Birds to See in Tennessee in April
144 bird species on our list for Tennessee are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, Blue Jay and American Crow. New this month: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Gray Catbird and American Redstart and 49 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
Solitary SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
Blue-headed VireoBusiest month of the year · Mar–Nov
Broad-winged HawkBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Lesser YellowlegsBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
Greater YellowlegsBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
Long-billed DowitcherBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
From Tennessee’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 144 birds in April
144 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.81% in Apr
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.92% in Apr
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.79% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.62% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.46% in Apr
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.37% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.06% in Apr
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.94% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.72% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.52% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 1.38% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.33% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in Apr
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.96% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.74% in Apr
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.62% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.56% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.54% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.52% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Apr
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.47% in Apr
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.42% in Apr
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.41% in Apr
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.41% in Apr
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.40% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr- Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.36% in Apr
- Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.35% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.33% in Apr
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentUncommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.31% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Apr- Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in Apr
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.25% in Apr
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Apr- Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.22% in Apr
- Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.21% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.21% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Jan–Sep · 0.20% in Apr
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.17% in Apr
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.16% in Apr
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.12% in Apr
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.12% in Apr
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.11% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Apr
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.10% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.09% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.08% in Apr
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantCommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Apr- Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.06% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorCommon28–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorUncommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.04% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriWinter visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in Apr
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Apr
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantCommon14–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.03% in Apr
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusPassage migrantRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusWinter visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.02% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataPassage migrantRare33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorRare34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorWinter visitorRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantRare23–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorSummer visitorRare45–53 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.01% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Apr
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.01% in Apr
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaPassage migrantRare43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in Apr
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.00% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in Apr
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorRare20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.00% in Apr
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraResidentRare36–43 cmRegularly Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorRare52–64 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaSummer visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusSummer visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made