Oklahoma Hummingbird Migration: 9 Awesome Travelers

Ten common questions regarding the migration of Oklahoma hummingbirds are discussed in this article.

When do hummingbirds arrive in Oklahoma?

The earliest arrivals of Oklahoma hummingbirds, during spring migration, are seen as early as mid-March, according to Oklahoma’s Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).

The first migrating hummingbirds will be males, followed by females about a week later.
The males arrive first to stake out the territory that they will defend as they try to attract a female.
Females follow about a week later on their journey north to their preferred nesting area, somewhere near their own birth.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are by far the most commonly seen hummingbird in Oklahoma.

Watch for the male’s vividly colored gorget; a week or so later, the females will begin to appear at your feeders.

See my article:
How to Identify a Hummingbird’s Gender in 4 Easy Steps

Oklahoma hummingbirds starting their spring migration north from Panama City, Panama need to fly about 3,226 miles over land or 2,148 miles if flying across the Gulf of America to reach Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma hummingbirds starting their journey north from Mexico, at the United States’ southernmost border at Brownsville Texas, need to fly 738 miles to reach Oklahoma City.

What are the most common hummingbirds seen in Oklahoma?

The Ruby-throated hummingbirds are by far the most common hummingbirds seen in Oklahoma, with the Black-chinned hummingbird being a distant second.

These are Oklahoma’s statistics at the beginning of 2025 as reported by ebird.org

• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Oklahoma, 8,850 will be Ruby-throated.
• On average, out of 10,000 hummingbird sightings in Oklahoma, 1,050 will be Black-chinned.

Are there Oklahoma hummingbirds that live in the state year-round?

There are no hummingbird species that live in Oklahoma year-round.
All other hummingbird species found in Oklahoma are migratory and leave for warmer climates in the fall.

The only hummingbirds Oklahomans may see in the middle of winter are those too old or injured to migrate.

The general public is unaware of how cold-tolerant hummingbirds actually are.
Some banded hummingbirds have been observed at temperatures as low as -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to eBird.org.

Read my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded

Which Oklahoma hummingbirds breed and nest in the state?

The Ruby-throated and Black-chinned hummingbirds are the only hummingbirds that breed and nest in Oklahoma, according to the OKC Audubon Society.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds have an extensive breeding area that covers the entire eastern half of the United States, and extends into Canada as far west as Alberta.

Black-chinned hummingbirds breed throughout the western United States extending southward into northern Mexico and northward into southern British Columbia.
The breeding states include Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

The entire reason for northern migration, much like salmon swimming upstream to their place of birth to lay eggs, is to return to the area where they were born to mate, build a nest, and raise a family.
Once the breeding grounds have been reached, focus turns to finding a partner with which to mate.

Each species of male hummingbirds has its own unique mating dance ritual of courtship to attract a female. They do perfectly choreographed dives and dance maneuvers to attract a flirty female.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

There is no penetration during the mating ritual as male hummingbirds do not have any external sexual organs.

The mating process only lasts for approximately 3-5 seconds while the cloacae (kloh-ay-see) of both hummingbirds are pressed together in what is called the “Cloacal Kiss” (kloh-a-coal kiss).

After the Cloacal kiss, the female must begin building the nest immediately.
Female hummingbirds prefer building nests 10 to 20 feet off the ground in deciduous trees.
It will take her between 5 and 7 days to construct the nest of materials such as plant down, moss, and fine plant fibers, decorated with lichens and held together by spider webs.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

See my article: 
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Hummingbirds usually lay 2 eggs per brood, one each on consecutive days.

On average, the Ruby-throated and Black-chinned hummingbirds raise two families per year in Oklahoma.
However, there are occasions where they are able to work in an additional family for a total of three families per year.

When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma hummingbird enthusiasts should put out hummingbird feeders in mid-March to early April to attract the very earliest arriving migrating hummingbirds.
Approximately one week after the arrival of the male hummingbirds, the females will follow.

Make sure to use high-quality nectar solutions in your hummingbird feeders; homemade nectar works best.

See my article:
Forget Commercial Hummingbird Food, Try Making Homemade Nectar

See my article:
The One Thing You Need to Eliminate From a Hummingbird’s Diet

Clean feeders regularly (every 2-3 days in hot weather) to prevent mold and bacteria.
Place feeders in partially shaded areas to keep nectar fresh longer.

Many Oklahoma hummingbird admirers leave their hummingbird feeders up all winter long to provide life-nourishing nectar to some hummingbird species that choose to overwinter or those unable to migrate due to injury or old age.

However, most of these hummingbirds will not spend the winter in Oklahoma and will decide to migrate south for the winter.

How long do hummingbirds stay in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma hummingbirds stay in the state for at least seven months.
They start arriving as early as mid-March and most will be gone by late October.
Some hummingbirds can choose to overwinter in Oklahoma, however most migrate south for the winter.
No hummingbird species live in Oklahoma year-round.

Hummingbird Seasons in Oklahoma

Season:	Activity:
Mid-March – Early April	Earliest arriving (Ruby-throated)
May – July	Peak season for nesting and breeding
September – Mid-October	Fall migration
Late October – Beyond	No overwintering species, only old or injured can choose to stay.

