Birds of North Carolina

comName	sciName	species_account	breeding_status	list_type	state_status	S_rank	G_rank	coastal_plain	piedmont	mountain	tips	tips_code	update_on
The 100 most recent account entries/updates.
Painted Bunting	Passerina ciris	The adult male Painted Bunting is certainly the gaudiest-colored of North American songbirds. Thank...	Breeder	Definitive	SC	S3B	G5	Summer resident along the southern coast, and sparse winter resident/visitor along the coast, even t...	Very rare (but increasing) visitor, scattered over the year; a few reports of males singing on terri...	Casual visitor. The only known records are one at a feeder in Asheville, 9-12 Mar 2004; a female or...	Should be easily found along the southern coast in late Apr, May, and Jun, at places such as Fort Ma...	* to **	2023-05-19
Blue Grosbeak	Passerina caerulea	The Blue Grosbeak breeds across the southern half to two-thirds of the United States, and winters in...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B	G5	Summer resident, with a few winter records. Common in summer across most of the province, but can b...	Summer resident, with about 14 winter records. Common over the eastern and central portions, and fa...	Summer resident at low elevations; little migratory movement through the region. In summer, uncommo...	None needed in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.	****	2023-05-19
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a bird of the cooler hardwood and mixed forests of the eastern parts o...	Breeder	Definitive		S3S4B	G5	Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon along the western margin of the province, but generally rare...	Transient. In spring, uncommon to at times fairly common in the western portion, but uncommon over ...	Summer resident and transient. Fairly common (and common in a few ranges) in summer at middle to hi...	You should be able to find the species in a morning of birding along the Blue Ridge Parkway at eleva...	* to **	2023-05-19
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...	****	2023-05-19
Wilson's Warbler	Cardellina pusilla	The Wilson's Warbler has a very wide breeding range, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and southward in m...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Transient, and rare winter straggler. In spring, very rare in the western portions, and casual to v...	Transient, and very rare winter straggler. Rare to very uncommon in both spring and fall, generally...	Transient. Very rare to rare in spring, and rare in fall. Mainly early to mid-May, and early Sep t...	There are no real hotspots for the species, but Jackson Park in Hendersonville may be the best bet, ...	* to **	2023-05-19
Townsend's Warbler	Setophaga townsendi	This close relative of the Black-throated Green Warbler breeds only from Alaska to the northwestern ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Casual visitor, mainly in fall, with seven published reports. Four have been reviewed and accepted b...	No records.	The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <...		1/2*	2023-05-19
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Setophaga coronata	The Yellow-rumped Warbler, often called the "Butter-butt", is arguably the most abundant warbler on ...	Breeder	Definitive	SR	S1B,S5N	G5	Winter resident. Along the coast and in Tidewater near sounds, abundant in winter, particularly on ...	Winter resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In winter, common in the southeastern half, a...	Very sparse (and recent) breeder, widespread transient, and winter resident/visitor. In summer, rar...	None needed near the coast in winter.	****	2023-05-19
Nashville Warbler	Leiothlypis ruficapilla	The Nashville Warbler, along with the Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, and several Western...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Transient, and scarce straggler into early winter. Very rare in spring (essentially avoiding the re...	Transient, and a very scarce straggler into early winter. In spring, rare in the western and centra...	Transient; one recent record of a potential breeding bird. Rare to occasionally uncommon in spring, ...	Pure migrant species can be hard to pin down in time and place, depending on cold fronts in fall, et...	**	2023-05-19
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...	*	2023-05-19
American Tree Sparrow	Spizelloides arborea	Of the several dozen species of sparrows in North America, the American Tree Sparrow is the hardiest...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Winter visitor to the northeastern corner of the province. Scarce and declining, with few recent re...	Winter visitor, declining. Very rare along the northern two tiers of counties, and casual farther s...	Winter visitor, declining. Very rare in the northern counties, casual to very rare in the central c...	To look for this species, work weedy fields in the coldest part of the winter, and pour over flocks ...	*	2023-05-19
Grasshopper Sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum	The Grasshopper Sparrow is another sparrow that breeds from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but it nest...	Breeder	Definitive	W	S3B,S1N	G5	Summer resident in most of the region, and scarce winter resident; declining. In summer, uncommon ov...	Summer resident, with a few winter stragglers; declining. In summer, rare to uncommon across the re...	Summer resident; declining. Rare to locally uncommon (formerly uncommon but widespread) over the re...	Still can be heard and seen reliably in a few places; the two large Voice of America fields in south...	to *	2023-05-19
