Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Birds Checklist

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Overview

Checklist compiled by Fred J. Alsop, III.

Index
Key

Code Natural History Status
A Abundant; over 25 seen on a given day in proper habitat/season
C Common; 5-25 seen per day in proper habitat/season.
F Fairly common; at least one individual per day in proper habitat/season.
U Uncommon; at least one seen per season of occurrence or several seen per year.
O Occasional; one seen per year or less.
X Rare; has occurred in park at least once, but is not to be expected.
R Permanent Resident
S Summer Resident
W Winter Resident
M Migrant
* Considered to breed within park
*? Suspected to breed within park
cc Cades Cove
lr Look Rock fire tower
he High elevation (above 3,500 ft)
ri Reintroduced

Index
Birds Checklist

Order Anseriformes - Geese & Ducks
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Anatidae
Subfamily Anatinae
Aix sponsa Wood Duck OR* cc
Anas americana American Wigeon XM
Anas rubripes American Black Duck UW cc
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard UW cc
Anas discors Blue-winged Teal UM, OW
Anas clypeata Northern Shoveler XM
Anas acuta Northern Pintail XM
Anas crecca Green-winged Teal XM
Aythya collaris Ring-necked Duck OW
Aythya affinis Lesser Scaup XM
Melanitta fusca White-winged Scoter XW cc
Melanitta nigra Black Scoter XW
Bucephala albeola Bufflehead XW
Bucephala clangula Common Goldeneye XW
Lophodytes cucullatus Hooded Merganser UW, XS cc
Mergus merganser Common Merganser OW
Mergus serrator Red-breasted Merganser XM
Oxyura jamaicensis Ruddy Duck OM cc
Subfamily Anserinae
Chen caerulescens Snow Goose XM
Branta canadensis Canada Goose UR*
Branta bernicla Brant XM

Index

Order Apodiformes - Swifts & Hummingbirds
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Apodidae
Subfamily Chaeturinae
Chaetura pelagica Chimney Swift CS*
Family Trochilidae
Subfamily Trochilinae
Archilochus colubris Ruby-throated Hummingbird FS,* CM-fall

Index

Order Caprimulgiformes - Nighthawks & Nightjars
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Caprimulgidae
Subfamily Chordeilinae
Chordeiles minor Common Nighthawk FM
Subfamily Caprimulginae
Caprimulgus carolinensis Chuck-will's-widow US
Caprimulgus vociferus Whip-poor-will FS*

Index

Order Charadriiformes - Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Charadriidae
Family Charadriinae
Pluvialis dominica American Golden-Plover XM
Charadrius semipalmatus Semipalmated Plover OM cc
Charadrius vociferus Killdeer UR* cc
Family Scolopacidae
Tringa melanoleuca Greater Yellowlegs OM
Tringa flavipes Lesser Yellowlegs XM
Tringa solitaria Solitary Sandpiper UM
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Willet XM
Actitis macularia Spotted Sandpiper UM
Calidris pusilla Semipalmated Sandpiper XM
Calidris minutilla Least Sandpiper OM cc
Philomachus pugnax Ruff XM
Gallinago gallinago Common Snipe UMW cc
Scolopax minor American Woodcock UR*
Phalaropus lobatus Red-necked Phalarope XM
Phalaropus fulicaria Red Phalarope XW
Family Laridae
Subfamily Larinae
Larus atricilla Laughing Gull XM
Larus philadelphia Bonaparte's Gull XM
Larus delawarensis Ring-billed Gull XMW
Larus argentatus Herring Gull XW
Subfamily Sterninae
Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern XS

Index

Order Ciconiiformes - Bitterns, Herons & Vultures
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Ardeidae
Botaurus lentiginosus American Bittern OM
Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern OM
Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron UR cc
Ardea alba Great Egret OM
Egretta caerulea Little Blue Heron OM
Butorides virescens Green Heron FS* cc
Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-Heron XS
Nyctanassa violacea Yellow-crowned Night-Heron US* cc
Family Cathartidae
Coragyps atratus Black Vulture FR* cc
Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture CR* cc

