Birdwatching in Missouri

The Missouri state bird is the eastern bluebird, which was officially designated by the Missouri Legislature in 1927. This small songbird is known for its bright blue feathers and is considered a symbol of happiness. The eastern bluebird is commonly found in Missouri and is appreciated for its delightful song and non-aggressive nature.

Male bluebirds are a brilliant blue on their backs with rust orange on their chests. Females are a more subdued slate grey with dull orange on their chests. However, females do have bright blue on their wings and tails.

The American goldfinch is a familiar sight across Missouri’s open fields, prairies and suburban gardens. These birds are highly adaptable and thrive in areas with abundant seed-bearing plants like thistles and coneflowers. In summer, their bright yellow plumage makes them easy to spot, while in winter they molt into a muted olive tone, blending into the landscape.

American goldfinches can be found in most of North America and are usually resident all year. However, those that breed in Canada and the Midwest migrate to southern U.S. states for the winter.

Robins are among Missouri’s most recognizable birds, thriving in backyards, parks and forest edges. They live in yards and other grassy places where they forage on the ground for earthworms; they are easily observed as they sing and call from trees, power lines and rooftops.

Robins are often considered one of the first signs of spring, as they begin to appear more often out in the open as the days start to lengthen and warm.

The barred owl is a common resident in Missouri, known for its distinctive calls and preference for forested habitats near water sources.

They are most active at dusk and during the night, but patient observers can sometimes spot them roosting quietly in thick foliage during the day. Winter months provide an advantage, as bare trees make these large, round-headed owls easier to see.

The greater prairie-chicken is one of Missouri’s most fascinating and rare grassland birds, and seeing one is a true prize for birders. Greater prairie-chickens are best known for their elaborate mating rituals. Every spring, males gather together on traditional breeding grounds known as “leks” or “booming grounds,” where each male defends a small territory.

Once abundant across the state’s prairies, these birds have declined dramatically due to habitat loss, making them a conservation priority. Today, they are primarily found in managed grasslands in northwestern Missouri, where restoration efforts aim to preserve their populations.

For birders, the best chance to see greater prairie-chickens in Missouri is at Dunn Ranch Prairie or Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie, where managed habitats support small populations.

One of Missouri’s most widespread raptors, the red-tailed hawk is often seen soaring above highways or perched on utility poles and fence posts. Their broad wings and reddish tail make them easy to identify as they circle open fields in search of prey.

Winter birding offers excellent opportunities to observe these hawks, as they remain active and visible against bare trees and snowy landscapes.

A familiar sight at backyard feeders, the downy is the smallest North American woodpecker. The downy woodpecker has black-and-white upper parts that look checkered, streaked or spotted.

Attracting this woodpecker to your backyard is simple. Offer suet, sunflower seeds or peanuts. You might even catch them sipping sugar water from your hummingbird feeder!

Recognizable for its bright red plume and unique crest, the northern cardinal is a common sight in Missouri year-round.

In the spring, when male cardinals begin to court females, they will present their prospective mate with a seed or nut. If she accepts the gift, he'll feed it to her. From there, they’ll build a nest together and raise one to two broods of babies in the summer.

American tree sparrows are hardy winter visitors that bring subtle beauty to Missouri’s cold landscapes. Despite their name, these sparrows are not typically found in trees. They prefer open habitats like weedy fields, brushy edges and prairies.

Arriving in late fall from their breeding grounds in the far north, they spend the winter months foraging for seeds on the ground, often in small flocks.

Missouri is one of the best states to see bald eagles in winter, thanks to its proximity to the Mississippi River and large reservoirs. These majestic raptors gather near open water where fish remain accessible, creating spectacular viewing opportunities.

Birders should visit hotspots like Lock and Dam 24 or Lake of the Ozarks for dramatic views of eagles soaring overhead or perched in tall trees.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers are medium-sized woodpeckers with white shoulders. This woodpecker species has pale yellow on its underparts, small black markings on its sides, and a red patch on its forehead.

They arrive in Missouri in October and typically leave by late April. They migrate to the state during the winter months and can be found in mixed hardwood and pine forests throughout the state

Great horned owls remain active even in the coldest months, making winter an excellent time to observe them. Their deep, resonant hoots echo through Missouri woodlands at night, signaling their presence.

Birders can look for these owls perched in large trees near open fields, where they hunt rabbits and other prey. Dawn and dusk are the best times for sightings.

