GO-TO GUIDEBOOK TO MISSOURI BIRDWATCHING

Welcome to Birding in Missouri!

So you’re interested in birding in Missouri? Well, you’ve come to the right place! This site serves as a go-to guidebook for both beginner and seasoned birders — it encourages you to explore the diverse birds and habitats Missouri is home to. Throughout this website you’ll find a collection of helpful tips, links to resources, birds and trails to prime your birding techniques. And if you’re still not sure what a birder or what birding is, this website has got you covered too!

This page is especially helpful for whether you’re in need of a quick rundown or a refresher on birding essentials before you head out the door! Check out the tips below to read common birding practices to help you get started spotting birds out there! I hope you add them to your ever-growing toolkit! Welcome to Missouri’s birding community!

Close up image of an Eastern Bluebird sitting on a branch. The bluebirds head and wings are a deep sky blue color while his underbelly is a golden copper brown.

The Eastern Bluebird — Missouri's State Bird

Photo by John Benson is licensed under CC BY 2.0

What's a "Birder?"

Birder — Noun An individual who enjoys dedicating their time to observing and identifying wild birds in their natural habitats; According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service over 45 million people consider themselves birders.

What's "Birding?"

Birder — Verb The activity of observing and identifying wild birds in their natural habitats as a hobby; According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service birders averaged nearly 100 days of birding.

Top Five Birding Tips

  1. Dress For Success: One of the wonderful things about birding is that you don’t necessarily need anything special to get started! All you really need is your eyes and ears. However, many birders find that their birding experience is enhanced by some outdoor gear — such as binoculars to get a clearer and closer look at faraway birds. The National Audobon Society, a nationally recognized non-profit environmental organization that is dedicated to conserving bird species and their habitats, provides a helpful Binocular guide and Birding Gear guide.
  2. Listen Up: The funny thing about birding is that sometimes birds are easier to hear than to see. Listening out for a bird’s song (tweet or chirp pattern) can help you spot where it’s perching at. As you become more familiar with common bird songs, you’ll start recognizing some birds without even looking and begin to pick out different song quirks too! Being able to note the different bird voices will be a major help since some bird species look very similar to one another. Many different birding apps, such as the Audobon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology (the study of birds) eBird app includes recordings that can help you learn songs too!
  3. Take Notes: Whether you are a beginner birder or a seasoned birder, it’s always helpful to jot down a few notes of a bird you see, or if you have the chance, draw up a quick sketch of the bird too! Without taking notes, many birders have a difficult time remembering all the birds they see during their outing — it’s especially useful when you want to reference your guidebook later. And while taking pictures of the birds are a nice alternative, taking notes or sketching a bird will help you focus on the details — it’s appearance, habitat and behavior — for future reference.
  4. Reach Out: As previously mentioned, the Audobon Society is one of many organizations that promotes the conservation of birds, their habitats and taking care of the earth and the nature it provides. If possible, checking out and joining the Audobon Society of Missouri or your local Audobon chapter (or maybe a community birding club) will help you build on your birding skills. As fun as it sounds to go on an adventure alone outdoors, the company of another birder, maybe one with a little more experience, will open your world and help you add a few more tools to your evergrowing bag.
  5. Have Fun Out There: THE NUMBER ONE RULE OF BIRDING? Have fun learning! No matter what trail you walk on, park you visit or backyard window you look out of, you are sure to find a bird tweeting away. You’re also bound to find another birder out there who has notes and experiences to share. Making friends, expanding on your bird knowledge, and caring for the great outdoors is what makes birding one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the U.S. today!