Birds of North Carolina

comName	sciName	species_account	breeding_status	list_type	state_status	fed_status	S_rank	G_rank	coastal_plain	piedmont	mountain	tips	tips_code	update_on
The 100 most recent account entries/updates.
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Aegolius acadicus	The smallest owl in eastern North America, the Northern Saw-whet Owl usually requires a special sear...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S2B,S2N	G5	Winter visitor or resident. Status is poorly known, but generally rare (to possibly locally uncommo...	Winter visitor. Very rare (or at least very rarely reported) in the northeastern portion, with abou...	Breeder in the higher elevations; winter resident over most of the region. Uncommon to fairly commo...	To find the species in the state, it is obviously more advantageous to try for it on the breeding gr...	**	2025-05-08
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	The Short-eared Owl is the owl species most likely to be seen flying about in daylight hours, as a f...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive	W		SUB,S3N	G5	Winter resident, and probable accidental/casual breeder. In winter, uncommon (to sporadically and l...	Winter visitor. Very rare to rare, mainly from early Nov to late Mar; a preponderance of records we...	Winter visitor. Very rare in the southern mountains, with 11 records, seven from Hooper Lane in ...	A good technique for locating likely spots for Short-eareds is to find marshes or grasslands th...	**	2025-05-08
Snowy Owl	Bubo scandiacus	Arguably one of the most spectacular birds in North America, the Snowy Owl is, unfortunately, seldom...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Winter visitor. Until the late fall and winter 2013-2014, casual to very rare along the immediate co...	Winter visitor; formerly (prior to about 1953) very rare. No records between that year and early wi...	Winter visitor; accidental. Multiple reports from north of Weaverville, Buncombe, in 1891; an...	Because it is too rare to search for in NC, you will need to keep abreast of listserves and websites...	1/2*	2025-05-08
Rough-legged Hawk	Buteo lagopus	North Carolina lies at and just south of the regular wintering range of the Rough-legged Hawk, meani...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor. Rare in the Tidewater area, mainly at Alligator River NWR; very rare to rare along ...	Winter visitor, with at least 31 reports. Very rare, with a concentration of records in the Raleigh...	Winter visitor, with at least 20 reports. Very rare in the extreme northern counties (such as Al...	Since about 2000, one to occasionally two birds have been seen at the extensive farm fields at Allig...	* to **	2025-05-08
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	This very large and powerful raptor -- the largest in the state -- has always had a mysterious prese...	Former Probable Breeder	Definitive	SR		SUB,S1N	G5	Migrant and winter visitor. Rare in the vicinity of lakes Mattamuskeet and Pungo and at Alligator R...	Scarce migrant; about 30 reports. Very rare, mainly in fall and early winter, across the province; ...	Scarce winter resident, and also a scarce year-round visitor and migrant. Presently, a rare fall mi...	Over the years there has been a record of Golden Eagle every few winters in the Lake Mattamuskeet --...	*	2025-05-08
White Ibis	Eudocimus albus	One of the most common of our coastal wading birds, the White Ibis has increased dramatically in the...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S3N	G5	Year-round breeding resident along the coast, with migratory movements. Common to locally very comm...	Post-breeding visitor, essentially only in summer and fall. Rare to uncommon along the eastern edge...	Post-breeding visitor. Rare at low elevations in the southern mountains; very rare in the central a...	This species is difficult to miss along the coast, at mudflats, shallow waters of ponds and inlets, ...	****	2025-05-08
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	The Black-crowned Night Heron is our only truly nocturnal waterbird. Birds roost in thickets, usual...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident coastally, and a transient inland. Along the coast, fairly common to locally com...	Transient and post-breeding visitor; accidental breeder (in 2022-24). Rare and secretive, mostly in...	Transient and post-breeding visitor. Rare at low elevations in the southern counties; very rare in ...	This species is usually found along the coast at any season, but you might need to wait around tidal...	***	2025-05-08
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	Both bittern species are secretive birds of marshes, sharing their home with rails and a very few ot...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B,S3N	G5	Transient and winter resident, and sparse and poorly known breeder. Uncommon migrant in coastal and...	Transient and scarce winter visitor. Rare (to possibly uncommon, but easily overlooked) during migr...	Transient. Rare in Apr-May and again early Aug to mid-Nov; one record in Dec and two in Jan, but not...	Observers inland should look for bitterns during spring and fall migration at large marshes, general...	**	2025-05-08
American White Pelican	Pelecanus erythrorhynchos	This spectacular and huge species, which nests in the Great Plains and the Western states, has under...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G4	Migrant and winter visitor, most frequent along the northern coast and Tidewater; increasing. Coast...	Rare (but increasing) migrant and winter visitor, and possible winter resident at one site. Most ar...	Very rare migrant, with at least 12 records, nearly all from the southern mountains; records and num...	In recent years, the impoundments at Pea Island have small groups, sometimes numbering over 100 bird...	* to **	2025-05-08
Double-crested Cormorant	Nannopterum auritum	Hardly any bird in North Carolina has increased in recent decades as dramatically as has the Double-...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident, but breeding only at a few sites. Coastally, abundant during migration and loca...	Migrant and winter resident, with some birds all summer, increasing as non-breeders; formerly bred a...	Year-round visitor. Generally uncommon but increasing, in the southern mountains (mainly Buncomb...	None needed. Spectacular concentrations of 10,000 or more individuals can be seen in winter in Hatt...	****	2025-05-08
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	The Great Cormorant is still another species that greatly increased in the East over the past severa...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Declining in recent years. Winter resident and visitor along the coast, but only in very small numb...	Very rare migrant and winter visitor. About 14 records, all at reservoirs in the eastern and centra...	No records.	The species is reliably seen at just a few places along the NC coast. Your best bet is at Wrightsvi...	***	2025-05-08
Anhinga	Anhinga anhinga	The Anhinga is still another of the Pelicaniform species that has increased noticeably in the state ...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Breeding summer resident, increasing. Nests at least locally, scattered over most of the province, e...	Mostly a nonbreeding migrant/visitor; increasing. Now (2024) a casual but increasing breeder in the ...	Casual visitor. One was seen from a hawk watch at Mount Pisgah (Buncombe), 21 Sep 2003; one ...	The spillway at Orton Pond is probably the best site in the state. Birds can also be seen at Twin L...	***	2025-05-08
