Tennessee Bird Watching and Feeding Information

Tennessee is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species. Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.

The Nifty Fifty

The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Tennessee. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Tennessee. View the guide by clicking here or on the Nifty Fifty link on the left.

If the guide does not load, try downloading the free Flash player.

Northern Mockingbird - Tennessee State Bird

Bird feeding

Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Tennessee is available by following the link on the left.

Bluebirds

The Eastern Bluebird is the only one of the 3 bluebird species regularly found in Tennessee.

The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.

Eastern Bluebirds

Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird's special favorite is mealworms.

Nesting
The Eastern Bluebird begins nesting in Tennessee in early spring. One, two and sometimes three broods may be produced.

Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.

Hummingbirds

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Tennessee. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. In a remarkable journey for such a tiny bird, it migrates across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.

Purple Martins

Purple Martins arrive in Tennessee early each year, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Tennessee. Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.

Purple Martin - male

Birding

Tennessee provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.

The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.

Tennessee Resource Information

Bristol Bird Club

Cumberland-Harpeth Audubon Society
1704 A Primrose Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Warioto Audubon Society
Clarksville, TN 37044

Additional resources

If you have suggestions for additional resources for watching or feeding birds in Alabama, please submit them using this form. The resource does not need to be a particular location.

SUGGEST A LOCATION
From:
Email:
Show my name:	Yes No
Location Information: