Field Guide

Birds

Showing 101 - 110 of 117 results
Photo of an eastern phoebe perched on a small branch.
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Eastern phoebes often build their mud-and-plant nests on the side of a house, just under a roof or other overhang. These small flycatchers repeatedly cry out their own name: “FEE-bee! FEE-bee!”
Photo of two black vultures standing on the ground
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Although turkey vultures are much more common in Missouri, black vultures are expanding their range northward, and sightings of them are increasing. Note their black head, shorter tail, and (seen from below) a white patch near the ends of the wings.
Male tree swallow perched atop a wooden post
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Tree swallows are sleek, agile fliers with white underparts and dark upperparts that look glossy blue or blue-green in good light. They are common migrants in Missouri. People most often see them chasing flying insects over wetlands and other aquatic habitats.
Side view of lesser yellowlegs walking in shallow water
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
The lesser yellowlegs migrates through Missouri in spring and fall, its numbers peaking in late April and late August. Identify this dainty, bright-yellow-legged shorebird by its color pattern and bill.
Side view of pectoral sandpiper, wading and dipping bill into water
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
The pectoral sandpiper migrates through Missouri in spring and fall. Its numbers peak in May and September. Identify this medium-sized, chunky shorebird by the sharp boundary between its dark-streaked breast and clear white belly.
Black-necked stilt wading in shallow water
Black-Necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
The black-necked stilt migrates through Missouri in spring and fall. In summer, it breeds locally in the Bootheel. It’s easy to identify, with its black back, white belly, long pink legs, and long, thin, straight bill.
Bank swallow perched on wooden rail
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Bank swallows are brown above and white below, with a dark brown band across the breast. In Missouri, they are a locally common summer resident, nesting in holes they excavate in steep mud embankments.
Northern rough-winged swallow perched on barbed wire, viewed from side
Northern Rough-Winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Northern rough-winged swallows are sleek, agile fliers with brown upperparts, brownish-white throat, and whitish underparts. They are common summer residents in Missouri. People most often see them chasing flying insects over land or water.
Common loon in nonbreeding plumage floating on a lake
Common Loon
Gavia immer
The common loon, the iconic yodeling bird of northern lakes, may be seen in Missouri during migration and winter. It's less likely we'll see their black-and-white breeding plumage here, but their large size, distinctive shape, and diving behavior helps ID them.
American bittern at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
The American bittern is a well-camouflaged, stealthy heron that lives in wetlands, lakes, and ponds. In Missouri, we usually see it in spring and fall. Listen in spring, at predawn or dusk, for its distinctive gulping calls.
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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