The 100 most recent account entries/updates. | ||||||||||||||
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 |
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Black Rail | Laterallus jamaicensis | As notoriously secretive as the Yellow Rail, this species at least can be coaxed into view on occasi... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | PT | S2S3B,S2N | G3G4 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements, near the coast; decreasing in recent years. Seemingly... | Poorly known breeder (at least formerly) and transient. Casual to very rare breeder, at least forme... | Formerly casual breeder at low elevations; now essentially unknown/accidental. Formerly nested near... | To hear a Black Rail, visit the Cedar Island marsh causeway (NC 12), or the Wanchese marshes east of... | ** | 2018-12-19 |
Golden-winged Warbler | Vermivora chrysoptera | The Golden-winged Warbler, though it looks completely different from its closest "cousin", the Blue-... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | S2S3B | G4 | Transient. In spring, casual (i.e., essentially avoids the region); in fall, very rare throughout, ... | Transient. Rare in both spring and fall, slightly more "numerous" in the western half of the region... | Summer resident, and transient; decreasing. In summer, formerly fairly common, at least locally, ov... | There are still a few places/roads where birders have a likely chance to see the species in a given ... | *** | 2018-12-19 | |
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... | *** | 2018-12-19 | |
Black-capped Chickadee | Poecile atricapillus | The Black-capped Chickadee is one of the most common and familiar species to people in Canada and th... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | S3 | G5 | No records. | No confirmed records. There are the occasional reports of "Black-capped Chickadees" from the provinc... | Permanent resident, apparently with no migratory movements (though birds do move slightly down-slope... | If you are coming from most of the state to look for the species, stop first at overlooks along the ... | *** | 2018-12-19 | |
Bachman's Sparrow | Peucaea aestivalis | The Bachman's Sparrow is a rare and strongly declining species. It nests only in the southeastern p... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | S3B,S2N | G3 | Scarce permanent resident, but with migratory movements. In summer, locally fairly common near the ... | Former summer resident in a portion of the region; possibly now absent. Prior to 1942, it nested in... | Accidental. Historical records from Buncombe and Macon. | The species is still easily found from Mar into about Jul in Holly Shelter Game Land (along Lodge Ro... | *** | 2018-12-19 | |
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. About 20 records, all of single birds.... | Accidental visitor. The only known record is one at a feeder in Asheville, 9-12 Mar 2004. | Should be easily found along the southern coast in late Apr, May, and Jun, at places such as Fort Ma... | *** to **** | 2018-12-19 | |
Red Crossbill | Loxia curvirostra | The Red Crossbill is another of the erratic "winter finches" in the East. Unlike with most of these... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | S3B,S3N | G5 | Winter visitor, and apparently accidental breeder; declining. Currently, very rare to rare across t... | Winter visitor, and accidental breeder; declining. Currently, rare and erratic in winter; formerly ... | Summer resident at higher elevations, and winter visitor to all of the region. In summer, rare to l... | Though the species is erratic in summer, it has been somewhat regular in recent years at Mount Mitch... | ** | 2018-12-19 | |
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... | ** | 2018-12-19 | |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | Sphyrapicus varius | The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only true migratory woodpecker species in eastern North America.... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | S2S3B,S5N | G5 | Winter resident. Fairly common to occasionally or locally common throughout; less common on barrier ... | Winter resident. Fairly common essentially throughout. Mainly from late Sep to mid-Apr; dates rang... | Breeder and winter resident, with strong migratory movements. Rare to uncommon and quite local as a... | In the breeding season, check any of the areas listed above, for the mountains. From Oct through Mar... | *** (winter) | 2018-12-19 | |
Long-eared Owl | Asio otus | The Long-eared Owl is one of the most elusive species to see in the state, even though it is undoubt... | Nonbreeder (but Possible Breeder) | Definitive | SUB | G5 | Winter visitor. Very rare (at least very rarely reported) over the northern half of the region, inc... | Winter visitor. Very rare; about 18 records, with eight of these from Wake and five from W... | Winter visitor, and possible breeding summer resident. Casual in winter, with only about six reports... | There is a need to do some nocturnal listening for them, and all owls, in our northern mountain regi... | * | 2018-12-19 | ||
Northern Goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | For such a large hawk (being the state's largest Accipiter), the Northern Goshawk is remarkab... | Nonbreeder (but Possible Breeder) | Definitive | SUB | G5 | Visitor in migration and winter; about 30 reports. Very rare, mainly in winter, to the northern coas... | Visitor in migration and winter; only about 15 reports. Very rare to the northern half of the provin... | Visitor in migration and winter; at least 20 reports. Very rare (though more numerous here than els... | The species is much too rare to specifically search for, but people at hawk watches in the mountains... | * | 2018-12-19 | ||