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	The Snow Bunting breeding range and abundance is remarkably similar to that of the Lapland Longspur,...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Winter visitor, mainly coastally; declining in numbers in the past several decades. Rare though nea...	Very sparse winter visitor. Casual to very rare; barely 15 reports for the province. Mainly late O...	Very sparse winter visitor. Casual to very rare; about 18-19 records. Has occurred on a handful of...	If you spend a lot of time walking or driving beaches in the winter, you might find a few each year....	*	2023-05-19
Evening Grosbeak	Coccothraustes vespertinus	Perhaps the epitome of "winter finches" is the Evening Grosbeak, and each fall or early winter, bird...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, rare to uncommon in "good" winters; rarely e...	Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, uncommon in invasive winters; rarely fairly ...	Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, uncommon in invasive winters; rarely fairly ...	The species is seldom seen in the state in recent years, though there were enough birds at feeders d...	*	2023-05-19
Marsh Wren	Cistothorus palustris	The Marsh Wren was formerly named the Long-billed Marsh Wren, thus causing some confusion with the S...	Breeder	Definitive		S3B,S4N	G5	Permanent resident in coastal areas, with migratory movements; transient and scarce winter resident ...	Transient, and straggler into winter (few overwinter). Rare to locally uncommon in spring and fall ...	Transient. Rare (but easily overlooked) in low elevation valleys; casual to very rare at higher ele...	The marshes along NC 615 through Great Marsh at Mackay Island NWR abound with them in summer. Howeve...	***	2023-05-19
Sedge Wren	Cistothorus stellaris	Called the Short-billed Marsh Wren many decades ago, the Sedge Wren is now restricted just to North ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SUB,S4N	G5	Winter resident eastward, but otherwise a scarce transient. Generally fairly common, to locally com...	Transient, and occasional straggler into winter. Generally rare (or at least secretive enough that ...	Transient. Very rare (no records for many counties) to rare in spring and fall, mainly limited to l...	The species is fairly easy in fall and winter in shrubby marshes, such as at Bodie Island (near the ...	***	2023-05-19
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis	This species, long known as the Rough-winged Swallow, had to have its common name changed several de...	Breeder	Definitive		S4B	G5	Summer resident. Fairly common over the inner two-thirds of the province, but uncommon to locally f...	Summer resident. Fairly common over nearly the entire region, perhaps slightly more frequent near r...	Summer resident. Fairly common over the region, up to about 4,000 feet, and sparingly up to about 5...	The species is normally seen in a day of birding in most sites away from coastal counties. The best...	***	2023-05-19
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...	***	2023-05-19
Blue-headed Vireo	Vireo solitarius	Long known as the Blue-headed Vireo, in the 1970's its name was changed to Solitary Vireo, for no ob...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B,S3N	G5	Primarily a transient and winter resident; sparse breeder. In the nesting season, rare to uncommon ...	Primarily a transient, but also a summer resident in parts of the region, and a sparse winter visito...	Summer resident. Breeds essentially at all elevation levels, though more numerous (common) above 3,...	The species is easily found in spring and summer in the mountains. Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway a...	****	2023-05-19
Yellow-throated Vireo	Vireo flavifrons	The Yellow-throated Vireo has a breeding range that closely matches the "eastern deciduous forest" b...	Breeder	Definitive		S4B	G5	Summer resident. Fairly common over the western and central portions, but rare to locally absent fa...	Summer resident. Fairly common over most of the province, though likely slightly less numerous in t...	Summer resident. Generally uncommon (to perhaps locally fairly common) in the lower elevations (to ...	Usually a few can be found in a morning of birding in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, such as in a s...	***	2023-05-19
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; 13 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...	No records.	The bird along Howerton Road in northeastern Guilford has been present for the past two falls...	*	2023-05-19
Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher	Empidonax difficilis/occidentalis	Accidental. There are three records of this closely related species pair (of Western species): an i...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA		One record (see above).	Two records (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-19
