If you’ve been waiting to hang your hummingbird feeders in Oklahoma, timing matters more than you might think. While the ruby-throated hummingbird arrives as early as mid-March, several other species pass through the state during spring and fall migrations, each with their own schedules and preferences.
Understanding when these tiny visitors arrive—and what attracts them—can transform your backyard into a hummingbird hotspot. Oklahoma’s location in the south-central United States makes it a crucial stopover point for migrating hummingbirds traveling between their breeding grounds and wintering habitats.
You’ll encounter eight distinct species here, though not all at the same time. Some stay for the entire breeding season, while others appear briefly during migration windows.
Knowing which species to expect and when they typically arrive helps you prepare the right habitat and food sources to welcome these remarkable birds.
1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is Oklahoma’s most common and widespread hummingbird species, and it’s likely the one you’ll see most often at your feeders. These birds are the only hummingbird species that breeds east of the Mississippi River, and Oklahoma sits right in the western edge of their breeding range.
Males typically arrive in Oklahoma between mid-March and early April, about one to two weeks before females. You’ll recognize males by their brilliant ruby-red throat patch, called a gorget, which flashes like a jewel in the sunlight.
Females lack this colorful throat and instead display white underparts with a greenish back. Both sexes measure about 3 to 3.5 inches long with a wingspan of approximately 4 inches.
Pro Tip: Set up your feeders by mid-March in Oklahoma to ensure early arriving males find food sources immediately after their long migration journey.
These hummingbirds remain in Oklahoma throughout the breeding season, typically from April through September. During this time, females build tiny cup-shaped nests about the size of a walnut, often on downward-sloping tree branches.
They use spider silk to bind plant material together, creating an expandable structure that grows with their chicks. According to the National Audubon Society, ruby-throated hummingbirds can raise two broods per season in favorable conditions.
By late September and early October, most ruby-throated hummingbirds begin their southward migration to Central America. However, stragglers occasionally remain into November, especially during mild autumns. If you want to attract these birds to your yard, focus on planting native tubular flowers like trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, and cardinal flower alongside maintaining clean sugar-water feeders.
2. Black-Chinned Hummingbird
The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) represents Oklahoma’s second most frequently observed species, though it’s primarily found in the western portions of the state. This species breeds throughout the western United States and arrives in Oklahoma slightly later than ruby-throated hummingbirds.
You can expect black-chinned hummingbirds to appear in Oklahoma from late April through early May, with peak numbers occurring during migration periods in May and again in August. Males feature a black throat with a thin purple band at the bottom edge, though this purple stripe is often difficult to see except in perfect lighting.
Females closely resemble female ruby-throated hummingbirds, making field identification challenging without careful observation of behavior and habitat preferences.
These birds measure slightly smaller than ruby-throated hummingbirds, typically 3 to 3.75 inches in length. One distinguishing characteristic is their pumping tail motion while hovering—black-chinned hummingbirds frequently pump their tails while feeding, whereas ruby-throated hummingbirds generally keep their tails still.
Research from Cornell Lab of Ornithology indicates that black-chinned hummingbirds adapt well to urban environments and readily use artificial feeders.
Key Insight: Black-chinned hummingbirds prefer lower elevation habitats compared to other western species, making Oklahoma’s terrain ideal during migration.
While some black-chinned hummingbirds breed in far western Oklahoma, most individuals you observe will be migrants passing through on their way to breeding grounds further west or winter territories in Mexico. Fall migration extends from late July through September, with occasional individuals lingering into October.
These birds show a strong preference for riparian areas with cottonwood and willow trees, so if your property includes or borders such habitat, you’re more likely to spot them.
3. Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) earns recognition as one of North America’s feistiest hummingbird species despite its small size. These aggressive defenders of food sources travel one of the longest migration routes of any hummingbird, breeding as far north as Alaska and wintering in Mexico.
In Oklahoma, rufous hummingbirds appear almost exclusively during fall migration, typically from mid-July through October, with peak numbers in August and September. Spring migrants generally follow a more westerly route through California and the Pacific Coast, bypassing Oklahoma entirely.
This fall-only pattern makes them exciting seasonal visitors that many Oklahoma birders eagerly anticipate each year. Adult male rufous hummingbirds display stunning orange-red plumage across their back, flanks, and tail, with an iridescent orange-red gorget.
Females and immature birds show green backs with rufous flanks and tail bases. At 3 to 3.5 inches long, they’re similar in size to ruby-throated hummingbirds but appear stockier with relatively shorter wings.
The Hummingbird Central notes that rufous hummingbirds can be remarkably aggressive, often dominating feeders and chasing away larger hummingbird species.