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, now ... | Spring transient and former breeder; strongly declining. Currently, casual to very rare spring migra... | Transient, and possible former breeder; strongly declining. Casual in spring; mainly Apr to early M... | The species can now be difficult to find at VOA site A, as most birds are now (2015) found in the sh... | ** to *** | 2018-12-19 | |
Common Merganser | Mergus merganser | The Common Merganser winters regularly in the state only at one to a few inland lakes, as North Caro... | 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 (2018) very rare to rare breeder; scarce winter visitor. Generally rare in w... | To best see this species, look at Lake Phelps in the winter, with a good scope. The wintering flock... | ** to *** | 2018-12-19 | |
Black-headed Gull | Chroicocephalus ridibundus | As mentioned under the Bonaparte's Gull account, the Black-headed Gull has a new scientific name, af... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor, essentially only along the coast and in the Tidewater zone. Rare, and perhaps sligh... | Casual; four records. One adult seen in a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls at Jordan Lake on 16 Jan 2005*... | No records. | Black-headed Gulls are somewhat more likely to be found with Ring-billed Gulls than with other gulls... | * | 2018-12-12 | ||
Tahiti Petrel | Pseudobulweria rostrata | Arguably the most remarkable pelagic discovery in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean was the photograph... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SA | GNR | One record (see above). | No record. | No record. | 1/2 * | 2018-11-12 | |||
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... | ** | 2018-11-09 | |
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 six records: one in Wilmington, 8-16 Apr 1969 (Chat 33:4); one at Bodie I... | 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 * | 2018-11-09 | |||
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 in spring across the southern half of the pro... | The only semi-reliable spots are Jackson Park in Hendersonville in mid-May, and Buxton Woods in D... | * to ** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Shiny Cowbird | Molothrus bonariensis | The Shiny Cowbird, common and widespread in the Neotropics, spread northward through the West Indies... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Scarce visitor, and apparent breeder at one site in 2017. Essentially near the coast in the warmer ... | Accidental, though none yet accepted by the NC BRC. There are two reports: one from Winston-Salem o... | No records. | Your best bet is to check any cowbirds you see close to the southern coast in the warmer months, par... | * | 2018-11-09 | ||
Clay-colored Sparrow | Spizella pallida | The Clay-colored Sparrow was a primarily "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. Casual to very rare in fall and winter (about 11 records... | 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 have been seen semi-regularly in winter... | ** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Chestnut-collared Longspur | Calcarius ornatus | Casual stray. There are four records: one from the Piedmont, a female at the Charlotte Motor Speedw... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SA | G5 | Two records (see above). | One record (see above). | One record (see above). | 1/2 * | 2018-11-09 | |||
Cliff Swallow | Petrochelidon pyrrhonota | The Cliff Swallow nests from coast to coast across the continent, and it is much more abundant in th... | Breeder | Definitive | S3B | G5 | Transient, and very sparse and local breeder near the coast; expanding its range in recent years and... | Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements; slightly increasing as a breeder. In summer (... | Summer resident, with migratory movements. In summer (as a breeder), mostly uncommon and local; not... | Though numerically not a common bird in the state, they are practically impossible to miss in May or... | **** | 2018-11-09 | ||
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 inland sites in the ... | Very rare to occasionally rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months; about 35 records, from... | Very rare visitor in the warmer months; about 12 records, with five coming in fall 2016. Mid-May to... | Birders can usually spot one to several birds, along with some Mississippi Kites, either close to th... | ** | 2018-11-09 | |
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. Very rare to (now) rare along the southern co... | Formerly accidental to casual, but now very rare, post-breeding visitor, with seven known records un... | Casual post-breeding visitor, with all records from 2018 (Chat 82:112). Singles were seen on the Fr... | This species is too rare to be searched for in the state. Typically, a bird is seen in shallow tida... | * | 2018-11-09 | ||