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...	Fall stray/transient. Casual to very rare, with only 13 records. Eight of the records fall between ...	Casual. Four records: three in fall (one in Aug and two in Sep). The report of two birds in Ash...	Try driving NC 12 down the Outer Banks in fall, a day or two after a strong cold front. A bird coul...	*	2023-05-19
Great Crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus crinitus	The Great Crested Flycatcher, like the Eastern Wood-Pewee and Acadian Flycatcher, is a species that ...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B	G5	Summer resident and transient. In summer, generally common throughout the province, even nesting on...	Summer resident and transient. In summer, fairly common essentially throughout; likely uncommon in ...	Summer resident and transient. In summer, uncommon over most of the region, but fairly common local...	A day of birding in the southern half of the Coastal Plain, especially where Longleaf Pine is presen...	* to **	2023-05-19
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...	**	2023-05-19
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 11 records, nearly all from the southern mountains; records and num...	Fortunately for the birder, individuals of this species often linger for a month or more in NC. Form...	***	2023-05-17
Manx Shearwater	Puffinus puffinus	Though the Manx Shearwater is not a rare pelagic species in North Carolina waters, it wasn't until t...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S1N	G5	Offshore transient and winter visitor, but at times seen from shore. Generally uncommon, from Dec t...	No records.	No records.	The several winter pelagic trips that are currently taken off Hatteras or Oregon inlets often produc...	**	2023-05-17
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 occasionally common in mid...	No records.	No records.	This shearwater is best seen by taking a chartered birding trip to the Gulf Stream off Oregon or Hat...	***	2023-05-17
Northern Fulmar	Fulmarus glacialis	Northern Fulmars are among the most charismatic of our seabirds, as they seem to enjoy flying in ver...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S1N	G5	Winter visitor and transient offshore; somewhat declining. Uncommon (to occasionally fairly common)...	No records.	No records.	Your best bet to see a fulmar is to take a winter pelagic trip, particularly later in winter (Feb to...	**	2023-05-17
Pacific Loon	Gavia pacifica	This Arctic breeding species winters essentially along the Pacific coast. For unknown reasons, the ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S1N	G5	Winter visitor along the coast, and a winter resident in a local area; many dozen records, greatly i...	Casual. Five records: one at L. Tahoma (McDowell) on 6 May 2007, in alternate plumage (Chat ...	Accidental. A single record: one photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on 5-6 Jan 2012* (Ch...	To look for this species, you must be prepared to carefully scrutinize loons on the ocean, with a sc...	* to **	2023-05-17
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus	The Herring Gull is, along with the Ring-billed Gull, one of the most abundant birds in tidal waters...	Breeder	Definitive		S3B,S5N	G5	Year-round resident, with migratory movements. Fairly common to locally common, and increasing, bre...	Winter resident/visitor. Uncommon to locally fairly common, but mainly at larger reservoirs and lan...	Winter visitor. Surprisingly scarce, generally rare and sporadic, mainly in low elevations; very ra...	None needed.	****	2023-05-17
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 records (see above), though possibly the same individual was involved in all of these sighting...	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-17
Black-legged Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	The Black-legged Kittiwake is one of just two (along with the Sabine's) essentially pelagic gulls th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S1N	G5	Winter resident offshore; clearly declining. From the late 1990's to about 2005, generally fairly c...	Casual in late fall, with three records: an immature seen and photographed at Beaverdam Reservoir (<...	Accidental: an immature was seen and photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on the remarkably...	If you take a pelagic trip from Cape Hatteras northward during the winter, you now have about a 50% ...	**	2023-05-17
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...	**	2023-05-17
Black Guillemot	Cepphus grylle	Of the six Atlantic alcids, the Black Guillemot was the last one to be added to the state's Definiti...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Casual winter visitor to the coast. The four accepted records are of single birds in basic plumage ...	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-17
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...	***	2023-05-17
Thick-billed Murre	Uria lomvia	Quite similar to the Common Murre in appearance and in overall habits, the Thick-billed Murre is a s...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially coastal (inshore ocean); perhaps slightly declining in recent years, tho...	No records.	No records.	You will just have to luck into one along the coast in winter, though a more careful observer who sc...	*	2023-05-17