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens	The Magnificent Frigatebird is a common coastal bird of subtropical and tropical waters around the w...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Nonbreeding visitor, almost always in flight over the immediate coast or over estuaries; seldom seen...	Accidental/casual to the eastern edge of the province, with just three records: one seen and later p...	Accidental, and remarkably both records are for the winter season. An adult female was photographed...	North Carolina averages about three to five reports of this species per year, most often in July or ...	*	2025-05-08
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana	The Wood Stork is probably the most significant wader in the state, because it is a Federally listed...	Breeder	Definitive	T	T	S1B,S1N	G4	Summer resident and post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing; rare straggler in winter, though like...	Post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing. Formerly very rare to now locally rare, mainly from Jun ...	Post-breeding visitor; very rare to now rare in the southern and central mountains, with about 15 re...	The species can almost always be found around the margins of the two freshwater ponds at Twin Lakes ...	* to **	2025-05-08
Great Shearwater	Ardenna gravis	In 2010, the American Ornithologists' Union changed the common name of Greater Shearwater to Great S...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Offshore visitor, mainly to the Gulf Stream. Generally fairly common, to at times common in midsumm...	No records.	No records.	This shearwater is best seen by taking a chartered birding trip to the Gulf Stream off Oregon or Hat...	***	2025-05-08
Forster's Tern	Sterna forsteri	The Forster's Tern is the only tern that remains relatively common along the coast of North Carolina...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; primarily coastal. Fairly common breeder around the p...	Transient. Rare spring migrant and uncommon fall migrant at larger lakes and reservoirs, occasional...	Transient, essentially only in the southern mountains. Rare (to occasionally uncommon) in spring, a...	Forster's are the most commonly seen terns from late Oct through Mar along our coast, and except dur...	****	2025-05-08
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	The Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world, and it is also one of the most wide-ranging, as i...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S2B,S1N	G5	Permanent resident (and sparse breeder), with migratory movements, along the coast; transient inland...	Transient. Uncommon though regular in both spring and fall at larger lakes/reservoirs, but very rar...	Transient. Rare, in the southern mountains only (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transyl...	Caspian Terns can usually be found along most coastal areas in late summer and fall, especially arou...	***	2025-05-08
Great Black-backed Gull	Larus marinus	Few native species are less popular than the Great Black-backed Gull, the largest of the world's gul...	Breeder	Definitive			S3B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Fairly common and slowly increasing coastal breeder fr...	Winter visitor. Rare but increasing in the Triangle area (mainly Falls and Jordan lakes and local l...	One was seen and photographed at Ecusta Pond (Transylvania) on 1 Aug 2022 (Chat 87:11), quite...	None needed.	****	2025-05-08
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Larus fuscus	Hardly any other gull species' status in North Carolina has changed as rapidly over the last 20-30 y...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter visitor/resident, greatly increasing in recent years. Formerly (prior to about 1990), rare a...	Winter visitor/resident. Rare to locally uncommon, but greatly increasing, at large lakes and landf...	Casual. The only records are a first-year bird photographed at the Hooper Lane Sod Farms (Hender...	This species is easy to find in the large gull flocks that congregate at Cape Hatteras Point from la...	* to **	2025-05-08
Heermann's Gull	Larus heermanni	The thought of a strictly West Coast gull species like Heermann's Gull showing up along the Atlantic...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G4	Three to up to ten records (see above), all along the coast, though possibly the same adult individu...	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2025-05-08
Bonaparte's Gull	Chroicocephalus philadelphia	Of the six species of "black-headed gulls" on the North Carolina state list (along with Laughing, Fr...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Transient and winter resident. Coastally, fairly common to very common in winter along the northern...	Transient and winter resident. Quite local and restricted in habitat, generally rare to uncommon ov...	Transient. At suitable moderate to large bodies of water, rare to locally uncommon in fall and earl...	Although it can be missed on some coastal birding trips in early winter, it is normally easy to find...	***	2025-05-08
Atlantic Puffin	Fratercula arctica	The Atlantic Puffin is one of the most charismatic waterbirds in North America, very popular with th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor/resident, essentially only offshore; greatly increasing in recent years. Formerly ve...	No records.	No records.	Take a pelagic trip out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets in winter. In recent winters, several trips usu...	**	2025-05-08
Razorbill	Alca torda	By far the most numerous alcid in North Carolina waters is the Razorbill, and thankfully for all of ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S2N	G5	Winter resident offshore and coastally, increasing. Formerly (prior to 1995) rare along the coast, ...	No records.	No records.	The Razorbill is now seldom missed on winter pelagic trips, but on some trips the birds are infreque...	***	2025-05-08
Parasitic Jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus	Though the Parasitic Jaeger is probably more numerous globally than the Pomarine Jaeger, in our wate...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Transient, and poorly-known winter visitor/resident, to the offshore zone and the inshore ocean. Un...	Visitor to lakes and reservoirs, mostly storm-related. Casual to very rare, with seven records: 1 a...	No records.	This species can be seen from shore almost anywhere along the coast, though Cape Lookout and Cape Ha...	**	2025-05-08
Great Skua	Stercorarius skua	Not until pelagic trips were taken off our coast in the depths of winter, mostly after the mid-1990'...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G4G5	Offshore visitor in winter. Rare to uncommon, but regular, off the northern half of the coast, at l...	No records.	No records.	Take a winter pelagic trip out of Hatteras Inlet. It is being seen nearly each winter on these trips...	**	2025-05-08
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	As the name implies, the Lesser Yellowlegs is very similar to the larger Greater Yellowlegs, and its...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Transient and winter resident. Locally common (to at times very common or abundant) migrant along t...	Transient. Uncommon to locally fairly common in spring and fall, slightly more numerous in fall (wh...	Transient. Rare to locally uncommon in spring; seemingly rare in most areas in fall. Definitely mo...	The species is easily found at impoundments and other fresh water pools and flats near the coas at l...	****	2025-05-08
Western Sandpiper	Calidris mauri	The third of three common "peeps" in the state, the Western Sandpiper is easily confused with the Se...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Transient, and winter resident along the coast. Common to abundant on the coast in fall; in winter,...	Transient. Very rare to rare in spring, and uncommon in fall, at least locally (such as at Falls an...	Transient. Very rare in both spring and fall, nearly all records in valleys in the Henderson, Tr...	The species is easily found along the coast from Jul to late fall.	****	2025-05-08
Purple Sandpiper	Calidris maritima	Hardly any bird has as restrictive a habitat in North Carolina than does the Purple Sandpiper, and n...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter resident along the coast. Numerically very rare to rare, but in reality, uncommon at a handf...	No records.	No records.	The best location in NC is the jetty at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, where 30 or more birds ...	***	2025-05-08
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	Though a Calidris species like most other small sandpipers, the Dunlin is often not considere...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Transient, and winter resident along and near the coast. Coastally, very common to abundant migrant ...	Transient, lingering into early winter in the eastern portions. Rare spring migrant, and rare to un...	Transient. Very rare spring and very rare to rare fall migrant, at low elevations, with nearly all ...	Dunlins can hardly be missed on a birding trip to the coast in late fall or winter.	****	2025-05-08
Stilt Sandpiper	Calidris himantopus	Though the Stilt Sandpiper is a species in the genus Calidris, it looks hardly anything like ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, mainly along the coast. Uncommon in spring, and often fairly common to common in fall, a...	Transient. Casual spring migrant, and rare to locally uncommon fall migrant (more numerous when ext...	Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and very rare in fall, with all but two published records...	In Aug or early Sep, one has a good chance to see them at the impoundments at Pea or Bodie islands; ...	to *	2025-05-08
Black-necked Stilt	Himantopus mexicanus	The Black-necked Stilt is one of the most unmistakable birds occurring in North Carolina, resembling...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Summer resident and sparse migrant along the coast and in the Tidewater zone; casual to very rare in...	Casual migrant or stray, mainly in late spring; 10 records. One was seen in Franklin on 5 Ju...	Accidental, with two records. One was seen at Hooper Lane (Henderson) on 25 Sep 2004, presum...	The best -- at least most accessible -- places to see this species are the impoundments at Pea Islan...	***	2025-05-07
Sandhill Crane	Antigone canadensis	The Sandhill Crane is one of the largest birds, in terms of size (standing about 4 feet tall), and t...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient and winter visitor/resident, mainly along the coast and in tidewater areas; increasing. A...	Transient and winter visitor. Very rare (formerly) to rare (now), increasing in recent years. Reco...	Transient, mainly overhead; sparingly in winter. Rare to possibly uncommon migrant in the extreme s...	Small groups are now wintering at several Coastal Plain sites -- Pungo refuge, around the margins of...	to *	2025-05-07
Sora	Porzana carolina	The Sora is the least shy of the six rails in the state and is the one most often seen in freshwater...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident and transient near the coast, but farther inland mainly a transient. Fairly common ...	Transient, with a handful of winter records. Mostly rare to uncommon (records fairly scarce, but ea...	Transient, with one winter record; one record suggestive of breeding. Generally rare, to perhaps lo...	During Apr and early May, and again in fall, the Sora can be heard in many fresh to slightly brackis...	***	2025-05-07
Calliope Hummingbird	Selasphorus calliope	The Calliope Hummingbird was not detected in the state until 1995, when an immature male was photogr...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Accidental. Three records, two from near the southern half of the coast: an immature male at New Be...	Winter visitor, with about 17 records. Very rare at feeders in cities and towns in the western half...	Casual, in the southern mountains. Three records from Transylvania: at Deerlake from 26 Oct -...	There are now records almost every winter or two, so you may have a fair chance to see one in a give...	1/2* to *	2025-05-07
Black-chinned Hummingbird	Archilochus alexandri	With the advent of hummingbird feeders left up year-round, and not simply taken down in fall when th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially only at feeders in towns. Rare along the southern half of the coast, an...	Winter visitor. Very rare, with at least 13 records -- Charlotte (two records), Gastonia, Bethania ...	Accidental. One record: an immature male was seen at Brevard on 14 Dec 2002 (Chat 67:69).	One has a fair chance to see the species in a given year, by visiting a feeder with one reported (an...	*	2025-05-07
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Archilochus colubris	This is the only hummingbird that nests in the eastern part of North America, and the Ruby-throated ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S2N	G5	Breeding summer resident, and winter visitor/resident mostly along or near the coast. Fairly common...	Breeding summer resident, and now a very rare winter visitor. Fairly common breeder across the enti...	Breeding summer resident. Fairly common at lower and middle elevations, mainly below 4,500 feet. L...	The species can be difficult to intentionally search for, away from hummingbird feeders, mainly beca...	* to **	2025-05-07
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	The Common Nighthawk has undergone a considerable decline as a breeding species in the eastern Unite...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Breeder and migrant; declining. In the breeding season, variously uncommon to locally fairly common...	Breeder and migrant; strongly declining and becoming nearly extirpated as a nesting bird in the prov...	Scarce breeder (if not now absent), and migrant; declining. In the nesting season, apparently restr...	You often must make some effort to see a nighthawk in the state. Normally, you will see them in ver...	to *	2025-05-07
Eurasian Collared-Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	The Eurasian Collared-Dove is the latest of the relatively few species (along with Rock Pigeon, Euro...	Breeder; Introduced	Definitive			SE	G5	Breeding, permanent resident; nonmigratory though possibly nomadic; increasing. Locally uncommon to...	Breeding permanent resident, but mainly in the southern and western Piedmont. Surprisingly scarce in...	Scarce and poorly documented breeding permanent resident in low elevations. Relatively few records,...	Not hard to find by driving around side streets of Morehead City, Beaufort, and Harkers Island -- al...	***	2025-05-07