Index

Order Columbiformes - Doves
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Columbidae
Columba livia Rock Dove XR
Zenaida macroura Mourning Dove CR* cc

Index

Order Coraciiformes - Kingfishers
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Alcedinidae
Ceryle alcyon Belted Kingfisher FR*

Index

Order Cuculiformes - Cuckoos
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Cuculidae
Subfamily Coccyzinae
Coccyzus erythropthalmus Black-billed Cuckoo US*
Coccyzus americanus Yellow-billed Cuckoo FS*

Index

Order Falconiformes - Hawks & Eagles
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Accipitridae
Subfamily Pandioninae
Pandion haliaetus Osprey OM
Subfamily Accipitrinae
Elanoides forficatus Swallow-tailed Kite XS
Ictinia mississippiensis Mississippi Kite XM
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle OM
Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier OMW
Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned Hawk UR*
Accipiter cooperii Cooper's Hawk UR*
Accipiter gentilis Northern Goshawk XR
Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered Hawk OMW, OR*
Buteo platypterus Broad-winged Hawk FS*, CM, lr
Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed Hawk UR*
Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle XMW cc XS
Family Falconidae
Subfamily Falconinae
Falco sparverius American Kestrel UR* cc
Falco columbarius Merlin XMS
Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon OWM, OS* ri

Index

Order Galliformes - Grouse, Turkeys & Quails
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Phasianidae
Subfamily Tetraoninae
Bonasa umbellus Ruffed Grouse FR*
Subfamily Meleagridinae
Meleagris gallopavo Wild Turkey UR* cc
Family Odontophoridae
Colinus virginianus Northern Bobwhite FR*

Index

Order Gaviiformes - Loons
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Gaviidae
Gavia immer Common Loon OM

Index

Order Gruiformes - Cranes, Rails, Gallinules & Coots
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Rallidae
Rallus elegans King Rail XMS
Rallus limicola Virginia Rail XM
Porzana carolina Sora OM
Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen XM
Fulica americana American Coot XMWS
Family Gruidae
Subfamily Gruinae
Grus canadensis Sandhill Crane XM