Common Murre	Uria aalge	For a seemingly interminable time, North Carolina went without a record of this very common alcid. ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Very scarce, but greatly increasing, winter visitor offshore and along the coast; now rare (to local...	No records.	No records.	The increase in sightings in the past decade is gratifying for pelagic birders, but whether this sig...	* to **	2023-05-17
Red Phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius	In breeding plumage, both sexes of the Red Phalarope are quite stunning, with the female a rich rufo...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S2N	G5	Transient and winter resident, essentially offshore. Mostly uncommon in fall migration, but fairly ...	Transient; the great majority of records in fall. Casual to very rare in fall, at reservoirs, with ...	Casual. Pearson et al. (1959) list reports from "Smoky Mountain Park" in Dec and at Fontana (Grah...	The only way to have a realistic chance of seeing a Red Phalarope is to take a winter or early sprin...	**	2023-05-17
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	The Red-necked Phalarope and the Red Phalarope are the two pelagic shorebirds, and to see both in th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G4G5	Transient, primarily offshore. Generally a fairly common offshore migrant in both spring and fall, ...	Transient. Very rare to rare, in both spring and fall, usually seen only during and after storms, an...	Transient. Casual/very rare in spring; the only records are 1 in Linville (Avery) on 17-18 M...	Take a pelagic trip out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets -- either in the latter part of May, or in the ...	**	2023-05-17
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	For much of the last century, the Long-billed Dowitcher was a very poorly known species, most likely...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S2N	G5	Transient and winter resident; mainly along the coast and at Mattamuskeet NWR and vicinity. Coastal...	Transient. Accidental to casual in spring (three reports), very rare to locally rare (at Falls and ...	Transient; casual or accidental. The only reports are one photographed at Osceola Lake (Henderso...	You should be able to find the species in mid- to late fall at the impoundments at Pea and Bodie isl...	***	2023-05-17
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	The Least Sandpiper is the most widespread of the three small North American "peep" shorebirds in th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S3N	G5	Transient, and winter resident along and near the coast and very locally farther inland. Generally c...	Transient, and sparingly into mid-winter. Generally uncommon in spring and fairly common, at least ...	Transient. Rare to locally uncommon spring and fall migrant, with few published data. Mostly mid-A...	Leasts are easily found along the coast in migration.	****	2023-05-17
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 up to 30 birds ar...	***	2023-05-17
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 in spring, and very rare in fall, with all but two published records so far from ...	In Aug or early Sep, one has a good chance to see them at the impoundments at Pea or Bodie islands; ...	to *	2023-05-17
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. A very local breeder (...	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...	***	2023-05-17
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...	Cranes are more likely to be seen in the state in Cherokee in late fall or early spring, wher...	**	2023-05-17
Allen's Hummingbird	Selasphorus sasin	There are five state records for this species, which breeds only along the immediate Pacific coast o...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Two records (see above).	Three records (see above).	No records.		1/2 *	2023-05-17
Anna's Hummingbird	Calypte anna	This would seem to be one of the more unlikely birds on the state list, but Anna's Hummingbirds, lik...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Two records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2 *	2023-05-17
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 **	2023-05-17
Chuck-will's-widow	Antrostomus carolinensis	This strictly nocturnal species is a characteristic breeding bird of our drier forest edges and open...	Breeder	Definitive	W	S5B	G5	Breeding summer resident, and occasional winter visitor; apparently slowly declining. Generally com...	Breeding summer resident. Fairly common but somewhat declining in the extreme eastern and southern ...	Probable breeding summer resident in very low elevation areas, in the southern half of the mountains...	Hearing this species is seldom a problem. Simply, drive around a little bit after dusk, or before d...	***	2023-05-17
Western Grebe	Aechmophorus occidentalis	Western Grebes, and their close "cousin", the Clark's Grebe, are among the most elegant of waterbird...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Winter visitor, with about 20 records. Very rare along the northern coast, south to Cape Hatteras (b...	Winter visitor. Casual, with apparently seven records: 20 Dec 1961, Lake Johnson (Wake); 11-...	Accidental: one seen on Lake Julian (Buncombe) from 14-15 Dec 2002 (Chat 67:61).	This species is too rare to offer tips in North Carolina. The only tip is that, once you find one, ...	*	2023-05-17
