Field Guide

Birds

Showing 11 - 20 of 117 results
Photo of a broad-winged hawk perched on a branch in the sunshine.
Broad-Winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
The broad-winged hawk is stocky, with a large head and short tail. They are often seen migrating in large flocks. From below, note the pointed wingtips and broad black trailing edge to the pale wings.
Photo of a male common yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
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.
Photo of a green heron
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Green, gray, and brown, the stocky, crow-sized green heron hunches motionless at the water’s edge, waiting patiently for a fish to swim within striking distance.
Photo of a cattle egret
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Cattle egrets are small, stocky white herons. Adults have yellow bills and legs. At breeding time, the legs and bills turn red, and the feathers of head, breast, and back are orangish tan.
Louisiana Waterthrush
Parkesia motacilla (formerly Seiurus motacilla)
The Louisiana waterthrush is a warbler that typically walks along the banks of flowing streams, pecking at insects and other small invertebrates. Its loud, ringing song is distinctive.
Yellow-Throated Warbler
Setophaga dominica (formerly Dendroica dominica)
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.
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.
Photo of two ruddy ducks floating on water.
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
The ruddy duck is small, compact diving duck with a long, stiff tail that is often cocked up. Breeding males are conspicuous with their dark cinnamon body, bright white cheek patch, black head, and blue bill.
Photo of a male bufflehead duck floating on water
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Buffleheads are small, compact ducks with large, rounded heads. They bob lightly in the water, then, in a flash, dive below the surface.
Photo of a male common goldeneye floating on the surface of the Mississippi River
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
The common goldeneye is a common migrant and winter resident in Missouri. A diving duck, it is usually found on open water of rivers and lakes.
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.