19 Common Backyard Birds in Missouri (with Pictures)

Last Updated on Mar 14 2024

Watching birds in the state of Missouri can be a very fulfilling hobby. Hundreds of species reside in the state and if you are in need of a little afternoon enjoyment, consider installing a bird feeder to become familiar with some of them. The warm humid weather allows for fun bird watching during most of the year. And if you want to keep the birds coming back to your yard, just be sure to provide them with a few things:

If you have all of these elements, you’re guaranteed to see birds flocking to your yard on a daily basis. Let’s take a look at some of the most common bird species found in Missouri.

The 19 Most Common Backyard Birds in Missouri

1. Black-Capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee is one of the most common Missouri songbirds and is especially eye-catching. These birds have black and white wings with a black hooded head, making them stand out easily during the day. They are relatively small and have a stocky build. You can find them often perched on small twigs munching on insects or seeds. They fly in large flocks and may be seen with other bird species as well.

2. Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow is one of the most common brown birds in Missouri. It has brown spotted feathers and is known for its spectacular song which is used to attract mates during the spring and fall months. They are seen all throughout the year but tend to migrate to the southern states in the winter. You’ll usually find them in wet open areas perched on low-hanging limbs or shrubs. They have a varied diet and love to snack on plants, insects, cherries, grains, and sunflower seeds.

3. Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves are fairly common in most states, especially those in the Midwest. They tend to prefer moderate climates and you can find them often perched on phone lines and traffic signs. They’re slightly larger than American Robins and Blue Jays and have brown or tan bodies with small spots on their wings. These birds love sunflower seeds and are commonly seen around wooded areas and localfarmlands.

4. Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpeckers are the most common woodpecker found in North America. They have mostly black feathers with stripes of white running along their necks and head. Their striking red hood makes them stand out amongst other local varieties. They enjoy munching on termites, dead wood, nuts, berries, and ants. Their loud shrill-like call is noticeable and useful for warding off predators.

5. Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrows have long tails and a slender build. Their feathers are brown and grayish and covered with a black streak on their back. One thing that makes them stand out the most is their rust-colored heads and amazing black-rimmed eyes. These birds are commonly seen in Midwestern states such as Missouri, though they tend to fly south for the winter to southern states such as Florida and Texas. You may find them in your backyard munchingon nuts, seeds, grain, and any leftovers that you throw out.

6. Red-Bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is sure to catch your attention with its striking tufted hood and beautiful black and white striped back. They have white bellies and are a bit larger than most backyard birds. They typically feast on seeds, nuts, and small insects and you may find them lurking around if you have tall trees in your yard.

7. Dark-Eyed Junco

You may often see these Juncos hanging around your backyard during the colder months of the year, as they tend to migrate to the state during the cold seasons. They’re native to local areas with mountains and tall forests, as it’s easy for them to hide from predators. 

Juncos have small stocky bodies and round hooded heads, which makes them easy to spot during the day. These birds are relatively easy to attract. All you need is a tray feeder and a nice supply of seeds or grains.

8. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is another bird commonly associated with the state of Missouri. These medium-sized birds are fairly similar to the Northern Cardinal in their build and feathers, with the exception of having blue wings and white bellies. They have a blue hood and necks lined with black feathers. They’re known for their long legs and tails, and you will kindly see them perched on short shrubs eating fallen nuts and seeds.

9. American Robin

There’s one bird that you’ll see all year round it’s the American Robin. It’s very easy to attract these birds to your backyard. All you need is a feeder with seeds or fruit and they’re likely to be frolicking in the area within a few hours. They have round plump bodies, similar to Blue Jays, and a deep rust orangish-colored belly. They’re common in backyards as well as open areas such as parks and local woodlands.

10. American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is another species common to Missouri. They have small stocky bodies and bright yellow feathers which makes them easy to see during the day. They’re slightly larger than Hummingbirds and have beautiful black hoods with orange beaks. 

