East Tennessee is home to a diverse range of bird species. From songbirds to raptors, waterfowl to woodpeckers, Tennessee’s eastern region provides excellent habitat for both resident and migratory birds throughout the year. Understanding which birds are most prevalent in East Tennessee can help birdwatchers know what to look and listen for while exploring the area.
What Makes East Tennessee Attractive to Birds?
Several key factors contribute to East Tennessee’s remarkable bird diversity:
- Location along the Appalachian Mountains migration route – Many birds follow the Appalachian Mountains as they migrate north and south seasonally. East Tennessee provides critical stopover habitat for these migrants.
- Variety of habitats – Mountains, forests, meadows, lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the region support many different bird species.
- Mild climate – Tennessee has relatively mild winters compared to states further north, allowing some birds to overwinter rather than migrate.
- Food availability – Insects, seeds, fruits, nectar, and other foods birds need are plentiful.
- Nesting sites – Trees, shrubs, grasslands, marshes, and other features provide nesting areas.
- Proximity to major flyways – Location near the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways brings many migratory species through the region.
The combination of these factors makes East Tennessee a haven for both resident and migratory birds throughout the year. The area’s diverse habitats support birds with different needs and preferences.
Most Common Backyard Birds
For many East Tennesseans, their most frequent bird encounters happen right in their own backyards. Some species readily adapt to suburban environments, taking advantage of bird feeders and nesting spots in yards and gardens. Below are among the birds you are most likely to see on a daily basis:
Northern Cardinal
With their bright red plumage and familiar “what-cheer cheer cheer” whistles, Northern Cardinals are a backyard favorite. Males stand out with their crimson red bodies and black faces. Females have soft brown plumage with reddish accents. Cardinals are non-migratory, staying in East Tennessee year-round. They feed on seeds, fruits, and insects and often nest in shrubs and small trees.
Carolina Chickadee
Another year-round resident, Carolina Chickadees are lively visitors to feeders and bird baths. Their small size, fuzzy bodies, and big round heads give them an adorable appearance. Listen for their familiar “chick-a-dee-dee” call. Chickadees eat insects, seeds, and berries. They nest in tree cavities or nest boxes.
Tufted Titmouse
Related to chickadees, Tufted Titmice share their gray, black, and white coloration but have a distinctive crest on the head. Their loud “peter-peter” whistles ring through the forest. Titmice frequent feeders and sometimes boldly take seeds right from your hand. They’re also year-round residents in East Tennessee.
American Robin
American Robins are familiar and beloved birds that most people recognize. They have gray upperparts and bright reddish-orange underparts. Males and females look identical. Robins forage frequently on lawns, running across grass and stopping to listen for earthworms underground. They breed across East Tennessee and some stay year-round while others migrate short distances.
Mourning Dove
Known for their slender bodies, long pointed tails, and melancholy cooing calls, Mourning Doves are regular backyard visitors. They eat mostly seeds off the ground. Mourning Doves nest on branches or gutters and produce abundant offspring during the warm months. Some remain all winter while others migrate south and return in spring.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers get their name from the soft white downy feathers covering their backs. They are the smallest woodpeckers in Tennessee, identified by their black and white coloration, short bill, and spotted outer tail feathers. Downies forage for insects on tree trunks and visit suet feeders. They are resident birds, staying year-round and excavating nest cavities in dead trees.
Most Common Feeder Birds
Backyard bird feeders attract a diversity of species beyond just the ones nesting in the yard itself. Below are some of the birds you’re most likely to see visiting feeders for seeds, suet, and nectar:
Bird | Foods Eaten |
---|---|
Blue Jay | Seeds, nuts, acorns, fruits, insects |
Carolina Wren | Insects, spiders, seeds |
Eastern Bluebird | Insects, berries |
House Finch | Seeds, fruits |
Dark-eyed Junco | Seeds, insects |
Red-bellied Woodpecker | Insects, berries, seeds |
Song Sparrow | Seeds, insects, fruit |
White-breasted Nuthatch | Insects, seeds, nuts |
Having a variety of feeder styles and foods will attract the most species to your yard. Don’t forget to provide fresh water as well!
Most Common Forest Birds
East Tennessee’s extensive forestland provides prime habitat for many bird species. From small woodlots to vast protected areas like Great Smoky Mountains National Park, forests support resident and migrant birds. Below are some of theavian species you’re most likely to encounter in wooded areas:
Black-and-white Warbler
True to their name, these small warblers display striking black and white plumage. Males have thicker black streaking, while females have more white. Black-and-whites forage by creeping along branches, searching for insects. They breed in Tennessee’s forests and migrate to the tropics for winter.
