The bald eagle lives in Missouri during the summer months.
Missouri is home to a variety of bird species during the summer months, including birds of prey, wetland birds and passerines. Passerine are tree-dwelling birds, also known as "perching birds." Missouri is in the Midwest region of the United States and prone to cold temperatures during the winter. In the winter, most of Missouri's birds migrate to the southern United States or the forests in Central and South America.
Tanagers
Missouri has three species of tanager birds: scarlet tanager, summer tanager and the western tanager. As its name suggests, the scarlet tanager has bright red feathers, while summer tanagers are red as well. Western tanagers have golden feathers on most of its body, but the feathers surrounding its eyes and beak are red. Tanager birds are seen in the woodlands of Missouri during the summer. Summer is when tanagers nest and breed. All three tanager species spend the winter months in the tropic rainforests of Central and South America.
Thrushes
Thrushes, or Turdidae, are a bird family that include thrushes and bluebirds. Some characteristics of thrushes are plump abdomens and soft plumage. These birds are often referred to as "songbirds," since they deliver melodious chirps. Most thrushes nest in trees, but they do come to the ground for food. In Missouri, thrushes and bluebirds are found in woodlands throughout the state; these birds come to Missouri during the summer breeding season. Turdidae species include the eastern bluebird -- Missouri's official state bird -- wood thrush, mountain bluebird, gray-cheeked thrush and the American robin.
Shorebirds
On Missouri's river banks and lakeshores, birdwatchers may catch glimpses of shorebirds during the summer breeding season. These birds nest on the shores of Missouri's largest bodies of water, including the Missouri River and Lake of the Ozarks. Shorebirds are also referred to as "wetland birds." According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri has 39 species of shorebirds, as of May 2011. Among these 39 species are plovers -- piping plover, mountain plover and American golden-plover -- and sandpipers -- solitary sandpiper, stilt sandpiper and spotted sandpiper. Most of these bird species are small, making it easy for them to hide in shrubs near bodies of water.
Birds of Prey
Migratory birds of prey in Missouri include hawks -- Cooper's hawk and Swainson's hawk -- kites -- Mississippi kite and white-tailed kite -- and the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States. Birds of prey are species of birds who are carnivorous -- or meat eaters -- and prey on small mammals, reptiles, fish and birds. When hunting for prey, birds of prey soar high in the air where their intended victims can not see them; all birds of prey have keen eyesight, allowing them to see from hundreds of feet in the air. Physical characteristics of birds of prey include sharp talons and beaks.
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