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...	****	2023-05-17
Common Merganser	Mergus merganser	The Common Merganser is both a breeder and a wintering bird in the state, but with different "popula...	Breeder	Definitive	W	S1B,S1N	G5	Winter resident. Rare and local over the northern half of the province, with a flock averaging at l...	Winter visitor, though possibly a winter resident at Roanoke Rapids Lake; casual breeder. Rare in m...	Formerly casual to now (2023) rare but increasing breeder; scarce winter visitor. Generally rare in...	To best see this species, look at Phelps Lake in the winter, with a good scope. The wintering flock...	to *	2023-05-17
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	The Surf Scoter is the most common of the wintering scoters in North Carolina, though it is often ou...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S4N	G5	Winter resident. Locally common near the northern half of the coast and the Tidewater areas, south ...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare on reservoirs and other large bodies of water; mainly mid-Oct to...	Transient. Very rare to rare, with brief stop-over time; nearly all records from the southern mount...	As with the Black Scoter, it is normally easy to find the species on the two Pamlico Sound ferries, ...	* to **	2023-05-17
Tundra Swan	Cygnus columbianus	The only common swan in eastern North America, the Tundra Swan (formerly named the Whistling Swan) h...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S5N	G5	Locally abundant winter resident in the northeastern quarter of the province, south to Pea Island NW...	Rare winter visitor; no regular wintering locales. Seen mainly on larger reservoirs; typically late...	Very rare winter visitor; extreme dates are 8 Nov - 30 Mar. Peak counts: 12 in flight over Valle Cru...	This species can often be seen by the thousands at places such as Pea Island, Bodie Island, Pungo La...	****	2023-05-17
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...	Two accepted records -- an immature was seen and photographed at Jordan Lake (Chatham) on 19 ...	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...	*	2023-05-17
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 only in the southern counties). At least 7 reports: Lake Junaluska (<...	Look for this species in fields at Pungo refuge, at Lake Mattamuskeet or in nearby fields, or at Pea...	**	2023-05-17
Barnacle Goose	Branta leucopsis	The Barnacle Goose is a casual or accidental visitor to coastal areas of the United States, as well ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G4G5	Accidental or casual winter visitor to coastal/tidewater areas, on fresh water; apparently more freq...	Accidental. One seen at Gaddy's Pond (Anson), 28 Dec 1950 has not been reviewed by an NC BRC....	No records.	Always thoroughly check flocks of Canada Geese for this species.	1/2*	2023-05-17
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 39 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 **	2023-05-17
Ross's Goose	Anser rossii	The Ross's Goose is now a regular winter resident, in very small numbers, amid large flocks of Snow ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S1N	G4	Winter resident. Rare to locally uncommon but increasing in winter -- regular at a few sites -- in ...	Winter visitor. Formerly casual; now rare but greatly increasing, with about 50 records. Scattered ...	Winter visitor. Rare, but greatly increasing, in the southern counties, with about 40 records. All...	In the past few winters, the species has been seen, generally with Snow Geese, in fields near Pungo ...	**	2023-05-17
Wedge-tailed Shearwater	Ardenna pacifica	This is a very common shearwater of the warmer Pacific and Indian oceans but is essentially absent f...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	One record (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
White-crowned Pigeon	Patagioenas leucocephala	This West Indies pigeon species ranges north only to the Florida Keys and adjacent mainland as a reg...	Nonbreeder	Provisional		SA	G3	One report (not yet voted on).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
Lesser Nighthawk	Chordeiles acutipennis	This bird of Southwestern deserts is somewhat of a surprise on the North Carolina Bird List. Though ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	One confirmed record, and one likely record (though not accepted).	No records.	No records.		1/2 *	2023-05-16
Black-throated Gray Warbler	Setophaga nigrescens	The Western-breeding Black-throated Gray Warbler was one of the very few species that was admitted t...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Very rare, all apparently being seen in stands of Live Oaks, mainly in suburban/residential areas. ...	Accidental. One was seen in Greensboro (Guilford) on 24 Feb 1992* (Chat 57:66). One was see...	No records.	Though you cannot intentionally search for your own sighting, be aware that this species has a procl...	*	2023-05-16
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. One immature male was seen at Nags Head (Dare) on 1 Oct 1972 (Chat 45:4...	No records.	No records.	1/2*		2023-05-16
Wilson's Storm-Petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	Some authorities consider the Wilson's Storm-Petrel to be the world's most abundant seabird. Certai...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S5N	G5	Offshore visitor to the Gulf Stream, and less so to the cooler water zones. Common to abundant from ...	Accidental to casual visitor, after hurricanes. Four records: 3 at Jordan Lake, 6 Sep 1996 (after H...	No records.	This is seldom missed on pelagic trips from May into Oct.	****	2023-05-16
Fork-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus savana	The Fork-tailed Flycatcher's normal range is in Central and South America, but it is famous for vagr...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Four records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
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	Formerly a casual migrant (through 1970); now practically accidental. There are six records, five f...	Accidental. A singing male in breeding plumage at Dorothea Dix farm in Raleigh, 2-12 May 1978, is t...	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
Neotropic Cormorant	Nannopterum brasilianum	This species is found across most of Latin America, north into eastern Texas and Louisiana. There a...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	One record (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
Crested Caracara	Caracara plancus	The Crested Caracara is essentially a non-migratory "falcon" of dry grasslands, prairies, ranchlands...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Two accepted records, and two other non-accepted reports (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
White-tailed Kite	Elanus leucurus	The White-tailed Kite is another beautiful raptor, with a very graceful flight, hovering over fields...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Accidental visitor; four records, all accepted by the NC BRC. One seen near Wilmington, 3 Jan 1957*...	No accepted records. There is one published report mentioned in Pearson et al. (1959).	One record: an adult seen at the Shining Rock Wilderness, 23 Jul 1993* (Chat 59:26-27).		1/2*	2023-05-16
Thick-billed Longspur	Rhynchophanes mccownii	Accidental. This is a species of the short-grass prairies, nesting just east of Rocky Mountains in ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G4	One record (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
Mountain Bluebird	Sialia currucoides	This is a widespread and generally common species of the higher elevations of the Western States and...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	One record. A male was photographed at Wrightsville Beach (New Hanover) essentially daily fr...	No records.	One record (see above).		1/2*	2023-05-16
Yellow Warbler	Setophaga petechia	The Yellow Warbler has one of the most extensive breeding ranges of any warbler -- across nearly all...	Breeder	Definitive		S4B	G5	Transient, and sparse breeder; a few winter records. In summer, formerly uncommon, but now apparent...	Summer resident (strongly declining), and transient. In summer, now rare to uncommon in the western...	Summer resident (strongly declining), and transient. In summer, fairly common to formerly common in...	Driving back roads in the [open] "country" in the mountains in May and Jun should yield a few Yellow...	***	2023-05-16
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	North Carolina has, remarkably, three records of White Wagtail, of each of two distinct subspecies: ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Two records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2023-05-16
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....	***	2023-05-16
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	No records.	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*	2023-05-16
Veery	Catharus fuscescens	The Veery is one of five very similar-looking "small" thrushes, in the genus Catharus. It is...	Breeder	Definitive		S4B	G5	Transient. Generally uncommon and easily overlooked, over the western two-thirds of the region; les...	Transient. Generally uncommon in spring and fall, but can be fairly common in the western half, at ...	Summer resident and transient. In summer, fairly common to common and widespread at middle and high...	The Veery should be easily found (at least heard singing) in most forests above about 4,000 feet, an...	* to **	2023-05-16
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...	**	2023-04-12
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea	The Indigo Bunting is one of the most successful of Eastern songbirds. It has been expanding its br...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B	G5	Summer resident, and scarce straggler into winter. In summer, very common across the province, exce...	Summer resident, and scarce straggler into winter. Very common in summer, throughout the region. M...	Summer resident. In summer, very common throughout, up to about 4,500 feet, and uncommonly to 5,500...	None needed.	****	2023-04-12
Lazuli Bunting	Passerina amoena	The Lazuli Bunting breeds in the western half of North America and winters mainly from Mexico southw...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	Two accepted records (see above).	One accepted record (see above); another from 2022 is to be reviewed.	No confirmed records, but one under review.		1/2*	2023-04-12
Black-headed Grosbeak	Pheucticus melanocephalus	The Black-headed Grosbeak, the Western counterpart of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, is a casual to ver...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Casual visitor. There are seven records: one in Wilmington, 8-16 Apr 1969 (Chat 33:4); one at Bodie...	Casual visitor. There are six records: one in Greensboro, 6 Jan - 12 Apr 1964 (Chat 28:2); a male i...	Casual/accidental, with just one record: a breeding-plumaged male was photographed at a feeder on 11...		1/2*	2023-04-12
Western Tanager	Piranga ludoviciana	The Western Tanager is a rare visitor and over-wintering "resident" in North Carolina, but it occurs...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with close to 95 records. Very rare to rare in winter along ...	Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with well over 30 records. Very rare visitor, mainly from ea...	Casual visitor. Only about six records, though only one since 1991. Oddly, the dates are "strangel...	You likely will see your first in the state at a feeder near the coast.	*	2023-04-10
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 **	2023-04-10
Painted Redstart	Myioborus pictus	The Painted Redstart is one of the more beautiful of North American wood-warblers, being a species p...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SA	G5	One record (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2023-04-10
Canada Warbler	Cardellina canadensis	As with most warblers, in 2011 the Canada Warbler was moved from one genus to another -- this time, ...	Breeder	Definitive		S4B	G5	Transient. In spring, rare along the western edge of the region, but farther eastward is very rare ...	Transient. Rare to uncommon in both spring and fall across the region. Not obviously more numerous...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. Fairly common to common in summer at the higher elevatio...	Easy to find at higher elevations in summer. Though it occurs in dense shrubs and understory, it is ...	****	2023-04-10
Black-throated Green Warbler	Setophaga virens	The Black-throated Green Warbler has a fragmented breeding range, thanks to a separate subspecies --...	Breeder	Definitive	E*	S4B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, variously rare to locally common in the eastern third to...	Sparse summer resident, and transient. In summer, formerly common (but decreasing due to loss/death...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. Breeds over the entire region, but local; can be common ...	Should be easily found in late Apr or May in many areas of the higher mountains, such as along the B...	****	2023-04-10
Prairie Warbler	Setophaga discolor	The Prairie Warbler is another mis-named warbler, as it is not found in prairies (i.e., native grass...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B,S1N	G5	Summer resident, and sparse winter visitor/resident. In summer, common over most of the region, thou...	Summer resident. Fairly common to common in the eastern portions, and fairly common in the central ...	Summer resident. Uncommon over the region, as a whole; essentially below 3,000 feet. Fairly common...	The species is easily found in the Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont. Driving US 264 through Alliga...	****	2023-04-08
Yellow-throated Warbler	Setophaga dominica	The Yellow-throated Warbler is a "Southern" warbler, as it breeds in the eastern United States only ...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B	G5	Summer resident, and sparse winter resident near the southern coast. In summer, common over most of ...	Summer resident, and very rare winter straggler. In summer, fairly common to locally common in the ...	Summer resident. Uncommon along rivers and streams at low elevations, essentially below 2,500 feet;...	The species is easily found in many parks and preserves, and Croatan National Forest, in the southea...	****	2023-04-08
Pine Warbler	Setophaga pinus	The Pine Warbler is certainly the best-named warbler species, as it is almost always found in pine t...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B,S4N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Common to very common breeder across the region, bein...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements. In summer, common to very common in the eastern and so...	Summer resident, and sparse winter resident at lower elevations. In summer, fairly common in the ex...	None needed.	****	2023-04-08
Palm Warbler	Setophaga palmarum	The Palm Warbler might be associated with Saw Palmetto stands in Florida, but this is still a bad na...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		S3N	G5	Winter resident, with strong migratory movements. In winter, fairly common along and near the coast...	Transient, and scarce winter resident. Uncommon to fairly common in spring and fall, generally over...	Transient, and very scarce in winter. In spring, generally uncommon, mainly at low to middle elevat...	Generally easily found along the immediate coast in late Sep and most of Oct.	****	2023-04-08
Black-throated Blue Warbler	Setophaga caerulescens	Compared with most warblers, the Black-throated Blue has a relatively small breeding range, found in...	Breeder	Definitive		S4B	G5	Transient, and casually into early winter. In spring, uncommon to fairly common in the western port...	Transient, and sparse breeder (currently?) in foothill ranges. Fairly common over the region in spr...	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, common and relatively widespread over the province, main...	The species is hard to miss in several hours of birding at middle to somewhat high elevations in the...	****	2023-04-08
