From the flash of a scarlet tanager to the screech of a barred owl, St. Louis is alive with winged wonders – and more people are starting to notice.
Fueled by a growing desire to unplug, unwind and reconnect with nature, birdwatching has become a booming hobby and a peaceful passion. In a destination like St. Louis, where urban green spaces and migratory flyways converge, birders of all backgrounds can join the flock.
Wild Encounters
Every season brings its own cast of feathered friends to the Gateway City, but no matter the month, the best shows begin at sunrise when birds are at their most active. So, set your alarm, grab your binoculars and step outside.
Here are the top spots, species and seasonal tips for birdwatching in St. Louis. From memorable sightings to rich soundscapes, this guide will give you a front-row seat to nature’s daily migration.
Audubon Center at Riverlands
Perched at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the Audubon Center at Riverlands offers more than eight miles of trails, where you might spot an American goldfinch, downy woodpecker, Eastern bluebird, great blue heron, red-tailed hawk or turkey vulture in flight. Both beginning and seasoned birders can benefit from guided tours of the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary while they’re here. Part of the Mississippi Flyway, the migration route is used by 60 percent of all North American bird species, including 40 percent of all waterfowl. Throughout the year, guest stars include American white pelicans, belted kingfishers, great egrets, hooded mergansers, trumpeter swans and yellow warblers, to name a few. Every January, the center also participates in the Alton Eagle Ice Festival, celebrating the return of wintering bald eagles in grand fashion.
Forest Park
Acclaimed attractions are the heartbeat of Forest Park; ecological reserves are its breath. Stewarded by Forest Park Forever, a private nonprofit conservancy, the mosaic of ecosystems throughout the park prompt visits by more than 200 bird species from spring to winter. Northern cardinals, Carolina chickadees, European starlings, red-bellied woodpeckers and great horned owls are common year-round residents, while blackpoll warblers, indigo buntings, peregrine falcons and ruby-throated hummingbirds are sought-after migrants. In the urban oasis, amid old-growth forests, tallgrass prairies and wetlands, birdwatching offers a serene escape from the hubbub of the city. On the first Saturday of every month, except July, the St. Louis Audubon Society and Great Rivers Greenway team up to lead free bird walks, which beckon beginners. Need binoculars? The guides have you covered!
Tower Grove Park
This wooded Victorian park features grassy meadows, shade trees and picturesque pavilions, perfect for picnicking, doing yoga and, of course, birdwatching. A designated location on the Missouri Birding Trail, Tower Grove Park serves as a natural refuge for flycatchers, robins, thrushes, vireos, warblers and woodpeckers. The Robert & Martha Gaddy Wild Bird Garden and adjacent savannah are birding hotspots in the centrally located park, which also hosts breeding hawks and owls. Once you’ve worn out your binoculars, enjoy other amenities, including pickleball courts, walking trails, splash pads and the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, which opens on Saturdays from April through October and Tuesdays from May through September.
Creve Coeur Park
Within the expansive Creve Coeur Park, visitors can enjoy not one but two glistening lakes. While the 320-acre Creve Coeur Lake attracts aquatic adventurers who splash about in canoes, kayaks and paddle boats, the more compact Mallard Lake offers serene waters and surrounding trees that provide abundant habitat for a variety of birds. In the right season, red-winged blackbirds flit through the foliage, purple martin nesting boxes buzz with activity and indigo buntings perform sunset serenades every evening. Overhead, look for raptors such as American kestrels, Mississippi kites and red-tailed hawks on the hunt for their next meal. For more action, Creve Coeur Park offers archery, disc golf, playgrounds and splash pads. Cyclists can also tackle Bootlegger’s Run, which is known for its thrilling ravine crossings, dips and turns.
Shaw Nature Reserve
A picturesque stop on the Missouri Birding Trail, Shaw Nature Reserve sits at the juncture of several major Midwest habitats. Floodplain forests, upland woods, dolomite glades and tallgrass prairies support plant and insect diversity, which, in turn, support healthy bird populations. In spring and summer, birders can reliably see and hear Henslow’s sparrows – which nest at the nature reserve – among other grassland birds such as dickcissels. Warblers also migrate through the area in spring and fall, with the former being the best time to see their vibrant breeding plumage. “The landscapes, plants and animals that make up Shaw Nature Reserve are unique to Missouri, and we think they’re as iconic as, say, toasted ravioli,” senior manager of education, events and visitor operations Ellie Stevens says. “When you visit St. Louis, you have to try toasted ravioli, and now you know that you can’t leave without exploring Shaw Nature Reserve.”
Surefire Sightings
Conservation hubs across the city work to rehabilitate, rewild and protect bird species from around the globe. Birds that can’t be released back into the wild often find permanent sanctuary here – and many serve important roles in breeding and education programs.
For a close-up look at some of the most spectacular birds on Earth, add these world-class attractions to your itinerary.
World Bird Sanctuary
When Walter Crawford, Jr. founded the World Bird Sanctuary in 1977, not one rehabilitation center in the U.S. focused on birds. The sanctuary began rehabilitating and releasing birds, and it eventually started breeding birds of prey, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons, for release into the wild. Most recently, the sanctuary concluded the biggest propagation project in its history, almost single-handedly removing the American barn owl from the list of endangered species in Missouri. The World Bird Sanctuary welcomes ornithophiles from near and far who can meet resident birds of prey such as Peabody the Tawny Owl, Dorothy the Andean Condor and Dynasty the Egyptian Vulture.
Saint Louis Zoo
The flight cage built by the Smithsonian Institute for the 1904 World’s Fair served as the impetus for the Saint Louis Zoo – the first municipally supported zoo in the world. Today, a winding path transports visitors into the modernized 1904 flight cage, which surrounds the Cypress Swamp, home to cold-hardy birds such as American wood ducks, black- and yellow-crowned night herons, roseate spoonbills and snowy egrets. Apart from the iconic flight cage, the indoor Bird House has space for individual birds such as bearded barbets, carmine bee-eaters, golden-breasted starlings, toco toucans and Victoria crowned pigeons to show off their colorful plumage. Swoop in while you can!
