Birds of Tennessee

Tennessee is a land of mountains, valleys, ridges, and streams, thus being home to different wildlife and bird species. The Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge in Obion County has several bird inhabitants, from year-round species like woodpeckers to winter birds like the yellow-bellied sapsucker. The Radnor Lake State Natural Area is another significant birding destination where one could find warblers, scarlet tanager, and yellow-billed cuckoo in spring.

There are around 420 species officially recorded in the state in the official list acknowledged by the Tennessee Bird Records Committee (TBRC).

The northern mockingbird has been designated the state bird of Tennessee since 1933.

Birds of Tennessee

Backyard Birds:

All-year-round: Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, American Goldfinch

Migratory Birds:

In Summer: Summer Tanager, American Robin, Blue Grosbeak, Northern Flicker, Eastern Kingbird

In Winter: Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird

Birds of Prey: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk

Rare BirdsAmerican Redstart,Cape May Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler

Water Birds: Tundra Swan, Canvasback, Trumpeter Swan, Cackling Goose, Gadwell Duck

Common Birds Identification by Color

Blue Birds

  • Eastern Bluebird
  • Indigo Bunting
  • Blue Jay
  • Blue Grosbeak
  • Great Blue Heron

Yellow Birds

  • American Goldfinch
  • Yellow Warbler
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler
  • Cedar Waxwing

Red Birds

  • Northern Cardinal
  • Scarlet Tanager
  • House Finch
  • Red Crossbill
  • Summer Tanager

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