Field Guide

Birds

Showing 21 - 30 of 34 results
Media
Photo of a greater yellowlegs wading in water.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Tringa melanoleuca
Description
One of the more common of about 35 shorebirds that migrate through Missouri, the greater yellowlegs is large, with a slightly upturned bill and long, bright yellow legs.
Media
Hooded Warbler
Species Types
Scientific Name
Setophaga citrina (formerly Wilsonia citrina)
Description
The male hooded warbler’s yellow face and underparts stand out against its black hood and bib. Look for it in dense thickets in rich bottomland forests of southern Missouri.
Media
Photo of a red-eyed vireo perched on a small branch.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Vireo olivaceus
Description
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.”
Media
Photo of a male common yellowthroat
Species Types
Scientific Name
Geothlypis trichas
Description
The male common yellowthroat wears a black mask that contrasts strongly against the bright yellow underparts. The female is olive brown. A common summer resident in Missouri’s marshes and other wet areas.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Vireo flavifrons
Description
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.
Media
Photo of a Kentucky warbler perched on a small branch
Species Types
Scientific Name
Geothlypis formosa (formerly Oporornis formosus)
Description
The Kentucky warbler is a common summer resident in Missouri. It prefers moist, wooded areas with plenty of tangles and shrubs. Note its yellow spectacles, black sideburns, and clear 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 a male evening grosbeak eating sunflower seeds at a feeder.
Species Types
Scientific Name
Coccothraustes vespertinus
Description
Evening grosbeaks are sporadically present in Missouri — flocks sometimes wander here from the north during winter. When flocks appear at backyard birdfeeders, it creates a local sensation.
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.