The
Official Checklist of the Birds of Tennessee
January, 2006
The Official Checklist of
the Birds of Tennessee is compiled by the Tennessee Ornithological
Society Bird Records Committee. The sequence and nomenclature follow
the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American
Birds, Seventh Edition (1998) and more recent supplements.
All species recorded in
the state of Tennessee appear in the list. Each species is assigned
a status according to the common frequency with which it is recorded
in the state, as follows:
- R
egular - Either recorded in 9 of the last 10 years, or 30 records
over the last 10 years
- C
asual - Not regular, but 4 or more records in the last 10 years
- A
ccidental - 3 or fewer records in the last 10 years.
- E
xtirpated - formerly regular, but no longer occurs in the state
- e X
tinct - no longer occurs anywhere
In general, reports of Regular
species are considered valid records without documentation. Currently,
thirteen of these Regular species occur in very specific or local
habitat, and should be documented when seen away from their particular
regions. Occasionally other species classified Regular occur
unexpectedly, for instance, out of season, and the Bird Records Committee
may request a documentation of details. For all sightings of non-Regular
species or species not on the list, the Bird Records Committee requests
documentation. Each acceptable record is published in the T.O.S. journal,
The Migrant, and its impact on this list is noted upon
subsequent reviews of the classification system.
An asterisk (*) indicates
a species that has bred in the state. Breeding is considered to have
occurred if a species has hatched young from eggs laid in the state
of Tennessee.
An Accidental species
marked with a P is regarded as "Provisional" pending additional
documentation and/or further action by the Bird Records Committee.
The state list is
also available here in MS Word
format and here in MS Excel
format.
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ANSERIFORMES
ANATIDAE
Dendrocygninae
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
A *
Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
C
Anserinae
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
R
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens R
Ross's Goose Chen rossii C
Brant Branta bernicla A
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis A
Canada Goose Branta canadensis R *
Mute Swan Cygnus olor C
Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator E
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus R
Anatinae
Wood Duck Aix sponsa R *
Gadwall Anas strepera R
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope C
American Wigeon Anas americana R
American Black Duck Anas rubripes R *
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos R *
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors R *
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera C
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata R *
Northern Pintail Anas acuta R
Garganey Anas querquedula A
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca R
Canvasback Aythya valisineria R
Redhead Aythya americana R
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris R
Greater Scaup Aythya marila R
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis R
King Eider Somateria spectabilis A
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus A
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata R
White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca R
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra C
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis C
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola R
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula R
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica A (P)
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus R *
Common Merganser Mergus merganser R
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator R
Masked Duck Nomonyx dominicus A
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis R
GALLIFORMES
PHASIANIDAE
Tetraoninae
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus R *
(Ruffed Grouse should be documented except in Cumberland Plateau and
eastward)
Greater Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus cupido
E
Meleagridinae
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo R *
ODONTOPHORIDAE
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus R *
GAVIIFORMES
GAVIIDAE
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata C
Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica C
Common Loon Gavia immer R
Yellow-billed Loon Gavia adamsii A
PODICIPEDIFORMES
PODICIPEDIDAE
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps R *
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus R
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena C
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis C
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis A (P)
Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii A
PROCELLARIIFORMES
HYDROBATIDAE
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma castro
A
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PELECANIFORMES
SULIDAE
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus A (P)
PELECANIDAE
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
R
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis A
PHALACROCORACIDAE
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
C
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
R *
ANHINGIDAE
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga R *
( Anhinga should be documented when seen away from counties along Miss.
