Feeding backyard birds in Oklahoma
Oklahoma sits in the Great Plains feeder region. Wind and cold: put feeders in the lee of a shelterbelt and keep water open. State bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
Which birds visit feeders in Oklahoma?
| Bird | Best food | Feeder | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| House Finches | Black oil sunflower | Tube feeder | Year round; often the most numerous bird at suburban feeders |
| Goldfinches | Nyjer (thistle) | Nyjer (finch) tube | Flocks in winter; bright yellow breeding plumage in spring and summer |
| Blue Jays | Peanuts in the shell | Platform or tray feeder | Bold and noisy; often arrive in family groups in autumn |
| Mourning Doves | White proso millet | Platform or tray feeder | Year round across most of the US |
| Juncos | White proso millet | Ground tray | Winter visitors across most of the US ("snowbirds") |
| Downy Woodpeckers | Suet and suet dough | Suet cage | Year round |
| Chickadees | Black oil sunflower | Tube feeder | Year round; the first to find a new feeder |
| Native Sparrows | White proso millet | Ground tray | Year round, with more species in winter |
| Orioles | Fruit (oranges, apples, berries) | Oriole feeder | Arrive in spring migration and feed heavily on fruit and jelly on arrival |
| Cardinals | Safflower | Hopper feeder | Most active at dawn and dusk, often the first and last birds at the feeder |
| Grosbeaks | Black oil sunflower | Hopper feeder | Rose-breasted in spring migration in the East; black-headed in the West; evening grosbeaks irrupt some winters |
| Quail | White proso millet | Ground tray | Year round |
Feeders that suit Oklahoma
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
What seed should you buy in Oklahoma?
- Black oil sunflower: the one seed to buy if you buy one. High oil content and a thin shell make it the widest-appeal seed there is. Most feeder birds in most of North America eat it.
- Nyjer (thistle): finch food for small-port feeders. Not related to thistle despite the name. Imported nyjer is heat-treated so it does not sprout. Needs a feeder with tiny ports or mesh or it pours out.
- Peanuts in the shell: jay magnet. Jays cache them, which is fun to watch and empties a tray fast.
- White proso millet: for ground-feeding birds. The best of the small grains, but also a favourite of non-native house sparrows and cowbirds. Offer it on a tray, not in a hanging feeder.
- Suet and suet dough: fat for insect eaters. Rendered suet cakes are the standard; no-melt doughs blend fat with flour or cornmeal to hold shape in heat.
What about hummingbirds and nest boxes?
Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (east) and broad-tailed or rufous in migration (west).
Nest boxes worth putting up: Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, House Wren, Tree Swallow, American Kestrel.
Neighbouring Great Plains states: Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota.
Bird feeding in other states
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Get the Oklahoma feeding calendar
What to put out through the year and when to clean, on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What birds come to feeders in Oklahoma?
Common feeder birds across the Great Plains include house finches, goldfinches, blue jays, mourning doves, juncos, downy woodpeckers and chickadees. Exact species vary with habitat and elevation, and winter brings visitors that do not breed locally. Project FeederWatch counts are the best guide to what a feeder in your part of Oklahoma will actually see.
What is the state bird of Oklahoma?
The official state bird of Oklahoma is the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. It is not a typical feeder bird, but the setup on this page brings in the common backyard species of the state.
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Oklahoma?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (east) and broad-tailed or rufous in migration (west) Put feeders out about two weeks before the usual first arrivals in spring and leave them up until two weeks after the last visitor in autumn; keeping a feeder up late does not stop migration. Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water and change it on the temperature schedule.
How do I feed birds in Oklahoma in winter?
Wind and cold: put feeders in the lee of a shelterbelt and keep water open. Keep feeders clean, since crowded winter feeders spread disease, and stock high-energy foods such as black oil sunflower and suet, with a heated bird bath for water when everything else is frozen.
Are there bird feeding restrictions in Oklahoma?
Some towns, HOAs and wildlife agencies restrict feeding where bears, deer or rodents are a problem. Check your local rules and take feeders down during disease outbreak advisories.