Tennessee has a great range of backyard birds. And In this article, I’ll list and explain all the backyard birds of Tennessee in detail.
Note: If you’re short on time I have compiled a table of all the backyard birds with identification and their Diet. You can also read about these birds in detail below.
| Backyard Birds in Tennessee | Length | Weight | Identification(Color) | Diet/Favorite Food |
| Song Sparrow | 12-17 cm | 19 gm (0.67oz) | Brown streaked birds are well known for singing all day just in order to attract mates during the season. | They eat a wide variety of insects like caterpillars, beetles, midges, spiders, and earthworms, along with buckwheat, raspberries, sunflower, wild cherries, wheat, and rice. |
| Northern Cardinal | 21-24 cm | 43 gm (1.51oz) | Males are red with a black patch around their faces. Females have brown shades with red highlights and beaks. | Sunflower seeds, millet, milo, peanut hearts. |
| Mourning Dove | 22-36 cm | 120 gm (4.23oz) | Soft brown in color with hints of black on the wings. | Millet, black sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, peanut hearts. |
| Carolina Wren | 12-14 cm | 18-23 gm (0.6-0.8oz) | Shy Birds with Brownish feather tones, white eyebrow stripes, and an upright tail. | Insects, spiders, caterpillars, crickets, beetles, moths, and Grasshoppers. |
| American Robin | 23-28 cm | 77 gm (2.71oz) | These birds have black heads and backs with a hint of red or orange in their breast. | Mostly insects, berries, and earthworms. In early summer, insects make up the majority of the diet; they also feed on many earthworms, snails, spiders, and other invertebrates. |
| American Crow | 40-53 cm | 320-620 gm (11.28-21.86oz) | These birds are large with all black bodies. They are found on treetops, beaches, and towns. | Earthworms, seeds, insects, fruits, fish, young turtles, clams, eggs, mussels, and nestlings of different species of birds. |
| Blue Jay | 22-30 cm | 65-110 gm (2.2- 3.8oz ) | Blue crest, black backs, and white undersides. | Acorns, insects, grain, nuts, and seeds. |
| Carolina Chickadee | 12 cm | 10 gm (0.3oz) | Tiny birds with significantly large heads with a black cap and neck and white cheeks and belly, gray back, tail, and wings. | Black oil sunflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, Suet seeds, and peanuts. |
| Tufted Titmouse | 15-17 cm | 21 gm (0.74) | Gray backs with a hint of white underneath and large eyes. | Insects like caterpillars, ants, beetles, spiders, snails, and wasps. Also nuts, berries, seeds, and shelled seeds. |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 23-27 cm | 72 gm (2.5oz) | A pale red belly with a red cap b&w stripped back. | Insects, spiders, nuts, seeds, acorns, pine cones, grapes, oranges, hackberries, mangoes, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. |
| Northern Mockingbird | 21-26 cm | 47-51 gm (1.6-1.7oz) | Small heads and long tails, with gray-brown body color. They have white wing bars. | Hawthorns, mulberries, blackberry brambles. |
| Eastern Towhee | 17-23 cm | 40 gm (1.41oz) | Large Birds with a black throat, head and back with reddish tinted sides, white belly, and long tails. However, the females have some shades of brown as well. | Black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet |
| Indigo Bunting | 4.7-5.1 in (12-13 cm) | 0.4-0.6 oz (12-18 g) | This bird is covered in blue color, with slightly shiny blue on his head and a shiny, silver-gray bill. | This bird’s diet mostly consists of insects, seeds, and berries. |
| American Goldfinch | 11-13 cm | 14 gm (0.49oz) | They are quite popular, with bright yellow and black colors in males. The female counterparts however tend to be dull brown in shade. | Mostly seeds, some insects. Diet is primarily seeds, especially those of the daisy (composite) family, also those of weeds and grasses, and small seeds of trees such as elm, birch, and alder. Also eats buds, the bark of young twigs, and maple sap. |
| Eastern Bluebird | 16-21 cm | 30 gm (1.05oz) | These birds are small thrushes with comparatively bigger heads that are round in shape, with large bellies and large eyes. The males are deep blue and red whereas the females are gray and blue, with a hint of orange-brown. | They eat a wide variety of insects and mealworms. |
