Hawks in Tennessee: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them

Hawks in Tennessee are most often seen in the eastern part of the state along the Appalachian ridges and in the western floodplains near the Mississippi River. Look for them along power lines, fence rows, and open fields. For consistent views, check out the overlooks at Radnor Lake State Park or the grasslands of the Cumberland Plateau. For more on Tennessee birding hotspots, visit our Tennessee wildlife page.

In Tennessee, hawks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Fall migration from September through November is prime hawk-watching, with thousands passing through. Spring migration (March to May) also offers good opportunities. The best time of day is early morning, shortly after sunrise, when hawks start hunting. Late afternoon can also be productive. For tips on hawk behavior throughout the year, check out our hawk identification guide.

Differentiating hawks from vultures or eagles comes down to wing shape and flight style. Hawks have broad, rounded wings and a long tail; they flap in a steady, rowing motion. Turkey vultures hold their wings in a V-shape and teeter. Bald eagles are much larger with flat wings. Look for the reddish tail of a red-tailed hawk or the banded tail of a Cooper's hawk. For more details, see our hawk identification page.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

The red-tailed hawk is the most widespread, seen sitting on poles along highways. Red-shouldered hawks prefer wet woodlands and are often heard before seen. Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks are smaller and specialize in bird hunting. Broad-winged hawks are common in forests during migration. Rare visitors include the northern goshawk in the mountains.

Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville offers year-round red-tailed and red-shouldered hawk views. Reelfoot Lake in the northwest is excellent during migration. For mountain species, head to the Cherohala Skyway or Clingmans Dome. Many state parks have hawk watches in fall. Check out our Tennessee wildlife page for more locations.