Missouri Young Birders Club

05/22/2026

🖤🤍 May Bird of the Month: Black-and-white Warbler 🤍🖤
One of Missouri’s most eye-catching spring migrants has returned! The Black-and-white Warbler may be small, but its bold striped plumage and unique behavior make it stand out in the forest. Unlike most warblers, this species creeps along tree trunks and branches much like a nuthatch, searching bark for insects hidden in crevices.
These striking songbirds help keep forests healthy by feeding on beetles, weevils, and other insects, but they also face growing challenges. Habitat fragmentation, pesticide use, and artificial nighttime lighting during migration all impact their survival.
You can help Black-and-white Warblers and other migratory birds by:
🌿 Reducing or eliminating pesticide use
💡 Turning off unnecessary outdoor lights during migration
🌳 Protecting and supporting healthy forest habitats
Keep an eye (and ear!) out for these “living barcodes” in Missouri’s woodlands this spring!

05/18/2026

05/15/2026

Bird Watching at Smithville Lake
Saturday, May 16th from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Location: Smithville Lake Nature Center, 18001 Collins Rd, Smithville, MO

04/19/2026

🌸🐦 April Bird of the Month: the Purple Martin (Progne subis) 🐦🌸

Meet North America’s largest swallow—and one of the most captivating aerial acrobats in the bird world!

With their glossy, iridescent purple-blue feathers (males) and softer gray tones (females and young), Purple Martins are almost always on the move—gliding, swooping, and chasing flying insects high above fields, wetlands, towns, and parks.

✨ Fun fact: They drink on the wing by skimming the surface of water!

🏠 In the eastern U.S., they now rely almost entirely on human-provided birdhouses and gourds, nesting in social colonies close to people.

🌎 By late summer, they gather in huge flocks before migrating all the way to the Amazon Basin.

Here in Missouri, they’re one of the earliest spring arrivals—sometimes showing up as early as late February—making their return a true sign that spring is on the way.

💙 While still relatively stable, Purple Martins face challenges from invasive nest competitors like European Starlings and House Sparrows, making community-supported nesting sites more important than ever.

Have you seen your first Purple Martin of the season yet? 👀🐦

04/15/2026

Spring Into Action: Community Resource Carnival
Monday, April 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: 27247 MO-5, Keytesville, MO 65261

04/01/2026

03/25/2026

Native Plants: NatureScaping Workshop Saturday, March 28th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, Blue Springs, MO Bring Missouri’s native plants to your backyard! The Missouri River Bird Observatory is excited to join Burr Oak Woods for the 2026 NatureScaping workshop! This free, hands-on event will show you how to use Missouri’s native plants to create beautiful, wildlife-friendly landscapes. Explore educational sessions and booths on topics like native trees, composting, gardening for birds and pollinators, and more. Plus, take advantage of the native plant sale to bring your new knowledge home and start your own backyard oasis! Special Note: MRBO’s presentation on backyard habitat will be at 9:30 am. All participants must register here:

03/19/2026

Bluebirds: MO Year-Round Cheerful Charmer
Saturday, March 21st from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, Blue Springs, MO

Bluebirds are a cheerful welcome to Missouri’s spring, and their nesting season kicks off in early March. Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory alongside naturalists from Burr Oak Woods for a hands-on, in-person program designed to help you support these bright, songful visitors.

Learn how to set up and maintain nesting boxes, choose the right feeders, and monitor bluebirds to help grow local populations. Experience the joy of watching this “Cheerful Charmer” brighten your backyard with color and song!

Note: Peanut butter will be used during the program. If you need special accommodations, please contact the instructor in advance: [email protected]

Register here: https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/214568

03/13/2026

Native Plants: NatureScaping Workshop
Saturday, March 28th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, Blue Springs, MO

Bring Missouri’s native plants to your backyard!

The Missouri River Bird Observatory is excited to join Burr Oak Woods for the 2026 NatureScaping workshop! This free, hands-on event will show you how to use Missouri’s native plants to create beautiful, wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Explore educational sessions and booths on topics like native trees, composting, gardening for birds and pollinators, and more. Plus, take advantage of the native plant sale to bring your new knowledge home and start your own backyard oasis!

Special Note: MRBO’s presentation on backyard habitat will be at 9:30 am. All participants must register here: https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/213857