Missouri Department of Conservation

To the surprise of many people, Missouri is one of the leading bald eagle states. Each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt around the open waters of our rivers and lakes. Download this pamphlet to learn more.

Barn owls have lived alongside humans for ages! Their bones have been found at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, where human bones were discovered. Missouri’s barn owls continue the tradition today. Most nests are in grain elevators, old barns and similar places.

This common “hoot” owl is easily identified both visually and by sound. Learn to recognize its call, and on moonlit nights in their habitat, you may find yourself hearing it quite often!

Uncommon migrant statewide, foraging for birds in hedgerows, along tree lines and occasionally at bird feeders. Rare summer resident statewide except possibly absent as a breeder in the unforested areas in the Mississippi Lowlands.

This owl—which really doesn’t “screech”—can be gray, brown or red, but in Missouri you can verify your identification by noting its small size, yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts.

This large owl has wide-set ear tufts and a white throat, but if it’s dark, you can identify it with your ears by its series of three to eight deep hoots grouped in a pattern, such as “hoo hoohoohoo hoo hoo.”

Raptors such as this species have intrigued falconers and inspired poets. They have acquired human significance ranging from the spiritual to the national. Because they are easily observed during daylight, these efficient predators inspire awe.

Vultures are nature's clean-up crew.

Eagles, hawks, falcons and vultures captivate us with their power and grace.

The most nocturnal of our owls. On the rare occasions it is seen, it is usually perched near the ground in dense cover or in the entrance of a tree cavity.

Of the 18 owl species native to North America, eight live in Missouri or visit here. Owls are amazing nighttime hunters, and they help keep rodents in check. However, they are vulnerable to habitat loss and other pressures. Learn what you can do, including building nesting boxes, to help them survive in our state.

The fastest living animal, this bird can dive at speeds of up to 261 miles per hour! It is currently being reintroduced to the state in urban areas, where skyscrapers replace the cliffs it traditionally nested on.

Short-eared owls seem to contradict everything we know about owls.

This owl is commonly active during day, especially in early morning and late afternoon, as well as night. A prairie species, it hunts while flying low over grasslands, with a buoyant, mothlike flight. The short ear tufts are difficult to see.

Visits Missouri during some winters and not others. Peak numbers in Missouri occur about every four years in response to lemming population crashes in far north. Only a small portion (usually immature individuals) of the population are forced south.