![]() They are monogamous and will have a clutch of 5 to 7 eggs.Īmerican robins are widespread in forests, parks, woodlands, and gardens of East Tennessee. If they find snake skin, they might use it as a building material. Tufted titmice are cavity nesters that will build their nests in tree holes, nest boxes, or even in old woodpecker nests. The bird will first scouts a feeder from cover, fly in to grab a seed, and then fly back to cover to eat it. It is a common winter visitor to bird feeders make sure to add sunflower seeds if you want to attract one. The tufted titmouse is an omnivore that feeds on berries, nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects. Some estimates claim that there are over 8 million of these birds in existence today. Listen for its song that’s usually described as a whistled “ peter-peter-peter.” You will recognize a tufted titmouse by its gray plumage, black eyes, a dark spot on the forehead, a crested head, and fawn flanks. It is a widespread species, common in areas ranging from forests and parks to suburbs, and can be seen throughout the year in the state. The tufted titmouse is a small songbird of East Tennessee. In the 1830s they were sold for around $50 – that’s over $1,300 in today’s money! They were once kept as cage birds and nearly disappeared from their range due to their high demand. Northern mockingbirds are omnivores that feed on fruit, seeds, berries, and small insects. ![]() Northern mockingbirds are territorial birds that can be extremely good at breeding – scientists once recorded a female that managed to lay 27 eggs in a single season! Those white patches help them to show off during the mating season and to flash them when defending territory against some snakes and hawks. In case you see one while it’s flying, notice the large white patches on its black wings and tail. ![]() Northern mockingbirds are easy to identify by their gray plumage with whitish underparts and long tails. They can also mimic sounds of car alarms, rusty hinges, and dog barks, and they do it so well that it almost makes it impossible to tell the difference, even with an electronic analysis. The Latin name of these birds translates to “many-tongued mimic,” and for a reason – northern mockingbirds can imitate chirps of up to 35 species and learn over 200 different songs in their lifetime! There are four Northern mockingbird calls: the nest relief call, hew call, chat, and the begging call. Listen for a long series of musical and grating phrases, each repeated 3 or more times. Look for this medium-sized songbird in various habitats ranging from open country to suburbs.īoth males and females sing and you will often hear them singing at night. It is the only of the 16 species with the name “mockingbird” that is native to the US. The northern mockingbird has been Tennessee’s state bird since 1933 and it can be seen in eastern parts of the state throughout the year. Birds Of East Tennessee Northern Mockingbird
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