue head, red underparts, and green back. Look for it in tangles and thickets in the southwest part of our state.
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.
Image of eastern bluebird
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
The eastern bluebird is the state bird of Missouri. Many say its song sounds like “Cheer cheerful charmer.” The male has blue upperparts and rusty and white underparts.
Image of a fox sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
The fox sparrow is our largest sparrow and is named for its foxlike color. It commonly rustles through the leaves and seeds under bird feeders, kicking with both feet at the same time.
Photo of an immature harris's sparrow
Harris's Sparrow
Zonotrichia querula
The Harris's sparrow's black bib, face, and crown contrast sharply with its gray cheeks, white belly, and pink beak. In winter, seek this bird in brushy fields and open woods in western Missouri.
Photograph of a male House Finch
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
A time traveler from the 1970s or before would be amazed to see so many house finches in Missouri, for they are native to the American West. Now it's a common Missouri backyard bird.
Wood Thrush
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
This is the melodious “bell bird” of Missouri forests. Though this relative of the American robin and eastern bluebird might be hard to locate, its flutelike voice decorates the sound of woodlands the way wildflowers decorate the forest floor.
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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