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... | Very rare to rare (but increasing) migrant and winter visitor, with at least 30 reports. Most are f... | Casual to now very rare (since 2000) migrant, with at least eight records, all from the southern mou... | Fortunately for the birder, individuals of this species often linger for a month or more in NC. Form... | ** to *** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | The Great Cormorant is still another species that has greatly increased in the East over the past se... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S2N | G5 | Winter resident and visitor along the coast. Uncommon and local, mainly around inlets; generally fro... | Very rare migrant and winter visitor. About 11 records, all at reservoirs in the eastern half of th... | No records. | The species is reliably seen at just a few places along the NC coast. Your best bet is in the lower... | *** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Leach's Storm-Petrel | Oceanodroma leucorhoa | As the Leach's Storm-Petrel is one of the few tubenoses to breed in the northwestern Atlantic, and a... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Offshore transient and summer visitor. Generally uncommon (though regular) spring and fall migrant, ... | Accidental to casual non-breeding visitor, during or after hurricanes. Three records: 1, Lake Norma... | No records. | This species is more unpredictable than is the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel. Birders have about a 40-50... | ** | 2018-11-09 | ||
European Storm-Petrel | Hydrobates pelagicus | Birders looking at range maps of what pelagic species should have been seen in North Carolina waters... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G3G4 | Offshore visitor. Very rare to rare, and certainly easily overlooked, in the Gulf Stream off Oregon... | No records. | No records. | Thankfully for birders looking for this rarity, nearly all records are concentrated in the last few ... | * to ** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Trindade Petrel | Pterodroma arminjoniana | This species has a checkered taxonomic history, in part because what is considered as the "Herald Pe... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G4 | Offshore visitor. Rare but regular in the warmer months, seen a handful of times annually, with wel... | No records. | No records. | You need to take a birding pelagic trip off Hatteras or Oregon inlets. Late May into early Septembe... | * to ** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Red-billed Tropicbird | Phaethon aethereus | Until the mid- or late 1990's, there were very few records of the spectacular Red-billed Tropicbird,... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Offshore visitor. Rare in the Gulf Stream, and less regular than White-tailed, from spring to fall;... | No records. | No records. | Seeing a Red-billed Tropicbird on an organized pelagic trip is simply a matter of luck, though there... | * | 2018-11-09 | ||
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... | **** | 2018-11-09 | |
Arctic Tern | Sterna paradisaea | To see this species in North Carolina, one must take a pelagic trip in late spring, or less likely i... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Transient, essentially offshore. Offshore -- uncommon in spring, and rare in fall; status in fall w... | Accidental to casual storm-carried visitor. Three records: one at a parking lot in Shelby on 22 Sep... | No records. | Your best bet, by far, is to take a pelagic trip out of Oregon or Hatteras inlets in the latter half... | ** | 2018-11-09 | ||
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 | S1B,S2N | 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... | *** | 2018-11-09 | |
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. Rare to locally uncommon, but greatly increasing, at large lakes and landfills in t... | Casual or accidental. The only record is a first-year bird photographed at the Hooper Lane Sod Farm... | This species is easy to find in the large gull flocks that congregate at Cape Hatteras Point from la... | *** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Franklin's Gull | Leucophaeus pipixcan | The Franklin's Gull, the "cousin" of the Laughing Gull, does not breed along the ocean coasts, but i... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Visitor/transient, essentially along the coast, and mostly in fall. Coastally, casual in spring, wi... | Very rare visitor (10 records). Accidental in spring, with the only record being of one in breeding... | Very rare visitor to the southern portion of the province. Seven records: 1 at Hooper Lane (Hende... | The species is too rare to intentionally search for. However, birders should be aware of the specie... | * | 2018-11-09 | ||