| House Finch | 14 cm | 19-22 gm (0.67-0.77oz) | These birds have a redhead and breast in the males and a brown streak of colors in females. They are generally noisy and move in flocks. | Seeds, buds, and fruits like thistle, cactus, cherries, apricots, plums, blackberries, figs, and strawberries. |
| Barn Swallow | 15-20 cm | 17-20 gm (0.59-0.70oz) | These are small birds in a combination of deep blue, black, and reddish-brown. Their tails have long outer feathers. | Ground-up eggshells are their favorite. |
| Downy Woodpecker | 14-17 cm | 21-28 gm (0.74-0.98oz) | They are b&w in color with patches of red here and there. They are found in woodlots, in backyards, and along streams. | Insects, beetle larvae, acorns, berries and grains, black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, millets. |
| European Starling | 22 cm | 58-100 gm (2.04-3.52oz) | These birds are stocky black, with a purple, green and blue hue. These birds are famous for their aggressive behavior. | They eat insects like flies, beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, and spiders, along with fruits like cherries, holly berries, mulberries, Virginia Creeper, sumac, blackberries, and even seeds and grains. |
| White-throated Sparrow | 15-19 cm | 21 gm (0.74oz) | These birds have a distinctive black and white combination on throats, heads, and bills. They also exhibit tones of brown and gray. | They feed on seeds of grasses and weeds, and fruits like sumac, grape, mountain ash, blackberry blueberry along with various seeds. |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 27-28 cm | 20 gm (0.70oz) | These are active little birds with a grayish-blue back and white face and belly with a black cap. Their lower belly and tails are mostly of the chestnut shade. | They feed on insects and larvae like caterpillars, ants, and even spiders. Other than that, they also feed on acorns, sunflower seeds, hawthorns, and corn crops. |
Backyard Birds Of Tennesse In Different Seasons
Winter Backyard Birds
- Northern Cardinal (57%)
- Carolina Chickadee (49%)
- Carolina Wren (43%)
- American Crow (43%)
- Tufted Titmouse (43%)
- Blue Jay (42%)
- American Robin (40%)
- Mourning Dove (38%)
- Red-bellied Woodpecker (37%)
- Downy Woodpecker (35%)
- Northern Mockingbird (34%)
- Song Sparrow (33%)
- White-throated Sparrow (32%)
- House Finch (31%)
- Eastern Bluebird (30%)
- American Goldfinch (29%)
- European Starling (28%)
- White-breasted Nuthatch (23%)
- Dark-eyed Junco (23%)
- Eastern Towhee (22%)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler (21%)
Summer Backyard Birds
- Northern Cardinal (64%)
- Mourning Dove (51%)
- Carolina Wren (49%)
- American Robin (45%)
- American Crow (42%)
- Blue Jay (41%)
- Carolina Chickadee (41%)
- Northern Mockingbird (40%)
- Tufted Titmouse (40%)
- Eastern Towhee (37%)
- Indigo Bunting (36%)
- American Goldfinch (34%)
- Eastern Bluebird (33%)
- House Finch (33%)
- Red-bellied Woodpecker (31%)
- Barn Swallow (29%)
- Downy Woodpecker (28%)
- European Starling (27%)
- Song Sparrow (24%)
- Common Grackle (24%)
- Red-winged Blackbird (23%)
Backyard Birds Of Tennessee In Detail
Song Sparrow
The song sparrow is a little native sparrow found in America. It is, without a doubt, one of the most numerous, diversified, and adaptable native bird species in the United States.
It’s incredible to think that if this lovely bird decides to make our backyard it’s permanent home, we may be the first to see it. Tree bark, rocks, logs, and even steep rocky outcrops are among their favorite habitats.
To attract more song sparrows to your backyard feeders, use black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and nyjer on platform feeders.
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals are one of the most well-known and widespread garden birds. Females have duller, lighter brown feathers with a reddish pattern, while males have vivid red feathers and a black mask.
Males and females both have lovely orange beaks and characteristic “mohawks.” Northern Cardinals may be observed throughout the year in nearly every region of the United States.
