Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in Tennessee

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in Tennessee. A starting field list, drawn from iNaturalist research-grade observations, for what is likely living near you.

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Birds

Birds Commonly Recorded In Tennessee

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 8,188 records
  2. Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 8,146 records
  3. Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 5,533 records
  4. Red-Tailed Hawk Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 4,832 records
  5. Eastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 4,802 records
  6. Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 4,758 records
  7. Canada Goose Branta canadensis 4,486 records
  8. Mourning Dove Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 4,219 records
  9. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus 3,965 records
  10. Wild Turkey Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo 3,875 records
  11. Mallard Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 3,752 records
  12. Carolina Wren Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 3,752 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In Tennessee

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. Christmas Fern Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides 5,441 records
  2. American Tuliptree American Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera 4,771 records
  3. Mayapple Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum 4,588 records
  4. Amur Honeysuckle Amur Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii 4,257 records
  5. Eastern Redbud Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis 4,127 records
  6. American Pokeweed American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana 4,083 records
  7. Eastern Poison Ivy Eastern Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans 4,036 records
  8. Rue Anemone Rue Anemone Thalictrum thalictroides 3,997 records
  9. Lyreleaf Sage Lyreleaf Sage Salvia lyrata 3,937 records
  10. Virginia Creeper Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 3,774 records
  11. Striped Wintergreen Striped Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata 3,498 records
  12. White Clover White Clover Trifolium repens 3,473 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In Tennessee

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus 6,896 records
  2. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 5,581 records
  3. Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor 4,881 records
  4. Gulf Fritillary Gulf Fritillary Dione vanillae 4,725 records
  5. Common Eastern Bumble Bee Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens 4,661 records
  6. Eastern Carpenter Bee Eastern Carpenter Bee Xylocopa virginica 4,431 records
  7. Monarch Monarch Danaus plexippus 4,369 records
  8. Red-Spotted Admiral Red-Spotted Admiral Limenitis arthemis 3,515 records
  9. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 3,312 records
  10. Silver-Spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus 3,026 records
  11. Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Junonia coenia 2,975 records
  12. Huron Skipper Atalopedes huron 2,921 records

Go Deeper

Use the live finder to narrow this to your town and season. Then read Who Lives Here, how to attract wildlife to your yard, and planting for local wildlife. For tools and field guides, see the recommended gear.

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