Birding in the Kansas City area
A compilation of bird lists from local nature conservation areas and parks indicates that approximately 355 species of birds have been sighted in the Kansas City area. This Includes common as well as uncommon, occasional, rare and accidental visitors in all seasons. Of the approximately 355 species, 119 are considered common, which means that they are certain to be seen in their habitat during the seasons that they are in the area. Birding is always good in the area, as different species come and go each season. Go to the link at top of left column for a list of birds that are here each season, photos of each species, and trail sites where they can be seen.

Mid-April through mid-June is a great time for birding in the Kansas City area. In the spring approximately 200 species return to the area to nest or pass through on migration, and over 250 species may be seen. Several species, such as the Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, and Dark-eyed Junco leave the area and go north in the spring and summer but return in the fall.

Bird classification, or taxonomy  [explanation]
Birds are scientifically classified as follows:
  Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata (organisms that possess a notochord, like a backbone)
      Class: Aves (Birds)
        Order: Example - Passeriformes (perching birds)
          Family: Example - Cardinalidae (robust, seed-eating, bright-colored, strong bills)
            Genus: Example - Passerina (North American buntings)
              Species: Example - Passerina cyanea (Indigo Bunting)

The table below compares the approximate numbers of Orders, Families, and Species of birds found in the world, North America, and the Kansas City area. Bird taxonomy is a very dynamic subject and the numbers in this table are representative of data from a number of sources to provide a rough comparison. The greatest number, approximately 3200, of bird species are found in South America.

Region
Orders
Families
Species
Reference
World
31
195
~10000
North & Central Am & Hawaii
23
104
2041
Continental US & Canada
22
80
939
KC Area
16
55
355
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