Laughing Gull | Leucophaeus atricilla | Historically, the Laughing Gull was North Carolina's only breeding gull species; however, in recent ... | Breeder | Definitive | S4B | G5 | Breeding summer resident and migrant, and early winter resident. Coastally, very common to abundant... | Transient, at larger reservoirs. Generally rare in spring and in fall migrations, at times locally u... | Transient. Very rare during spring (ten records) and fall (mostly after storms/ hurricanes), essent... | It takes no effort whatsoever to find the species along the coast from Mar through Nov. | **** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Wilson's Phalarope | Phalaropus tricolor | The Wilson's Phalarope nests in the western half of the continent, at lakes, ponds, and other wetlan... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Transient, mainly along the coast; declining over the past 15 years. Coastally, very rare in spring... | Transient. Casual in spring migration, with only four reports -- 30 Mar, and 1-18 May (no Apr recor... | Transient, mainly known from Henderson, where casual to very rare in each season. Records fro... | The species can be found with some regularity only at the Pea and Bodie island ponds, though it does... | ** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Willet | Tringa semipalmata | The Willet is one of the few shorebirds that nests in North Carolina, and essentially the only one t... | Breeder | Definitive | S4B,S4N | G5 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements, along the coast, breeding in salt and brackish marshes... | Transient. Very rare in spring, and very rare to rare in fall; quite erratic, and many records in f... | Transient, only found so far at low elevations in the southern mountains. Very rare in spring, with ... | Willets are noisy and hard to miss along the coast for most of the year. | **** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Short-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus griseus | Among the most difficult identification problem facing birders is the separation of the two dowitche... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S4N | G5 | Transient and winter resident, mainly along the coast. Common to abundant spring and fall migrant a... | Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and rare to often uncommon (though local) in fall. Mainl... | Transient, mainly in Henderson and Transylvania. Very rare in spring and in fall, at ... | This species is hard to miss along the coast during the migrations. | **** | 2018-11-09 | ||
Red Knot | Calidris canutus | This "dumpy" shorebird is one of the few that is routinely seen foraging along the ocean beaches, so... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | T | T | S2N | G4 | Transient and winter resident, essentially only along the coast. Formerly common (to at times very ... | Transient. Very rare in fall, but no spring reports; generally at large reservoirs. All but three ... | Accidental transient. The only record is a group of eight birds seen and photographed at Hooper Lan... | Knots are most easily found along the coast from early May to early Jun. It is most common on the b... | ** to *** | 2018-11-09 |
Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | Except for the closely related Black Turnstone of the Pacific Coast, the Ruddy Turnstone is a rather... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S3N | G5 | Transient and winter resident, mainly along the coast. Common migrant along the coast, though seldo... | Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and rare in fall, mainly at large reservoirs. In spring,... | Transient. Casual in spring and fall, with all records from Henderson except for a single bi... | Turnstones are widespread along the coast, at least during the migrations, and are easily found, exc... | **** | 2018-11-08 | ||
Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica | This Eurasian shorebird has appeared along the East Coast much more often than the Black-tailed Godw... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G4 | Very rare visitor, with four spring and seven fall reports, all from the coast. The spring reports ... | No records. | No records. | 1/2 * | 2018-11-08 | |||
Long-billed Curlew | Numenius americanus | The Long-billed Curlew is the largest shorebird in North America, in length, and, considering the ex... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Transient and winter visitor/resident, declining in recent years (though never numerous). Formerly ... | No records. | Accidental. The only far inland record for the state is one photographed at Hooper Lane (Henders... | The best places in recent years have been flats at or near the eastern end of Shackleford Banks and ... | * | 2018-11-08 | ||
Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | For a large shorebird, the Whimbrel is quite numerous in North America, and it is not difficult to f... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Transient, and scarce winter resident/visitor along the coast. Along the coast, fairly common to lo... | Transient. Casual in spring, and very rare in fall, with most records in the eastern portion, espec... | Very rare fall transient, and accidental in spring. Three of the records surprisingly are from grass... | This species is not difficult to find along the coast during migration. They are most common on bar... | *** | 2018-11-08 | ||
Piping Plover | Charadrius melodus | The Piping Plover is one of the few Federally listed birds in North Carolina, especially now that th... | Breeder | Definitive | S1B,S1N | G3 | Breeding permanent resident, with migratory movements, along the coast. Generally uncommon and decl... | Transient. Very rare in fall; late July to early Oct; no spring records. About 13 records, mostly f... | Casual, with just three records: one at Hooper Lane, Henderson on 4-5 Sep 2012* (Chat 77:6-10... | The best area to see this species is at Portsmouth Island in late summer and fall, but a boat is nec... | ** | 2018-11-08 | ||