Index

Order Passeriformes - Songbirds
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Tyrannidae - Flycatchers
Subfamily Fluvicolinae
Contopus cooperi Olive-sided Flycatcher US,* he
Contopus virens Eastern Wood-Pewee CS*
Empidonax flaviventris Yellow-bellied Flycatcher XM
Empidonax virescens Acadian Flycatcher CS*
Empidonax alnorum Alder Flycatcher OM
Empidonax traillii Willow Flycatcher OS
Empidonax minimus Least Flycatcher US*
Sayornis phoebe Eastern Phoebe CR* (UW)
Subfamily Tryanninae
Myiarchus crinitus Great Crested Flycatcher FS*
Tyrannus verticalis Western Kingbird XM
Tyrannus tyrannus Eastern Kingbird FS* cc
Tyrannus forficatus Scissor-tailed Flycatcher XM cc
Family Laniidae - Shrikes
Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead Shrike OR cc
Family Vireonidae - Vireos
Vireo griseus White-eyed Vireo FS*
Vireo flavifrons Yellow-throated Vireo CS*
Vireo solitarius Blue-headed Vireo CS* he
Vireo gilvus Warbling Vireo OS
Vireo philadelphicus Philadelphia Vireo OM
Vireo olivaceus Red-eyed Vireo AS*
Family Corvidae - Jays, Crows and Ravens
Cyanocitta cristata Blue Jay CR*
Corvus brachyrhynchos American Crow CR*
Corvus corax Common Raven FR* he
Family Alaudidae - Larks
Eremophila alpestris Horned Lark OR cc
Family Hirundinidae - Swallows
Progne subis Purple Martin US
Tachycineta bicolor Tree Swallow OM
Stelgidopteryx serripennis Northern Rough-winged Swallow FS*
Riparia riparia Bank Swallow OM
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Cliff Swallow UM
Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow CS*
Family Paridae - Chickadees & Titmice
Poecile carolinensis Carolina Chickadee CR*
Poecile atricapillus Black-capped Chickadee FR* he
Baeolophus bicolor Tufted Titmouse CR*
Family Sittidae - Nuthatches
Sitta canadensis Red-breasted Nuthatch CR* he
Sitta carolinensis White-breasted Nuthatch FR*
Family Certhiidae - Creepers
Certhia americana Brown Creeper FR* he
Family Troglodytidae - Wrens
Thryothorus ludovicianus Carolina Wren CR*
Thryomanes bewickii Bewick's Wren XR* (formerly OR*)
Troglodytes aedon House Wren OR, FM
Troglodytes troglodytes Winter Wren CR* he
Cistothorus platensis Sedge Wren OM
Cistothorus palustris Marsh Wren OM
Family Regulidae - Kinglets
Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned Kinglet CR* he
Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned Kinglet FMW
Family Sylviidae - Gnatcatchers
Subfamily Polioptilinae
Polioptila caerulea Blue-gray Gnatcatcher CS*
Family Turdidae - Thrushes
Sialia sialis Eastern Bluebird FR* cc
Catharus fuscescens Veery CS* he
Catharus minimus Gray-cheeked Thrush FM
Catharus ustulatus Swainson's Thrush CM
Catharus guttatus Hermit Thrush FW, US (*?)
Hylocichla mustelina Wood Thrush CS*
Turdus migratorius American Robin FR,* CM
Family Mimidae - Thrashers
Dumetella carolinensis Gray Catbird FS,* OW
Mimus polyglottos Northern Mockingbird UR*
Toxostoma rufum Brown Thrasher FS,* UW
Family Sturnidae - Starlings
Sturnus vulgaris European Starling CR*
Family Motacillidae - Pipits
Anthus rubescens American Pipit OWM
Family Bombycillidae - Waxwings
Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar Waxwing FR* (erratic)
Family Parulidae - Wood Warblers
Vermivora pinus Blue-winged Warbler FM
Vermivora chrysoptera Golden-winged Warbler US*
Vermivora peregrina Tennessee Warbler CM
Vermivora celata Orange-crowned Warbler OMW
Vermivora ruficapilla Nashville Warbler FM
Parula americana Northern Parula FS*
Dendroica petechia Yellow Warbler FS*
Dendroica pensylvanica Chestnut-sided Warbler CS* he
Dendroica magnolia Magnolia Warbler CM (*?)
Dendroica tigrina Cape May Warbler FM
Dendroica caerulescens Black-throated Blue Warbler CS,* he
Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped Warbler A-CMW
Dendroica virens Black-throated Green Warbler CS*
Dendroica fusca Blackburnian Warbler FS* he
Dendroica dominica Yellow-throated Warbler FS*
Dendroica pinus Pine Warbler FS,* OW
Dendroica discolor Prairie Warbler US*
Dendroica palmarum Palm Warbler FM, OW
Dendroica castanea Bay-breasted Warbler FM
Dendroica striata Blackpoll Warbler FM (spr.), OM (fall)
Dendroica cerulea Cerulean Warbler FM, OS
Mniotilta varia Black-and-white Warbler CS*
Setophaga ruticilla American Redstart FS*
Protonotaria citrea Prothonotary Warbler OM, XS*
Helmitheros vermivorus Worm-eating Warbler FS*
Limnothlypis swainsonii Swainson's Warbler US*
Seiurus aurocapillus Ovenbird CS*
Seiurus noveboracensis Northern Waterthrush OM
Seiurus motacilla Louisiana Waterthrush CS*
Oporornis formosus Kentucky Warbler CS*
Oporornis formosus Kentucky Warbler CS*
Oporornis agilis Connecticut Warbler OM
Geothlypis trichas Common Yellowthroat FS*
Wilsonia citrina Hooded Warbler CS*
Wilsonia pusilla Wilson's Warbler OM
Wilsonia canadensis Canada Warbler CS* he
Icteria virens Yellow-breasted Chat US*
Family Thraupidae - Tanagers
Piranga rubra Summer Tanager FS*
Piranga olivacea Scarlet Tanager CS*
Family Emberizidae - Sparrows
Pipilo erythrophthalmus Eastern Towhee CR*
Aimophila aestivalis Bachman's Sparrow XS (formerly OS)
Spizella passerina Chipping Sparrow CS*
Spizella pusilla Field Sparrow CR*
Pooecetes gramineus Vesper Sparrow UM cc
Chondestes grammacus Lark Sparrow XS cc
Passerculus sandwichensis Savannah Sparrow UMW cc
Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper Sparrow OSM cc
Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's Sparrow XM
Ammodramus leconteii Le Conte's Sparrow XMW cc
Passerella iliaca Fox Sparrow O-FW
Melospiza melodia Song Sparrow CR*
Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln's Sparrow OM
Melospiza georgiana Swamp Sparrow FW
Zonotrichia albicollis White-throated Sparrow C-AW
Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned Sparrow OM, OW
Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco AR* he (lower elv. W)
Plectrophenax nivalis Snow Bunting XW he
Family Cardinalidae - Cardinals, Grosbeaks and Buntings
Cardinalis cardinalis Northern Cardinal CR*
Pheucticus ludovicianus Rose-breasted Grosbeak FS* he
Guiraca caerulea Blue Grosbeak OM, OS cc (*?)
Passerina cyanea Indigo Bunting C-AS*
Spiza americana Dickcissel XW cc
Family Icteridae - Meadowlarks, Blackbirds, and Orioles
Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink UM cc
Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged Blackbird FM, CS,* cc, UW
Sturnella magna Eastern Meadowlark CR* cc
Euphagus carolinus Rusty Blackbird UM, OW
Quiscalus quiscula Common Grackle FS,* UW
Molothrus ater Brown-headed Cowbird FM, FR*
Icterus spurius Orchard Oriole UM, US*
Icterus galbula Baltimore Oriole UM, OS,* cc
Family Fringillidae - Finches
Subfamily Cardulinae
Carpodacus purpureus Purple Finch U-FW
Carpodacus mexicanus House Finch XW, OR
Loxia curvirostra Red Crossbill UR he (erratic) (*?)
Loxia leucoptera White-winged Crossbill XW
Carduelis flammea Common Redpoll XW
Carduelis pinus Pine Siskin US, U-CW (erratic) (*?)
Carduelis tristis American Goldfinch FR*
Coccothraustes vespertinus Evening Grosbeak U-CW (erratic)
Family Passeridae - Old World Sparrows
Passer domesticus House Sparrow UR*

