Discover the captivating world of backyard birdwatching in Missouri with this comprehensive resource. Filled with valuable information compiled from the trusted citizen science program eBird, this article offers a wealth of insights into the common birds found in Missouri’s backyard. From identification tips to vibrant pictures, readers will learn how to attract these feathered visitors to their own outdoor spaces. With over 415 bird species to marvel at, including the ever-popular Northern Cardinal and the majestic Eastern Bluebird, Missouri proves to be a haven for avian enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just beginning to explore this fascinating hobby, this article provides everything you need to embark on an exciting adventure through Missouri’s diverse bird population.
Common Birds Found in Backyard in Missouri
Welcome to this comprehensive article on the common birds found in Missouri backyards! If you’re a bird lover or simply enjoy watching these enchanting creatures, you’re in the right place. Missouri is home to a wide variety of bird species, and we are here to introduce you to some of the most common ones that you may encounter in your own backyard.
Birds in Missouri Backyards
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is perhaps the most iconic and recognizable bird in Missouri. With its vibrant red plumage and distinctive crest, it is hard to miss. This medium-sized songbird is a frequent visitor to backyard feeders and is known for its cheerful and melodious song. Cardinals are year-round residents in Missouri, making it a delight to observe them throughout all seasons.
Identification
Male cardinals are easily distinguished by their bright red feathers, black face mask, and prominent crest. Females, on the other hand, have a muted reddish-brown color with hints of red. Both sexes have short but powerful beaks.
Habitat and Range
Cardinals can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, gardens, and parks. They are widespread across the eastern and central parts of North America. In Missouri, these birds can be spotted in both rural and urban areas.
Behavior
Cardinals are known to be social birds, often seen in pairs or small groups. They use a combination of vocalizations and visual displays to communicate with each other. Cardinals are also known for their territorial behavior, vigorously defending their chosen areas. Keep an eye out for their courtship displays, as they are a sight to behold.
Food Preferences
Northern Cardinals are primarily seed eaters and have a strong preference for sunflower seeds. Offering black oil sunflower seeds in your backyard feeder will surely attract these beautiful birds.
Eastern Bluebird
Next up is the official state bird of Missouri, the Eastern Bluebird. With its bright blue plumage, rusty red breast, and white underparts, this small thrush is a treat for the eyes. Bluebirds are a symbol of happiness and good fortune, and their presence in your backyard will surely bring joy.
Identification
Eastern Bluebirds are small, stocky birds with a round head, short bill, and a characteristic blue coloration. Males have more vibrant blue feathers, while females are slightly duller. Both sexes have thin white rings around their eyes.
Habitat and Range
Bluebirds thrive in open areas with scattered trees, such as fields, meadows, and orchards. They can be found throughout most of North America, including Missouri. Providing nest boxes in your yard will increase the chances of attracting these beautiful birds.
Behavior
Eastern Bluebirds are known for their melodious and gentle singing. They are generally social birds that form small flocks outside of the breeding season. Bluebirds are cavity nesters, and they readily accept artificial nest boxes, making them a popular addition to many backyards in Missouri.
Food Preferences
Bluebirds have a diverse diet that includes insects, spiders, fruits, and berries. Providing mealworms or suet-based feeders can help attract them to your yard.
American Robin
Another familiar bird you’re likely to encounter in your backyard is the American Robin. These medium-sized songbirds with their reddish-orange breasts and dark gray upperparts are a symbol of spring and are often associated with the arrival of warmer weather.
Identification
American Robins have a plump body with a long tail and a distinctive white eye ring. Their plumage consists of a vibrant orange-red breast and a grayish back. Juveniles have a mottled appearance with brown feathers.
Habitat and Range
Robins are adaptable birds that can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, woodlands, and urban areas. They are widespread throughout North America and are known to migrate in large flocks during the winter months.
Behavior
Robins are known for their melodious and cheerful song, which is often heard early in the morning. They are also excellent foragers, using their keen eyesight to locate earthworms and insects on the ground. You may observe them hopping across lawns in search of food.
Food Preferences
The American Robin’s diet primarily consists of invertebrates, such as earthworms, beetles, and caterpillars. They also feed on fruits and berries, particularly in the winter when their preferred food sources are scarce.
House Sparrow
The House Sparrow is a small, common bird that is often found in urban and suburban areas throughout Missouri. While they may not be as flashy as some other species, their charming presence and lively chirping make them a welcome sight in many backyards.
Identification
House Sparrows have a plump body with a short, thick bill and a gray-brown plumage. Males have a black throat, chestnut nape, and a white wing patch, while females are more plain, with streaked underparts.
Habitat and Range
As their name suggests, House Sparrows are often associated with human habitations. They can be found near buildings, parks, gardens, and farmland. Originally from Europe, House Sparrows have successfully established populations throughout North America.
Behavior
House Sparrows are social birds that are often seen in flocks. They are known for their enthusiastic chirping and vocalizations. They are also opportunistic feeders, known to eat a variety of foods.
Food Preferences
House Sparrows have a diverse diet that includes seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. They are frequent visitors to backyard feeders and will readily consume a variety of birdseed mixes.
White-breasted Nuthatch
If you observe a bird crawling headfirst down a tree trunk, it is likely the White-breasted Nuthatch. These agile and acrobatic birds are known for their unique behavior and are a delight to watch in any backyard in Missouri.
Identification
White-breasted Nuthatches are small birds with short tails, long bills, and a distinctive black cap. They have a bluish-gray upper body, white underparts, and rusty-colored undertail coverts. Their bills are slightly upturned, helping them search for insects in tree bark.
Habitat and Range
Nuthatches are commonly found in deciduous and mixed forests, as well as suburban areas with suitable trees for nesting and foraging. They can be found throughout most of North America, including Missouri.
Behavior
One unique behavior of the White-breasted Nuthatch is its ability to climb headfirst down trees, a skill that few other birds possess. They use their strong bills to chip away at bark and extract insects and larvae. These birds also have a distinctive nasal call that often gives away their presence.
Food Preferences
Nuthatches have a diverse diet, feeding on insects, seeds, nuts, and sometimes even small vertebrates. They are frequent visitors to suet feeders, where they can be seen hanging upside down while feasting on the nutritious treat.
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is a small, vibrant yellow bird that adds a splash of color to any backyard it visits. With its cheerful song and lively behavior, this bird is a favorite among birdwatchers.
Identification
Adult male American Goldfinches have bright yellow plumage with a contrasting black cap and wings. Females and immature birds have a more muted yellow color with grayish wings. Both sexes have a small, pointed bill.
Habitat and Range
Goldfinches prefer open habitats with fields, meadows, and weedy areas. They can be found throughout North America, including Missouri. These birds are most commonly seen during the summer months.
Behavior
American Goldfinches are highly acrobatic and agile, often seen perching on the tops of plants or hanging upside down while feeding. They are also known for their distinctive flight pattern, with a bouncing and undulating motion.
Food Preferences
Goldfinches primarily feed on seeds, with a particular preference for thistle or nyjer seeds. Providing a thistle feeder will attract them to your backyard, where you can admire their brilliant yellow feathers as they feast.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is one of the smallest but most common woodpeckers in North America. With its black and white plumage and undulating flight pattern, it is a joy to observe in any Missouri backyard.
Identification
Downy Woodpeckers are small birds with a black and white barred pattern on their wings and back. Males have a small red patch on the back of their heads, while females lack this feature. They also have a short bill and a stiff tail used for support when climbing trees.
Habitat and Range
These woodpeckers can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, parks, and urban areas. They are widespread across North America, including Missouri.
Behavior
Downy Woodpeckers are skilled climbers, using their strong bills to peck and probe for insects hiding in tree bark. They have a characteristic drumming pattern, with a rapid series of taps on tree trunks or other surfaces. This drumming is a part of their territorial and courtship displays.
Food Preferences
Downy Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects and larvae found in trees. They are often seen foraging on tree trunks and branches, searching for hidden delicacies. Providing suet feeders can also attract them to your yard.
