Backyard Birds of Missouri: Identify and Attract Common Species (2024)

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Are you curious to learn more about the birds of Missouri? Whether you’re a longtime resident or just visiting, there’s no better way to get acquainted with our state than by getting outdoors and observing its incredible variety of backyard birds.

From Northern Cardinals to Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, and American Robins, this article will help identify some of the most common species in Missouri – as well as provide helpful tips for attracting them into your own backyard!

With a bit of patience and careful observation (plus an eye out for seasonal migrations), soon enough you’ll have developed an intimate knowledge of the diverse avian population that calls our state home.

So read on – it’s time to discover all about finding and appreciating those beautiful backyard birds in Missouri!

Missouri Birds and Birding in Missouri State

Now that you’ve learned about the diverse array of feathered friends and bird-watching opportunities in the Show-Me State, it’s time to delve deeper into Missouri’s avian wonders.

Missouri is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with its abundant natural habitats and prime location along major migratory routes. From the lush forests of Mark Twain National Forest to the wetlands at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, there are numerous hotspots for observing a wide variety of species.

Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, Missouri offers endless opportunities for capturing stunning images of backyard birds in their natural habitat.

Additionally, there are various birding organizations and events throughout the state that provide educational resources and community engagement opportunities for avid birdwatchers like yourself.

Missouri Bird Identification

As an avid birder in Missouri, you’ll often come across the vibrant Northern Cardinal with its striking red plumage and distinctive crest. Blue Jays are another common sight, known for their bold blue coloration and noisy calls that echo through the trees.

Mourning Doves can be found throughout the state, recognized by their soft cooing sounds and delicate gray-brown feathers.

American Robins bring a burst of color to your backyard with their orange breasts and cheerful songs filling the air. And don’t forget about the Red-bellied Woodpecker, a frequent visitor known for its zebra-like back pattern and distinctive call that resonates through wooded areas.

Northern Cardinal

Imagine catching a glimpse of a vibrant red bird with its distinctive crest perched on a branch, filling your surroundings with its melodic song – it’s the Northern Cardinal, bringing joy and beauty to your outdoor space.

Enduring Missouri winters has conditioned Northern Cardinals to aggressively defend food sources. They prefer black oil sunflower seeds in platform feeders near dense shrubs that provide cover.

Widespread across the state in suitable habitats, cardinals commonly nest in thickets and forage on seeds and berries from low vegetation. With the male’s striking plumage and familiar whistle, Northern Cardinals brighten backyards as a quintessential Missouri backyard bird.

Blue Jay

Let jays jar you awake with their raucous calls as they swoop through the treetops. These vibrant blue, crested birds flock together, squawking loudly as they flit between oak trees searching for acorns.

Come spring, males will court females with gifts of food and nest-building materials. Discover their scratchy jeers and bell-like whistles as jays alert each other while foraging on the ground. Alert and curious, blue jays add boisterous beauty to Missouri backyards. Their intelligence and adaptability ensure dynamic encounters for observant birders.

Mourning Dove

Spotting a Mourning Dove perched on a tree branch, one can admire its soft gray plumage and slender body. These graceful birds are commonly found in Missouri’s backyard habitats, including forests, suburbs, and farmlands.

Mourning Doves have a gentle cooing call that is often heard throughout the day. They mainly feed on seeds from grasses and plants but also consume fruits and insects. Their nests are simple platforms made of twigs where they lay two eggs at a time.

During the migration season, some Mourning Doves may travel south for warmer climates while others remain in Missouri year-round.

American Robin

When you see an American Robin, you’ll notice its distinctive red breast, and it’s a sure sign that spring has arrived.

Typically one of the first harbingers of warmer weather, the familiar American Robin returns from wintering south to nest and feed here in Missouri each spring. Adored by many for the cheerful song of this backyard visitor, spotting a robin evokes a hopeful feeling that winter’s chill has passed.

• Prominent black head and wings with orange-red breast feathers
• Eats earthworms, insects, fruits, and berries
• Nests in shrubs and small trees low to the ground

Robin’s melodious caroling erupts at dawn while foraging on lawns. Their flashed tail feathers and reddish-orange breast are unmistakable. This largest North American thrush excavates yards seeking worms and insects. The robin remains an endearing fixture when nesting in backyards come springtime in Missouri.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

You’d hear its drumming before you’d see Missouri’s red-bellied woodpecker. This loud woodpecker drums to establish territory and attract mates. Though secretive, its zebra-striped back gives it away. It gorges on ants, beetles and fruits in dead trees and kills mature trees for nest cavities.

Planting snags attracts these striking birds. With luck, you’ll glimpse its namesake red belly in flight. Native plants like elderberry sustain this adaptable woodpecker, a familiar sight in Missouri backyards.