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator	The Red-breasted Merganser is one of the state's most common wintering waterfowl species, it being e...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident, and accidental breeding resident. Common to locally abundant in the Tidewater and ...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare to occasionally uncommon in fall and winter, and uncommon in spr...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare to occasionally uncommon in fall and winter, but more frequent (...	The species is practically impossible to miss in a day of birding around salt or brackish water in w...	****	2025-05-07
Long-tailed Duck	Clangula hyemalis	This species was long known as the Oldsquaw, but its name was changed in recent years to conform to ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident, slightly declining in recent years. Fairly common in a rather small area of northw...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare, mainly at large reservoirs in the eastern and central parts of ...	Winter visitor. Very rare, with only seven known records, all but one of single individuals: in ...	To see Long-tailed Ducks in NC, you should take the Swan Quarter to Ocracoke ferry. The species is ...	to *	2025-05-07
Black Scoter	Melanitta americana	The Black Scoter streams southward over the inshore ocean in Oct and Nov, and an observer can at tim...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident. Common to abundant southbound migrant over the ocean, but by Dec only a fairly com...	Transient. Rare, almost always at larger lakes/reservoirs; late Oct to mid-Dec, with only three rep...	Transient. Surprisingly scarce, being very rare, with just nine records: 1, Lake Julian (Buncomb...	The species can usually be seen from the two Pamlico Sound ferries -- Swan Quarter or Cedar Island; ...	***	2025-05-07
Common Eider	Somateria mollissima	There are perhaps four to five times as many records of the Common Eider in the state as for the Kin...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, with records increasing in recent years. Rare along the entire coast (though no rec...	No records.	No records.	You should carefully check around jetties, piers, and bridges. Also check the Oregon Inlet groin an...	* to **	2025-05-07
Greater Scaup	Aythya marila	Of our regular wintering waterfowl, the range and abundance of the Greater Scaup is more difficult t...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S2N	G5	Winter visitor/resident. Uncommon along the northern half of the coast and in Tidewater; rare to un...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare over most of the province, occurring almost solely on large lake...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare in the southern mountains, from Buncombe southward. Casua...	This can be a difficult bird to find and identify. Nowhere does it occur in NC in any numbers, and ...	to *	2025-05-07
Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	The Canvasback has experienced continental population declines for several decades. It was formerly...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident; declining. Uncommon to locally fairly common, mainly along the northern coast and ...	Winter visitor/resident; declining. Rare to briefly locally uncommon, most numerous along the north...	Very rare to rare winter visitor, with only about 19 records, nearly all from the southern mountains...	This species can be somewhat difficult to find in most areas. Formerly, it could usually be seen fr...	to *	2025-05-07
Green-winged Teal	Anas crecca	As with the Northern Pintail, many thousands of Green-winged Teals winter in our coastal region, esp...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident, common to locally abundant in the northern coastal and Tidewater areas, particularl...	Uncommon winter resident/visitor over most of the region; locally fairly common, but seldom common. ...	Rare to locally uncommon winter visitor; mostly found in lower elevations (below 3,000 feet). Late S...	Numbers in the hundreds to several thousands can often be found at refuges such as Alligator River, ...	****	2025-05-07
Eurasian Wigeon	Mareca penelope	This Eurasian breeding species winters regularly in small numbers both along the Pacific and Atlanti...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Rare (but annual) winter visitor to the Tidewater and northern coastal areas, though primarily at Bo...	Very rare winter visitor in Wake, with roughly 10 records, but accidental to casual elsewhere...	No records.	To find the species, you must go to where the American Wigeons are found. The species can be found ...	* to **	2025-05-06
Northern Shoveler	Spatula clypeata	The Northern Shoveler is one of the few species of waterfowl that has clearly increased in the state...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident; increasing. Generally fairly common, but locally common to very common, along the ...	Locally uncommon fall and spring migrant, most frequent in Mar. Rare to locally uncommon in midwint...	Rare spring and fall migrant, and very rare winter visitor, mainly in lower elevations. Late Oct to...	It is easily found at most coastal NWR's, such as Mattamuskeet and Pea Island. You should be able t...	****	2025-05-06
Trumpeter Swan	Cygnus buccinator	This relatively rare swan of the northwestern United States and western Canada formerly nested as fa...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Now a very rare (but increasing) winter visitor, but primarily just to the Pungo and Mattamuskeet re...	Casual to very rare visitor in recent years. Two accepted records -- an immature was seen and photog...	One report -- one seen and photographed on the French Broad River near Alexander (Buncombe), ...	Your best hope to see a Trumpeter Swan is to search through large flocks of Tundra Swans, such as in...	*	2025-05-06
Cackling Goose	Branta hutchinsii	The Cackling Goose is a rare to very locally uncommon but increasing winter resident (near the coast...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Rare to locally uncommon winter resident, to the eastern (tidewater and north coastal) portions, alm...	Formerly casual, but now a rare winter visitor to the western Piedmont, but still (oddly) very rare ...	Very rare winter visitor (but nearly all in the southern counties). At least 10 reports, all but on...	Look for this species in fields at Pungo refuge, at Lake Mattamuskeet or in nearby fields, or at Pea...	**	2025-05-06
Greater White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons	The Greater White-fronted Goose is a rare (but increasing) winter visitor across all portions of the...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, though not a winter resident (yet) like Ross's Goose and Cackling Goose. Most frequ...	Winter visitor; very rare to now rare, somewhat increasing in recent years. Approximately 46 record...	Winter visitor, notably increasing in recent years. Now rare in the southern mountains; no records ...	There is a tendency for the species to appear with flocks of Canada Geese, both feeding in plowed fi...	* to **	2025-05-06
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis	This species is one of the most familiar of all of the state's birds to the layman, as everyone know...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B,S4N	G4	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; breeding. Common to very common, though local, breede...	Very rare visitor. At least 28 reports, mostly at large reservoirs (about one-third of these from F...	Accidental/casual. Four reports (all single birds); Waynesville, 6 Aug 1979; Lake Junaluska (Hay...	None needed; easily found along and near coastal areas.	****	2025-04-21
Least Bittern	Botaurus exilis	The Least Bittern is just as shy as its larger cousin, the American Bittern, but because it is much ...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B	G5	Summer resident and migrant; a handful of winter records. Occurs nearly throughout the Tidewater an...	Transient and scarce summer resident. Rare (and easily overlooked) transient, and rare and local br...	Casual to very rare transient, and perhaps has nested on rare occasions in the Hendersonville area. ...	Most of the better sites are difficult for birders to reach. It is reportedly common as a breeder a...	**	2025-04-21
American Oystercatcher	Haematopus palliatus	The American Oystercatcher is one of the more spectacular shorebirds and is one of the few that rema...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B,S3N	G5	Breeding permanent resident along the coast, with migratory movements; slightly declining. Generall...	Casual stray/vagrant, with only three records; 2, Roanoke Rapids Lake, 25 May 1998 (Chat 62:192); 1,...	No records.	This species is fairly easily found on barrier islands, such as at inlets, tidal flats, and especial...	* to **	2025-04-21
Mourning Warbler	Geothlypis philadelphia	The Mourning Warbler, until 2011, was placed in the same genus (Oporornis) with the Connectic...	Probable Breeder	Definitive	W		SUB,SZN	G5	Transient. Casual in spring, so far only along or near the coast; very rare in fall along the immed...	Transient. In spring, very rare in the western half of the province and casual in the eastern half;...	Transient; also very rare (in the past few decades) in summer, and probable breeder, though as yet w...	This is a difficult bird to find in the state, because relatively few pass through, and then mainly ...	*	2025-04-21
Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	Of all of the breeding species in North Carolina, few are as strongly declining over the past decade...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S2B	G5	Breeding summer resident, along and near the coast. Uncommon to fairly common -- fairly common prio...	Accidental/casual, presumably a storm-carried visitor, but whether these reports were actually relat...	Accidental, after storms. One in the Mills River area (Henderson) on 17 Sep 2004 (Chat 69:52...	A few Gull-billed Terns can be usually be seen at Pea Island, at Fort Fisher, and at many areas alon...	to *	2025-04-21
Rusty Blackbird	Euphagus carolinus	The Rusty Blackbird is a bird of the Far North in the breeding season, nesting in stunted spruce and...	Nonbreeder	Definitive	T		S3N	G4	Winter resident. Fairly common, at least locally, over most of the region, except generally absent ...	Winter resident, with noticeable migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common in winter in the ea...	Transient, and scarce winter visitor. At lower elevations, rare to uncommon transient, and rare in ...	There are no "sure bets", in terms of wintering sites. Forests on the south side of Lake Mattamuske...	to *	2025-04-21
Ruffed Grouse	Bonasa umbellus	The state's only grouse species is a widespread, though secretive and often hard-to-find bird of the...	Breeder	Definitive			S4	G5	No records.	Scarce permanent resident; non-migratory. Very rare to rare and poorly known, in foothill ranges; p...	Permanent resident; non-migratory. Strongly declining, formerly fairly common, but now uncommon in ...	This can be a frustrating bird to find, even though hundreds to possibly a few thousands of grouse o...	**	2025-04-04
Dickcissel	Spiza americana	Although there are numerous birds that are highly erratic wintering species in North Carolina and el...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Sporadic and very local summer resident, and sparse winter visitor. In summer, very rare to rare ov...	Sporadic and very local summer resident, and very sparse winter visitor. In summer, rare and sporad...	Sparse transient; seldom in summer or winter. Despite many wide valleys with farmland at low elevat...	From 2005 - 2018, the species has been easily found in summer at North River Farms, but this is a pr...	**	2025-02-06
Scarlet Tanager	Piranga olivacea	Certainly one of the most beautiful birds in North America, the Scarlet Tanager is a classic bird of...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, currently uncommon to locally fairly common in the north...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. Currently, fairly common in summer over most of the regi...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. Fairly common to common in summer, up to about 5,000 fee...	The species should be heard and seen in a morning of birding in the mountains and most of the Piedmo...	* to **	2025-02-06
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	The Summer Tanager is a characteristic bird of the Deep South, nesting north only to southern New Je...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, and winter straggler. Common in the southern half of the region, from the Croatan ...	Summer resident, with a few winter records. Fairly common to common over most of the region, more n...	Sparse summer resident, with little migratory movement noted. Uncommon in the extreme southwestern ...	None needed in the southern Coastal Plain, such as in the Sandhills Game Land, Weymouth Woods Preser...	****	2025-02-06
Blackpoll Warbler	Setophaga striata	The Blackpoll Warbler, at a glance at its breeding range, would seem to have a similar migration pat...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. In spring, uncommon to at times fairly common over most of the region, likely less numer...	Transient. Fairly common (formerly common) across the region in spring; in fall, generally uncommon...	Transient. Fairly common in low to middle elevations in spring; rare at high elevations. In fall, g...	Normally not hard to find between 5-20 May, especially around 10-15 May, in many parks in the state....	***	2025-02-06
Cerulean Warbler	Setophaga cerulea	The Cerulean Warbler is one of the more strongly declining songbirds in the eastern part of the cont...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2B	G4	Local summer resident, and sparse transient. In summer, rare to uncommon, local, and declining, alo...	Transient; breeds along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, which forms the border between the Piedmont and M...	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, mostly rare and local at lower elevations (below about 3...	The species is best found by stopping at several overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway northeast of As...	to *	2025-02-06
