Bald Eagles
Bald Eagle, Hiawassee Wildlife Refuge
When and where are the best place to spot Bald Eagles in Chattanooga? It depends on the season.
Wintering Bald Eagles begin arriving in Tennessee in late October and peak in late January to mid-February. The Hiawassee Wildlife Refuge is my recommended spot to look for eagles in winter alongside thousands of Sandhill Cranes. Eagles typically feed on fish (70% + of their total diet) but they will also feed on injured waterfowl. Each winter I enjoy watching eagles fishing but I’ve also seen more than one eagle feeding on sandhill cranes at Hiawassee Wildlife Refuge.
By April, most wintering bald eagles have returned to their nesting origins of southern Canada and the Great Lake states. However Tennessee does have more than 175 full time nesting residents. It is not uncommon to see and hear eagles on Chickamauga Lake or Harrison Bay cruises throughout the year in Chattanooga.
American White Pelican
The White Pelican, once rare in Tennessee, seems to be increasing it's range and is being seen in winter State-wide. The pelicans pictured were spotted in the Hiawassee Wildlife Refuge in December 2024.
White pelicans in Tennessee? Yes!
American white pelicans are one of the largest birds in North America with wingspans up to 9.5 feet across. White Pelican nest on lakes in the Northern Great Plains and in scattered locations in the western mountain states. In winter they are found in California, Florida, around the Gulf Coast into Mexico, along the Mississippi River and in the larger lakes in TN.
The White Pelican, once rare in Tennessee, seems to be increasing it's range in TN and is being seen in winter State-wide. I’ve personally seen them on Chickamauga Lake and at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge this winter.
Sandhill Cranes
Winter is the best time to spot Sandhill Cranes, one of Tennessee’s largest birds.
Winter is the best time to see one of the largest birds found in Tennessee. The Sandhill Crane stands about 4 feet tall and has a wingspan that reaches 7 feet. Sandhill cranes are also known for their distinct calls that can be heard for miles around.
Every winter from mid-November to the end of February, more than 20,000 sandhill cranes descend upon the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Birchwood, Tennessee, about 40 miles north of Chattanooga. Hiwassee has the largest winter flock of sandhill cranes in the southeast United States outside of Florida.
In addition to the massive sandhill crane population, birders can spot waterfowl, ospreys, eagles, white pelicans and even an occasional endangered whooping crane. Schedule your trip today!