American Golden-Plover | Pluvialis dominica | Unlike its slightly larger cousin, the Black-bellied Plover, the American Golden-Plover is a good fi... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Transient. Very rare in spring, rare in fall, along the entire coast, particularly the Outer Banks; ... | Transient. Casual in spring (only about four records), rare but annual in fall, over most of the pr... | Transient, but nearly all records are from Hooper Lane/Mills River area in Henderson, where v... | The species is best located in Sep and Oct, especially after cold fronts. A few birds are present e... | * to ** | 2018-11-08 | ||
Black-bellied Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | The Black-bellied Plover is one of the more familiar shorebirds of coastal areas, wintering in good ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S5N | G5 | Transient, and coastal winter resident. Common to very common in migration, and common in winter, a... | Transient. Rare in fall, and very rare to rare in spring, in the eastern part of the province (such... | Transient. Very rare (about 23 records) in the Henderson/Transylvania area of the southern m... | This species is easily found along the coast except during Jun. Inland birds are most often found o... | **** | 2018-11-08 | ||
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. A very local breeder (... | Casual migrant or stray, mainly in late spring; nine records. One was seen in Franklin on 5 ... | 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... | *** | 2018-11-08 | |
Purple Gallinule | Porphyrio martinicus | The beautiful Purple Gallinule has always been at the northeastern periphery of its breeding range i... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | SHB | G5 | Summer resident, at least formerly, and possibly still nests somewhere in the region annually, in th... | Stray (about nine records). Casual in migration; mainly May-Jun. Two other records: 1, Camp Grayst... | Accidental stray (three records): 1 found in emaciated condition, Hazelwood (Haywood), 18 Apr... | Formerly, one could see the Purple Gallinule from the causeway at Orton Plantation. However, the ve... | * | 2018-11-08 | |
Virginia Rail | Rallus limicola | Only a few decades ago, relatively little was understood of the Virginia Rail's habitats and range i... | Breeder | Definitive | W | S3B,S5N | G5 | Permanent resident near the coast, with migratory movements; mostly a transient farther inland. Loca... | Mostly a transient, but scattered summer and winter records, where status at these two seasons is un... | Poorly known transient (about 18 reports), with the possibility of local breeding not out of the que... | The descending grunting call is easily heard in migration and winter in tidewater marshes, especiall... | *** | 2018-11-08 | |
White-winged Scoter | Melanitta fusca | By far the least common of the scoters along the mid-Atlantic coast, the White-winged Scoter can be ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S2N | G5 | Winter visitor. Uncommon and erratic (depending on the severity of the weather) along the immediate... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare (but the most frequent scoter in the province), mainly to larger... | Transient. Very rare to rare in the southern counties, and unknown as yet from north of Buncombe... | This is a tough bird to find in the state, and many birders often require two or three winters to fi... | ** | 2018-11-08 | ||
Trumpeter Swan | Cygnus buccinator | This relatively rare swan of the northwestern United States and western Canada formerly nested as fa... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G4 | Casual (but increasing) winter visitor, but -- except for one other record -- only to the Pungo and ... | One accepted record -- an immature was seen and photographed at Jordan Lake (Chatham) on 19 D... | One report -- one seen and photographed on the French Broad River near Alexander (Buncombe), ... | Your best (slim) hope is to search through large flocks of Tundra Swans, such as in the fields just ... | * | 2018-11-08 | ||
Greater White-fronted Goose | Anser albifrons | The Greater White-fronted Goose is a rare winter visitor across all portions of the state, but with ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor. Most frequent in areas where large numbers of geese and swans winter. Rare in the ... | Winter visitor; very rare but somewhat increasing in recent years. Approximately 32 records, fallin... | Winter visitor, slightly increasing in recent years. Very rare to rare in the southern mountains; n... | There is a tendency for the species to appear with flocks of Canada Geese, both feeding in plowed fi... | * to ** | 2018-11-08 | ||
Snow Goose | Anser caerulescens | The Snow Goose is a winter resident, occurring in large numbers in the northern tidewater areas; it ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S4N | G5 | Winter resident, mainly near the coast. Locally common to abundant in winter, mainly in several lar... | Scarce winter visitor, though sightings increasing in the western portions in recent years. Rare, s... | Scarce, but increasing, winter visitor. Very rare to now rare; all but five records are from the so... | Though notably declining along the immediate coast, Snow Geese are usually seen in winter at Bodie a... | **** | 2018-11-08 | ||