If you want to attract Northern Cardinals to your backyard feeders then feed them sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Mourning Dove
The mourning dove belongs to the Columbidae family. The mourning bird has been given the names rain dove, wetland dove, turtle dove, and, most often, mourning dove.
At present, it’s popular throughout the Southeast, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, California, and Ontario, Canada. It also travels to major towns, meadows, farm fields, parks, resorts, and even residential areas.
If you want to attract Mourning Doves to your yard then feed them millet, black sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, and peanut hearts. You can either disperse food on the ground or use a platform feeder.
Carolina Wren
The Carolina Wren resembles the American Goldfinch or the House Finch. Their body is spherical, they have a short neck, a flat head, and a fluttering tail.
It has a reddish-brown upper body with black stripes on its wings and tail. A buff underbelly and a white brow line. They’re frequent backyard feeders and can be found in woodlands or thickly forested areas.
To attract more Carolina Wrens to your backyard feeders, use suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts in large tube feeders or on platform feeders.
American Robin
Reddish-orange breasts and black feathers on the head, back, wings, and tail characterize American Robins. Their beaks are large and pointed, and their wings are white with white borders.
They are forest creatures who prefer to dwell in the open air. In their natural habitat, they are herbivores, consuming berries, leaves, and insects.
American Robins eat a variety of foods, including sunflower seeds, suet, peanut hearts, fruit, and mealworms. You can also grow berry-yielding plants such as Juniper, sumac, hawthorn, and dogwood to attract these birds.
American Crow
The American Crow is a brightly colored bird. This is one of the most common birds in the area, and you can see it practically anywhere.
These birds have been spotted mating in trees near highways and even in people’s backyards, according to birdwatchers.
Flowers’ nectar is a welcome supplement to their diet of tree and plant roots. They are one of the most active bird species, which means they are constantly on the lookout for new food.
If you want to attract American Crows to your backyard then feed them peanuts and seeds.
Blue Jay
Blue jays are a lovely bird genus that may be found in big numbers in parks, near water sources, and in densely inhabited areas.
Visitors flock to see it, and photographers have always been captivated by its vibrant, colorful plumage.
Because of their shyness and ability to conceal themselves in long grass and oak trees, blue jays are frequently regarded as the greatest bird for bird watchers and hikers.
They eat a variety of seeds, but sunflower seeds are their favorite. Among other things, they eat berries, suet, insects, worms, and carrion. Blue jays will visit your yard if you feed them peanuts, sunflower seeds, or other seeds.
Carolina Chickadee
Chickadees may be identified by their black crest and bib, which set them apart from other birds. Their underbodies are bulbous, and their cheeks are completely white. These creatures’ backs and wings are dark greys in color.
To attract more Carolina Chickadees to your backyard feeders, use black oil sunflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, suet feeders, or peanuts. You can use tube feeders, suet cages, and platform feeders are all effective methods of feeding.
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse resembles chickadees but has a crest instead of a black bib.
They are a little yet massive titmouse, larger than chickadees and around the size of a junco or House Finch. The body is spherical in shape, with a massive tail, a large head, and lengthy legs.
They have a light blue-gray bottom and a dark blue-gray top. The black feathers that surround the eye draw attention to its size. They can be found in parks as well as thickly wooded deciduous woods.
If you place sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts in tube feeders or suet cages, Tufted Titmice will come to your backyard feeders.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
The head and stomach of the male red-bellied woodpecker are reddish-brown. Inexperienced bird viewers may mistake them for red-headed since their bellies are rarely scarlet. The rest of their body is a stunning crosshatch pattern of black and white stripes.
Their red heads are noticeable at first glance, but they are not the same as Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers have color on their tummies, albeit it’s a pale red that might be overlooked when perched against a tree or feeder. Look for black and white barred wings and a red mohawk down their neck to identify them.
They like deciduous woods or suburban environments, and they are attracted to bird feeders, particularly ones containing peanuts and sunflower seeds.
Northern Mockingbird
Mockingbirds receive their name from their ability to mimic other birds’ songs. According to studies, a male mockingbird may learn up to 200 different songs over his lifespan.
Because of their grey and white feathers, as well as their long tail feathers, these medium-sized backyard birds stand out. They like thickets and are wary of approaching birds.
