White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) Common feeder bird who got his name due to a habit of jamming large nuts or acorns into tree barks, and hitting them with its bill to "hatch" out seeds inside of them.	Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) The official state bird of Tennessee, often seen in backyards. It sings almost endlessly, and will actively harass birds that impedes on its territory.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) Not to be confused with the red-headed woodpecker, a much rarer species. May be able to attract them with feeders if near wood patches.	Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) Due to conservation efforts over the years, it's even more likely now to attract this bird to yards if food is offered or if there are nest boxes present.
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) Frequent visitor of deciduous forests and feeders, especially during winter. Prefers sunflower seeds but will eat suet, and peanuts.	Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) Very abundant in patches of woods during the summer. Will visit suet-filled feeders during winter.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Common on lawns, often seen digging earthworms out of ground.	Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Very common and conspicuous non-migratory bird known for visiting any feeder. Prefers sunflower seeds.
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) Abundant little bird easily found at feeders with sunflower or thistle seeds. Attracted to native thistles and milkweed.	Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) Occasionally known to nest in tubes or boxes. Put sawdust or wood shaving in them if you want to attract a pair.
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Common, large songbird known for its intelligence and fondness for acorns. Prefers tray or hopper feeders on posts.	Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) Familiar sight in parks, and  backyard feeders. Often seen balancing on tiny branches foraging.

Sources:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird

BATS OF EAST TENNESSEE

Bat Facts!

A handy guide to one of the night's most misunderstood little creatures.

Did you know?

• Bats thrive in every continent except for Antarctica, with over 1,200 species worldwide!

• There are 16 different species of bats in Tennessee alone, with the Little Brown Bat being the most common. 

• The Little Brown Bat can live to be over 20 years, one of the longest living mammals of its size!

• If you weigh 120 pounds and eat 60 pounds of food each day, you just might be a bat. Bats often eat 50% of their body weight in bugs each night; that adds up to over 3,000 insects!

• The flying squirrel should really just be called the gliding squirrel; bats are the only true flying mammals.

• Bats are masters at echolocation, which works a lot like sonar. By emitting ultrasonic calls as they fly and listening to the echoes, bats are able to build a sonic map of their surroundings. Their ability is so acute that they can avoid a piece of thread in complete darkness!

• It's a good thing that the screeches bats make are out of our hearing range; the sound can get up to 120 decibels, the equivalent of having a smoke detector a couple inches from your ear!

• "Blind as a bat" is a bit of a misnomer; in fact, most bats are able to see as well as humans!

• If you see bats flying around your home at night, don't fret! All Tennessee bats feed exclusively on insects like mosquitoes, making them one of the most beneficial creatures of the night. 

• If you look closely at the picture below, you might notice that the bones in a bat's wing look a lot like the ones in your arm and hand; only a lot more stretched out!

Tennessee Bats are in Danger

White-nose syndrome, a disease marked by a white fungus that grows on the nose, ears, and wings of affected bats, has taken a massive toll on Tennessee bat populations.

The fungus, much like athlete's foot, infiltrates the tissue and eats through it. Fighting off the disease uses up a lot of energy, causing the bat to prematurely use up all of its fat reserves, essentially starving the bat before the winter ends. 

Since bats cuddle up so close to each other during hibernation, the disease spreads like wildfire. Entire colonies have been wiped out by the disease, with the typical mortality rate being documented at 80-97%. While no cure has been found, scientists are working around the clock to combat the disease.

How Can I Help Tennessee Bats?

Install a bat house!

Bats don't always live in caves. Most bats spend summers in trees, under bridges, or in old buildings. As forests are cleared, it's getting harder for bats to find a place to raise their kids. With a bat house, not only will you be helping animals in need, but they'll help you by keeping your yard insect-free! A win-win situation any way you look at it. Visit your local hardware store to buy one, or check out NWF.org for information on how to build your very own bat house from scratch!

Want to have this information in an easier format? Click on these links below!

Bat Facts Chart [PDF]
Bat Facts Tri-Fold Brochure [PDF]


Sources

The Tennessee Bat Working Group
National Wildlife Federation
"How Stuff Works" Podcast, Episode 125: "How Bats Work"