The birds of Tennessee encompass a plenteous tapis of over 400 species , thriving amidst the country ’s various landscapes . From the furrowed beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the tranquil surface area of Reelfoot Lake in the west , Tennessee bid a mosaic of habitats that attract a spacious regalia of avian residents .
Whether soaring over oak tree forests or fleet through backyard feeders , each shuttle contributes to the vibrant natural symphony orchestra that define this southeastern gem for Bronx cheer partizan .
How many of Tennessee ’s avian resident physician have you identify ? research this guidebook to common backyard and fantastic birds to raise your birdwatching experience !
Common Birds of Tennessee
House Finch
big male person House Finches are rosy red around their head and upper breasts , with brown streaks on their back , butt , and belly . Females are brown with similar streaks . Both sexes have cone-shaped beaks for eating seed and notched tails .
Common in Tennessee , they are often determine near buildings , backyard , and parks . queer and social , House Finches are usually the first to find young bird feeders , enjoying helianthus , Nyjer , and safflower seeds . Their strain is a series of jumbled , warbled notes .
American Crow
The American Crow is a large , entirelyblack birdwith an iridescent sheen , a foresightful blackened note , and shameful leg and foot . extremely adaptable , they are common in Tennessee across various habitats , let in woodlands , playing field , and urban area . They are attracted to peanut vine , whole essence edible corn , and suet .
know for their intelligence service , crow use tool and tell apart human faces . Their calls include various caws , rale , cackles , and clicks , with “ caw - caw ” being the most common .
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrows have browned streak on their chests that converge into a central white meat spot . Their pass features a brown cap with a grey stripe down the middle , a gray brow , and cheek . Their back and body are rust fungus - brown with grey streaks .
Common in Tennessee , they dwell wet , shrubby , and open sphere , nesting in weeds and green goddess . Their beautiful Song , consisting of three short notes comply by a trill , vary by location and single bird .
White-breasted Nuthatch
White - breasted Nuthatches are compactbirds with no cervix , a short buttocks , and a long , pointy bill . Male have a black cap , while female person expose a lighter grey crown . They boast distinctive white cheeks and chests with a blue - grey back .
Common in Tennessee ’s deciduous woods , they also adapt well to car park , cemeteries , and wooded backyards . To attract them , use sunflower seed , peanuts , suet , safflower seeds , and mealworms . Their cheap “ yank ” call is well-fixed to name and often repeat several times .
Red-winged Blackbird
Male Red - winged blackbird are allblack with a promising redand yellow eyepatch on their berm , while females are brown and hard streaky with some yellowed around their greenback . Both sexuality have a conical banker’s bill and are often seen on cattails or perched high in tree .
Common in Tennessee ’s marshes during genteelness time of year , females nest in dense botany , and male person aggressively defend their territory . In nonbreeding season , they frequent grasslands and fields in large flocks . Their classifiable call is a rich , musical “ conk - la - ree ! ”
European Starling
European Starlings are mutual in Tennessee , resembling the size of an American Robin with shiny black plumage , a brusque tail , and a long , lissom beak . bringing up adults have a green - purple tint , while wintertime birds turn a loss glossiness and develop livid spots .
preface in 1890 , they ’re invasive and outcompete aboriginal species . Adaptable to human environments , they eat almost anything and can form disruptive flocks . Their vocalisation range from melodic to squeaky , include apery of other birdie .
Brown-headed Cowbird
The Brown - headed Cowbird is a stocky blackbird with a deep , conical bill . Males have black bodies with a brown head that can be hard to distinguish in pathetic light , while females are manifestly brown with slight belly streaking and a black eye .
discover in Tennessee ’s grassland , thickets , and woodland bound , they ’ve adapt to human growth in areas like residential neighborhoods and orchards . experience as brood parasites , they position ball in other skirt ’ nests , swear on them to raise their young . Their song is a typical “ glug glug glee . ”
House Wren
The House Wren is a common hatful in Tennessee , often seen shoot through backyards hunting insects . They seldom shoot the breeze razz feeders but can be attract by creating brushwood piles for cover and dirt ball gathering .
These small , browned birds have short tails , thin bills , and drab blackball on their wings and tail . Both sex look likewise . Known for nest in strange spots like clothespin pocketbook and boots , they let the cat out of the bag a rapid , flutelike melody with squeaky chatter and rattles .
Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove , a mostly grayishbird with large black wing spotsand a long , fragile tail , is common in Tennessee . It has pinkish legs , a shameful eyeshade , and puritanic eyerings . Both male and females reckon likewise . They can be find light in trees , on telephone wire , or feeding on the ground .
To attract them , offer millet , shell helianthus seeds , Nyjer ejaculate , crack corn , and safflower on flat feeders or the ground . Their typical “ coo - ah , coo , coo , coo ” call is often mistaken for an bird of night .
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Pigeon is a plumpbird with a small head , short legs , and a thin bill . Typically , it has a gray back , a blue - gray-headed pass , and two black fender bars , though its plume can vary wide . Common in Tennessee ’s urban area , they are often seen in big flocks in metropolis parks , seeking food .
Known for their soft , throaty coo , Rock Pigeons can become a pain in high numbers , but they have been associated with humanity for over 5,000 class .
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is a popular bird in Tennessee . male person are a stunning red with a blackened masquerade party and throat , while female person are pale orangish - browned with cherry-red highlights . Both sexes have a crest and a short , thick posting , gross for cracking seeds .
To pull them , offer sunflower germ , false saffron seeds , corn , and peanuts in easy - to - use feeders like trays and hoppers , and cater fresh piddle in a birdbath . Their exonerated whistle melody , sounding like “ birdie - shuttle - bird ” or “ cheer - cheerfulness - cheer , ” are well recognisable .
Blue Jay
The Blue Jay , covered in beautiful downhearted feathers with blackened bars and blanched underpart , is easily recognizable by its dim necklace and blue crest . Males and female person take care the same . Despite assorted opinions , I love their bold personality and gamy news . They noisily impose feeders , stack away food in their pharynx sacks to cache later on .
Blue Jays enjoy whole peanuts , helianthus seeds , and corn . have sex for their dismay call , which sounds like “ jeer , ” they are also fantabulous mimicker , often copy hawks to deceive other birds .
Tufted Titmouse
The Tufted Titmouse is a gray Bronx cheer with snowy underpart , a peach wash on the sides , and a tip on its head . It has a calamitous brow and bombastic , dark eyes , with male and females looking alike . Common in Tennessee ’s deciduous forests , backyards , and parks , they acrobatically flit from tree to tree .
even visitors to chick feeders , especially in winter , prefer helianthus cum but also eat groundnut , safflower seeds , and suet . Their loyal , replicate whistle vocalise like “ peter - peter - peter , ” and they also have a abrasive “ tsee - 24-hour interval - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. - day ” call .
Common Grackle
Common Grackles are gangling , large European blackbird with a long tail and a slimly curved poster . male are black with an iridescent grim head and bronze body , while females are less lustrous . Resourceful and common in Tennessee , they favor grains like corn and Sir Tim Rice but eat up a wide kitchen stove of foods .
eff for their loud , rusty logic gate - same song , they often make large , aggressive flocks that can dominate birdie feeders .
Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpeckers are strikingly large hiss , about the size of a line-shooting , make up to 19 inches long with a 30 - in wingspan . They are mostly black , withwhite stripeson their face and neck and a distinctive ruby crest . male have a red cheek stripe , while female ’ stripes are black .
Common in Tennessee ’s mature woods , they fee on emmet , beetles , termite , fruits , and nuts . Their loud “ cuk - cuk - cuk ” call is classifiable .
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red - bellied peckerwood are a favorite at birdfeeder , admired for their black and white barred backs . Despite their name , the Red River on their belly is minimum . The Bolshevik on their heads differentiate sexes : males havered from beakto neck , females only on the neck .
Common in Tennessee , they savor peanut , helianthus seeds , and suet . Their call is a distinctive rolling “ churr - churr - churr , ” often heard in forest and wooded areas .
American Robin
The American Robin is a beautiful thrush with a rusty red breast and a dark drumhead and back , featuring a bloodless pharynx and splotches around the eye . Males and females appear similar , though females look paler .
Common in Tennessee , they boom in various home ground , from forests to tundra , and are often envision in backyard . Their dieting include invertebrates and fruit , and they typically nest near people , laying classifiable sky - blue eggs . Their song is a string of clear whistle .
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is a small woodpecker with a light banker’s bill . They have white bellies and mostly fatal rachis with blank streaks and situation . male person have a cerise spot on the back of their head , which females lack .
Common in Tennessee , they are easily seen in most backyards . They are attracted to suet , helianthus seeds , and peanuts , and their calls vocalize like a luxuriously - cant whinny that come in pitch .
Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker has a striped head and a direct - gage posture on trees . They areblack and whitewith a long , chisel - like visor . male have a red darn on the back of their heads , which females lack .
Common in Tennessee , they inhabit mature forests , suburban backyards , urban parks , swamps , orchards , and burying ground . Their call is a brusk , sharp “ peep , ” and they can be name from Downy Woodpeckers by their larger size of it and handbill duration .
American Goldfinch
In summer , male American Goldfinches are vividyellow with a laughing gull and wings , while females are a duller yellow and lack the disastrous cap . In wintertime , both sex twist sick chocolate-brown / olive with black extension and a ashen wing prevention .
Common in Tennessee , they are easy attracted to backyards with Nyjer seed and sunflower heart and soul . Thesesmall birdsfeed exclusively on seeded player and breed by and by in the year . Their song is a series of melodic trills and warbles .
House Sparrow
Male House sparrow have grey crowns , black bib , snowy cheeks , and chestnuts on the sides of their faces and cervix . female person are obtuse brown , with fateful streak on their backs and a tan logical argument behind their optic .
Originally from the Middle East , these invading bird are now abundant in Tennessee and globally . They prosper in urban areas and are often see eating caryopsis , moolah , and Zea mays everta . Their song have simple “ peep ” bank note .
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Bluebirds are renowned for their vibrant juicy plumage with rusty chest and throat in males , while females have more subdued colors . ordinarily receive in Tennessee ’s open outer space like meadows , parks , and backyards , they capture with their lulu and cheerful demeanor .
Attracting them to eater is executable with foods like mealworms and berry . Their melodic warbling birdsong , a liquid - sounding warble of 1–3 notes repeated , is distinctive and delicious to discover in outdoor options .
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby - throated Hummingbird is easy identified by the hopeful red throat in males , contrasting with a black chin and green mind and back . female lack the red throat and black chin , but have a white throat and immature back .
usual in Tennessee during the summer , they migrate to Mexico as temperatures cool , often crossing the Gulf of Mexico non - stop . Their classifiable calls , a chattering “ chee - dit , ” are heard during flight of stairs and interactions , sum to their charm in garden and rude home ground .
Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore Oriole heralds spring with its distinctive whistling strain , a stylemark of its return . Males dazzle with vivacious orange and black feather grace with white annex bars , making them a standout in Tennessee . Females , though more subtly color in , share their habitat in open woodlands and along riverbanks , favoring yield , jelly , and nectar .
Their melodic fluting - like call recall from treetops as they defend territorial dominion or communicate with mates , adding a delightful good luck charm to their presence in gardens and natural options .
Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens in Tennessee are ruby - brown with white pharynx and eye lines , and in darkness barred wings and nates . Despite their commonalty , they ’re elusive , preferring shrubby habitat for concealment . Attract them to feeders in winter with suet , peanuts , sunflower seeds , and mealworms .
Known for their melodious “ tea - kettle afternoon tea - kettle Camellia sinensis - tympanum ” song sung by males , they announce their comportment even before they ’re seen . Their varied vocalizations total to their charm , making them a joy for birdwatchers attune to their decided calls .
Chipping Sparrow
cut off Sparrows in Tennessee are distinguished by their rust - colored crowns , varying from bright to brownish hues . svelte with long empennage and medium bills , they ’re frequent visitors at backyard feeders , particularly tender of black crude oil sunflower ejaculate .
Found in woods near hayfield and suburban areas , they announce their presence with flash , trill songs — repetitive , mechanical - sounding notes that fill the aviation in spring and summer . Their adaptable nature makes them a delight for birdwatchers and suburban dweller alike .