Connecticut Warbler	Oporornis agilis	The Connecticut Warbler, poorly named, is one of the less common warblers in North America. It has ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4G5	Transient, in fall. Accidental in spring -- the only report is one at Fort Macon (Carteret) ...	Transient, primarily in fall. Casual to very rare in spring in the southwestern half of the region,...	Transient, more frequent in spring than in fall. Rare but regular in spring across the southern hal...	The only semi-reliable spots are Jackson Park in Hendersonville in mid-May, and Buxton Woods in D...	* to **	2025-02-06
Brewer's Blackbird	Euphagus cyanocephalus	The Brewer's Blackbird is an abundant bird of the Western half of the country. It is somewhat migra...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter resident at one and possibly two sites, otherwise a sparse winter visitor and transient. Kno...	Scarce transient and winter visitor, as the province is generally east of the migration routes; some...	Scarce, though a regular transient. Rare in southern mountain valleys, and casual in the northern h...	Arrangements to access Open Ground Farms have always been tricky, and this is not a good option. Re...	*	2025-02-04
Bullock's Oriole	Icterus bullockii	The Bullock's Oriole is the western counterpart to the Baltimore Oriole. Originally classified as s...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare winter visitor; most records prior to 2010; however, there were four records during the 20...	Very rare winter visitor. There are about 16 records, with 8-9 birds over-wintering. Records are s...	One record. An adult male was photographed at a feeder in Murphy (Cherokee) on 13 Oct 2024 (...	Your first Bullock's Oriole will likely be seen at someone's feeder.	*	2025-02-04
Henslow's Sparrow	Centronyx henslowii	The Henslow's Sparrow has always been one of the rarest sparrows in North America, and being a grass...	Breeder	Definitive	E		S1B,S1N	G4	Summer resident, and winter resident, over parts of the region; strongly declining. In summer, stil...	Spring transient and former breeder; strongly declining. Currently, casual to very rare spring migra...	Transient, and possible former breeder; strongly declining. Casual to very rare in spring; mainly A...	The species can still be found at VOA site A, mostly in the eastern half of the site. Birds can be h...	to *	2025-02-04
Nelson's Sparrow	Ammospiza nelsoni	In 1995, the Sharp-tailed Sparrow was split into two species, instead of a potential three species. ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident coastally, and transient inland. In winter, fairly common to common along the south...	Transient, scarce. Very rare fall migrant, with the few records between 10 Sep and 14 Oct, with the...	Transient, scarce. Very rare in spring and fall. In spring, eight records -- 2 at Swannanoa, 25 May...	The species is usually easy to find, especially at high tide, in marshes at Fort Fisher near the Aqu...	***	2025-02-04
Clay-colored Sparrow	Spizella pallida	The Clay-colored Sparrow was primarily a "Western"/Midwestern" species until a few decades ago. How...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and sparse winter resident, mainly near the coast. In fall, rare to uncommon along the c...	Transient, essentially in fall and winter. Very rare in fall and winter (about 21 records in fall a...	Transient. Very rare in fall, winter, and spring, nearly all records in low elevations in the south...	Your best bet is probably Fort Fisher in Sep and Oct. A few were being seen semi-regularly in winte...	* to **	2025-02-04
Lark Bunting	Calamospiza melanocorys	This is a conspicuous and unique species of the short-grass prairies, very rare as a stray to the Ea...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Casual migrant, nearly all records from the Dare Outer Banks. There are eight records. One ...	Accidental. A singing male in breeding plumage at Dorothea Dix farm in Raleigh, 2-12 May 1978, is t...	No records.		1/2*	2025-02-04
Lark Sparrow	Chondestes grammacus	The Lark Sparrow, as with the Vesper Sparrow, is by itself in a monotypic genus; no other sparrow is...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Sparse summer resident, transient, and winter straggler. In summer, rare and local, only in the San...	Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and very rare in fall; scattered over the region. Mainly...	Transient. Casual to very rare in spring (eight records), and very rare in late summer/fall (about ...	Most breeding sites are generally off-limits to birders on military reservations (especially at Fort...	* to **	2025-02-04
Varied Thrush	Ixoreus naevius	This Far Western thrush was an embarrassing "miss" or "hole" on the North Carolina bird list for man...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Two records. One was photographed at Airlie Gardens (New Hanover) on 3 Feb 2024 (Chat 88:43)...	Casual; five records. An adult female was seen on three dates between 19 and 29 Dec 2005 near Hills...	Accidental. An adult male was photographed in Fletcher (Henderson) on 1 Feb 2010* (Chat 74:6...		1/2*	2025-02-04
Wood Thrush	Hylocichla mustelina	The Wood Thrush is one of the characteristic breeding birds of the Eastern deciduous forest. Its ra...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G4	Summer resident, strongly declining. Formerly (prior to perhaps 2000) common across most of the pro...	Summer resident, strongly declining. Formerly common, to even very common in some areas; now only u...	Summer resident, declining. Formerly common up to about 4,500 feet, and scarce to 5,000 feet; now o...	Before 2000, this was a "gimme", but now it can be missed in a morning of birding even in prime habi...	***	2025-02-04
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	The Swainson's Thrush is another thrush that nests across the boreal forest zone of Canada, south in...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Transient. In spring, uncommon in the western portion, but rare in the central and eastern portions...	Transient. Uncommon to fairly common across the region, both in spring and fall; probably more nume...	Very rare summer resident, almost certainly breeding (both pre-1900 and after a lapse of over 100 ye...	Finding the species in migration is always "chancey", so you need to bird at parks or refuges in the...	to *	2025-02-04
Brown-headed Nuthatch	Sitta pusilla	The Brown-headed Nuthatch, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and the Bachman's Sparrow are the signature ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5	G4	Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Common in the Sandhills and other areas in the southern portions ...	Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Common along the extreme eastern and southern portions, but mostl...	Scarce permanent resident; apparently nonmigratory. Formerly did not occur/breed in the province; f...	This species is almost always found in a morning of birding in Longleaf Pine forests. Weymouth Wood...	****	2025-02-04
