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A collage of three photos showing an all-red bird, a white egret with plumes on its head, and a blue bird sitting on a clump of sumac seeds.
Wild America

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we’ve dug deep into field guides and reference books to find Oklahoma fish and wildlife that have a tie to our country’s history and heritage. From the red, white, and blue to those “officially” named in 1776, we’ve got dozens of wild America examples and trivia that are basically firecrackers for your brain.

A mural showing a scissor-tailed flycatcher, monarchs, and an American bison along Route 66
Route 66: Where Wild Things Are

Between photo ops, diner food, and getting your proverbial kicks, keep an eye out for a roadside attraction that can be seen along every mile of Route 66 — wildlife! The famous highway offers a windshield-level view of Oklahoma’s natural beauty and wildlife diversity.

An orange and black butterfly with a small transmitter glued to its thorax perches on a yellow flower.
OKC Zoo Tracks Monarchs on the Move

Twenty “first generation” Oklahoma monarchs were tagged with small solar-powered transmitters at the Oklahoma City Zoo to track their northbound migration. This incredible technology has tracked one Oklahoma monarch more than 200 miles!

Mountain Bluebird Flying
Mountain Bluebird

The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a small thrush with a round head, thin bill, and brilliant bright blue plumage on the male of the species.

Shells that Tell: Photos Show Turtles' Staying Power

In 2018, Piedmont resident Thomas Hall rummaged in his pocket for his phone and snapped a picture directly above an ornate box turtle he had found in his backyard. He's since documented several turtles using the space, identifying individuals by their unique shell pattern.

A biologist passes a soil sample to another biologist holding a small ice chest.
St. Jude Monitors Wildlife Disease to Safeguard Children

Medical research met wildlife disease surveillance this winter when a St. Jude disease researcher tested sediment samples at known whooping crane stopover sites in five states. This pilot project gave insights into the prevalence and detection rates of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the Central Flyway.

A grayish red bird with a large orange bill perches on a small branch.
QUIZ: What Kind of Birder Are You?

Are you a fledgling birder, a yard bird, or a long-distance migrant? Take our bird watching quiz to find your birding style, then get tips for building skills and leveling up your birding experience.

A bird with a russet brown back and yellow and black throat sings while perched on a green stem.
Birding by Ear: Tips for Identifying Bird Songs

Identifying the songs and calls made by individual bird species, or birding by ear, is a great way to level up your nature experience and appreciate birds in a new way.

Wildlife viewer looking through binoculars.
Find Your Next Birding Hotspot

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 recs for where to go birding in Oklahoma, regardless of your birding style.

Harvestmen on a leaf at Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Watchable Wildlife: Daddy Longlegs

Think you know the truth about daddy longlegs? The world's most venomous spider myth might be more complicated than you think — discover what these mysterious creatures really are, how they defend themselves, and why you might actually want them around.