WhenToBird

2 grosbeak species in Oklahoma

When Do Grosbeaks Arrive in Oklahoma?

Adult male Blue Grosbeak
Photo: John Rosford, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Blue Grosbeaks and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are the grosbeaks you are most likely to see in Oklahoma. Blue Grosbeaks reach Oklahoma in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of June (9.0% of checklists), and most are gone by late August.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April
Common byApr 22-30late April
PeakJun 8-14the second week of June
Most gone byAug 22-31late August

Best: the second week of June. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by late August. Peak: on about 9.0% of Oklahoma checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Grosbeaks in Oklahoma, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Blue GrosbeakApr 15-21Apr 22-30Jun 8-14Aug 22-319.0%
Rose-breasted GrosbeakApr 22-30Apr 22-30May 8-14May 8-143.0%
0%5%10%Blue GrosbeakRose-breasted GrosbeakJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Blue Grosbeak
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Oklahoma that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Oklahoma

Best counties for Blue Grosbeak

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Adair CountyBest early August · 18 checklists that week, 616 in all66%
  2. Ellis CountyBest late June · 11 checklists that week, 357 in all50%
  3. Major CountyBest early June · 22 checklists that week, 631 in all40%
  4. Greer CountyBest the second week of June · 18 checklists that week, 390 in all37%
  5. Washita CountyBest the second week of May · 20 checklists that week, 404 in all36%
  6. Cimarron CountyBest mid May · 249 checklists that week, 5,146 in all35%

Common questions

When do grosbeaks arrive in Oklahoma?
Blue Grosbeaks reach Oklahoma in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of June (9.0% of checklists), and most are gone by late August.
When do grosbeaks leave Oklahoma?
Most Blue Grosbeaks have left Oklahoma by late August, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late September.
When is the best time to see grosbeaks in Oklahoma?
The Blue Grosbeak is reported most often in the second week of June, on about 9.0% of Oklahoma checklists.
Which grosbeaks are in Oklahoma?
Blue Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak are reported regularly; the Blue Grosbeak is the most common.