Hummingbirds have exceptional memories and will remember every flower or feeder they visited on the spring migration and will return to those nectar sources on their return southern migration in the fall.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

The most common Oklahoma hummingbirds seen during the hot summer months will be the Ruby-throated and Black-chinned hummingbirds.

When the obstacles of summer heat are difficult to manage and unbearable, finding ways to keep your hummingbirds happy and hydrated with cool nectar is crucial.

See my article:
How to Help Hummingbirds in Hot Weather

Fall migration begins in September and most hummingbirds will be gone from Oklahoma by late October.

The general public is unaware of how tolerant hummingbirds actually are.
Some banded hummingbirds have been observed at temperatures as low as -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to eBird.org.

Other hummingbirds that are too old or injured to migrate can occasionally choose to overwinter in Oklahoma, however most migrate south for the winter.

See my article: 
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

When do Oklahoma hummingbirds leave the state?

Oklahoma hummingbirds begin leaving the state and begin their fall migration in September and by late October they have migrated to their over-wintering areas in Mexico and Central America.
No hummingbirds live in Oklahoma year-round.

A few older hummingbirds will be the first to start the fall migration, depending on their strength and energy, with the youngest hummingbirds finishing the fall migration by the first week of October.

Some migrating seasonal hummingbirds choose to over-winter in Oklahoma and those too old or injured to migrate will be the only likely hummingbirds Oklahoma hummingbird enthusiasts will see during the winter.

Hummingbird migration is triggered by the circadian (internal daily clock) and the circannual (yearly internal clock) rhythm.
Changes in the weather, temperature, time of season, decline in food supply and shorter days with less sunlight are factors that influence the beginning of fall migration.

Similar to spring migration, male hummingbirds are the first to leave and head south for the winter during fall migration.
As soon as the female hummingbirds have finished raising their young and can travel independently, they will set out on their southern fall migration.

When should I take down my hummingbird feeders in Oklahoma?

Take down hummingbird feeders in Oklahoma by late-October or after there have been no consistent hummingbirds at the feeder for a couple of weeks.
Feeders can be up all winter to feed some overwintering, migrating or injured hummingbirds, but removal in mid-winter can be fatal.

Most migrating hummingbirds will not spend the winter in Oklahoma and will decide to migrate south for the winter.

Leaving feeders up does not stop migration; hummingbirds leave based on instinct and daylight changes, not food availability.

Hummingbirds are much more tolerant of cold temperatures than most people realize.
According to eBird.org, some banded hummingbirds have been documented in temperatures of -9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -36 degrees Fahrenheit.

See my article:
11 DIY Ways to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

See my article:
Should I Keep My Hummingbird Feeder Out During the Winter?

How long does it take an Oklahoma hummingbird to migrate?

An Oklahoma hummingbird requires 25 hours of flying at its average flight speed of 30mph to fly from Oklahoma City to the most distant Mexican border 738 miles away.
Oklahoma hummingbirds migrating to Panama 2,148 miles across the Gulf of America or 3,226 over land, will need to fly 72 or 108 hours respectively.

Hummingbirds do not migrate in flocks as do other migrating birds.
Hummingbirds migrate individually on their own personal time clock.
This staggered migration pattern ensures resources are not consumed and depleted all at one time.

As migration approaches, hummingbirds routinely gain 25% to 50% of their body weight by consuming increased quantities of nectar from feeders and flowering plants as well as catching an increased quantity of bugs mid-air for protein.
This increase in body fat helps fuel the hummingbird on its long migration journey.

The hummingbirds that visited your feeders during the spring migration will remember exactly where your feeder is located and will most likely revisit that same feeder on their way to their over-wintering area in Mexico and Central America.

Maintaining feeders is critical in order to maximize food consumption that nourishes and prepares their bodies for migration.

See my article: 
Hummingbird Adaptation and Remarkable Ability to Locate Food

Where do Oklahoma hummingbirds go in the winter?

Oklahoma’s Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Rufous, Broad-billed, Calliope, Mexican Violetear, Costa’s, and Broad-tailed migrating hummingbirds travel south to winter in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Anna’s over-winter in upper Mexico and California.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
They are seen in some years, during the winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Black-chinned hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and as far north as Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Rufous hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during the winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Broad-billed hummingbirds overwinter primarily on the west coast of Mexico with scattered locations throughout the eastern half of the United States.

Calliope hummingbirds overwinter primarily on the west coast of Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Mexican Violetear hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana.

Costa’s hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Southern California, Southern Arizona, Baja California, and the Western Coast of Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during the winter months, in Nevada and Utah.

Broad-tailed hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Mexico and Guatemala.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas in Western Texas.

Anna’s hummingbirds overwinter primarily in Southern California and the upper parts of Baja and Mexico.
They are seen in some years, during winter months, in scattered areas throughout the USA including Texas, Missouri, Illinois (Chicago area), Maryland, Utah, and Idaho.

All hummingbirds have excellent memories and can remember every flower or feeder they visited during spring migration and will return to those locations along their migration pathway year after year.

Some hummingbirds have been documented returning to a feeder for a couple of years after it was removed.

To see all the hummingbirds seen in Oklahoma
Read my article:
Oklahoma Hummingbirds: 9 Awesome Documented Species

Happy Hummingbird Watching!

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions