Backyard Birds in Oklahoma (24 Species with Pictures!)

Oklahoma’s diverse landscapes and varied habitats make it a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with over 480 different bird species recorded throughout the state.

Of these, approximately 150 species can regularly be spotted in Oklahoma backyards, delighting both casual observers and dedicated birders alike.

From the vibrant Northern Cardinal to the chatty Carolina Chickadee, these feathered visitors bring life, color, and music to our outdoor spaces.

In this article, we’ll explore 24 of the most popular backyard birds you’re likely to encounter in Oklahoma, discussing their distinctive features, behaviors, and the best ways to attract them to your yard.

1) Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal thrives in diverse habitats across Oklahoma.

You’ll find these vibrant birds in dense shrubby areas and urban neighborhoods, where they’re attracted to trees and large shrubs.

Their diet mainly consists of seeds and fruits, but they also enjoy insects.

Cardinals, visible year-round, exhibit a striking presence, especially when bright red feathers contrast against snowy winter landscapes, enhancing any backyard birdwatching experience.

2) Blue Jay

While the Northern Cardinal adds vibrant color to Oklahoma’s landscape, Blue Jays bring a unique charm with their intelligent and bold nature.

You’ll often find them in forests and urban areas alike, especially near oak trees. Known for their loud calls, Blue Jays are adaptable, thriving around bird feeders.

Their nests, built high in trees, are intricately crafted with twigs, grass, and decorative debris.

3) House Sparrow

House Sparrows, ubiquitous in both urban and rural Oklahoma, thrive around human habitation.

You’ll spot them nesting in rafters or gutters, feeding on seeds scattered on the ground.

With their social nature, they often gather in flocks, squabbling over food.

Identifiable by males’ black bibs and females’ plain gray chests, these sparrows can be aggressive, displacing native birds and spreading pathogens.

4) American Robin

As you stroll through the diverse landscapes of Oklahoma, you might catch sight of the American Robin, a familiar presence across the state during the breeding season.

You’ll find them in forests, prairies, and even your backyard, foraging for earthworms and berries. Their melodic whistles fill the air, while they thrive on insects and fruits, making them both a delight to see and hear.

5) Mourning Dove

Moving from the lively calls of the American Robin to the gentle coos of the Mourning Dove, you’ll notice these graceful birds are a common sight across Oklahoma.

They thrive in woodland-grassland edges, prairies, and open forests, often perching on telephone wires.

With their beige plumage and slender tails, they feed busily on the ground, storing seeds in their crop, which can hold thousands.

6) Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is a charming resident in Oklahoma, found year-round across the state.

You’ll spot them in deciduous forests, woodlots, and urban gardens. Males have a red patch on their heads, while both sexes have a distinctive white back stripe.

They love suet feeders and use their barbed tongues to forage for insects, seeds, and berries, especially in winter.

7) Red-bellied Woodpecker

While exploring the woodlands of Oklahoma, you might be captivated by the vibrant Red-bellied Woodpecker.

This striking bird boasts a black and white striped back, with males showcasing a vivid red cap from head to neck, while females have a red nape.

Found in forests, woodlands, and urban areas, they delight in suet and sunflower seeds, feeding on insects and various berries, displaying dynamic foraging behaviors.

8) Tufted Titmouse

Discover the charming Tufted Titmouse, a small, lively bird that calls Oklahoma’s deciduous woodlands home.

You’ll often spot them statewide, especially in winter. With their gray backs, rust-colored sides, and distinctive black foreheads, they’re easy to identify.

Listen for their “peter-peter-peter” song. Attract them to your backyard with sunflower seeds, as they’re regular feeder visitors, hoarding food for colder months.

9) Red-winged Blackbird

Meet the Red-winged Blackbird, a striking avian inhabitant of Oklahoma’s wetlands and fields.

You’ll spot males flaunting vivid red and yellow shoulder patches, while females exhibit a more subdued brownish hue with buff eyebrows.

These birds nest in marshes, forming bulky open cups.

They’re social, often foraging in large flocks.

Despite causing crop damage, they play a crucial role in local ecosystems.

10) Carolina Chickadee

Shifting your gaze from the vibrant Red-winged Blackbird, you’ll find the Carolina Chickadee, a charming resident of Oklahoma’s deciduous woodlands and suburban areas.

They thrive in deciduous and mixed forests, even swampy areas with live oak and cypress. Nesting in cavities, these chickadees often take 7 to 10 days to excavate sites.

The female builds nests alone using moss, bark, and hair, laying 3 to 10 eggs.

11) European Starling

The European Starling, a highly adaptable bird, thrives in Oklahoma’s urban and rural environments.

You’ll often see them roosting in tree cavities or attics when natural spots aren’t available. These birds aren’t shy around humans and find food in lawns, orchards, and even garbage.

While they’re fascinating to watch, their nesting habits can cause damage to structures and pose health risks with their droppings.

12) Red-tailed Hawk

After observing the European Starling’s bustling activity, let’s turn our attention to another remarkable avian resident of Oklahoma: the Red-tailed Hawk.

