Missouri Bird Watching and Feeding Information

Missouri is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species. Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.

The Nifty Fifty

The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Missouri. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Missouri. View the guide by clicking here or on the Nifty Fifty link on the left.

If the guide does not load, try downloading the free Flash player.

Eastern Bluebird - Missouri State Bird

Bird feeding

Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Missouri is available by following the link on the left.

Bluebirds

The Eastern Bluebird is the only one of the 3 bluebird species regularly found in Missouri.

The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.

Eastern Bluebirds

Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird's special favorite is mealworms.

Nesting
The Eastern Bluebird begins nesting in Missouri in early spring. One, two and sometimes three broods may be produced.

Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.

Hummingbirds

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Missouri. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. In a remarkable journey for such a tiny bird, it migrates across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.

Purple Martins

Purple Martins arrive in Missouri early each year, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Missouri. Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.

Purple Martin - male

Birding

Missouri provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.

The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.

Missouri Resource Information

Webster Groves Nature Study Society

Burroughs Audubon Society
525 E. 54th Street
Kansas City, MO 64110
816-333-3293

Chariton Valley Audubon Society
Kirksville, MO 63501

Columbia Audubon Society
PO Box 1331
Columbia, MO 65205

East Ozarks Audubon Society
26 Tanglewood
Farmington, MO 63640
Bob Lewis, Editor

Four Seasons Audubon Society
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Grand River Audubon Society
424 Calhoun
Chillicothe, MO 64601

Greater Ozarks Audubon Society
PO Box 3231
Springfield, MO 65804

Midland Empire Audubon Society
1304 S 41st St
Saint Joseph, MO 64507

Ozark Gateway Audubon Society
3544 Oak Ridge Drive
Joplin, MO 64804
417-206-2884

Ozark Rivers Audubon Society
PO Box 429
Rolla, MO 65401
573-368-5358

River Bluffs Audubon Society
1017 Holly Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-636-5593

Scenic Rivers Audubon Society
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

St. Louis Audubon Society
60 Shadowridge Drive
St. Peters, MO 63376
636-541-1069

Additional resources

If you have suggestions for additional resources for watching or feeding birds in Alabama, please submit them using this form. The resource does not need to be a particular location.

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