Birds of Oklahoma
Birds Every Oklahoma Kid Should Know: Camp Run Amuck Style
Morning at Camp Run Amuck doesn't need an alarm clock.
The birds handle that job.
By breakfast, most campers can tell you who was singing before they ever zipped open their tents, because Pop teaches birding with one simple rule:
Listen first. Look second.
Birds usually announce themselves long before they show themselves.
Birding the Camp Run Amuck Way
At Camp Run Amuck, birdwatching isn't just another scheduled activity—it's part of everyday camp life.
Campers keep field journals, compare bird calls over breakfast, and quickly discover that standing quietly may be the greatest outdoor skill they'll ever learn.
Before long, they aren't just seeing birds.
They're noticing seasons.
They're paying attention.
And that's exactly where birding begins.
The wonderful thing is that you don't have to visit Camp Run Amuck to start.
Your own backyard is the perfect classroom.
Backyard Birds Every Oklahoma Family Should Know
Every Oklahoma neighborhood has its regular visitors, making them the perfect birds to learn first
Keep an eye—and an ear—out for:
Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
American Crow
American Robin
Painted Bunting
Mallard Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
Greater Roadrunner
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Owls, including the Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, and Great Horned Owl
Once you can recognize a few familiar voices, you'll be surprised how quickly the rest begin to stand out.
Meet Oklahoma's State Bird
No Oklahoma birdwatching adventure would be complete without spotting the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
With its pale gray feathers, salmon-colored sides, and unmistakably long forked tail, it's one of the easiest birds to recognize in the state. Watching one dart through the air after insects quickly explains why Oklahoma proudly chose it as its state bird.
And here's a little Lawhoma Hills secret:
If you hear the unmistakable call of an Eastern Whip-poor-will after sunset, you've just discovered the inspiration behind Whippoorwill Wheels, our favorite neighborhood skate rink.
Build Your Own Family Birding Kit
You don't need fancy equipment.
Just a few simple supplies:
A beginner pair of binoculars
A notebook for your family bird journal
A comfortable chair or a quiet place to sit
Fresh water and bird-friendly habitat in your yard
Plenty of patience
Keep a running family bird list on the refrigerator.
Who spots the first cardinal each spring?
Who hears the first whip-poor-will?
Who finally finds the painted bunting?
By the second week, someone will probably insist they're winning.
Explore Oklahoma's Wildlife
One of our favorite resources is the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Oklahoma Wildlife Field Guide.
It's a wonderful way for young naturalists to identify birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, wildflowers, and many other species found throughout Oklahoma.
Bring it along on hikes, camping trips, backyard adventures, or your next visit to Camp Run Amuck.
Fly Over to Camp
Every summer at Camp Run Amuck begins with birdsong.
Pop is already waiting with his binoculars on the bank of Birch Creek.
Your journal is ready.
The campers are listening.
All that's missing is you.
Come discover the birds, the trails, and the stories waiting throughout the Camp Run Amuck series and don't forget to bring your field guide and binoculars!
-Yaya, Lolli, and Pop
Lawhoma Hills, Oklahoma
