TrailBird TrailBird Log In
Birding by Region About TrailBird Plan a Trip Log In Explore map →
Active

Birding in Missouri

Missouri's convergence of eastern forests, western prairies, and two great rivers makes it a crossroads for birding in the heart of America.

115
Counties
2,203
Hotspots
4,734
Parks
0
Trails
Last updated: May 4, 2026
Resident pop.
Rare / 14dTotal obs
0
Rare / 14d
0
Species / 14d
2,203
Hotspots
4,734
Parks
0
Trails
115
Counties

Overview

Sitting at the junction of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, Missouri channels enormous numbers of migrating birds through its diverse habitats. The Ozark highlands support breeding species typical of the Appalachians, while the northern prairies and western savannas harbor grassland species. Squaw Creek NWR in the northwest hosts one of the most spectacular Snow Goose concentrations on the continent. TrailBird is expanding to cover Missouri's birding hotspots with live eBird data, trail maps, and seasonal guides.

Seasonal Birding Guide

Warbler migration fills Ozark forests. Shorebirds stop at wetlands across the state.

Breeding Bell's Vireos and Painted Buntings are highlights. Greater Prairie-Chickens persist on a few western prairies.

Hundreds of thousands of Snow Geese descend on Squaw Creek NWR. Hawk migration along river bluffs.

Eagle watching along the major rivers. Short-eared Owls hunt the northern prairies.

Quick Facts

State Bird
Eastern Bluebird
Species Recorded
430
Notable Birding Areas
Squaw Creek NWR, Mingo NWR, Mark Twain National Forest, Eagle Bluffs CA
View Missouri on eBird →

🚨 Recent Rare Bird Alerts in Missouri

Notable sightings in the last 14 days

No rare alerts in the last 14 days.

🔥 Top Birding Hotspots in Missouri

Ranked by total species recorded

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary
320 species
US-MO-183 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 16:08
Explore →
Loess Bluffs NWR
313 species
US-MO-087 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 12:52
Explore →
Smithville Lake (Clay Co.)
296 species
US-MO-047 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 19:30
Explore →
Eagle Bluffs CA
294 species
US-MO-019 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 14:57
Explore →
Columbia Bottom CA
291 species
US-MO-189 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 15:34
Explore →
Busch CA
287 species
US-MO-183 County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 15:06
Explore →

🪶 What's Being Seen in Missouri

Species spotted in the last 14 days

No recent species data available yet.

📍 Most Active Hotspots This Week

Where birders are reporting right now

Lions Lake, Washington
134 species
US-MO-071 County
View on Map →
St. Louis Lambert International Airport
59 species
US-MO-189 County
View on Map →
Ruth Park
131 species
US-MO-189 County
View on Map →
Phantom Forest CA
100 species
US-MO-189 County
View on Map →
Heman Park
121 species
US-MO-189 County
View on Map →
Crighton Access
92 species
US-MO-077 County
View on Map →

🥾 Trails Near the Action

Hiking trails near recent rare sightings

No featured trail data available yet.

Join TrailBird

Enter your email to explore the map and get rare bird alerts in your area.

Share