Bird-voiced Treefrog

A medium-sized treefrog, the Bird-voiced Treefrog is found in swamps, creeks, and rivers in the western part of the state.  The color of these treefrogs, which are 1 to 1.75 inches long, is highly variable, but they are usually gray or green with irregular marks on their back. They have a light, sometimes white, spot under the eye, warty skin, and yellow-green to pale green "flash colors" on the hidden part of their thighs.

Similar Species: The Gray Treefrog has yellow-orange on the concealed surfaces of the thigh.

Voice: A ringing, somewhat birdlike whistle repeated 20 or more times. Some liken the call to the sound of someone whistling for their dog. They begin calling in mid-April and continue through August.

Habitat: The Bird-voiced Treefrog is found in bottoms, sloughs, and swamps along rivers and large creeks in the western portion of the state.

Diet: Opportunistic feeders that forage in trees and shrubs, Bird-voiced Treefrogs consume spiders and small tree-dwelling insects.

Breeding information: Considered late breeders, this species lays small bunches of 6-15 eggs in shallow pools. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 30 days.

Status in Tennessee: Common in appropriate habitat and range.

Fun Facts:

• Bird-voiced Treefrogs are nocturnal and arboreal, coming from the trees only to breed
• The bright "flash colors" on the thighs of treefrogs (which are hidden when the frog is at rest) are thought to visually confuse predators

Best places to see in Tennessee: The Swamps in West Tennessee are good locales to find this species.