Field Guide

Birds

Showing 1 - 10 of 18 results
Media
Photo of a male scissor-tailed flycatcher perched on a barbwire fence.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Tyrannus forficatus
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a northern parula warbler a long distance away
Species Types
Scientific Name
Setophaga americana (formerly Parula americana)
Description
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.
Media
Species Types
Scientific Name
Setophaga dominica (formerly Dendroica dominica)
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a white-eyed vireo perched on a small branch
Species Types
Scientific Name
Vireo griseus
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a warbling vireo perched on a small branch
Species Types
Scientific Name
Vireo gilvus
Description
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.
Media
Photo of bald eagle soaring
Species Types
Scientific Name
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Description
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.
Media
Image of barn owl face.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Tyto alba
Description
Barn owls are highly nocturnal birds with a heart-shaped face. They love to eat mice. Most nests are in grain elevators, old barns, and similar places.
Media
Northern Saw-Whet Owl
Species Types
Scientific Name
Aegolius acadicus
Description
The northern saw-whet owl is the most nocturnal of our owls. On the rare occasions it is seen, it is usually perched near the ground in dense cover or in the entrance of a tree cavity.
Media
Photo of male Baltimore oriole perched on branch
Species Types
Scientific Name
Icterus galbula
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a savannah sparrow
Species Types
Scientific Name
Passerculus sandwichensis
Description
Savannah sparrows live in open habitat with nearby dense cover. In Missouri, we see them during migration and winters, but not summers.
See Also
Media
Photo of a Snowberry Clearwing
Species Types
Scientific Name
Hemaris diffinis
Description
The snowberry clearwing is a moth that confuses people because it looks like a bumblebee and flies like a hummingbird!
Media
White-Lined Sphinx Moth
Species Types
Scientific Name
Hyles lineata
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a Virginia Creeper Sphinx moth
Species Types
Scientific Name
Darapsa myron
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a tricolored bat hanging from a cave ceiling.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Perimyotis subflavus (formerly Pipistrellus subflavus)
Description
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.
Media
Photo of four gray myotises clinging to a cave ceiling.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Myotis grisescens
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a little brown myotis hanging from cave wall with lesions on its wrist.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Myotis lucifugus
Description
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.
Media
Photo of an Indiana myotis hanging from a cave ceiling.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Myotis sodalis
Description
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.