These birds undertake an impressive migration journey covering up to 3,900 miles from Alaska to Mexico. During their Oklahoma stopover, they’re particularly attracted to red tubular flowers and well-maintained feeders.
If you notice increased aggression at your feeders in late summer, with one bird zealously guarding the food source and chasing all others away, you’ve likely got a rufous hummingbird in residence.
| Species | Spring Arrival | Fall Presence | Breeding in OK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Mid-March to April | September-October | Yes |
| Black-chinned | Late April to May | August-September | Western OK only |
| Rufous | Rare | July-October | No |
| Calliope | Very rare | August-September | No |
4. Calliope Hummingbird
The calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) holds the distinction of being North America’s smallest bird species, measuring just 2.75 to 3.25 inches long and weighing only about 2.5 grams—roughly the weight of a penny. These tiny migrants breed in mountain meadows of the Pacific Northwest and occasionally appear in Oklahoma during migration.
Your chances of spotting a calliope hummingbird in Oklahoma are relatively low but not impossible. They appear most frequently during fall migration from late July through September, with August offering the best observation window.
Spring sightings are exceptionally rare, as these birds typically follow a more westerly migration corridor during their northbound journey.
Male calliope hummingbirds feature distinctive wine-red streaks on their throat rather than a solid gorget patch, creating a unique “whiskered” appearance. Females display peachy-colored flanks and lack the throat streaking.
Despite their diminutive size, calliope hummingbirds defend territories vigorously and can often be seen perching on exposed branches while surveying their domain.
Important Note: Calliope hummingbirds require high-elevation habitats for breeding, making Oklahoma purely a migration stopover rather than breeding territory.
According to Sibley Guides, calliope hummingbirds prefer mountain habitats with elevations above 4,000 feet during breeding season, which explains their rarity in Oklahoma’s generally lower elevations. However, during migration, they become less selective about elevation and may appear at feeders in various habitats. If you’re hoping to spot one of these remarkable tiny birds, maintain your feeders well into fall and watch carefully—their small size makes them easy to overlook among more common species.
5. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
The broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) breeds primarily in mountain regions of the western United States, where males produce a distinctive metallic trilling sound with their wings during flight. This unique acoustic signature makes them easier to detect than many other hummingbird species, even before you see them.
In Oklahoma, broad-tailed hummingbirds appear as uncommon migrants, primarily in the western portions of the state. Your best chance of observing them occurs during spring migration from late April through May, and again during fall migration from July through September.
These birds rarely linger long in Oklahoma, as they’re typically en route to or from breeding territories in the Rocky Mountains and other high-elevation western ranges.
Male broad-tailed hummingbirds display an iridescent rose-red gorget and greenish back, measuring about 3.5 to 4 inches in length. The metallic wing trill produced by males is created by air rushing through modified wing feathers and serves as both a territorial signal and courtship display.
Females lack the colorful gorget and don’t produce the wing trill, showing instead rufous flanks and white-tipped outer tail feathers.
These hummingbirds prefer habitats with mixed coniferous and deciduous trees, particularly near mountain streams and meadows. While Colorado hosts significant breeding populations, Oklahoma observers typically encounter only transient individuals. If you live in the Oklahoma Panhandle or western counties, you have a better chance of spotting broad-tailed hummingbirds than residents of eastern Oklahoma.
Research published by the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory shows that broad-tailed hummingbirds demonstrate strong site fidelity to breeding territories, returning to the same mountain meadows year after year. This behavior means that migrants passing through Oklahoma follow relatively consistent routes and timing, so if you spot one during a particular week one year, you might see them again during the same timeframe in subsequent years.
6. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) represents a fascinating case of range expansion in North American birds. Historically confined to coastal California and Baja California, these non-migratory hummingbirds have expanded their range significantly over the past several decades, now appearing regularly in areas far from their traditional habitat.
In Oklahoma, Anna’s hummingbirds remain rare but are increasingly reported, particularly during winter months when most other hummingbird species have migrated south. Sightings typically occur from November through March, with individuals occasionally remaining at feeders throughout the winter if food sources are maintained.
This winter presence makes them especially notable, as they’re often the only hummingbird species you might observe in Oklahoma during cold months.
Male Anna’s hummingbirds are stunning birds with iridescent rose-pink gorgets that extend up over the crown, creating a helmeted appearance. Females lack the extensive pink coloration but may show a small red patch on the throat. At 3.5 to 4 inches long, they’re slightly larger and stockier than ruby-throated hummingbirds.
These birds produce a variety of vocalizations, including scratchy songs and sharp call notes, making them more vocal than most other hummingbird species.
Pro Tip: If you want to help potential wintering Anna’s hummingbirds, keep at least one feeder maintained throughout winter, bringing it inside at night during freezing temperatures to prevent ice formation.