Their typical diet includes thistle, grass, and various weed seeds. If you want to attract them, simply set out a small tube feeder.Be sure to check for them during the early morning hours when they are out searching for breakfast.

11. Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse are short birds with round white bellies, though they are fairly large overall. They have long tails and grayish hoods and wings. They are known to feed on insects including grasshoppers, ants, spiders, and will also munch on sunflower seeds (amongst other seeds), peanuts, suet, and grains. To attract them to your backyard, add a nest box or two, and be sure to install a guard to prevent predators from raiding their eggs.

12. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is easily identifiable by its all-red body and black-lined eyes. It’s one of the most common red birds in Missouri. Highly popularized by St. Louis’ own Cardinals baseball team, this beautiful bird can be seen on a regular basis in open or wooded areas. It is a medium-size bird and has brilliant red feathers covering it from head to toe. It’s a relatively tall bird compared to others and is known to munch on flower seeds, insects, and grains.

13. Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is a popular woodpecker species found in Missouri. They have large heads and short black tails. They’re also known for their distinctive feather pattern and the noticeable red spot on their crest. Overall, they have spotted black and white wings with white grayish bellies. They are short in stature and relatively stocky. You can easily attract these birds with dead insects, fruit, and various seeds.

14. Carolina Wren

Carolina Wrens are fairly common in Missouri backyards and other open areas. You’ll usually find these birds hanging around the state the entire year. Overall, they have a relatively short and stocky build, with brown feathers and light tan or white bellies. They look really similar to the American Robin, and you may have trouble distinguishing the two. You may find them around your front or back yard munching on small insects such as spiders, snails, and ants.

15. Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker belongs to the woodpecker family and is distinctively colored with spotted black and grey feathers, with a red spot on the side of its beak. It has a large round build with a long beak and dark brown tail. These birds are also known for the beautiful yellow feathers beneath their wings, and you can often hear them in your front or back yard drilling into tree bark looking for ants and other small insects to snack on.

16. White-Breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatches have beautiful blue and white feathers with a wide belly. They’ll also appear with grayish hues that may turn blue during the warmer months. They have a relatively small build and slender bodies which allows them to nest and feed sitting on small fan branches. You’ll find them foraging in your backyard for nuts, seeds, and small insects.

17. Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds are known in the area for their distinctive colors. Their wings and heads are light blue while their necks and bellies have an ombre appearance of white and light brown. They’re pretty easy to identify and are usually perched on home benches, short shrubs, or small trees. They have small round bodies though they are relatively slim overall. Their diet mainly consists of wild fruit, local insects, mealworms, and berries.

18. White-Throated Sparrow

White-throated Sparrows are commonly seen perched on phone lines or in backyards. They are medium-sized birds with small round heads and barely visible necks. These sparrows have slim, long bodies and a distinctive head pattern that is striped with black and white feathers and a small yellow spot. They are fairly long given their height and you can find them hanging out locally all throughout the year. These sparrows are known to munch on wild berries, seeds, and small insects.

19. Common Starling

Common Starlings (aka “European Starling”) is one of the most uniquely colored birds that you’ll see in the Missouri area. It has a short and stocky build with gorgeous iridescent feathers which may appear blue, black, and shades of purple depending on your view. 

These beautiful birds tend to change colors throughout the year and look fairly similar to the American Crow. If you want to attract them to your yard, be sure to lay out a tray feeder, as their legs are too weak to climb onto tube feeders. They have short beaks and small oval heads. They can be found on nearby branches and shrubs grubbing on insects such as snails, caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, and earthworms. 

Conclusion

As you can see, the state of Missouri is home to a variety of backyard bird species. If you’re looking to start bird watching as a hobby, try installing a tray or tube feeder in your backyard and filling it with seeds or suet. You’re likely to see a number of different species popping up fairly quickly all throughout the year.

See Also: 15 Common Types of Sparrows in Missouri (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: GeorgiaLens, Pixabay