Northern Mockingbirds are common in backyards, although they rarely visit bird feeders. To attract them to your yard just place a birdbath or grow some berry-yielding shrubs.
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhees are big sparrows with a black head, neck, and back, reddish flanks, long tails, and a white belly in the males, roughly the size of a Robin. Females are identical to males, but have brown hair instead of black.
If your yard has overgrown borders, they will be frequent feeders for falling seeds, as well as platform feeders for black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet.
Indigo Bunting
Indigo Buntings have stunning blue males and brown females, as well as black wings and tail stripes. During the winter, they move from their breeding grounds in the eastern United States to Florida, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Indigo Buntings can be seen eating seeds and insects in weedy fields and shrubby places. Nyjer and thistle seeds, for example, are little seeds that may help attract more animals to your yard.
American Goldfinch
The American goldfinch, sometimes known as the goldfinch, is a charming little bird. They’ve been known to travel long distances each year, with some going as far north as southern Mexico and as far south as the Canadian border’s eastern side.
They prefer marshes, backyards, meadows, forests, brushlands, fields, hedgerows, long grasses, and oaks, to name a few habitats. Spruce and oak trees, as well as creeks, rivers, and streams, are preferred habitats.
If you want to attract American Goldfinches to your yard then grow thistles and milkweed in your yard. They are lured to the majority of bird feeders and feed on sunflower and Nyjer seed.
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Bluebirds breed in the northern United States and Canada before migrating south.
Males have a vivid blue head and back with rusty red below, similar to that of a little thrush. Females have an orange-brown underbelly, blue wings and tails, and a white top surface with an orange-brown bottom.
They can be observed eating insects in open areas or sitting on power lines and fences.
House Finch
It was originally only found in the western United States, but now it can be found all across the nation. Red finches come in a variety of species, but house finches are the most prevalent in cities.
It has a medium-sized body and a medium-length notched tail. It has a conical form. The heads, breasts, and backs of males are all blood crimson.
Small flocks can be seen on wires, tree branches, and plants. They’re most common right now in both rural and urban areas.
Black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube or platform feeders may attract House Finches to backyard feeders.
Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow’s back, wings, and tail are dark blue, with a reddish-brown underside and face. The tail’s long outer feathers form a deep fork.
They have their first breeding season in North America before moving to Central and South America to reproduce.
In the quest for insects, they are commonly observed soaring above meadows, farms, and fields, and they make mud nests in man-made structures such as barns.
Use nest boxes or cups, as well as ground-up eggshells on a platform feeder, to attract more Barn Swallows.
Downy Woodpecker
In a high, difficult-to-reach tree, the downy woodpecker can frequently be heard screeching or chirping. They can be found in sagebrush thickets and forests.
Their backs are red, their underbodies are white, they have black wings with white patterns, and their heads are black and white striped. Males have a red mark on their wings, but females do not.
If you want to attract Downy Woodpeckers to your yard feed them black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and peanuts.
European Starling
When inspected carefully, European Starlings may be recognized by their purple-green plumage. Their entire body is covered in it, but their long, straight yellow bills stand out.
They shed their sparkling plumage in the winter and replace it with a brown coat flecked with white patches.
This type of bird may be found nearly anywhere. They thrive in man-made environments like farms, villages, and cities.
These birds eat a variety of foods. When they are not eating insects, they eat berries, seeds, grains, and other foods.
White-Throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrows are distinguished by their black and white striped heads, glittering white throats, and yellow between the eye and bill.
Their backs are brown and their undersides are grey. White-throated Sparrows can be seen in huge flocks on the ground, in woods, and along edges.
White-throated Sparrows can be attracted to your garden feeders by using millet and black oil sunflower seeds on platform feeders.
White-Breasted Nuthatches
They can be seen in deciduous woods, woodland edges, parks, and tree-lined yards, as well as at bird feeders. They feed on beetles and their larvae, caterpillars, ants, and spiders.
They use their bills to pound gigantic nuts and acorns into the bark of trees in order to obtain the seed.
If you want to attract White-breasted Nuthatches to your backyard then feed them sunflower seeds and peanuts in suet or tube feeders.
Related Articles You May Like
