Birds in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee is home to a variety of bird species. Birds in Tennessee range from the more common Carolina Chickadee to the less common Olive-sided Flycatcher. Tennessee’s official bird is the Northern Mockingbird, which was designated as the state bird in 1933. The Northern Mockingbird is regarded as one of North America’s finest songbirds. It is present throughout the year in Tennessee.

This list of Tennessee birds contains species that have been documented in the state of Tennessee and accepted by the Tennessee Ornithological Society’s Tennessee Bird Records Committee (TBRC).

As of February 2020, the official list contained 423 species. 41 are classified as accidental, 30 as casual, and 13 as provisional, as specified below. Five species were introduced to North America, two of which are now extinct and three of which have been extirpated.

Tennessee birds of prey

If you believe terrestrial wildlife is inhumane, wait until you read about Tennessee’s plethora of birds of prey.

A raptor is any bird that is a predator that feeds on other birds, animals, or insects (bird of prey). Raptor is derived from the Latin word raptus, which means “to seize and carry away.”

Hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, vultures, ospreys, and kites are all classified as birds of prey, and Tennessee is home to a plethora of them. Hawks in Tennessee are more well known to be the raptors as well.

You’ll learn a little about each of the list’s ferocious raptors. To learn more, visit this area and click more predators.

Owls in Tennessee

Owls are also considered birds of prey. But due to their unique appearance and behavior, we have clustered them in a separate category from other raptors displayed above. Did you know that Tennessee is home to a variety of owl species? Tennessee is currently home to eight prominent owl species, making it an excellent state for spotting these fascinating evening birds.

The Barred and Eastern Screech Owls are the easiest to hear and locate. The Great-horned owl is the next most visible year-round inhabitant, while the Barn owl is the most uncommon and difficult to locate. Fortunately, Tennessee provides a diverse range of habitats and benefits for resident owls.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Backyard birds of Tennessee

Tennessee is home to about 423 bird species, which is excellent news for novice and experienced birdwatchers. There is always a new bird around, and with a little persuasion, you may just attract a new regular visitor to your own garden.

Today, we’ll look at some instances of local winged species and provide advice on how to feed and locate these magnificent creatures, as well as several hotspots where you can spend some time away from the house doing what you love.

Let’s get this program going and begin our tour of Tennessee’s backyard birds!

Bluebirds in Tennessee

Bluebirds are one of Tennessee’s most popular backyard birds and have caught people’s interest and attention for an extended period of time. These little birds, which are easily identified by their stunning blue plumage, are actually members of the thrush family (Turdidae).

There are different types of bluebirds, and regardless of which species of blue feathered buddy you seek, you’re likely to spot one in Tennessee. Eastern bluebirds are widespread throughout the state. Blue jays, blue grosbeaks, and belted kingfishers are among the bluebirds that call the volunteer state home.

Sialia Sialis – Eastern Bluebird

In North America, the eastern bluebird, Sialia siali breeds in open forests, farmlands, and orchards. They belong to the Turdidae ...

Types of ducks in Tennessee

Ducks are birds in the family Anatidae. They are

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Aythya Affinis – Lesser Scaup

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Americana – Redhead

Anas Crecca – Green-Winged Teal

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Rubripes – American Black Duck

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Buccinator – Trumpeter Swan

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Dendrocygna Autumnalis – Black-Bellied Whistling Duck

Best Birdwatching Spots in Tennessee

Tennessee is an excellent site to see birds regardless of your level of interest or ability, and it is not simply the plentiful birdlife that contributes to this, but also the people. For decades, the citizen-scientist movement has thrived throughout the state, and your interest in birds will only contribute to it.

Bird watching has a long and illustrious history in Tennessee, dating all the way back to the 1600s diary notes on birds written by some of the earliest explorers.

Check out the sections below where you can go to find this amazing bird sanctuary.

Ensley Bottoms – Maxson Wastewater Lagoons
Tennessee NWR- Duck River
Shelby Farms Park
Tennessee NWR – Duck River Unit – Refuge Rd. Wildlife Loop
Tennessee NWR – Big Sandy Unit

Other common birds in Tennessee

Some of these species spend the entire year in Tennessee, while others are migratory and only visit the Volunteer State on a seasonal basis.