Common Birds in Missouri

You might be wondering what kinds of birds visit backyards throughout Missouri. The most common backyard birds seen in the state all year are Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, American Goldfinches, European Starlings, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and House Sparrows.

Most Common Backyard Birds in Missouri Throughout the Year

To fully appreciate the diverse avian species found in Missouri, take note of the most common feathered visitors that frequent your outdoor space throughout the year. Backyard birding in Missouri offers an opportunity to observe a variety of species such as cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, and sparrows.

By selecting appropriate bird feeders and offering a variety of food options like sunflower seeds and suet, you can attract these common backyard birds to your yard for year-round enjoyment. Creating native habitats with trees and shrubs also provides essential cover for these birds throughout different seasons.

Most Common Backyard Birds in Missouri in Winter

Brrrrr! Your bird feeders now attract colorful northern cardinals, busy downy woodpeckers, acrobatic white-breasted nuthatches, and gossiping blue jays as Missouri’s winter residents hunker down.

Winter birdwatching is enjoyable from cozy indoors, viewing northern cardinals’ bright red plumages against snowy backdrops.

Bird feeding year-round sustains nutrition through barren months when insects are scarce for insectivorous birds.

Backyard bird photography in winter provides artistic challenges to capture species’ striking colors amid frozen scenes.

Bird friendly landscaping with native plants offers essential shelter from icy winds and snow storms.

This winter bounty of avian activity rewards efforts providing refuge and nourishment.

Engage with your feathered neighbors outside the comfort of home to fully embrace the season’s gifts.

Most Common Backyard Birds in Missouri in Summer

Stepping outside on a warm summer day, the air filled with the sweet melodies of colorful wings fluttering about. Missouri is a haven for birdwatchers during this season, offering an array of fascinating species to observe in your own backyard.

Some common backyard birds in Missouri during the summer include Eastern Bluebirds, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, and House Finches. To attract these beautiful creatures, provide them with fresh water sources and native plants that offer shelter and food.

Explore birding hotspots recommended by the Missouri Audubon Society or set up different types of bird feeders to cater to specific species’ preferences.

Common Backyard Birds of Kansas City, Missouri

The backyard birds of Kansas City provide year-round entertainment as they flock to your feeders for tasty seeds and nuts. Species like the Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, and Tufted Titmouse display beauty and charm in every season.

Take time to observe each bird’s unique markings and behaviors as they perch on branches, bathe in puddles, and balance acrobatically on feeders.

Experiment with no-mess seed mixes, fruit-infused suet cakes, and nectar feeders to discover which fare entices the most visitors. Spend an hour at dawn or dusk with binoculars and a field guide, recording new species as they pass through on migration.

With a well-stocked feeding station and fresh water, your backyard will become a magnet where fascinating feathered friends gather.

Cherish this serene avian retreat as a peaceful escape from the bustle of city living.

Common Backyard Birds of St Louis, Missouri

You’d be fascinated to learn that even urban St. Louis attracts a diversity of native birds with proper habitats. The city isn’t just known for its iconic Gateway Arch but also for its thriving bird population.

From the vibrant Northern Cardinal to the elegant Red-tailed Hawk, there’re plenty of common backyard birds in St. Louis, Missouri that’ll captivate your attention and fill your mornings with delightful melodies and graceful flights.

To attract these feathered friends to your yard, consider selecting a bird feeder that suits their preferences and needs. Whether it’s tube feeders for finches or platform feeders for ground-feeding species like sparrows, providing a variety of food sources will entice different types of birds.

When embarking on an exciting journey into birdwatching in St. Louis, keep some helpful tips in mind: carry a field guide or use smartphone apps like eBird data to identify specific species; create DIY birdhouses using suitable materials such as wood or recycled plastic; install birdbaths which offer multiple benefits including drinking water and bathing opportunities while attracting more avian visitors.

Exploring popular local hotspots such as Forest Park or Tower Grove Park can provide excellent opportunities to observe various migratory species during spring migration seasons.

Common Backyard Birds of Springfield, Missouri

You’re marvelin’ over the vibrant yellow goldfinches dartin’ to the thistle feeder in Springfield’s vibrant wildlife gardens. As you immerse yourself in birdwatchin’, there are a few tips and tricks that can enhance your experience.

• Bird Feeder Selection: Choose feeders that cater to different bird species, such as tube feeders for finches and platform feeders for sparrows.
• Spring Migration Tips: During spring migration, keep an eye out for colorful visitors like warblers and orioles passin’ through Springfield.
• Bird Friendly Landscapin’: Create a welcomin’ habitat by plantin’ native trees and shrubs that provide food sources, shelter, and nestin’ sites.
• Bird Species Spotting: Keep an eye out for popular backyard birds like house finch, American goldfinch, chippin’ sparrow, black-capped chickadee, and house sparrow.