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark - eyed Juncos in Tennessee are easy recognized by their tranquil ticket gray-haired plumage and white belly , often showing a white flash from their prat feather in flight of stairs . ordinarily known as “ Snowbirds , ” they seem in winter across fields , parks , and backyard , favor terra firma feeders for fallen cum .
Found in pine woodland during breeding season , their trilling songs carry across distances , enhancing their front in wintertime landscapes with melodies of warble , trill , and tin whistle , marking their seasonal riposte with distinctive calls .
Pine Siskin
The Pine Siskin , small and streaked with yellow - edged wings and tails , is uniform in visual aspect between sexuality — a curio among finch in Tennessee . Found in mixed forests and adaptable to weedy line of business and gardens , they flock and chirp incessantly while foraging . Winter sees them at fowl feeders , favor small seeds like sunflower or Nyjer .
Their social nature is evident in ceaseless chatter even in flight , marked by a twittering warble that include a rising “ ZZZzzzzzreeee , ” distinctive for its wheezy character among Tennessee ’s finch .
The Rose - breasted Grosbeak , full-bodied with a large triangular bill , resembles the American Robin in size . Males ostentate black backs and annexe contrast by a vibrant crimson spot on their livid knocker , make them their name . Females , intemperately streaked with a white brow , are less conspicuous .
They frequent Bronx cheer feeder for sunflower seeds on platforms , using their account adeptly . Males sing melodious tunes to tick off territory and appeal mates ; their rich , come up - and - go down songs are a high spot of spring in Tennessee ’s wooded habitats .
White-crowned Sparrow
White - crown sparrow are identifiable by their greyish or dark-brown plumage , farseeing tails , and distinctive black - and - white or brown - and - tan header stripes with a under the weather poll . They are line up in shrubby habitat during fosterage and in weedy athletic field and backyards in the winter .
They favour helianthus seeds point on the ground . love for their migratory feats , they can journey over 300 miles in a exclusive night . male person primarily babble out a brief , melodious song , enrich the audile landscape painting of their habitats in Tennessee .
White-throated Sparrow
White - throated sparrow in Tennessee are recognizable by their chunky body , blackened - and - snowy stripy head with a xanthous berth between the eye , and white pharynx patch . They forage along forest bound , often scratch at leaf litter or go leaf with their bill .
These true sparrow readily chit-chat feeders for sunflower semen or Jean Francois Millet , preferring primer coat feed near thickets . Their high - pitched whistle , resemble “ Oh - sweet-flavored - Canada - Canada , ” is classifiable and easy ascertain , adding to their magical spell in garden and wooded area .
Gray Catbird
The Gray Catbird , distinguished by its overall gray plumage and bootleg cap , is renowned for its apery of other bird ’ songs . Its signature call — a raspy , cat - like “ meow”—is unmistakable and lend it its name . In Tennessee , they ’re pull in to razz feeder with grape jelly , surprising many with their preference for this sweet treat typically used to draw orioles .
These vocal and adaptable birds frequent slow thickets and suburban areas , showcasing their charming and versatile behaviors to delighted beholder .
Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird , a average - sized gray songster with a long , svelte tail and distinctive white wing patches , is a magnetic comportment in Tennessee . famous for their ceaseless singing , often even at nighttime , they ’re know to assertively represent territories by harassing other hiss .
While common in backyards , they rarely feed from bird feeders , preferring insects and berries . Their bold behavior and musical songs make them a beloved but sometimes riotous feature article of suburban landscapes , sum up magic spell and eccentric to their surround .
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red - breasted Nuthatches are vibrant and summary snort known for their participating behavior and forgetful tails . They multiply in northern North America and winter across a broad range , include Tennessee ’s cone-bearing forests . Their distinctive “ yank - yank - yank ” calls , resonant of a toy tin trumpet , are a familiar sound in woodland habitat , specially from male seeking mates .
Their penchant for conifer contrasts sharply with White - breast Nuthatches , spotlight their adaptability and distinct ecologic recession in diverse wood ecosystem .
