Hawks in Tennessee in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see hawks in Tennessee. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,394 of the 12,181 sightings logged across the year (11.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for hawks in Tennessee
11.4%
of yearly sightings
1,394
records in January
#2
busiest month of 12
12,181
verified records a year
December 11.7%, January 11.4%, February 11.1%. Busiest month is December at 11.7%.
12,181 verified observations of hawks in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
December
1,428 records (11.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,394 | 11.4% |
| February | 1,355 | 11.1% |
| March | 1,148 | 9.4% |
| April | 1,073 | 8.8% |
| May | 887 | 7.3% |
| June | 719 | 5.9% |
| July | 585 | 4.8% |
| August | 707 | 5.8% |
| September | 623 | 5.1% |
| October | 903 | 7.4% |
| Novemberpeak | 1,359 | 11.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 1,428 | 11.7% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4,949 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 2,394 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,746 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,226 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 500 |
| Mississippi Kite | 469 |
| Northern Harrier | 447 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 122 |
In Tennessee, January carries 11.4% of the year's hawks sightings, about 3.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between December and January, and it heads toward February (11.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in Tennessee are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Bald Eagle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-tailed Hawk4,949 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk2,394 records
- Bald Eagle1,746 records
- Cooper's Hawk1,226 records
- Broad-winged Hawk500 records
- Mississippi Kite469 records
Plan your hawk trip in Tennessee
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Tennessee in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 1,394 of the 12,181 verified hawks sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 11.4% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see hawks in Tennessee?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of December, January and November.
What month is best for hawks in Tennessee?+
December is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through December, January and November, based on 12,181 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Tennessee?+
The most-recorded species in Tennessee are Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Bald Eagle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Tennessee in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Tennessee