Birds of North Carolina

comName	sciName	species_account	breeding_status	list_type	state_status	fed_status	S_rank	G_rank	coastal_plain	piedmont	mountain	tips	tips_code	update_on
The 100 most recent account entries/updates.
Scopoli's Shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	The Scopoli's Shearwater was split off from Cory's Shearwater by the AOS (formerly AOU) in 2024; it ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	GNR	Offshore visitor, being uncommon to at times common in the warmer months, from May into Oct, and per...	No records.	No records.	You will want or need to take an organized pelagic trip to see this, as photographs might be require...	**	2024-07-20
Redpoll	Acanthis flammea	The Redpoll is still another "winter finch", one of the several very rare ones -- along with White-w...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Sporadic winter visitor. Very rare along the northern coast (including the adjacent mainland and Ro...	Sporadic winter visitor. Very rare in the northern half of the province, and casual in the southern...	Sporadic winter visitor. Very rare, with only about 14 reports, almost all falling between 27 Dec an...	The species is too rare and erratic to search for, and thus more than likely you will need to wait f...	*	2024-07-19
Northern House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	Northern House Wrens breed from coast to coast across the United States and southern Canada, though ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Winter resident, transient, and sparse and local summer resident. As a summer resident, uncommon in...	Summer resident, transient, and winter visitor/resident. Breeds across the entire province, but fai...	Summer resident, transient, and sparse in winter. Breeds across the region; fairly common over most...	Normally not hard to find in summer in most residential areas in cities and towns in the mountains a...	* to **	2024-07-19
American Barn Owl	Tyto alba	The American Barn Owl is a completely nocturnal feeder; thus, its presence in a given area can be di...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; noticeably declining (since around 1970). Along the c...	Permanent resident, probably with migratory movements; certainly declining. Rare to locally uncommo...	Permanent resident, likely with migratory movements; presumed declining. Rare in valleys in the sou...	American Barn Owls must be searched for intentionally. You are not likely to stumble upon them in g...	*	2024-07-19
Yellow-crowned Night Heron	Nyctanassa violacea	Though the Yellow-crowned Night Heron can be somewhat nocturnal, it frequently forages during the da...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Summer resident and transient. Generally uncommon along most of the coast, but fairly common at lea...	Transient, post-breeding visitor, and sparse breeder. Rare and local throughout, and no records for...	Transient. Very rare, and only in the lower mountains, mostly from Henderson; nearly all rec...	Areas where they can be seen somewhat regularly are the Twin Lakes ponds on the mainland part of Sun...	**	2024-07-19
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	The Black-crowned Night Heron is our only truly nocturnal waterbird. Birds roost in thickets, usual...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident coastally, and a transient inland. Along the coast, fairly common to locally com...	Transient and post-breeding visitor; accidental breeder (in 2022-23). Rare and secretive, mostly in...	Transient and post-breeding visitor. Rare, with close to 30 records, at low elevations in the south...	This species is usually found along the coast at any season, but you might need to wait around tidal...	***	2024-07-19
Western Cattle-Egret	Ardea ibis	This formerly Old World species has a most unusual history in the New World. "Cattle Egrets" appare...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Summer resident and transient, and straggler in winter, but generally absent by late winter. Fairly...	Transient and post-breeding visitor; records declining in recent years. Rare in the eastern countie...	Transient, at low (to rarely middle) elevations. Very rare, mainly early Apr to early Jul; casual t...	Unlike other waders, the Western Cattle-Egret is seen mostly in pastures, but it may be seen in lawn...	***	2024-07-19
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...	**	2024-07-19
Sargasso Shearwater	Puffinus lherminieri	The Sargasso Shearwater, called Audubon's Shearwater until 2024, is the smallest shearwater in our w...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G4G5	Offshore visitor in the Gulf Stream. Generally common, mainly from mid-May to at least mid-Oct; pea...	Accidental visitor. A single record: one seen at Jordan Lake, after Hurricane Fran, 6-7 Sep 1996 (Na...	No records.	This species is nearly a gimme on pelagic trips into the Gulf Stream in Jun, Jul, Aug, and Sep. Sma...	****	2024-07-19
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			S4B	G5	Transient, and very sparse and local breeder mostly near the coast; expanding its range in recent ye...	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...	****	2024-06-03
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 15 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.	****	2024-05-15
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 **	2024-05-15