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna autumnalis | The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a recent stray to coastal and tidewater areas, with the only acc... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Very rare to now (2018) rare visitor to the southern coastal areas and Tidewater region; very rare e... | Surprisingly, only four known records, though records should increase greatly over the next decade. ... | Four records; casual but increasing. A flock of 12 was seen and photographed at the Super Sod farm a... | The species is most likely to show up in the Twin Lakes area of Brunswick, based on closest p... | * to ** | 2018-11-08 | ||
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 **** | 2018-11-06 | ||
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, ver... | None needed near the coast in winter. | **** | 2018-11-06 | |
Savannah Sparrow | Passerculus sandwichensis | The Savannah Sparrow is one of the more abundant sparrows in North America, nesting commonly in a va... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | S2B,S5N | G5 | Winter resident, with migratory movements. In winter, common to very common in the eastern third of... | Winter resident, and transient. In winter, fairly common in the eastern and southern parts of the r... | Summer resident, transient, and sparse winter resident. In summer, rare to uncommon in the northern... | None needed; easy to find in winter, at least near the coast. | **** | 2018-11-06 | |
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 in spring (five records), and very rare in late summer/fall (nine records). In s... | The breeding sites are generally off-limits to birders; thus, the best places to look are along the ... | * to ** | 2018-11-06 | |
Hermit Thrush | Catharus guttatus | The Hermit Thrush is the only Catharus thrush that winters in the United States, even though ... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | S2B,S5N | G5 | Winter resident. Formerly fairly common, but now common over the eastern half of the region, and fa... | Winter resident. Fairly common over the southeastern half or two-thirds of the province, but uncomm... | Summer resident at high elevations, and winter resident throughout. In summer, uncommon to locally ... | This species is reasonably easy to find in winter in forests near the coast that have much broadleaf... | *** to **** | 2018-11-06 | |
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 scarce summer resident. Uncommon spring migrant, and rare to uncommon fall migrant, ove... | Summer resident and migrant. Mostly uncommon migrant (spring and fall); rare to (formerly) very unc... | Summer resident and migrant. In summer, uncommon to fairly common, and reasonably widespread, over ... | If you visit a hawk-watch site in the mountains in fall, such as Pilot Mountain, you might be able t... | *** | 2018-11-06 | ||
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. Rare and secretive, mostly in Apr and May, and again from late... | Transient and post-breeding visitor. Rare, with 25-30 records, at low elevations in the southern co... | This species is usually found along the coast at any season, but you might need to wait around tidal... | *** | 2018-11-06 | |
Great Blue Heron | Ardea herodias | Our most familiar and frequently seen wader, the Great Blue Heron has shown a remarkable increase in... | Breeder | Definitive | S5B,S5N | G5 | Year-round resident throughout the province, with some populations migratory. Essentially common al... | Year-round resident, breeding locally but in most counties; increasing at all seasons. Common over ... | Nearly year-round resident, though generally rare to uncommon in late spring and early summer; breed... | This widespread species can be seen daily in most regions from late summer through spring, and findi... | **** | 2018-11-06 | ||
Fea's Petrel | Pterodroma feae | The Fea's Petrel, as with the Trindade Petrel, has a checkered taxonomic history and has also underg... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G1G2 | Offshore visitor. Distribution is very similar to that of the Trindade Petrel, however it is slight... | No records. | No records. | Fortunately for the birder, the records for the species are mostly clumped into a one-month span; th... | * to ** | 2018-11-06 | ||
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... | ** | 2018-11-06 | ||
Curlew Sandpiper | Calidris ferruginea | The Curlew Sandpiper is one of just several species of Eurasian nesting shorebirds on the North Caro... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5? | Transient along the coast, declining. Formerly rare in spring, and again from mid-summer into fall. ... | No records. | No records. | The species seems to prefer the impoundments at Pea Island NWR, at least formerly the large tidal po... | * | 2018-11-06 | ||
American Avocet | Recurvirostra americana | Over most of the world, various species of stilts (genus Himantopus) and avocets (genus Re... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | S1N | G5 | Winter resident and migrant, coastally; accidental breeder, along the coast. Fairly common to commo... | Transient. Very rare fall migrant, and accidental/casual spring migrant, with most records from lar... | Transient. Very rare southbound migrant in summer and fall, with seven known records: 1, Cashiers (... | The only reliable spots are the impoundments at Pea Island NWR and adjacent Bodie Island. At least ... | *** | 2018-11-06 | ||
Limpkin | Aramus guarauna | The Limpkin breeds locally over much of the Neotropics, ranging north to Florida. Within this wide ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Casual to very rare (five records), all in the southern Coastal Plain. One seen along the Waccamaw ... | One record -- an individual was seen and photographed in coves in northern Lake Norman in Catawba... | No records. | Your best hope of finding one in NC would be to paddle along a blackwater river in the southern Coas... | 1/2 * | 2018-11-06 | ||
White-winged Dove | Zenaida asiatica | The White-winged Dove is a common and well-known migratory game bird from Texas west to Arizona. Ho... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Transient, and accidental to casual breeder, mainly coastally. Formerly, a very rare to rare fall m... | Casual visitor; seven published records, scattered over the region. Most are of single individuals ... | No records. | Driving around Beaufort might yield a White-winged Dove. | ** | 2018-11-06 | ||
Gadwall | Mareca strepera | Though not one of our more abundant ducks, the Gadwall is one of the few that nests in some numbers ... | Breeder | Definitive | S2B,S4N | G5 | Uncommon to locally fairly common breeding summer resident along and near the northern and central c... | Winter resident. Uncommon in most areas, but locally fairly common; generally late Oct to early Apr... | Winter visitor. Rare, in low elevations (mainly below 2,500 feet). Very rare at higher elevations. ... | The coastal NWR's are good for finding nearly all of the dabbling ducks, including the Gadwall. A d... | **** | 2018-11-06 | ||
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 75 records. Very rare to rare in winter along ... | Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with only about 14 records. Casual to very rare visitor, mai... | 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. | * | 2018-06-11 | ||
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... | **** | 2018-06-11 | ||
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 ... | **** | 2018-06-11 | ||
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, rare to uncommon along the western border, but generall... | 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... | *** | 2018-06-11 | ||
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... | **** | 2018-06-11 | ||
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; some published records are certainly of mid-identifications. ... | Scarce transient. Very rare in southern mountain valleys, and casual in the northern half of the pr... | Arrangements to access Open Ground Farms have always been tricky, and this is not a good option. Re... | * to ** | 2018-06-11 | ||
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 | Casual to (formerly) very rare winter visitor; sadly, the last record was in 1994, except for a sing... | Casual to very rare winter visitor. There are about 9 records, with four birds over-wintering. Rec... | No records. | Your first Bullock's Oriole will likely be seen at someone's feeder. | 1/2* | 2018-06-11 | ||
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... | *** | 2018-06-11 | |
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... | *** | 2018-06-11 | ||
White-eyed Vireo | Vireo griseus | The White-eyed Vireo breeds over the southeastern part of the United States, and it winters in parts... | Breeder | Definitive | S5B,S1N | G5 | Summer resident throughout, and scarce winter resident near the coast. In summer, common essentiall... | Summer resident, with some migratory movements; strays into early winter. In the breeding season, c... | Summer resident. Fairly common in lower elevations (below 2,500 feet), and uncommon to about 4,000 ... | A morning of birding in most parks, refuges, and other preserves in the Coastal Plain will yield the... | **** | 2018-06-11 | ||
Red-cockaded Woodpecker | Dryobates borealis | Few birds in the state, and in the Southeast, have declined as strongly over the past 50 or more yea... | Breeder | Definitive | E | E | S2 | G3 | Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Formerly over nearly the entire province, except absent along bar... | Former permanent resident. The species was present in very small numbers as a permanent resident in ... | No records. | The species is quite local, and because it is very habitat-specific, it can be targeted easily at pl... | *** | 2018-06-11 |
Snowy Owl | Bubo scandiacus | Arguably one of the most spectacular birds in North America, the Snowy Owl is, unfortunately, seldom... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | 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. Needless t... | 1/2* | 2018-06-11 | ||
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 | SXB,S1N | G5 | Migrant and winter visitor. Rare in the vicinity of lakes Mattamuskeet and Pungo and at Alligator R... | Scarce migrant; about 27 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 --... | * | 2018-06-11 | |
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 30 reports. Very rare, with a concentration of records in the Raleigh... | Winter visitor, with at least 17 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 ** | 2018-06-11 | ||
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... | * | 2018-06-11 | ||
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 | S3B,S4N | G4 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements; breeding. Common to very common, though local, breede... | Very rare visitor. At least 15 reports, mostly at large reservoirs (about one-half of these from Fa... | Accidental/casual. Three reports (all single birds); Waynesville, 6 Aug 1979; Lake Junaluska (Ha... | None needed; easily found along and near coastal areas. | **** | 2018-06-11 | |
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... | *** | 2018-06-11 | ||
Sooty Shearwater | Ardenna grisea | The Sooty Shearwater is one of the most abundant birds in the world, as it occurs nearly worldwide, ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Offshore visitor, though frequently seen from shore, especially at Cape Hatteras Point and elsewhere... | Accidental visitor; one record, one seen at Falls Lake (Wake/Durham) after Hurricane Fran, 6 ... | Accidental visitor; one record, a specimen found at Twin Oaks, Alleghany, Aug 1939 (Auk 65:14... | To find this species, you must make a conscious effort to look for it within its one-month window. ... | ** to *** | 2018-06-11 | ||
Black-capped Petrel | Pterodroma hasitata | The Black-capped Petrel is, by far, the most often seen of the gadfly petrels (genus Pterodroma | Nonbreeder | Definitive | FSC | S1N | G1 | Offshore visitor (at all seasons). Generally fairly common to often common in the Gulf Stream, at l... | Accidental: 1, Jordan Lake, 6-7 Sep 1996 (during and after Hurricane Fran) (Nat. Audubon Soc. Field ... | No records. | This is an easy bird if you take a pelagic trip that goes into the deeper waters of the Gulf Stream.... | *** to **** | 2018-06-11 | |
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... | ** | 2018-06-09 | ||
Iceland Gull | Larus glaucoides | The Iceland Gull is one of the more subtly "beautiful" of the gulls, it being somewhat dainty, thoug... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor, essentially coastal, with a preponderance of records from Cape Hatteras and offshore... | Winter visitor; very rare, primarily to the eastern edge of the province.
Kumlien's: Very rare... | No records. | To find Iceland Gulls (both taxa), you must have patience and some knowledge of gull identification,... | * to ** | 2018-06-09 | ||
Black-legged Kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | Of the remarkable 19 species of gulls on the North Carolina list (though two are only Provisional), ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S1N | G5 | Winter resident offshore; clearly declining. From the late 1990's to about 2005, generally fairly c... | Accidental: an immature was seen and photographed at Beaverdam Reservoir (Wake) on 29 Nov 201... | 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% ... | ** | 2018-06-09 | ||
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. Formerly very rare, but now (2018) uncommon and... | No records. | No records. | Take a pelagic trip out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets in winter. In recent winters, several trips usu... | ** | 2018-06-09 | ||
Razorbill | Alca torda | By far the most numerous alcid in North Carolina waters is the Razorbill. In some recent winters, h... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | S2N | G5 | Winter visitor offshore and coastally, increasing. Formerly (prior to 1995) rare along the coast, b... | No records. | No records. | The Razorbill is now seldom missed on winter pelagic trips, but on some trips the birds are infreque... | *** | 2018-06-09 | ||
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. Ve... | No records. | No records. | You will just have to luck into one along the coast in winter, though a more careful observer who sc... | 1/2* to * | 2018-06-09 | ||
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 winter visitor offshore and along the coast; now (2018) very rare off Oregon Inlet and C... | No records. | No records. | The increase in sightings in the past decade is gratifying for pelagic birders, but whether this sig... | 1/2 * to * | 2018-06-09 | ||
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 each winter on these trips, with ... | ** | 2018-06-09 | ||
American Woodcock | Scolopax minor | The American Woodcock is one of just seven shorebird species that regularly breeds in North Carolina... | Breeder | Definitive | S4B,S4N | G5 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements, over most of the province, though poorly known as a br... | Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Generally uncommon all year over most of the province... | Primarily a summer resident and transient; scarce in winter. Uncommon as a breeder over most of the... | As woodcocks are crepuscular and nocturnal in their feeding and calling habits, they are not often e... | ** | 2018-06-09 | ||
Hudsonian Godwit | Limosa haemastica | The Hudsonian Godwit has an unusual migration pattern. It migrates from its central and southern So... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SZ | G4 | Transient. Casual in spring, at Bodie/Pea Islands only; uncommon in fall at Bodie/Pea Islands; rare... | Casual fall transient (only in the eastern portion), with four records: 1, Falls Lake, 21-23 Aug 199... | Accidental fall transient; two records -- 3 at Hooper Lane (Henderson), 8 Sep 2004* (after Tr... | Look for them in Sep and Oct, especially after periods of strong NE winds. North Pond at Pea Island... | ** | 2018-06-09 | ||
Broad-billed Hummingbird | Cynanthus latirostris | A number of hummingbird species breed essentially or primarily in the United States only in Arizona.... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | SA | G5 | Casual summer and fall/visitor, lingering into winter. A male was seen in the Fairfield Harbour are... | No records. | No records. | 1/2 * | 2018-06-09 |