South · Mississippi Flyway

Are There White-crowned Sparrows in Tennessee?

Yes, but uncommon — White-crowned Sparrows occur in Tennessee mainly from January to December. Zonotrichia leucophrys · Passerellidae

UncommonAbundance
Winter visitorSeasonal status
7Active months
12,736Observations

Is the White-crowned Sparrow Found in Tennessee?

White-crowned Sparrows 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 White-crowned Sparrows occur regularly are Kentucky (about 170 miles away), Alabama (about 220 miles away) and Mississippi (about 300 miles away).

Often mistaken for White-crowned Sparrows in Tennessee: Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee and Chipping Sparrow — these occur regularly in Tennessee, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a White-crowned Sparrow.

White-crowned Sparrow 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, October, November, December. Peak activity occurs in January, November, December.

Monthly Activity — White-crowned Sparrow 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

FamilyPasserellidae
View full White-crowned Sparrow profile →

Best Time to See White-crowned Sparrow in Tennessee

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

Other birds in Tennessee

Birds you might also encounter in Tennessee.

White-crowned Sparrow in other states

White-crowned Sparrow in Tennessee: Quick Facts

The White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 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, October, November, December. For birders in Nashville and throughout Tennessee, knowing the seasonal patterns of White-crowned Sparrow 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.