The leafy green environment and elevational range of the Great Smoky Mountains ensures a wide range of climates and habitats. Within the Great Smoky Mountains, more than 230 species of birds have been recorded, and 110 are known to breed in the park. 

In the lowest elevations, among the southern hardwood forests you’ll find the Acadian flycatcher, blue-gray gnatcatcher, red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, wood thrush, hooded warbler, Carolina chickadee, eastern bluebird, scarlet tanager, and yellow-throated warbler. 

Ascending higher to the middle elevations and northern hardwood you’ll find somewhat different species that include yellow-bellied sapsucker, black-throated blue warbler, tufted titmouse and dark-eyed junco. 

At the highest elevations, you’ll find several “boreal” species that nest or reside in the spruce-fir forests on the park’s mountaintops. This group includes the Canada warbler, black-burnian warbler, black-capped chickadee, northern saw-whet owl, red-breasted nuthatch, and golden-crowned kinglet. 

Although not particularly common to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the open landscape of Cades Cove provides specialized habitat for birds more typical of open woodlands or meadows. Among this group are the red-tailed hawk, wild turkey, American Robin, eastern meadowlark, eastern kingbird, barn swallow, kestrel and American crow. 

Only 60 or so of the 230 recorded species in the park are full-time residents. The remainder are either seasonal visitors or just passing through.