Oklahoma has a great mix of birds and bird habitats, making the state an epic place to begin or level up your bird watching journey. We share the following recs for where to go birding, regardless of your birding style.
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A quick search for where to go birding in Oklahoma generates an amazing list of “hotspots” in every corner of the state. And while wildlife management areas, national wildlife refuges, and state parks are great stopover destinations for the long-distance birder, don’t overlook the prime bird watching opportunities in your own yard or community!
Backyard Birding
Birds are mobile creatures, sometimes flying hundreds or thousands of miles each year. But most Oklahomans won’t need to make similar journeys to watch or appreciate birds – they may not even need to leave their homes! Renters, homeowners, or even short-term guests can likely peek out the window, sit on the porch, or amble about the backyard and see several species that readily visit backyard spaces. Songbirds like cardinals, mockingbirds, and blue jays are among the most typical native backyard birds but woodpeckers, doves, and sparrows also frequent urban and suburban yards.
To bring birds closer or encourage them to make themselves at home, backyard birders can add bird-friendly plants and landscaping features to their properties. Providing food and water, as well as cover from weather and predators can help you attract more birds and level up your backyard bird watching experience.
Terry Brunholtz
Terry Brunholtz has turned his Owasso backyard into a haven for birds as well as a living nature photography set. Read about his passion for native plants and photography in our Outdoor Oklahoma Journal.
Birding opportunities are also waiting just outside the backyard! Your sidewalk, road, and grocery store parking lot can bring chances to see new birds as well as old favorites. A city park, walking trail, or park bench can become part of your weekend routine and bring a new appreciation for your local bird community (and allow you to build your own birding community).
Venturing from the yard to the neighborhood park oftentimes allows birders to watch a more diverse set of birds – especially if the backyard is small or highly manicured. Neighborhood retention ponds can attract ducks, geese, and herons, and wooded parks may bring in orioles, vireos, and flycatchers.
Birding Etiquette
No matter where you’re birding, be respectful of the birds you’re watching and the places you’re visiting.
Be mindful of where you point your binoculars…especially in neighborhoods or around houses.
Be respectful of property boundaries.
If birding by car, pull all the way over before birding! If birding with a passenger, ask them to help identify safety hazards and the best areas to park.
Destination Birding
If you’re ready to take your bird obsession on the road, Outdoor Oklahoma has several first-rate places to spread your birding wings. Because the state ranges from prairie to forest and mesa to swamp, the list of birds you may see can change with the destination’s region and habitat. Bird-based road trips may also need to be scheduled with migration or around the nesting or over-wintering season.
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Oklahoma's State Parks: The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department manages 32 state parks, many of which come with hiking trails and camping or lodging opportunities. A parking pass is required at 22 of the parks.
National Wildlife Refuges: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates nine National Wildlife Refuges in Oklahoma, each established to conserve native species and their habitats.
Nature Preserves: The Nature Conservancy protects 12 preserves in Oklahoma, five of which are open to the public or have limited access.
Wildlife Management Areas: The Wildlife Department manages 83 areas for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-oriented activities. A conservation passport or hunting or fishing license is required at agency-owned areas. Check area regulations for closures, especially during hunting seasons.
What's Been Seen, and Where?
Nature sharing apps like eBird and iNaturalist are great for documenting sightings, and for finding out what’s been spotted near you! These free apps can help you determine where to go to look for target species, or what to look for at specific locations. Both apps have an "Explore" option that shows the species recently reported in the search area.
Terry Brunholtz
