Missouri sits where the Midwest meets the South, with Ozark Mountain forests, prairie grasslands, and the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Northern Cardinals are the state bird and visible everywhere, and Missouri gets both Summer Tanagers in the Ozark pine-oak forests and Scarlet Tanagers in the northern hardwoods.
Red Birds Found in Missouri
| Species | Red feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Northern Cardinal | Males bright red all over | Year-round | Gardens, woodlands, suburbs |
| Summer Tanager | Males red-orange all over | Spring and summer | Pine-oak woodlands |
| Scarlet Tanager | Males bright red with black wings | Spring and summer | Mature deciduous forests |
| Painted Bunting | Red breast and rump (male) | Spring and summer (southern MO) | Dense brush, hedgerows |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Red throat patch (male) | Spring and summer | Gardens, forest edges |
| Red-headed Woodpecker | Entirely red head | Year-round | Open woodlands, dead trees |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Red cap and nape | Year-round | Deciduous forests, suburbs |
| Pileated Woodpecker | Red crest | Year-round | Mature forests |
| House Finch | Red head, breast, rump (male) | Year-round | Suburbs, urban areas |
| Purple Finch | Raspberry-red wash (male) | Winter | Woodlands, feeders |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Red breast triangle (male) | Spring and summer | Deciduous woodlands |
| White-winged Crossbill | Males rose-pink to red | Irregular winter | Coniferous forests |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Mingo NWR | Cypress swamp, wetland and forest birds |
| Mark Twain National Forest | Ozark species, tanagers, woodpeckers |
| Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area | Missouri River wetlands, diverse species |
| Busch Conservation Area | 6,900 acres, forests, prairies, wetlands |
| Forest Park (St. Louis) | Urban birding, migrants, year-round species |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Tanagers and grosbeaks arrive, peak migration |
| Summer | Breeding season, Painted Buntings in southern MO |
| Autumn | Southbound migration, Purple Finches arrive |
| Winter | Cardinals, finches, woodpeckers at feeders |
Missouri gets both Summer and Scarlet Tanagers - Summer Tanagers in the Ozark pine-oak forests and Scarlet Tanagers in the northern hardwoods. The Northern Cardinal is the state bird and is visible year-round across every county. Mingo NWR’s cypress swamp is one of the most atmospheric birding spots in the state.
