Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains is a season of renewal, where the forests awaken with vibrant wildflowers, rushing streams, and—most importantly for us—the songs and sights of countless birds. Straddling the Tennessee-North Carolina border, this national park is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting over 240 bird species across its varied elevations and habitats. Nearly 120 species breed in the park, including 52 Neotropical migrants. The elevation gradient—from 840 feet at Abrams Creek to 5,500 feet at Newfound Gap—creates microclimates hosting lowland songbirds and highland boreal species alike. Add blooming wildflowers and milder weather, and it’s a birder’s and photographer’s dream.
Spring (March through May) is prime time to witness both resident and migratory birds, including some rare gems that make the Smokies a must-visit destination. Whether you’re aiming to capture a stunning photo or add a new species to your life list, here’s a guide to 15 standout birds frequenting the Smokies in spring.
Hooded Warbler
- Interesting Fact: The male Hooded Warbler’s striking black hood, framing a bright yellow face, isn’t just for show—it’s a signal of dominance. Studies show that males with larger hoods often hold better territories.
- Tip: Listen for its clear, ringing “ta-wit ta-wit ta-wit tee-yo” song in dense undergrowth along trails like the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail.
Wild Turkey
- Interesting Fact: One of North America’s largest birds, the Wild Turkey struts through open fields and forest edges in spring, with males fanning iridescent tails in courtship displays. Conservation efforts, like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, revived their numbers after near collapse.
- Birding Tip: The males’ echoing gobble is a spring hallmark—April is peak display season. Scan open areas early and capture their strut in a field of flowers in Cades Cove.
Indigo Bunting
- Interesting Fact: The male’s vibrant blue isn’t pigment—it’s light diffraction through feather structures, glowing brightest in direct sun.
- Birding Tip: Spot them in open woodlands or along Cades Cove Loop Road, singing from exposed perches.
Tree Swallow
- Interesting Fact: These iridescent beauties are aerial acrobats, catching insects mid-flight. The fledglings lack the adults’ blue color on their backs.
- Birding Tip: Watch for them swooping over fields near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
Louisiana Waterthrush
- Interesting Fact: Its loud, cascading song mimics the rushing streams it inhabits—one of spring’s earliest warbler arrivals.
- Birding Tip: Seek it along streams like Little River, where it bobs its tail incessantly.
Common Merganser
- Interesting Fact: This diving duck’s serrated bill, dubbed a “sawbill,” snags fish with ease. Females lead ducklings out of the nest into the river within 24 hours of hatching.
- Birding Tip: Look for them in the Little River Gorge.
Yellow-breasted Chat
- Interesting Fact: Once classified as a warbler, this mimic’s wild repertoire includes whistles, cackles, and meows—think avian jazz.
- Birding Tip: Find it in thickets near Newfound Gap Road; its ventriloquist-like calls confuse direction.
Common Yellowthroat
- Interesting Fact: The male’s black mask and “witchety-witchety” song make it a marsh maestro. It’s one of the most widespread warblers in North America.
- Birding Tip: Check wetlands near Cades Cove; listen for its distinctive call.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Interesting Fact: Weighing less than a nickel, this tiny marvel beats its wings 53 times per second and migrates 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico.
- Birding Tip: Look for them in areas with Jewelweed and other flowers.
Barn Swallow
- Interesting Fact: Barn Swallows are endurance fliers, capable of traveling up to 11,000 miles round-trip during migration between North America and their South American wintering grounds. They’ve been clocked flying at speeds up to 24 mph while snagging insects mid-air.
- Birding Tip: Watch them skim fields near historic barns in Cades Cove.
Eastern Kingbird
- Interesting Fact: This feisty flycatcher defends its territory by chasing off hawks—its hidden red crown flares in aggression.
- Birding Tip: Look in open areas like along Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane; its “dzeet” call stands out.
Pileated Woodpecker
- Interesting Fact: This crow-sized bird’s rectangular holes and Woody Woodpecker-like laugh echo through the forest. It’s a keystone species, creating homes for others.
- Birding Tip: Listen for drumming in wooded areas, and look for them on downed logs and standing dead trees.
Barred Owl
- Interesting Fact: Its “who cooks for you” hoot is a Smokies classic. It can catch prey in total darkness using sound alone.
- Birding Tip: Barred Owls are most vocal and active during twilight hours. Their deep, rhythmic calls carry far in the Smokies’ dense woods. Stand still in hardwood forests near streams or swamps—prime habitat—and let the sound guide you.
Wood Duck
- Interesting Fact: North America’s most colorful duck, males sport a psychedelic palette. Ducklings leap from nests up to 50 feet high within a day of hatching.
- Birding Tip: They favor wooded swamps, so check ponds in wetland areas.
Eastern Phoebe
- Interesting Fact: The first bird named by Audubon, it tail-wags like a metronome and was a pioneer in bird-banding studies.
- Birding Tip: Listen for its distinctive raspy “fee-bee” call. Phoebes are sit-and-wait hunters, returning to the same low perch after short flycatching sorties. Find a spot with a clear view of a favorite perch and wait for it to return.
Getting the Shot
With quick moving subjects, variable lighting, and long distances, bird photography challenges the best wildlife photographers. Here are some tips to help ensure a successful bird photography venture in the Smokies.
- Bring the right gear. A good pair of binoculars is a must have to spot birds. Bring a long lens to capture birds at a distance. Pack rain gear for the unpredictable Spring weather. Use a harness such as Rapid Strap or Cotton Carrier for your camera so that you can quickly go back and forth between your binoculars and camera.
- Be in the right place at the right time. The prime time for bird photography is dusk and dawn (the first and last two hours of the day). The right place will depend on the bird species you are targeting. For example, many warblers will be found in the tree canopy where they are feeding on insects, while Swallows, can be found flying over open fields. Eastern Kingbird and Eastern Phoebe will be found hawking insects from a favorite tree branch.
- Pay attention to the direction of lighting in open areas such as along roads. For example, the crossroads in Cades Cove run north and south. So in the morning you want to be shooting to the west. In the afternoon you want to be shooting to the east.
- Male birds are typically easier to photograph, because they are perched singing declaring their territory and attracting females. Look for them atop bushes and small trees. They will also take advantage of fence posts alongside the road.
- A rainy day offers great opportunities. After a rain look for puddles on dirt roads to capture birds bathing and drinking.
- When photographing birds in ponds or rivers, get low at eye-level with the subject to enhance the composition of your image.
Final Thoughts
The Great Smoky Mountains in spring are a symphony of feathers and song. For photographers, it’s a canvas of color and motion; for birders, it’s a checklist begging to grow. So, grab your gear, tune your ears, and step into this avian wonderland. In the Smokies, spring isn’t just a season, it’s a spectacle. These tips are a great starting point for birders and photographers. If you would like hands on private instruction from an expert to capture the spectacle, book a private tour with me. Or to take your bird photography a step further, join a small group of like-minded photographers April 15-18 for our Smoky Mountain Birds Workshop.
References:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. www.allaboutbirds.org.
National Audubon Society. Audubon Field Guide. www.audubon.org.
National Park Service. Birds Checklist – Great Smoky Mountains. www.nps.gov/grsm.
“Birding in the Great Smoky Mountains,” Smoky Mountain Living, 2018.
“Your Guide to Viewing the Birds of the Smoky Mountains,” Visit My Smokies, 2017.
“40 Birds You Can See in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” Avian Report, 2020.
“Birds,” Great Smoky Mountains National Park, National Park Service, 2024.