Field Guide

Birds

Showing 1 - 10 of 31 results
Photo of a horned lark standing on sand in very shallow water.
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris
Horned larks are common in open, plowed crop fields anywhere in Missouri. Their movement against the ground, and their distinctively marked faces and “horns,” can help you see their flocks.
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.
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.
bobolink
Bobolink
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
The male bobolink is the only North American bird that has light feathers above and dark feathers below. In fall and winter, the male resembles the buffy and brown-streaked female.
Image of a song sparrow
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
The song sparrow is an uncommon nester but a common winter resident throughout Missouri. You can find the song sparrow along forest edges and in many backyards.
Image of a field sparrow
Field Sparrow
Spizella pusilla
Field sparrows live in weedy, brushy fields, glades, and overgrown pastures. They have a gray head with rusty side stripes on the crown, and a rusty eyeline and cheek. The bill and legs are pink.
Photograph of a Eurasian Tree Sparrow perched on a brick surface
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus
The Eurasian tree sparrow and the house sparrow were brought to America in hopes of controlling insects, but both have become pests. These Old World sparrows are more closely related to birds in the Middle East and India than to our native American sparrows.
Image of lincoln's sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
Lincoln's sparrow is small and shy, with fine streaks on its breast. In late fall and early spring, look for them along prairie edges and at bird feeders.
Photo of a savannah sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
Savannah sparrows live in open habitat with nearby dense cover. In Missouri, we see them during migration and winters, but not summers.
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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