Cave Swallow	Petrochelidon fulva	Hardly any bird has expanded its breeding range in the United States in recent years as has the Cave...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Fall transient, and straggler into early winter, essentially along the coast; greatly increasing in ...	Accidental to casual, with three records: a single bird seen at Troutman (Iredell) on 20 Dec ...	Casual in migration, with reports having yet to be reviewed by the NC BRC. One was photographed and...	There are no consistent spots for seeing fall and early winter migrants, as they can be seen flying ...	* to **	2025-02-04
Northern Shrike	Lanius borealis	This Far Northern species formerly ranged routinely in winter to New Jersey and Pennsylvania, tantal...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Accidental. One immature male collected at Pea Island on 9 December 1909 was noted by T.G. Pearson ...	No records.	Accidental. There are two reports from Christmas Bird Counts near the Nathan's Creek community (...		1/2*	2025-02-04
Loggerhead Shrike	Lanius ludovicianus	The Loggerhead Shrike was historically rare to absent as a breeding species in the East, but with th...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B,S3N	G4	Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Nests east to about Roanoke Rapids, Washington, and W...	Permanent resident, with slightly noticeable migratory movements. Formerly (prior to about 1975) ne...	Transient and winter visitor/resident, and likely former breeder. Now a very rare transient in the ...	Your best bet is to drive secondary roads in Robeson or Scotland counties, where the s...	to *	2025-02-04
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus	The Red-eyed Vireo is the most common breeding bird of the Eastern deciduous forest, and this commen...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident. Very common over most of the province, though less numerous close to the coast, an...	Summer resident. Very common across the region. Mainly mid-Apr to mid-Oct. The only known winter r...	Summer resident. Very common at lower to middle elevations, up to 4,000 feet; less numerous to abou...	No tips needed.	****	2025-02-04
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus	The Warbling Vireo, along with the Red-eyed Vireo, has the most extensive breeding range of any vire...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Transient, and possible accidental breeder. Very rare in both spring and fall. Records are increasin...	Transient (mainly in spring), and scarce summer resident. In spring, rare in the western half, and ...	Summer resident and transient. Uncommon in summer in the New River area of Ashe and Alleg...	Though a scarce bird in the state, driving roads that parallel or cross the South Fork New River, wi...	***	2025-02-04
Philadelphia Vireo	Vireo philadelphicus	This is the only Eastern vireo that does not nest in North Carolina. Instead, the Philadelphia Vireo...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, essentially only in fall; very sparse in spring. In fall, rare along the coast, and very...	Transient, records clearly increasing in recent years. Rare to uncommon (and easily overlooked) acr...	Transient; more numerous in this province in both spring and fall than downstate. Records increasing...	Jackson Park in Hendersonville in the latter part of September provides a decent chance to see the s...	* to **	2025-02-04
Vermilion Flycatcher	Pyrocephalus rubinus	The Vermilion Flycatcher's normal range extends from the southwestern United States far into South A...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual to very rare, mainly along the coast. One immature male was seen at Nags Head (Dare) ...	No records.	No records.	1/2*		2025-02-03
Say's Phoebe	Sayornis saya	The Say's Phoebe breeds over much of the Western United States and Western Canada, but it withdraws ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare fall migrant/stray, occasionally lingering into the winter; 16 records. One was seen near ...	Casual; five or six records. One was seen near Raleigh on 23 Oct 1965 (Chat 30:28), (Chat 54:56). A...	Accidental. One was photographed at Jackson Park (Henderson) on 19 Sep 2023* (Chat 88:16), (...	The bird along Howerton Road in northeastern Guilford has been present for the past two falls...	*	2025-02-03
Least Flycatcher	Empidonax minimus	The Least Flycatcher, as its name implies, is the smallest species of flycatcher in the Eastern Unit...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Transient. Rare along and very close to the coast, but seemingly casual to very rare farther inland...	Transient. Rare in spring, and rare to uncommon in fall, across the region; most records are for th...	Summer resident. Very local, generally uncommon as a whole, but locally fairly common, and rare to ...	Good areas during the nesting season include the Highlands Country Club (Macon), Black Camp G...	to *	2025-02-03
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	In 1973, the American Ornithologists' Union split Traill's Flycatcher into two "song type" species -...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Transient. Poorly known because of difficulty of identification. Very rare to rare (probably) alon...	Transient, and sparse summer resident. Rare and local breeder in scattered sites in the western half...	Summer resident. Uncommon, to very locally fairly common, at lower elevations throughout the region...	Good places to look for the species are to drive along roads that parallel the New River, or the Sou...	***	2025-02-03
Alder Flycatcher	Empidonax alnorum	Prior to 1973, Alder and Willow flycatchers were considered as a single species -- Traill's Flycatch...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Transient. Status very poorly known, but apparently casual to (at best) very rare. There are only ...	Transient; apparently very rare. Very poorly known, though possibly regular in both spring and fall...	Summer resident; breeding, mainly above 3,500 feet elevation. Generally uncommon and local, with th...	Some of the better sites for finding the species are the road to the Shining Rock Wilderness and Bla...	***	2025-02-03
Olive-sided Flycatcher	Contopus cooperi	The Olive-sided Flycatcher has a very wide breeding range, in the boreal forests from Alaska to Labr...	Former Probable Breeder	Definitive	W		SU	G4	Transient. Very rare in fall, and casual/accidental in spring; only about 17 records. Two of the on...	Transient. Rare in both spring and fall, across the region. Primarily from early May to late May, w...	Transient and former summer resident, with current "breeding" status undetermined. Many scattered re...	This bird is too rare to expect to see one. Your best bet is to drive roads in the mountains, especi...	*	2025-02-03
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	The Western Kingbird history in North Carolina is a sad one. Back in the 1960's and early 1970's, o...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Fall transient, regularly lingering into early winter; declining, at least in fall. Along the coast...	Essentially only a fall stray/transient. Casual to very rare, with only about 15 records. Eight of ...	Casual. Five records: four in fall (two in Aug and two in Sep). The report of two birds in Ashe...	Try driving NC 12 down the Outer Banks in fall, a day or two after a strong cold front. A bird coul...	*	2025-02-03
