South · Mississippi Flyway

Are There Red-breasted Nuthatchs in Tennessee?

Yes, but uncommon — Red-breasted Nuthatchs occur in Tennessee mainly from January to December. Sitta canadensis · Sittidae

UncommonAbundance
Winter visitorSeasonal status
8Active months
9,779Observations

Is the Red-breasted Nuthatch Found in Tennessee?

Red-breasted Nuthatchs do occur in Tennessee, but they are considered uncommon. Encountering one requires patience and the right habitat in winter.

Where to see them instead: the nearest states where Red-breasted Nuthatchs occur regularly are Kentucky (about 170 miles away), Alabama (about 220 miles away) and Mississippi (about 300 miles away).

Often mistaken for Red-breasted Nuthatchs in Tennessee: White-breasted Nuthatch — these occur regularly in Tennessee, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

Red-breasted Nuthatch is a North American backyard bird.

In Tennessee, this species is classified as uncommon. It is primarily a winter visitor to Tennessee. The best months to observe this bird are January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December. Peak activity occurs in January, October, November, December.

Monthly Activity — Red-breasted Nuthatch in Tennessee

Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
RegularSeasonalRare

Identification

FamilySittidae
View full Red-breasted Nuthatch profile →

Best Time to See Red-breasted Nuthatch in Tennessee

January
Peak
February
Peak
March
Peak
April
Peak
May
Active
June
Active
July
Low
August
Low
September
Peak
October
Peak
November
Peak
December
Peak

Other birds in Tennessee

Birds you might also encounter in Tennessee.

Red-breasted Nuthatch in other states

Red-breasted Nuthatch in Tennessee: Quick Facts

The Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) is an uncommon bird in Tennessee. It is classified as a winter visitor in the state, falling within the South region and the Mississippi Flyway migration corridor.

The best months to spot this species in Tennessee are January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December. For birders in Nashville and throughout Tennessee, knowing the seasonal patterns of Red-breasted Nuthatch can help plan birding trips and backyard feeding strategies.

Use the monthly activity chart above to plan your birding outings, and explore other bird species found in Tennessee using the related birds section.