We’ll look at some common birds in Tennessee below; some are year-round inhabitants, while others are not. Obviously, this list does not include all the state’s species, or even close to it, but it does include some of the most renowned and identifiable Tennessee backyard birds. Without further ado, let us examine!

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Anthus Rubescens – American Pipit

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Antrostomus Carolinensis – Chuck-Will’s-Widow

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Arenaria Interpres – Ruddy Turnstone

Baeolophus Bicolor – Tufted Titmouse

Bartramia Longicauda – Upland Sandpipers

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Bonasa Umbellus – Ruffed Grouse

Botaurus Lentiginosus – American Bittern

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Calcarius Ornatus – Chestnut-Collared Longspur

Calcarius Pictus – Smith’s Longspur

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Fuscicollis – White-Rumped Sandpiper

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Subruficollis – Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Cardellina Canadensis – Canada Warbler

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Charadrius Melodus – Piping Plover

Charadrius Montanus – Mountain Plover

Charadrius Nivosus – Snowy Plover

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Chondestes Grammacus – Lark Sparrow

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Cistothorus Platensis – Sedge Wren

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus Erythropthalmus – Black-Billed Cuckoo

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Columbina Inca – Inca Dove

Columbina Passerine - Common Ground Dove found in the US

Columbina Passerina – Common Ground Dove

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Contopus Virens – Eastern Wood-Pewee

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Coturnicops Noveboracensis – Yellow Rail

Cyanocitta Cristata – Blue Jay

Dolichonyx Oryzivorus – Bobolink

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Dumetella Carolinensis – Gray Catbird

Egretta Caerulea – Little Blue Heron

Egretta Thula – Snowy Egrets

Egretta Tricolor – Tricolored Heron

Empidonax Flavive – Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax Virescens – Acadian Flycatcher

Euphagus Carolinus – Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus Cyanocephalus – Brewer’s Blackbird

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Gallinula Galeata – Common Gallinule

Geothlypis Formosa – Kentucky Warblers

Geothlypis Philadelphia – Mourning Warbler

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Helmitheros Vermivorum – Worm-Eating Warbler

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Hylocichla Mustelina – Wood Thrush

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole

Icterus Spurius – Orchard Oriole

Ixobrychus Exilis – Least Bittern

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Lanius Ludovicianus – Loggerhead Shrike

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Marinus – Great Black-Backed Gull

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Melospiza Melodia – Song Sparrow

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Myiarchus Crinitus – Great Crested Flycatcher

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Oporornis Agilis – Connecticut Warbler

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Passerina Caerulea – Blue Grosbeak

Passerina Cyanea – Indigo Bunting

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Piranga Bidentata – Flame-Colored Tanager

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

Plegadis Chihi – White-faced Ibis

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis Squatarola – Black-Bellied Plover

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Progne Subis – Purple Martin

Protonotaria Citrea – Prothonotary Warbler

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Sayornis Phoebe – Eastern Phoebe

Scolopax Minor – American Woodcock

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Castanea – Bay-Breasted Warbler

Setophaga Cerulea – Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga Citrina – Hooded Warbler

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Discolor – Prairie Warbler

Setophaga Dominica – Yellow-Throated Warblers

Setophaga Fusca – Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga Kirtlandii – Kirtland’s Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Pinus – Pine Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Tigrina – Cape May Warbler

Setophaga Virens – Black-Throated Green Warbler

Sialia Sialis – Eastern Bluebird

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spiza americana – Dickcissel

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Sternula Antillarum – Least Tern

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sturnella Magna – Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Thryomanes Bewickii – Bewick’s Wren

Thryothorus Ludovicianus – Carolina Wren

Toxostoma crissale - Crissal thrasher photo capture in surprise

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Troglodytes Hiemalis – Winter Wren

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Tyrannus Forficatus – Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Vermivora Cyanoptera – Blue-Winged Warblers

Xanthocephalus Xanthocephalus – Yellow-headed Blackbird

Zenaida Asiatica – White-Winged Dove

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

If you have encountered a bird in Tennessee that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.