The expansion of Anna’s hummingbird range correlates strongly with the proliferation of hummingbird feeders and ornamental plantings that provide year-round food sources. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology data, Anna’s hummingbirds have adapted to urban and suburban environments more successfully than most hummingbird species.
While still uncommon in Oklahoma, the trend suggests that winter sightings may become more frequent in coming years, particularly in areas where dedicated bird enthusiasts maintain feeders throughout the cold season.
7. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) breeds primarily along the Pacific Coast from southern Oregon to southern California, making Oklahoma far outside its normal range. However, like several other western hummingbird species, occasional individuals appear in Oklahoma as vagrants, particularly during fall migration.
Your chances of encountering an Allen’s hummingbird in Oklahoma are quite low, but not impossible. Most documented sightings occur between August and November during fall migration, when birds occasionally wander east of their typical migration corridor.
These sightings remain rare enough that any Allen’s hummingbird observation in Oklahoma would be noteworthy and worth reporting to local bird records committees or eBird.
Allen’s hummingbirds closely resemble rufous hummingbirds in appearance, creating significant identification challenges. Adult males show orange-red gorgets and rufous-colored backs, flanks, and tails—nearly identical to male rufous hummingbirds.
The primary distinguishing feature is the back color: adult male Allen’s hummingbirds have green backs, while rufous hummingbirds show rufous backs. However, immature and female birds of both species are virtually indistinguishable in the field without in-hand examination.
These birds measure 3 to 3.5 inches long and exhibit the aggressive territorial behavior characteristic of Selasphorus hummingbirds. If you’re examining what appears to be a rufous hummingbird at your feeder and notice a green back on an adult male, you should document the sighting carefully with photographs if possible, as you may have found one of Oklahoma’s rare Allen’s hummingbirds.
The Hummingbird Society notes that separating Allen’s from rufous hummingbirds requires careful attention to subtle plumage details and, ideally, multiple clear photographs from different angles. Given the identification challenges and the species’ rarity in Oklahoma, any suspected Allen’s hummingbird should be studied thoroughly and reported to experienced local birders for confirmation.
8. Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) inhabits the arid southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, favoring desert scrub and chaparral habitats quite different from most of Oklahoma’s landscape. This species appears in Oklahoma only as an extremely rare vagrant, with very few documented records in the state.
If a Costa’s hummingbird does appear in Oklahoma, it would most likely occur during fall or winter months, from September through February. These birds don’t undertake long-distance migrations like many other hummingbird species; instead, they make relatively short movements between breeding and wintering areas within the southwestern deserts.
Vagrant individuals that reach Oklahoma have strayed far from their normal range, possibly displaced by weather systems or simply wandering during post-breeding dispersal.
Male Costa’s hummingbirds are unmistakable when seen well, featuring brilliant violet-purple gorgets that extend into elongated side feathers, creating a distinctive “mustache” appearance.
Females are plain grayish-green birds with minimal markings, making them much more challenging to identify. At 3 to 3.5 inches long, Costa’s hummingbirds are slightly smaller than ruby-throated hummingbirds and appear compact with relatively short tails and wings.
Key Insight: Costa’s hummingbirds have adapted to extreme desert heat by breeding earlier than most hummingbirds, often nesting in February and March when desert wildflowers bloom.
These birds show a strong preference for desert plants like chuparosa, ocotillo, and desert honeysuckle—species not native to Oklahoma. However, they will visit feeders when available, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.
According to research from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Costa’s hummingbirds have evolved physiological adaptations to conserve water and tolerate high temperatures, making them uniquely suited to desert life.
While you shouldn’t expect to see a Costa’s hummingbird in Oklahoma, maintaining awareness of this species’ appearance helps you recognize the exceptional if one does appear. Any suspected Costa’s hummingbird sighting in Oklahoma would represent a significant record worthy of careful documentation and reporting to state ornithological authorities.
For those interested in seeing this species reliably, southern Arizona offers consistent viewing opportunities during their breeding season.
Pro Tip: Keep your feeders up through late fall and even into winter—you never know when a rare vagrant species might appear, and your feeder could provide crucial sustenance for a lost bird far from its normal range.
Understanding the timing and patterns of Oklahoma’s eight hummingbird species helps you maximize your chances of observing these remarkable birds. While ruby-throated hummingbirds dominate spring and summer, fall migration brings exciting possibilities for spotting western species like rufous and calliope hummingbirds.
By maintaining clean feeders from mid-March through late October—or even year-round if you’re hoping for rare winter visitors—you create valuable habitat for both common residents and uncommon migrants. Whether you’re a dedicated birder or simply enjoy watching these aerial acrobats visit your garden, Oklahoma’s diverse hummingbird community offers something special throughout much of the year.