River )
FREGATIDAE
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
A
CICONIIFORMES
ARDEIDAE
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus R *
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis R *
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias R *
Great Egret Ardea alba R *
Snowy Egret Egretta thula R *
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea R *
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor R *
( Tricolored Heron should be documented when seen away from counties
along Miss. River )
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens A
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis R *
Green Heron Butorides virescens R *
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
R *
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
R *
THRESKIORNITHIDAE
White Ibis Eudocimus albus R
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus C
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi A
Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja A
CICONIIDAE
Wood Stork Mycteria americana C
CATHARTIDAE
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus R *
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura R*
FALCONIFORMES
ACCIPITRIDAE
Pandioninae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus R *
Accipitrinae
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus A
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus A
Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis R
*
(Mississippi Kite should be documented when seen outside of Western
Coastal Plain Region)
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus R *
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus R
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus R *
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii R *
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis C
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus R *
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus R *
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni A
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis R *
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus R
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos R *
FALCONIDAE
American Kestrel Falco sparverius R *
Merlin Falco columbarius R
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus A (P)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus R *
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus A
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GRUIFORMES
RALLIDAE
Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis C
Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis A *
Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris A
King Rail Rallus elegans R *
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola R *
Sora Porzana carolina R *
Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica C *
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus R *
American Coot Fulica americana R *
ARAMIDAE
Limpkin Aramus guarauna A
GRUIDAE
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis R
CHARADRIIFORMES
CHARADRIIDAE
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola R
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica R
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus A
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia A (P)
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
R
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus C
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus R *
RECURVIROSTRIDAE
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus R *
( Black-necked Stilt should be documented when seen away from counties
along Miss. River )
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana R
SCOLOPACIDAE
Scolopacinae
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca R
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes R
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria R
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus R
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia R *
Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda R
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus C
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus A
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica C
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa C
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres R
Red Knot Calidris canutus C
Sanderling Calidris alba R
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla R
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri R
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis A
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla R
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
R
Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii R
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos R
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata A
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima A
Dunlin Calidris alpina R
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea A
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus R
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis
R
Ruff Philomachus pugnax C
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
R
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
R
Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata R
American Woodcock Scolopax minor R *
Phalaropodinae
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor R
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus C
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria C
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LARIDAE
Stercorariinae
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus A
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus A
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus
A
Larinae
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla R
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan R
Little Gull Larus minutus A (P)
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus A
Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia R
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis R
California Gull Larus californicus A (P)
Herring Gull Larus argentatus R
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides A
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus C
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus A
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus C
Sabine's Gull Xema sabini A
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla C
Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea A
Sterninae
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotoca A (P)
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia R
Royal Tern Sterna maxima A (P)
Common Tern Sterna hirundo R
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea A (P)
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri R
Least Tern Sterna antillarum R *
Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata A
Black Tern Chlidonias niger R
Rynchopinae
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger A
COLUMBIFORMES
COLUMBIDAE
Rock Pigeon Columba livia R *
Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata A
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto
R *
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica A
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura R *
Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius X
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina C
PSITTACIFORMES
PSITTACIDAE
Carolina Parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis X
CUCULIFORMES
CUCULIDAE
Coccyzinae
Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus
R *
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus R
*
Crotophaginae
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris A
STRIGIFORMES
TYTONIDAE
Barn Owl Tyto alba R *
STRIGIDAE
Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio R*
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus R *
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus A
Barred Owl Strix varia R *
Long-eared Owl Asio otus C
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus R
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus R *
(Northern Saw-whet Owl should be documented when seen outside of Eastern
Mountain Region)
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
CAPRIMULGIDAE
Chordeilinae
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor R *
Caprimulginae
Chuck-wills-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis
R *
Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus R *
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APODIFORMES
APODIDAE
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica R *
TROCHILIDAE
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
R *
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
A
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna A
Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope A
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycerus
A
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus R
(Rufous Hummingbird should be documented carefully in spite of Regular
status)
Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin C
CORACIIFORMES
ALCEDINIDAE
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon R *
PICIFORMES
PICIDAE
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus
R *
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
R *
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
R *
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens R *
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus R *
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis E
*
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus R *
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus R *
PASSERIFORMES
TYRANNIDAE
Fluvicolinae
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi R *
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens R *
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris
R
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens R *
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum R *
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii R *
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus R *
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe R *
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya A
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus A
Tyranninae
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens
A (P)
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus
R *
Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius A
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis R *
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus R *
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
C *
LANIIDAE
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus R *
Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor A
VIREONIDAE
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus R *
Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii C
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons R *
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius R *
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus R *
Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus R
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus R *
CORVIDAE
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata R *
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos R *
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus R *
(Fish Crow should be documented when seen outside of Western Coastal
Plain Region)
Common Raven Corvus corax R *
(Common Raven should be documented when seen outside of Eastern Mountain
Region)
ALAUDIDAE
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris R *
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HIRUNDINIDAE
Purple Martin Progne subis R *
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor R *
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina
A (P)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
R *
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia R *
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota R *
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica R *
PARIDAE
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis R *
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus
R *
(Black-capped Chickadee should be documented when seen outside of Eastern
Mountain Region)
Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor R *
SITTIDAE
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis R *
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
R *
Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta pusilla R *
(Brown-headed Nuthatch should be documented when seen away from its
local habitat)
CERTHIIDAE
Brown Creeper Certhia americana R *
TROGLODYTIDAE
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus A
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus R *
Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii R *
House Wren Troglodytes aedon R *
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes R *
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis R
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris R
REGULIDAE
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa R *
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula R
SYLVIIDAE
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea R
*
TURDIDAE
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis R *
Veery Catharus fuscescens R *
Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus R
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus R
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus R
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina R *
American Robin Turdus migratorius R *
Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius A
MIMIDAE
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis R *
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos R *
Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus A
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum R *
STURNIDAE
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris R *
MOTACILLIDAE
American Pipit Anthus rubescens R
Sprague's Pipit Anthus spragueii A
BOMBYCILLIDAE
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum R *
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PARULIDAE
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus R *
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera
R *
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina R
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata R
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla R
Northern Parula Parula americana R *
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia R *
Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica
R *
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia R
Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina R
Black-throated Blue Warbler Dendroica caerulescens
R *
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata R
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens
A
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens
R *
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi A
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca R *
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica
R *
Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus R *
Kirtland's Warbler Dendroica kirtlandii A (P)
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor R *
Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum R
Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea R
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata R
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea R *
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia R *
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla R *
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea R
*
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus
R *
Swainson's Warbler Limnothlypis swainsonii
R *
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus R *
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
R
Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla R *
Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus R *
Connecticut Warbler Oporornis agilis R
Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia R
MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei A
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas R *
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina R *
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla R
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis R *
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens R *
THRAUPIDAE
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra R *
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea R *
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana A
EMBERIZIDAE
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus A
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus C
Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus R *
Bachman's Sparrow Aimophila aestivalis R *
American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea R
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina R *
Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida A
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla R *
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus R *
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus R *
Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys A
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
R *
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum R
*
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii R *
Le Conte's Sparrow Ammodramus leconteii R
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammodramus nelsoni
C
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca R
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia R *
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii R
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana R
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis R
Harris's Sparrow Zonotrichia querula C
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
R
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis R *
McCown's Longspur Calcarius mccownii A (P)
Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus R
Smith's Longspur Calcarius pictus A
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis C
CARDINALIDAE
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis R *
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
R *
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
C
Blue Grosbeak Guiraca caerulea R *
Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena A*
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea R *
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris R *
(Painted Bunting should be documented when seen outside of Shelby County)
Dickcissel Spiza americana R *
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ICTERIDAE
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus R *
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus R
*
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna R *
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta R *
(Western Meadowlark should be documented when seen outside of Western
Coastal Plains Region)
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
C
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus R
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus R
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula R *
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis A
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater R *
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius R *
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii A
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula R *
FRINGILLIDAE
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator A (P)
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus R
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus R *
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra R *
White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera C
Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea A
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus R
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis R *
Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus
R
PASSERIDAE
House Sparrow Passer domesticus R *
RECENT CHANGES:
Clark's Grebe off
provisional
Swainson's Hawk off provisional
Sabine's Gull off provisional
Townsend's Warbler off provisional
Gull-billed Tern added to list (provisional)
White-winged Dove added tolist
Broad-tailed Hummingbird added to list
Variegated Flycatcher added to list
Sage Thrasher added to list
MacGillivray's Warbler added to list
Lazuli Bunting added to list (provisional)
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