Dark-eyed juncos, often called “snowbirds,” are one of the most familiar winter visitors to Missouri. These small, slate-gray sparrows migrate south from northern forests and arrive in late fall, bringing lively activity to backyards, parks and woodland edges. Their crisp, white belly and flashing white outer tail feathers make them easy to identify as they hop along the ground in search of seeds.

Juncos are ground feeders, so birders can attract them by scattering millet or cracked corn beneath shrubs or on open patches of snow.

Northern saw-whet owls are among Missouri’s most elusive winter visitors, and spotting one is a true achievement for any birder. These tiny owls, measuring only about 8 inches long, are masters of concealment, spending daylight hours tucked into dense coniferous trees or thick brush.

Their name comes from their distinctive call, a repetitive, high-pitched “toot” that resembles the sound of a saw being sharpened. This call is often the best clue to their presence, as they are rarely seen without careful searching.

The white-throated sparrow is a distinctive songbird known for its striking head pattern, unique song and migratory behavior.

These medium-sized sparrows migrate south from Canada and the northern U.S. to spend the cold season in Missouri’s woodlands, brushy edges and backyard feeders. They’re often seen scratching in leaf litter for seeds or hopping beneath shrubs, so birders should keep an eye on the ground as well as low cover.

Winter wrens are tiny, energetic songbirds that bring life to Missouri’s forests during the colder months. Measuring only about four inches long, they are among the smallest birds you’ll encounter, yet their presence is unmistakable thanks to their rich, bubbling song.

For birders, finding a winter wren is a rewarding challenge. Their brown, finely barred plumage blends perfectly with leaf litter and woody debris, making them nearly invisible unless you catch their quick, darting movements low to the ground.

The great blue heron is one of Missouri’s most iconic wetland birds, and spotting one is always a highlight for birders. Standing over four feet tall with a wingspan that can reach six feet, these majestic birds are hard to miss as they glide slowly over rivers, lakes and marshes.

They are year-round residents in Missouri, making them a reliable species to observe in every season, though their presence is most noticeable near open water where fish are abundant.

Mallards are among the most recognizable and widespread ducks in Missouri, making them a perfect starting point for waterfowl enthusiasts. These adaptable birds thrive in a variety of habitats, from urban ponds and park lakes to sprawling wetlands and river backwaters.

In Missouri, they are present year-round, but their numbers swell during migration in fall and spring when flocks gather in impressive concentrations on larger bodies of water.

Belted kingfishers patrol Missouri streams and lakes year-round. Their rattling calls often announce their presence before you see them perched on a branch above the water. Watching a kingfisher dive headfirst into a stream is an unforgettable sight for any birder. They prefer clear water with abundant fish, so state parks and conservation areas are ideal locations.

Standing nearly four feet tall with long legs and necks, sandhill cranes are unmistakable in flight, gliding with slow, deliberate wingbeats and outstretched necks. Their migration through Missouri occurs primarily in late fall and early spring, as they travel between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas.

They’re large, tall birds, with long, slender necks and legs. Adults are a slate grey, with red on their faces above their bills.

Hooded mergansers are among the most striking waterfowl you can encounter in Missouri, especially during the cooler months. These small diving ducks are instantly recognizable by the male’s bold black-and-white plumage and dramatic fan-shaped crest, which he raises during courtship displays. Females are more subdued in color with warm brown tones and a subtle crest.

In Missouri, hooded mergansers are most commonly found on wooded ponds, backwaters and quiet streams, where they dive for fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans.

Ospreys are a significant presence in Missouri, with reintroduction efforts focusing on reservoirs like Truman Lake. They are known for their large size, with adults measuring about 24 inches in length with a wingspan of 66 inches.

They are primarily found near lakes and rivers, where they forage for fish by hovering and plunging feet-first to catch them near the water’s surface. Their reintroduction efforts have led to an increase in sightings, especially around reservoirs and during spring and fall migration periods.

The trumpeter swan is the largest waterfowl species in North America. These swans can weigh more than 25 pounds and boast a wingspan of up to eight feet. They favor shallow lakes, reservoirs and marshes where aquatic vegetation is abundant.

Trumpeter swans are a species of concern in Missouri. It has been absent from the state throughout most of the 20th century but today occurs as migrants and during the winter in our state.

Spotted sandpipers are one of Missouri’s most distinctive and widespread shorebirds, known for their unique foraging style and seasonal plumage.

In Missouri, spotted sandpipers are most commonly seen during spring and fall migration, frequenting riverbanks, lake edges and muddy flats. They forage by picking insects and small invertebrates from the water’s edge, often darting quickly between rocks and debris.