The Birds
In addition to the cranes there are many other birds that may be seen in the Refuge; Whooping Cranes, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Northern Harrier, Red-tail hawk, Turkeys, Vultures, Gulls and more. Typically in the winter months 90 to 100 different species of birds can be seen.
|
|
|
Loons and Grebes
Loons are large bodied swimmers with dagger like bills and dive from the surface or slowly sink and nest on the land at waters edge. Feed on small fish, crustaceans and aquatic life. The Common loon is found frequently in this area and the loons are the only species to carry their young on their backs for protection in the first few weeks of life.
Grebes are duck like divers with thin necks and a tailless look. Feed on small fish and aquatic life. The pied-billed grebe and the horned grebe are most common in this area.
Double Crested Cormorants
Cormorants are large black birds that often stand erect on rocks or posts with their necks in an S shaped curve. Many times they rest with their wings spread. They fly in line like geese but are silent. They swim low like a loon and many times all you can see is their head while swimming. They feed on Fish and crustaceans. This bird is Common for our area.
Great Blue Herons
Medium to large wading birds with long necks and spear like bills. In flights these birds fold their necks in but let their legs trail behind and stand about 3-4 feet tall. Adults have long black plumes on head and are grayish blue and white. In breeding season they nest in rookeries high off the ground. They feed on fish, frogs, crayfish and other aquatic life, rodents and insects. Great Blues are common in are region.
Great Egret
Large, Stately, slender white heron. Straight plumes on back extend beyond the tail. Feeds on fish, frogs and other aquatic life. While feeding assumes a forward leaning pose with its neck extended. Common to this area.
Black and Turkey Vultures
Blackish, eagle like birds often seen soaring high in wide circles. Rarely alone. Their heads are smaller than hawks and eagles. Often incorrectly called buzzards. Both turkey and black vultures are common to this area and have wingspans which reach 5-6 feet. The Turkey vulture is a little larger than the black vulture. Both birds are scavengers and feed on carrion.
Bald and Golden Eagles
Bald eagles population decrease substantially from the use of DDT pesticides in the late 40’s and 50’s. The DDT made the bird’s egg shells extremely thin and therefore the young weren’t surviving. Bald Eagles mate for life unless they are not successfully reproductive. The constant unsuccessful reproduction wore the birds down and their numbers began to steadily decline. Once the birds were protected their populations began climbing, slowly but steadily. There are 2 confirmed nesting pairs of Bald Eagles in this area although there are probably more. Bald Eagles have a wingspan of 7-8 feet and stand about 3 feet tall. The female is always larger than the male. Their heads and tails don’t fully turn white until well into their 5th year of life. Many immature Bald Eagles are confused with Golden Eagles. Bald eagles are still uncommon in the United States although they are more common in specific areas such as Alaska.
Golden Eagles are very similar to Bald Eagles although their wingspans normally only reach 7 feet tall and they are normally a little smaller than an Adult Bald Eagle. Golden Eagles have a white band on the base of tail and a “wash of gold” on the hind neck. These birds are uncommon as well although their have been a few sightings in this area.
Ducks and Geese
There are many ducks in the area depending on the time of year. We’ve seen Wood ducks, Green Winged Teals, Lesser Scaups, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards and Canadian Goose.
Osprey
There is only one species of Osprey in the entire world and they are locally common to our area. Ospreys are the only raptor that plunges into the water for fish. They stand about 2 feet tall and have a large wingspan, up to 6 feet. They are black and white with a mainly white head. They fly like a gull. They nest in rookeries in the spring and summer and can be found in large numbers on the Tennessee and Hiwassee Rivers.
Northern Harrier
The northern Harrier is part of the Buteos Family and is a very slim hawk with slim wings but a long tail. They fly very low and languidly. They can be up to 2 feet tall and the males and females are very dissimilar. Males are grey and females are brown. This is the only species of Harrier in North America and they are common to our area.
Red Tailed Hawks
Red Tailed hawks are a large, thick raptor with broad wings and a wide rounded tail. They habitually soar high and in wide circle. They stand up to 2 feet tall and are one of the most common of the hawks. Can be seen along roadsides, power lines, and woodland edges. The tail is distinctly red and the chest is normally all white or has some speckled feathers which indicates a younger bird. Red Tailed Hawks feed on small rodents, rabbits, other small birds, reptiles and are common to our area.
Red Shouldered Hawks
Recognized as Buteos by the ample tail and broad wings, the Red Shouldered Hawk has narrow white bands along its tail and has rufous shoulders which are not always visible in flight. The under parts are a pale robin red. These hawks are found in woodlands, wooded rivers and timbered swamps and are uncommon to this area.
American Kestrel
A member of the Falcon family and is the size of a jay. Falcons are streamline birds of prey with pointed wings which allows for high flying and diving speeds. Kestrels have a mustached black and white face pattern and males have blue- grey wings while females are rufous colored. The American kestrel’s prey consists of small birds, rodents and insects which they hover over very kingfisher like on rapidly beating wings. American Kestrels are fairly common to our area.
Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey are very large fowl and the males have an erected fanwise tail they display and make a “gobbling” sound like domestic turkeys. Females are much smaller. Their habitat consists of woods. Mountain forests, wooded swamps and clearings. These birds can be found through out the United States and some birds have been reintroduced in certain areas. The Reintroduced birds adapt very well being near people. Wild Turkeys eat berries, acorns, nuts, seeds and insects. They are fairly common to our area.
Whooping and Sandhill Cranes
The magnificent Sandhill Crane stands 4 feet tall with a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet. For centuries the Cranes have been a symbol of happiness, wisdom, longevity and patience by many cultures around the world. These birds live to up to twenty years, mate for life and migrate to same area year after year. The Sandhills have a red crown and tufted rear feathers. The birds are gray and sometimes have a rust stained looking neck. The immature are a light brown color. Their habitat are fields marshes and prairies. They migrate from the far north and Canada. There are close to 14,000 birds that migrate to our area yearly. They are only seen in Southeast Tennessee from Late October to Late February and during this time of year they are common.
Whooping Cranes
The Whooping Crane is the Sandhill’s taller, whiter cousin standing 5 feet tall with a 7 to 8 foot wingspan and has been a symbol of conservation for the past 50 years. This bird was near extinction in the early 1940’s when only 16 birds could be found migrating between Texas and Canada. Fighting back from near extinction and now thriving better than ever The Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in North America. They have a red face with tufted rear feathers. These birds are rare and restricted everywhere. We currently have one Whooper in the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge.