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Visitors to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways often come to do more than just float the rivers. Many come to watch the birds. Experienced birders know that the Riverways is home to many canebrakes where they may catch a glimpse of a rare Swainson’s warbler. Late fall migration brings the mighty bald eagles to winter along our unfrozen rivers. Many species of birds are found in the Ozarks during the spring and fall migrations. Many are just passing through, but many others call the Ozarks home year round. The birds you see will depend on where you look.
If you float the river you may see wood ducks in quiet pools.
Many floaters are treated to a scolding by the belted kingfisher,
a medium sized bird with blue feathers and a white breast. Its
unruly top knot looks like hair badly styled with mousse! Likewise,
it’s hard to miss the great blue heron flying down the river
ahead of you each time you approach its fishing or resting spot.
Other, less well known herons call the rivers home as well. You
may see little blue herons, which are much smaller than the great
blues. Or perhaps a green backed heron, which is a small brown
and green heron. A very observant ( and lucky) birder may even
see the elusive American bittern or the nocturnal yellow crowned
night heron in backwaters and sloughs.
Floaters often are treated to the cry of hawks. The most common
in our area are the large red tailed and somewhat smaller red
shouldered hawk. The red tail is usually seen soaring high above,
often keeping company with the black and turkey vultures. Other
hawks you may see include the pigeon sized kestrel and the rare
peregrine falcon. The osprey or fish hawk may also be seen, diving
into the water to scoop up a juicy trout.
Evening brings out the swallows to feed on flying insects just
above the water. Few riverside campouts would be complete without
the nighttime serenade of the whip-poor-will or the mournful wail
of the little screech owl. Perhaps this will be accompanied by
the familiar “who cooks for you” of a barred owl. The
river itself plays a fluid melody in the background while tree
frogs join the chorus. Nature and her peaceful sounds lull tired
floaters to sleep. With dawn comes the cooing of mourning doves
and the tap tap of a woodpecker on a hollow tree.
Away from the water’s edge, birders will find other habitats
and different birds. In open fields you might see and hear the
bob white quail. This is also home to the handsome brown and yellow
meadowlark, recognized by the black “V” on its bright
yellow breast. A flock of goldfinches may light up a tree with
their brilliant breeding colors of yellow and black. At the edge
of the forest you may see regal looking cedar waxwings with their
fawn colored bodies and feather tips that look like they were
dipped in sealing wax. A streak of blue may reveal an eastern
bluebird or the smaller indigo bunting. An abundant variety of
sparrows and warblers, too numerous to mention each by name will
challenge both experienced and novice birdwatchers.
What do you need to take up birdwatching? Not much, just good
eyes. It helps to have a good guide book with pictures to help
you identify the birds you see. Also useful, but not necessary,
is a pair of binoculars. Birds can be identified by prominent
features called “field marks.” Noting a few prominent
ones will help you identify the bird with your field guide. Take
the time to look closely and note the following details:
Size: Robin sized, pigeon sized, chicken sized?
Beak: Long, short, thin, thick, pointed, hooked? What color?
Tail shape: pointed, rounded, notched, forked, fan shaped?
Colors: back and breast colors, solid, striped, speckled, wing
bars, eye stripes?
Behavior: does it fly in a certain pattern? What does it sound
like? Does it stay on the ground? Does it soar or flap constantly?
Is it a loner or does it stay with a flock?
If you take the time to make mental notes of some of these characteristics,
you shouldn’t be confused by similar birds in your book.
Some species are told apart only on the basis of the number or
color of the wing bars.
As you identify new species of birds, note them in your field
guide. If you also note the date, time and place, your field guide
will become a record of your outdoor adventures with birds. As
you spend more time looking, you will be amazed at how many birds
you will see around you. Don’t just settle for making a life
list of birds, learn their habits and individual characters. Watch
to see who is the hog at your bird feeder, who is a loner and
who lives in a flock. Birding can increase your appreciation of
nature and the many wonders around you in the natural world. Happy
birding!
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One of the most unusual birds you may see in the Ozark Riverways is the Roadrunner. The Ozarks are the farthest east this species is found, and they are far from common here. Still, it is possible for a lucky birder to come across this speedy bird of the Great Plains. If you sight one, please tell a ranger. If you see Wyle E. Coyote chasing him with a stick of dynamite, please tell your psychiatrist! |
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The Swainson's warbler is a small song bird that nests in stands of river cane along the Ozark Riverways. This species is considered endangered by the state of Missouri. Protected river bottoms provide much needed habitat for this little brown songster. |
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