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus	This abundant Neotropical species ranges north to extreme southern Texas and southern Arizona. Howev...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual stray. There are seven records, five in fall or early winter: one near Fairfield (Hyde	No records.	No records.	When birding along and near the coast, be aware of any kingbird with yellow underparts. A few decad...	1/2*	2025-02-03
Ash-throated Flycatcher	Myiarchus cinerascens	The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a Western species, breeding from southern Washington to Texas. Like ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Greatly increasing in late fall and winter near the coast; late autumn migrant/visitor, with birds a...	Now a very rare visitor. Two sight reports are from the Raleigh area: one on 16 May 1973 (Chat 39:4...	Accidental. One videotaped in Henderson on 28 Oct 1999 is the only record for the mountains....	There have now been numerous recent records at Alligator River NWR, and somewhat fewer near Pungo La...	* to **	2025-02-03
Monk Parakeet	Myiopsitta monachus	The Monk Parakeet is a native of South America, being found from the southern Amazon Basin to centra...	Probable breeder; Introduced	Not Established List			SE	G5	Casual, and apparent former breeder. Up to two were seen in Kill Devil Hills, Dare, 19-28 Sep...	Casual visitor, and possible former breeder. A nest-building bird was photographed at Farmington,	Casual visitor, and accidental breeder. The species bred for several years in Buncombe in the...	The pair in Brunswick County was fairly reliably seen for well over a year, and this was the best pl...	*	2025-02-03
American Barn Owl	Tyto alba	The American Barn Owl is a completely nocturnal feeder; thus, its presence in a given area can be di...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; noticeably declining (since around 1970). Along the c...	Permanent resident, probably with migratory movements; certainly declining. Rare to locally uncommo...	Permanent resident, likely with migratory movements; presumed declining. Rare in valleys in the sou...	American Barn Owls must be searched for intentionally. You are not likely to stumble upon them in g...	* to **	2025-02-03
Swainson's Hawk	Buteo swainsoni	Though the Swainson's Hawk is a Western species, like the Broad-winged Hawk almost the entire breedi...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Formerly casual transient to the coast and Tidewater areas, but since about 2005, now very rare, wit...	Casual visitor. Three reports, two accepted -- of birds seen overhead: one adult, Lake Benson (W...	No records.	Because a number of records have recently come from Alligator River NWR, this is the only place in t...	*	2025-02-03
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus	The Broad-winged Hawk is famous for its strongly migratory habits, as it completely leaves the Unite...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Migrant, and very scarce summer resident; declining. Rare to uncommon spring and fall migrant, over...	Summer resident and migrant, but declining in recent years. Mostly uncommon migrant (spring and fal...	Summer resident and migrant, slightly declining. In summer, uncommon to fairly common, and reasonab...	If you visit a hawk-watch site in the mountains in fall, such as Pilot Mountain, you might be able t...	***	2025-02-03
Swallow-tailed Kite	Elanoides forficatus	Arguably the most spectacular bird of prey in the world, especially when seen in flight, the Swallow...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Annual visitor, mainly in spring along and near the coast, and breeder at a few sites in the souther...	Very rare to rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months, surprisingly mostly to the western/...	Very rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months; about 30 records, with five coming in fall ...	Birders can usually spot one to several birds, along with some Mississippi Kites, either close to th...	**	2025-02-03
Roseate Spoonbill	Platalea ajaja	Hardly any bird is more easily identified than the Roseate Spoonbill. This tropical breeder nests no...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Post-breeding visitor and stray, mostly to the coast; greatly increasing in recent years. Now rare ...	Formerly accidental to casual, but now very rare to rare and increasing, post-breeding visitor, with...	Casual post-breeding visitor, with all records from 2018 (Chat 82:112). Singles were seen on the Fr...	Increasing annually now, and can now be tracked down to see, as some have lingered for a while, espe...	* to **	2025-02-03
White-faced Ibis	Plegadis chihi	The White-faced Ibis is the Western counterpart of the Glossy Ibis, and it also nests along the Gulf...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual (and certainly overlooked) visitor, but records increasing; most records from Mattamuskeet NW...	One record: one in breeding plumage photographed (photos on the CBC Photo Gallery) at Lake Brandt (<...	No records.	With the multiple records now from Mattamuskeet NWR, essentially at the impoundments south of Lake M...	*	2025-02-03
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	The history of the Glossy Ibis is somewhat the reverse of that of the White Ibis. Though it also is...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S1S2B	G5	Breeding summer resident along the coast, but sparse (and declining) in winter; post-breeding visito...	Migrant and post-breeding visitor. Rare in the eastern portion (mainly in the Jordan and Falls lake...	Casual to very rare visitor; with only seven known reports. One seen at Altamont (Avery) on 1...	This species has been somewhat more difficult to find along the coast in the spring to fall seasons ...	***	2025-02-03
Western Cattle-Egret	Ardea ibis	This formerly Old World species has a most unusual history in the New World. "Cattle Egrets" appare...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Summer resident and transient, and straggler in winter, but generally absent by late winter. Fairly...	Transient and post-breeding visitor; records declining in recent years. Rare in the eastern countie...	Transient, at low (to rarely middle) elevations. Very rare, mainly early Apr to early Jul; casual t...	Unlike other waders, the Western Cattle-Egret is seen mostly in pastures, but it may be seen in lawn...	to *	2025-02-03
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula	The elegant Snowy Egret has, sadly, shown an alarming decline in numbers along the East Coast since ...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident along the coast, being migratory and thus more numerous in spring, late summer, a...	Transient, but primarily a post-breeding visitor. Rare to uncommon in the eastern portion (mainly a...	Transient and post-breeding visitor. Very rare in the lower elevations (generally below 2,500 feet)...	Though clearly declining, you should have little trouble finding the species along the immediate coa...	****	2025-02-03
Brown Booby	Sula leucogaster	The Brown Booby was until a few years ago a rarer bird off our coast than the Masked Booby, even tho...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Nonbreeding visitor, mainly offshore in the Gulf Stream, but there are quite a few records from shor...	Casual, with five records. An adult female was seen and photographed on many dates at Lookout Shoal...	No records.	As with other rare pelagic species, you will have to take dozens of trips out of Oregon Inlet or Hat...	*	2025-02-03