Top 15 Birds in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to a rich diversity of bird species, thanks to its varied landscapes ranging from wetlands and forests to mountains and grasslands. Here’s a look at 15 remarkable birds you can encounter across the state.
1. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
- Description: The Northern Cardinal is a striking red songbird with a crest on its head and a black mask around its bill (males); females are a warm brown with reddish highlights.
- Habitat: Woodlands, gardens, and shrublands throughout Tennessee.
- Ecosystem Services: Helps control insect populations and disperses seeds.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
2. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
- Description: A small thrush with bright blue plumage and a reddish chest; males are more vividly colored than females.
- Habitat: Open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards.
- Ecosystem Services: Insect control and seed dispersal.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
3. American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
- Description: A small, vibrant yellow bird in summer, with black wings and cap; duller in winter.
- Habitat: Fields, meadows, and gardens with abundant thistles and sunflowers.
- Ecosystem Services: Seed dispersal and pollination assistance.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
4. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
- Description: A large raptor with a broad, rounded tail that appears reddish in adults.
- Habitat: Open fields, wood edges, and along highways.
- Ecosystem Services: Rodent population control.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
5. Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
- Description: A small, energetic bird with a loud song, reddish-brown plumage, and a prominent white eyebrow stripe.
- Habitat: Forest edges, thickets, and suburban gardens.
- Ecosystem Services: Insect control.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
6. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
- Description: A large woodpecker with black body, white stripes on the face, and a flaming red crest.
- Habitat: Mature forests and woodlands.
- Ecosystem Services: Controls wood-boring insects and creates cavities used by other species.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
7. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
- Description: A slender, gray-brown dove with a long pointed tail and soft, mournful cooing call.
- Habitat: Open fields, farms, and urban areas.
- Ecosystem Services: Seed dispersal.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
8. Barred Owl (Strix varia)
- Description: A large owl with brown eyes and distinctive vertical barring on the chest.
- Habitat: Mature forests near water.
- Ecosystem Services: Controls small mammal populations.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
9. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
- Description: A tiny hummingbird with iridescent green feathers and, in males, a brilliant ruby-red throat.
- Habitat: Gardens, wood edges, and meadows with flowering plants.
- Ecosystem Services: Pollination of native plants.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
10. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- Description: A large, entirely black bird known for its intelligence and loud caws.
- Habitat: A wide range of environments, from forests to urban areas.
- Ecosystem Services: Scavenger that helps clean up carrion and waste.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
11. Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)
- Description: A small songbird; males are brilliant blue during breeding season, while females are brown.
- Habitat: Brushy areas, woodland edges, and roadsides.
- Ecosystem Services: Seed dispersal and insect control.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
12. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
- Description: A large ground-dwelling bird with iridescent dark plumage and fan-shaped tail.
- Habitat: Forests, clearings, and fields.
- Ecosystem Services: Seed dispersal and insect control.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
13. Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
- Description: A medium-sized thrush with warm brown upperparts and bold black spots on a white breast.
- Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests.
- Ecosystem Services: Controls insect populations and disperses seeds.
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened.
14. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Description: A majestic raptor with a white head and tail, dark brown body, and yellow beak and talons.
- Habitat: Large bodies of water, reservoirs, and rivers.
- Ecosystem Services: Top predator helping regulate fish and waterfowl populations.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern (recovered from Endangered status).
15. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
- Description: A tall, stately wader with blue-gray plumage, long neck, and dagger-like bill.
- Habitat: Wetlands, rivers, and lakeshores.
- Ecosystem Services: Controls fish and amphibian populations.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern.
