Birdwatching

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Four women birdwatching; all are looking through binoculars
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Birding is popular because it’s easy to get started, and it offers increasingly greater rewards the more you learn. It’s also an inexpensive hobby — a field guide and pair of binoculars are all you need.

Read on for tips on how to get started identifying Missouri's birds around your home or out in the field. This section provides information on:

  • Birdwatching tools
  • Identifying birds
  • Bird behavior and habitats
  • Great places to watch birds in Missouri
  • MDC bird-related events
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Featured Topics
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Woman with Binoculars
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Learn about binoculars and field guides as well as birding apps and other helpful tools.

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Learn key features that will help you tell bird species apart.

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Upload and store your bird sightings in this online database and view sightings of other birders around the world. 

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The Great Missouri Birding Trail was created to show birders the best places to find birds around the state. 

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Related Content

Great Places For Birdwatching

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parking lot at Harrisonville North Lake
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This area is owned by the City of Harrisonville and the fishery is managed under a cooperative

Birding Events

Private Event | My Events | My Profile

Displaying 1 - 17 of 17
Registration period: February 6 - March 21
Date: Friday, March 22, 2024 10:00 am - Friday, March 22, 2024 11:00 am
Location: Tower Grove Park-Stone Shelter

Birding is a great activity for all ages! At this beginning birding for children class, we’ll learn some common backyard birds and how to identify them. We’ll also learn how to use binoculars, and even go on a short walk to the Robert and Martha Gaddy Wild Bird Garden to practice our new birding skills!

We will meet at the Stone Shelter. The program will take place outdoors, so please dress accordingly. All supplies will be provided.

This program is designed for children ages 5+.

Registration period: February 23 - March 23
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 10:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 1:00 pm
Location: Online only
Virtual Webex! Spring is nearly here, and the toms will beginning strutting soon. That can only mean one thing! Spring turkey season is just around the corner! Through the generations, Missourians have enjoyed pursuing these large elusive birds. Join us as we explore the basics of turkey hunting, including calling, scouting, locations, equipment, techniques and more. This program is appropriate for adults and family's with children ages 9 and above. Children 9-15 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Webex virtual program link will be sent within 24 hours of program start date.
Registration period: February 23 - March 23
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 10:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 1:00 pm
Location: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center
Spring is nearly here, and the toms will beginning strutting soon. That can only mean one thing! Spring turkey season is just around the corner! Through the generations, Missourians have enjoyed pursuing these large elusive birds. Join us as we explore the basics of turkey hunting, including calling, scouting, locations, equipment, techniques and more. This program is appropriate for adults and family's with children ages 9 and above. Children 9-15 must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 11:00 am - Saturday, March 23, 2024 12:00 pm
Location: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center
Have you ever paid attention to birds and how their body works? Birds have amazing specialized structures that help them survive in the wild. One of these specialized structures are their beaks, which can be in many different shapes and sizes. Come and learn more about bird beaks while doing some fun hands-on activities!
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 1:30 pm - Saturday, March 23, 2024 2:30 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Come learn about the birds traveling through, and returning to, Missouri with the spring weather at our discovery table. We’ll talk about some of the birds you could see soon with the warm weather at your local feeders. Ask our naturalist any questions you may have about some of the returning birds and when will you be able to see your favorites again.
Registration period: December 15 - March 26
Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 2:00 pm - Tuesday, March 26, 2024 2:30 pm
Location: Online only
March is a busy time for bluebird parents. From finding a nesting location, to building a nest, and defending their home, these busy birds are easy to spot. Join us as we learn more about the interesting lives of Missouri’s state bird and what we can do to help them catch a break. Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.
Registration period: March 1 - March 29
Date: Friday, March 29, 2024 6:00 pm - Friday, March 29, 2024 8:30 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
This is no joke! Join Runge naturalists as we learn about the interesting life history and sky dance of Wilson’s snipe and the closely related American woodcock. After an indoor portion of the program, we will venture out to a local conservation area in search of these birds. Make sure to dress for the weather, including a pair of waterproof shoes or boots. Registration required. Ages 7+.
Registration period: April 1 - April 9
Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 8:00 am - Tuesday, April 9, 2024 10:00 am
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those that need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+
Registration period: February 28 - April 9
Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 6:00 pm - Tuesday, April 9, 2024 7:00 pm
Location: Online only
Naturalist Notes is a serial program where a naturalist showcases one of their favorite nature topics. Join Naturalist Morgan Wyatt as she discusses why she loves warblers and how to improve your warbler identification skills. This program will not be recorded. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link.
Registration period: March 14 - April 12
Date: Friday, April 12, 2024 3:00 pm - Friday, April 12, 2024 4:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Are you struggling to get birds at your feeder? Come to Powder Valley to learn some tips to make your feeders more productive and find out how we manage our feeders.
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 10:00 am - Saturday, April 13, 2024 11:30 am
Location: Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
No registration required (ages 12+) Owls are without a doubt some of the most fascinating raptors we have the experience to observe in Missouri! MDC and Missouri River Bird Observatory partner to investigate the mysteries of these regal birds. Join us to learn more about owl species and conservation efforts to support owl populations. Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation and a special live animal education ambassador will be joining us. It'll be a hoot! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 12:30 pm - Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:00 pm
Location: Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
No registration required (ages 12+) Owls are without a doubt some of the most fascinating raptors we have the experience to observe in Missouri! MDC and Missouri River Bird Observatory partner to investigate the mysteries of these regal birds. Join us to learn more about owl species and conservation efforts to support owl populations. Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation and a special live animal education ambassador will be joining us. It'll be a hoot! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.
Registration period: March 11 - April 12
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6:30 pm - Tuesday, April 16, 2024 8:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Create a unique, wearable work-of-art using a turkey feather. Not only will you take home a personal souvenir, but you will also learn about turkey hunting in Missouri. This is a hands-on class and participants must be at least 16 years of age to participate.
Registration period: April 1 - April 18
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:00 am - Thursday, April 18, 2024 10:00 am
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those that need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+
Registration period: April 1 - April 26
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024 8:00 am - Friday, April 26, 2024 10:00 am
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those that need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+
Registration period: March 6 - May 10
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024 9:00 am - Saturday, May 11, 2024 11:30 am
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

An early stage social engagement session for persons with early stage dementia and their care partner. Did you know that getting outdoors, interacting with nature, and learning new skills have shown to have positive benefits for individuals living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia? Join us at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024 to learn the basics of birding. This session will include tips for using binoculars, ways to identify bird songs and how to use a field guide. This slow-paced, gentle walk will be held on the Farkleberry Knob Trail, a quarter-mile paved trail at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in North County Park. We will also discuss how being outdoors can benefit those living with dementia and their caregivers. You may bring your own binoculars, or a pair will be provided for you.

This is a cooperative program with the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Date: Friday, August 2, 2024 6:30 pm - Friday, August 2, 2024 7:30 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

Join photographer Paul Moffett in exploring the birds of the confluence. After retirement Paul started work on documenting, via photography, the birds of the confluence area. He's documented over 300 specimens in that 20 mile stretch between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers confluence and the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers confluence. He volunteers for Audubon at Riverlands primarily working with the Swan Society and Missouri Department of Conservation.

This program is part of our Nature Center @ Night series, the building will remain open until 7:30pm.
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Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. Find places to view eagles on your own, or join us at some of the many Eagle Days events scheduled around the state.

Eagle Days Events

There are no events scheduled at this time.