Chestnut-sided Warbler	Setophaga pensylvanica	The Chestnut-sided Warbler breeds in southern Canada and the northeastern part of the United States,...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B	G5	Transient. Very rare in spring over most of the province, more likely to occur in the western secti...	Transient. In spring, uncommon in the western half of the region, and rare to uncommon in the easte...	Summer resident. Common to very common from about 3,000 feet to 5,500 feet; uncommon higher and low...	Normally easily found in the mountains in May and Jun, particularly between 3,500 and 5,000 feet.	****	2023-04-08
Blackburnian Warbler	Setophaga fusca	The Blackburnian Warbler is one of the most beautiful of our songbirds, as the bright orange breast ...	Breeder	Definitive		S4B	G5	Transient. In spring, very rare over the region, and probably casual in most of the eastern portion...	Transient. In spring, rare across the region, more numerous in the western portion, though still sc...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. In summer, fairly common over the region as a whole, but...	You should be able to find the species in the spruce-hardwood zone (4,500 to 5,500 feet) along the B...	***	2023-04-07
Bay-breasted Warbler	Setophaga castanea	The Bay-breasted Warbler has a similar breeding range to that of the Cape May Warbler and the Tennes...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Transient. In spring, very rare along the western edge, and very rare to rare near and along the co...	Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon in the western half, and rare in the eastern half of the reg...	Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon in the lower elevations, and rare at middle elevations. In ...	You should be able to see the species in fall in late Sep or early Oct along the Blue Ridge Parkway ...	***	2023-04-07
Magnolia Warbler	Setophaga magnolia	The Magnolia Warbler nests across most of the boreal forest zone of Canada and the northeastern stat...	Breeder	Definitive	SR	S2B	G5	Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon in the western portions, rare over central portions, and ver...	Transient. Mainly uncommon in spring, and fairly common in fall, over most of the province. Clearl...	Scarce summer resident (at higher elevations), and transient. In summer, rare to locally uncommon (...	It usually can be found in fall migration in the mountains, in various parks and along the Blue Ridg...	***	2023-04-07
Northern Parula	Setophaga americana	The Northern Parula is a bird saddled with an awful common name, and this is even more so now that i...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B	G5	Summer resident. Over most of the region -- common, to very common in several of the larger river f...	Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In summer, fairly common over most of the pro...	Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common at lower to middle ...	It is hard to miss in the Coastal Plain in spring or summer if birding close to rivers, such as the ...	****	2023-04-07
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, uncommon, local, and declining, along the R...	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 *	2023-04-07
Cape May Warbler	Setophaga tigrina	The Cape May Warbler has a breeding range similar to that of the Tennessee Warbler, being a classic ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G5	Transient, and winter straggler. In spring, generally rare along the western border, but very rare ...	Transient, and winter straggler. In spring, fairly common in the western third, uncommon in the cen...	Transient. Fairly common in both spring and fall; in spring, mostly at low to middle elevations, bu...	The best bets are perhaps the southwestern Piedmont, such as Polk, in spring, and along the B...	***	2023-04-07
Kirtland's Warbler	Setophaga kirtlandii	Considering that North Carolina is about halfway between the species' wintering grounds in the Baham...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		SZ	G3	Remarkably, just a single convincing report -- one photographed at Duck (Dare), from 2-5 Oct ...	Casual fall transient in the western portion of the province, but just one accepted record for the e...	Very rare transient (with numbers increasing in recent years); now with 10 records (but only two of ...	Some recent birds have stayed over for an extra day to three, for many observers to observe them. F...	1/2*	2023-04-07
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla	The very active American Redstart was, until 2011, in a genus all to itself; however, all of the for...	Breeder	Definitive		S5B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, mainly uncommon and local over the region as a whole (bu...	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, breeds over most of the region, but highly local; can be...	Summer resident, and transient. Breeds over the entire region; generally fairly common, mainly to 3...	The species is easy to find from late Apr into Jun along the Roanoke and Neuse rivers, such as at Ho...	****	2023-04-07