Hummingbirds are present in Oklahoma, arriving each spring as the weather warms and the flowering season begins. The state lies along major flight paths, making it a crucial stopover and summer breeding ground. Oklahoma hosts a reliable seasonal population, utilizing its diverse habitats for necessary nectar and insect resources.
Common Hummingbird Species
The most frequently encountered hummingbird in Oklahoma is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, occupying the eastern three-quarters of the state. The male is recognizable by its iridescent, red throat—known as a gorget—against a green back. Females lack this vibrant patch, displaying a white underside and a green back with white-tipped outer tail feathers.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is the second most common species, typically residing in the western quarter of Oklahoma, though its range has expanded eastward. The male Black-chinned features a black throat that shimmers with a thin, iridescent violet band at the bottom. The female is less colorful, presenting a gray-white throat with a pale green back. The Rufous Hummingbird is a third species, primarily seen as a transient migrant passing through the state.
The Oklahoma Migration Schedule
The arrival of hummingbirds in Oklahoma is a reliable signal of spring, with the first males typically appearing between mid-March and early April. These early arrivals, driven by an instinctual response to increasing day length, precede the females by approximately one to two weeks. The birds travel from their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America, with many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds undertaking a non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
The summer population remains for breeding until the southward migration begins in the fall. Males are the first to depart, usually leaving by early to mid-September after breeding duties are completed. Females and juvenile birds follow later, with most of the population having left by the middle of October. Migration is triggered not by a lack of food but by the shortening of daylight hours.
Creating a Hummingbird Habitat
Providing a reliable food source is the most effective way to attract and sustain hummingbirds. Feeders should be filled with a simple sugar-water solution mixed at a ratio of one part table sugar to four parts water. Avoid adding red food dye, as the birds are attracted to the red color of the feeder itself, not the nectar.
Feeder hygiene is paramount, especially during hot summer months when the sugar solution can ferment quickly. When temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the nectar should be changed and the feeder thoroughly cleaned every two to three days. Placing feeders in shaded areas helps keep the solution fresh longer and reduces the risk of mold or fermentation.
Supplementing feeders with nectar-rich plants provides a natural and sustainable food source. Recommended native plants include:
- Trumpet Vine (tubular, reddish-orange flowers)
- Coral Honeysuckle (bright blossoms)
- Bee Balm
- Various species of Salvia
These plants offer the high-energy nectar necessary to fuel their active metabolism.
Winter and Accidental Visitors
While the bulk of Oklahoma’s hummingbird population departs by mid-October, sightings in November and even during the winter months are becoming more frequent. These late-season birds are often stragglers or western species that have strayed from their usual migratory routes. The Rufous Hummingbird is the most common of these unusual visitors, with individuals sometimes choosing to overwinter in the southern part of the state.
Other rare species, like the Anna’s Hummingbird or the tiny Calliope Hummingbird, are occasionally documented in Oklahoma during the non-summer months. Continuing to keep feeders clean and filled into late fall can provide much-needed energy for these late-migrating or misplaced individuals. Reporting any sightings of hummingbirds after the typical mid-October departure to local birding organizations is helpful for tracking these shifting migratory patterns.