These masterful hunters migrate to Oklahoma in early October, favoring grasslands and rodent-rich areas. With broad wings and wide tails, they perch in tall trees, hunting mice and rabbits.

Their presence peaks in winter, with densities highest in Craig County, despite habitat threats.

13) Red-shouldered Hawk

While you may be familiar with the Red-tailed Hawk, the Red-shouldered Hawk offers its own fascinating characteristics and behaviors.

You’ll find it in forests or suburban areas with nearby woodlands. Its striking rusty shoulders and checkered wings are unmistakable.

With a call often mimicked by blue jays, it hunts small mammals and birds, showcasing adaptability by thriving even in human-altered landscapes.

14) Cooper’s Hawk

As you admire the striking features of the Red-shouldered Hawk, turn your attention to another enchanting raptor gracing Oklahoma’s skies—the Cooper’s Hawk.

These agile hunters thrive in forested areas with tall trees, but they’ve adapted to urban environments, often found in parks and neighborhoods.

With impressive speed and maneuverability, they hunt small birds, maneuvering through branches with ease, making them fascinating to observe.

15) Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwing is one of those enchanting birds you’re likely to spot in Oklahoma, especially if you frequent areas with fruiting trees and shrubs.

You’ll recognize them by their sleek brown heads, black eye masks, and distinctive yellow tail tips. These sociable birds travel in flocks, feeding on berries and insects.

They breed late in the season, often nesting in urban areas.

16) American Goldfinch

American Goldfinches are a delightful sight in Oklahoma, especially in weedy fields and gardens.

You’ll often see them flocking in open areas, feeding on seeds from plants like thistles. Their late summer nesting in deciduous shrubs creates a charming scene.

These non-aggressive birds enjoy sunflower and nyjer seeds at feeders, making musical calls even during winter, when many birds remain silent.

17) Baltimore Oriole

Spotting a Baltimore Oriole in your backyard feels like a burst of sunshine among the trees. These vibrant birds favor deciduous woodlands and suburban areas, often seen in Oklahoma’s parks and backyards.

Males boast striking orange plumage with black heads, while females are yellowish-orange. Attract them with halved oranges or grape jelly.

Orioles weave sock-shaped nests, hanging from slender branches, for their eggs.

18) Painted Bunting

Consider yourself fortunate if you catch a glimpse of a Painted Bunting in your backyard.

These striking birds, with males donning vivid blue, red, and yellow-green plumage, breed in Oklahoma’s dense thickets and woodland edges.

Females, more understated in gray-white and brown, build nests in hidden spots.

Unfortunately, their numbers have declined, primarily due to habitat loss, but conservation efforts aim to stabilize their population.

19) Indigo Bunting

If you find yourself near brushy edges or old fields in Oklahoma, keep an eye out for the vibrant Indigo Bunting.

These sparrow-sized birds, about 5 1/2 inches long, thrive in habitats like bushy wood edges and swamps.

Males flaunt deep blue plumage with a black mask, while females are brown with a blue-tinged tail.

They migrate at night, using stars as guides.

20) Hummingbirds

In Oklahoma, several vibrant hummingbird species grace the skies, each with unique characteristics and migration patterns.

You’ll most commonly spot the Ruby-throated Hummingbird across the eastern regions, while the Black-chinned prefers the western areas.

Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through during spring and fall. They thrive on nectar and insects, needing water sources and shelter to nest, often in urban gardens and wooded areas.

21) Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird is an enchanting presence in Oklahoma’s backyards, known for its adaptability and bold territorial behavior.

You’ll find these birds in open areas like parks and gardens, preferring short grass for foraging. They build nests in shrubs, with males constructing the base.

Their song, full of imitations, is heard all day. Watch as they fiercely defend their territory.

22) Gray Catbird

While the Northern Mockingbird’s bold antics capture attention, the Gray Catbird offers its own intriguing presence in Oklahoma’s landscapes.

You’ll find them nesting in dense shrubs, their slate-gray bodies blending into the foliage. Their call—a catlike mew—distinctly echoes through the brush.

Attract them by planting berry bushes and providing grape jelly, drawing these secretive birds closer to your backyard sanctuary.

23) Common Starling

Common Starlings, often seen in large, bustling flocks, are a familiar sight across Oklahoma’s urban and rural landscapes.

These short-tailed, chunky birds measure around 7 1/2-8 1/2 inches, smaller than a robin. Their iridescent black plumage with white flecks in winter makes them easy to spot.

You’ll find them foraging on the ground, eating insects, berries, and seeds, and nesting in tree cavities.

24) Eastern Bluebird

After observing the bustling flocks of Common Starlings, you might notice the strikingly different Eastern Bluebirds that grace Oklahoma’s landscapes.

These birds prefer open country with scattered trees, often near lakes. They nest in tree cavities or nest boxes, usually away from evergreen shrubs.

You’ll find them perching on dead branches in mowed areas, attracted to mealworms and fruit at feeders.

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Kayden Bliss

Kayden Bliss, the creator of beakofbirds, is a devoted bird enthusiast who shares tips, insights, and stories to inspire fellow bird lovers. When not writing, Kayden can be found exploring nature with binoculars in hand, marveling at the beauty of birds.

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