Who Stays? Who Goes? Innsbrook Winter Wildlife

Winter in Innsbrook, and the rest of Missouri, is a time to say “hello”, “goodbye”, and “oh, it’s you again” to our diverse array of wildlife. So here’s who you can start, and stop, looking for around Innsbrook.

(Information on these creatures comes from the Missouri Department of Conservation.)

Say hello to:

Bald Eagles
We at Innsbrook are quite lucky to be able to view these majestic birds as often as we do. It’s only too bad we don’t get to watch them longer! These top predators have a wingspan of 84 inches, and are more commonly seen in Missouri from late December through early February. Biologists estimate that Missouri’s summer eagle population is around 600, but in winter that grows by three to six times.

Photo by Kurt White

Snow Geese
Snow geese winter in the southern part of their range, including Missouri, and return north to the arctic tundra to nest. Snow geese in winter dig up and feed on the roots of various marsh plants. In the past century or so, they have diversified into eating leftover grain in crop fields. Pairs form during each bird’s second spring migration and the couples stay together for life.

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Say goodbye to:

Purple Martins
Purple martins are not well adapted to cold weather. They begin arriving in Missouri in early March. In August, martins gather in large flocks prior to fall migration, and in a few weeks, they are on their winter range in Southern Brazil. Millions of them roost in city parks in Sao Paulo from November through January.

Photo by David Stonner

Bullfrogs
The bullfrog is the official Missouri State Amphibian, and is our largest frog. They are active from late March to October, then they burrow into mud at the bottom of rivers or ponds in the winter.

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And you can keep watch for this year-round residents:

Cardinals
Cardinals don’t migrate, though they may move around locally when conditions are bad. Sometimes people see bald-headed cardinals—those without feathers on their heads. This condition is usually reported in summer and fall, when cardinals are molting, and new feathers grow in soon after.

Photo by Debbie Day

Opossums
Opossums have quite the interesting diet:  many varieties of insects, and carrion of rabbits, squirrels, mice, and other animals. Reptiles, amphibians, crayfish, birds and bird eggs, and earthworms are also eaten. Opossum’s are Missouri’s only mammal in the marsupial group.

Without Innsbrook's lakes, streams, woods, meadows, and the plants and animals that live within them, our community wouldn't be the natural paradise it is. We take our commitment to nature seriously. Our knowledgeable and dedicated staff is always working and thinking of ways to help conserve and improve Innsbrook's natural beauty.

Try keeping your own wildlife log at your property with Innsbrook’s wildlife inventory sheet – it’s a great way to learn more about our furry neighbors!