Black-capped Chickadee
The Black-capped Chickadee is a small, sociable songbird that is often found in backyards throughout Missouri. These charismatic birds are known for their cheerful calls and their insect-eating abilities.
Identification
Black-capped Chickadees have a black cap and bib, contrasting with their white cheeks and underparts. They have a gray upper body with wings edged in white. The more you observe them, the more endearing their behavior becomes.
Habitat and Range
Chickadees can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. They are widespread across North America, including Missouri. They are known to form mixed flocks with other songbirds during the winter months.
Behavior
Chickadees are highly active birds that are often seen hopping between branches and hanging upside down as they search for insects and seeds. They have a distinctive call that sounds like “chick-a-dee-dee-dee,” which gives them their name.
Food Preferences
Black-capped Chickadees have a diverse diet that includes insects, spiders, seeds, berries, and nuts. They are known to cache food for later consumption, hiding seeds and nuts in tree bark or other crevices.
Carolina Wren
The Carolina Wren is a small, chunky bird with a lively personality and a beautiful song. These birds are a pleasure to observe, with their russet-brown upperparts and warm cinnamon underparts.
Identification
Carolina Wrens have a reddish-brown back with a distinctive white eyebrow stripe and a long, curved bill. They have a compact body and a short tail that is often held upright. Their plumage gives them excellent camouflage in their preferred habitats.
Habitat and Range
Carolina Wrens are commonly found in brushy areas, woodlands, and suburban gardens throughout the eastern and southern parts of the United States, including Missouri. They prefer dense cover close to the ground.
Behavior
Wrens are highly vocal birds that are often heard before they are seen. They have a wide repertoire of songs and calls. These birds are also known for their bold behavior, often exploring nooks and crannies in search of insects and spiders.
Food Preferences
Carolina Wrens primarily feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They are known to be voracious predators and are excellent at finding hidden prey.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the smallest bird species found in Missouri and a true marvel of nature. With its iridescent green feathers and vibrant red throat, this dazzling bird is a joy to observe as it hovers and darts around flowers.
Identification
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are small birds with a slender body, long bill, and short wings. Males have a bright red throat, while females have a plain white throat. Both sexes have green upperparts and white underparts.
Habitat and Range
Hummingbirds can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, woodlands, and meadows. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that breeds in the eastern part of North America, including Missouri.
Behavior
Hummingbirds have a unique flying ability, with the ability to hover and fly backward. They are also known for their rapid wing-beat, which allows them to remain suspended in mid-air as they feed on nectar. Observing their aerial acrobatics is truly mesmerizing.
Food Preferences
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from brightly colored tubular flowers. You can attract them to your backyard by planting a variety of native flowering plants or by setting up a hummingbird feeder filled with a homemade nectar solution.
Common Birds by Region
In addition to the birds mentioned above, Missouri is home to a wide variety of other bird species that may visit your backyard depending on your location within the state. Different regions have different habitats and ecosystems, leading to unique bird populations. Some common birds found in these regions include:
Ozark Region
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Indigo Bunting
- Tufted Titmouse
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Belted Kingfisher
Mississippi Lowlands
- Great Blue Heron
- Bald Eagle
- Northern Mockingbird
- Green Heron
- Wood Duck
Prairie Region
- Northern Bobwhite
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Dickcissel
- Henslow’s Sparrow
- Western Kingbird
Northwest Region
- Wild Turkey
- Bewick’s Wren
- Blue Jay
- Yellow Warbler
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo
River Bluffs Region
- Yellow-throated Warbler
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Acadian Flycatcher
- Summer Tanager
- Pileated Woodpecker
Whether you reside in one of these regions or not, observing the birds in your backyard is a delightful and rewarding activity. By providing food, water, and suitable habitats, you can attract a diverse array of bird species and create a haven for these feathered friends.
In conclusion, Missouri offers a rich and diverse birdlife right at your doorstep. From the vibrant Northern Cardinal to the charming Carolina Wren, each bird brings its own unique personality and beauty to your backyard. By familiarizing yourself with their characteristics, habits, and food preferences, you can create an inviting environment that will attract these winged wonders. Happy birdwatching!