Index

Order Pelecaniformes - Pelicans & Cormorants
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Pelecanidae
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican XM
Family Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocorax auritus Double-crested Cormorant XM

Index

Order Piciformes - Woodpeckers
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Picidae
Melanerpes erythrocephalus Red-headed Woodpecker UR* cc
Melanerpes carolinus Red-bellied Woodpecker FR*
Sphyrapicus varius Yellow-bellied Sapsucker US,* he, FW
Picoides pubescens Downy Woodpecker FR*
Picoides villosus Hairy Woodpecker FR*
Picoides borealis Red-cockaded Woodpecker OR* (formerly)
Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker FR*
Dryocopus pileatus Pileated Woodpecker FR*

Index

Order Podicipediformes - Grebes
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Podicipedidae
Podilymbus podiceps Pied-billed Grebe UM
Podiceps auritus Horned Grebe OM

Index

Order Procellariiformes - Storm-Petrels
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Hydrobatidae
Oceanodroma castro Band-rumped Storm-Petrel XM

Index

Order Strigiformes - Owls
Scientific name Common name Code
Family Tytonidae
Tyto alba Barn Owl OR
Family Strigidae
Otus asio Eastern Screech-Owl FR*
Bubo virginianus Great Horned Owl UR*
Strix varia Barred Owl FR*
Aegolius acadicus Northern Saw-whet Owl FR* he

Index
References

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Updated: 7 September, 2004