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Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius Bill Rowe It’s time to introduce the phalaropes, a colorful group of three small shorebirds. One species, Wilson’s Phalarope, is strictly North American and also the commonest on migration here in the Midwest. The other two, the…

Palm Warbler, Setophaga palmarum Bill Rowe As we’ve noted before, Missouri has a rich diversity of warblers: 36 regular species, of which 17 are breeding birds, leaving 19 more that we see only in migration, en route to and from…

Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus Bill Rowe In late winter and early spring, our local resident songbirds, such as Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds, begin practicing their songs, following their instinct to claim a territory and find a mate. One of these…

Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris Bill Rowe Ducks, ducks, ducks… We are still in the middle of duck migration at this point, as it begins very early, in February, with many species reaching their peak during March. These include the diving ducks…

Northern Shoveler, Spatula clypeata Bill Rowe The unusual-looking Northern Shoveler is a common sight throughout its very wide breeding range, which encompasses northern and western North America plus much of northern and central Eurasia, and also on its wintering range from…

Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta Bill Rowe Meadowlarks are instant favorites among new birders, with their vivid yellow-and-black underparts and whistled songs, making them easy to spot out in a prairie or a hayfield—that is, as long as they…