Eastern Towhee
With black bodies, reddish sides, and white bellies, Eastern Towhees are distinctively colored large sparrows. Their “drink-your-tea” song is a familiar forest sound. Towhees scratch leaf litter searching for insects and seeds. Though shy, they will come to feeders for suet and seeds.
Ovenbird
Ovenbirds are modestly colored warblers with olive upperparts and bold streaking on their white underparts. Listen for their loud “teacher-TEACHER-teacher” call ringing through the forest. They nest on the ground and forage for insects in leaf litter. Ovenbirds migrate to Central America in winter.
Scarlet Tanager
Male Scarlet Tanagers are stunning birds with bright red bodies contrasted against black wings and tail. Females are yellow with olive-colored wings. Tanagers eat insects like bees, wasps, and beetles caught on the wing. They breed in mature broadleaf forests and migrate to South America in winter.
Wood Thrush
Wood Thrushes have reddish-brown upperparts, white underparts with dark spots, and bold eye rings. Their beautiful, flute-like song is one of the hallmarks of an eastern forest. They feed on insects and berries under the forest canopy. Wood Thrushes migrate between Tennessee and Central America.
Most Common Waterbirds
The many lakes, rivers, and wetlands of East Tennessee provide prime habitat for diverse waterbird species. The region’s location along the migratory flyways also brings many species through seasonally. Some of the most ubiquitous waterbirds include:
Belted Kingfisher
Stocky, crested kingfishers are a common sight perched over waterways. Their rattling calls ring out as they survey for fish and crustaceans. Belted Kingfishers plunge into the water to capture prey. They nest in burrows dug into earthen banks. Some kingfishers migrate south in winter while others tough out the cold.
Canada Goose
With their recognizable black heads, white cheek patches, and honking calls, Canada Geese are probably the most familiar waterfowl species. They feed on vegetation in water and on land. Some Canada Geese reside in Tennessee year-round while others migrate through seasonally. They nest near water.
Great Blue Heron
These stately, long-legged wading birds stand still along shorelines searching for fish, frogs, and other prey. Their broad wingspan and graceful flight are distinctive. Great Blues nest high in trees near water in large colonies called heronries. Though common, they are sensitive to human disturbance.
Killdeer
Killdeer are shorebirds found in open areas near water across Tennessee. They have brown upperparts, white bellies, and two black breast bands. Listen for their loud “kill-deer” calls. Killdeer run along the ground searching for insects to eat. They nest on the ground and will protect eggs and young with elaborate “broken wing” displays.
Mallard
Mallards are Tennessee’s most familiar duck species. Males have the distinctive iridescent green head and curvy tail feathers, while females are mottled brown. Mallards dabble in shallow water to feed on plants and invertebrates. They form pair bonds in winter that may last until one mate dies. Mallards can be found statewide year-round.
Rare Birds
While the above species are routinely observed, birders also delight in spotting rare species that wander into East Tennessee. Vagrant species from other regions sometimes get off course and cause excitement among birdwatchers. Examples of rare vagrant species spotted include:
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
- Snowy Owl
- Painted Bunting
- Common Redpoll
- Western Kingbird
- Lark Sparrow
Other less common species reside in East Tennessee but can be hard to find outside of special habitats. Examples include Henslow’s Sparrows in grasslands, Yellow-crowned Night Herons in swamps, and Golden Eagles in remote mountain areas. Finding these unusual species takes patience and persistence.
Best Birding Locations in East Tennessee
To maximize your bird sightings, visit some of these birding hotspots across the region:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Extensive forests with over 200 bird species. Newfound Gap Road is especially productive.
- Ijams Nature Center – Urban sanctuary with meadows, woods, and river access. Over 150 species.
- Seven Islands State Birding Park – Wadable wetlands and walking trails. Waterfowl migration destination.
- Chuck Swan State Forest – Diverse habitats including ponds, fields, and pine forest.
- Rankin Bottoms Wildlife Management Area – Marshland along the French Broad River with many wading birds.
Check eBird for recent sightings and locations with high species totals at these and other sites. Joining local birding groups and attending outings also aids in finding birds.
Conclusion
East Tennessee’s meadows, mountains, forests, and wetlands provide living space for an impressive diversity of birdlife. Both residents and migrants brighten the region throughout the year. The most widespread species grace backyards, woodlands, and waterways with their beauty and songs. More uncommon birds add excitement with chance encounters. Birders can see 200 or more species annually by exploring the best habitats in East Tennessee. With a pair of binoculars and patience, you’re sure to enjoy memorable sightings of the birds that call East Tennessee home.