From Pawhuska, the creek flows southeastward and eastward through the north side of the Tulsa metropolitan area, before reaching its mouth at the Verdigris River near Catoosa.

There are numerous minor tributaries, both named and unnamed, that have contributed to historical flooding problems in the Tulsa area.

Finally, a flood of Mingo creek on September 19 was enough evidence for the residents to show that the city's previous actions had been wholly insufficient.

[7] In August 2016, an oily sheen, along with several dead fish and turtles, was reported on North Bird Creek, about 5 miles (8.0 km) from the Tall Grass Preserve in Osage County, Oklahoma.

The EPA continued monitoring Bird Creek and had threatened to close some of the oil wells nearest the site.