By incorporatin’ these strategies into your birdwatchin’ routine in Springfield, you’ll have even more opportunities to observe Missouri’s diverse avian population up close.

Free Printable Backyard Birds Worksheets for Missouri

You’ve likely wished for handy resources to liven up kids’ learning on Missouri’s backyard birds. Our printable worksheets engage young explorers with coloring, matching, and ID activities to supplement nature studies.

Beat boredom and foster appreciation for local wildlife with these educational tools. Kids thrive when given chances to connect with the natural world through hands-on learning. These free printables will inspire the next generation of birding enthusiasts in the Show Me State.

From coloring pages of red-bellied woodpeckers to matching quizzes on migratory warblers, our backyard birding worksheets encourage active participation. Pair these materials with bird walks, nest box building, and feeder observation for well-rounded, experiential learning.

Your kids will beg to learn more about Missouri’s incredible birdlife with these engaging printables.

Attracting Birds to Your Yard in Missouri

Having spent years studying the birds of Missouri, I can offer some helpful tips for attracting more feathered friends to your backyard. Providing a variety of bird feeders with high-quality seed, adding a clean water source, offering birdhouses for nesting, and creating sheltered spots in your landscaping are great ways to make your yard an avian oasis.

Best Bird Feeders to Attract Birds

Ready to create a bird-friendly oasis? Check out these top-notch feeders that will attract an array of feathered friends to your yard!

• Tube Feeders: Ideal for attracting small songbirds like finches and chickadees.
• Platform Feeders: Perfect for larger birds such as cardinals and jays.
• Suet Feeders: Great for woodpeckers and nuthatches, providing high-energy food in the form of suet cakes.
• Hummingbird Feeders: Specifically designed with red coloring to attract hummingbirds, offering sugar water or nectar solution.
• Nyjer Seed (Thistle) Feeders: A must-have for goldfinches, siskins, and other finch species.

Remember to select feeders based on the types of birds you want to attract. Place them in areas with good visibility but also some cover.

Happy birdwatching!

Adding a Water Source

Create a welcoming oasis in your outdoor space by incorporating a refreshing water source that will attract an array of vibrant wildlife. Choosing birdbaths or bird-friendly fountains can provide essential hydration for birds while also adding aesthetic appeal to your yard.

These water features serve as gathering spots for not only backyard birds but also aquatic species like ducks and herons. Pairing them with strategically placed birdhouses and feeders can create a dynamic ecosystem that attracts various avian visitors, including the ruby-throated hummingbird and orioles.

Offering Birdhouses

Enhance your outdoor sanctuary by offering cozy homes for feathered friends with a variety of birdhouses, creating a neighborhood where avian residents can settle down and raise their families.

• Consider birdhouse selection based on desired species and entrance hole size preferences.
• Strategically place birdhouses away from predators but visible for monitoring.
• Perform maintenance like cleaning annually to provide safe, sanitary nesting sites.
• Get creative with fun DIY birdhouse ideas using recycled materials.
• Research which birds prefer open platforms vs. enclosed cavities for nesting.

Providing birdhouses tailored to your backyard visitors’ needs will nurture new generations of songbirds to cherish.

Providing Shelter

Build a welcoming and cozy habitat with native trees and shrubs to provide essential shelter for a variety of bird species in your yard. Birds seek the protection of dense foliage, evergreen branches, and snags to stay safe from harsh weather and predators.

Consider planting dogwoods, viburnums, native hollies, and spruces, which offer excellent cover. You can also build and mount nest boxes for cavity dwellers like chickadees. Providing good shelter encourages more birds to call your yard home.

How to Identify Birds in Missouri

You’ll want to get a good pair of binoculars and a field guide that covers the 400+ species that can be found in the area. Paying attention to bird size, shape, color patterns, behavior, habitat, and songs will help you accurately identify species.

For example, 75% of Missouri’s nesting bird species can be found in their big oaks.

Know the size – is it sparrow-sized, robin-sized, or goose-sized?

Observe shape and color patterns – does it have a crest, eye ring, wing bars?

Note behavior – how does it fly, walk, feed?

Consider habitat – field, forest, near water?

Listen to vocalizations – songs, chip notes, drumming.

With practice, you’ll start recognizing frequent visitors like the red-winged blackbird, dark-eyed junco, northern flicker, eastern bluebird, and carolina chickadee.

Investing time to watch and listen carefully allows you to appreciate the diversity right in your own backyard.