Most studies that have shown higher bird species richness and abundance in riparian zones have been conducted where there is contrast between vegetation in riparian and upland habitats. In central Appalachian hardwood forests, substantial riparian habitat is potentially subject to habitat alterations. However, little information is available on the importance of riparian habitats to songbirds where the riparian-upland vegetation gradient is relatively uniform. We sampled relative bird abundance and habitat characteristics along a gradient from a stream to adjacent upland habitat at 16 sites in southwest Virginia. We evaluated total relative bird abundance, species richness, and relative abundance of 28 bird species to determine whether riparian habitats influenced bird assemblages. Total bird relative abundance and species richness showed no (P > 0.10) riparian influence; however, Acadian flycatchers (Empidonax virescens) and Louisiana waterthrushes (Seiurus motacilla) were most associated (P < 0.001) with streams. American robins (Turdus migratorius) showed a weaker but positive association (P = 0.068) with streams. Eastern woodpewees (Contopus virens) (P = 0.01), black-and-white warblers (Mniotilta varia) (P < 0.001), pine warblers (Dendroica pinus) (P < 0.001), worm-eating warblers (Helmintheros vermivorus) (P < 0.001), and scarlet tanagers (Piranga olivacea) (P = 0.041) were negatively associated with streams. We used cluster analysis to group the 28 bird species into 5 assemblages on the basis of their distributions at 69 sampling stations distributed among the 16 sites. Species were classified as belonging to riparian (n = 2 species), upland forest (n = 6 species), mesic forest (n = 3 species), xeric upland forest (n = 6 species), and mature hardwoods generalist (n = 11 species) assemblages. Management or protection of riparian zones often is justified on the basis of higher bird species richness and abundance found in these sites. Our data did not support this. However, Acadian flycatchers and Louisiana waterthrushes were dependent on riparian habitats, and such habitats should be protected for these species