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 about 100 records. Very rare to rare in winter along th...	Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with about 40 records. Very rare visitor, mainly from early ...	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. A handful are now occurring ...	* to **	2024-05-15
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...	****	2024-05-15
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 **	2024-05-15
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...	****	2024-05-15
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 ...	****	2024-05-15
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...	**	2024-05-14
Tennessee Warbler	Leiothlypis peregrina	In 2010, the American Ornithologists' Union moved several warblers out of the genus Vermivora...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. In spring, very rare in the region (about 12 reports -- 3 in 2021). In fall, generally ...	Transient. In spring, very rare to rare in the eastern portion, and rare farther west. In fall, fa...	Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon, mainly in valleys and elsewhere below about 3,500 feet. In...	The species is difficult to miss on a day of birding in the mountains during much of September, such...	* to **	2024-05-14
Northern Waterthrush	Parkesia noveboracensis	The Northern Waterthrush is one of the few warblers that nests from coast to coast, though this rang...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and a very sparse early winter straggler. In spring, generally uncommon in the western ha...	Transient. Uncommon to fairly common essentially across the entire region, in both spring and fall;...	Transient. Mostly uncommon, at lower to middle elevations; presumably quite scarce over about 4,500...	If you bird in suitable damp wooded areas over a several-day period in early May, or in Sep, you sta...	**	2024-05-14
Worm-eating Warbler	Helmitheros vermivorum	The Worm-eating Warbler is not one of better known warblers in North America. It is really not comm...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, uncommon to locally fairly common in the eastern 60% of ...	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, uncommon to locally fairly common in most foothill range...	Summer resident. Uncommon to often fairly common (and not obviously local) below about 3,500 feet; ...	The species should be heard, and hopefully seen, by driving roads through Alligator River NWR, the b...	***	2024-05-14
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla	The Ovenbird recently "lost" its two nearest relatives -- the Louisiana and Northern waterthrushes -...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S1N	G5	Summer resident, and sparse winter visitor/resident. In summer, generally common over the northwest...	Summer resident. Common over the region as a whole. Reasonably widespread, and common also in foot...	Summer resident. Common at low to middle elevations, to about 4,000 feet, and fairly common to abou...	None needed; easily heard in a morning of birding in most areas of the state in May and Jun.	****	2024-05-14
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula	The male Baltimore Oriole is one of the more beautiful birds in North America, nesting over the nort...	Breeder	Definitive			S3B,S3N	G5	Transient, and scarce winter resident. In winter, numerically rare to very uncommon; however, in to...	Transient, scarce winter resident, and very scarce and local summer resident. In summer, very rare ...	Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In summer, uncommon to fairly common, at leas...	The species should be found in summer by driving along roads that parallel the New River, or South F...	***	2024-05-14
Bullock's Oriole	Icterus bullockii	The Bullock's Oriole is the western counterpart to the Baltimore Oriole. Originally classified as s...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare winter visitor; most records prior to 2010; however, there were four records during the 20...	Very rare winter visitor. There are about 16 records, with 8-9 birds over-wintering. Records are s...	No records.	Your first Bullock's Oriole will likely be seen at someone's feeder.	*	2024-05-14
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	The Vesper Sparrow, a species in its own genus, has a wide breeding range, from the Western states e...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2B,S2N	G5	Winter resident and transient; strongly declining. In winter, formerly fairly common in the souther...	Transient, and sparse and local winter resident; strongly declining. In winter, rare to very uncomm...	Summer resident and transient; declining in migration. In summer, uncommon and very local, mainly o...	Breeding birds are usually well away from roads and require some hiking to reach, such as at Pond Mo...	to *	2024-05-14
Harris's Sparrow	Zonotrichia querula	This largest of all sparrows has a rather narrow migration route, from its northwestern Canada borea...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual (only in recent years) near the coast, in migration. One adult was seen at Cape Lookout (...	Casual. One immature was found at Beaverdam Reservoir (Wake) on 21 Nov 1976 (Chat 42:60); on...	Casual. One immature male was collected in the Mills River Valley (Buncombe) on 13 Mar 1933 ...		1/2*	2024-05-14
Clay-colored Sparrow	Spizella pallida	The Clay-colored Sparrow was primarily a "Western"/Midwestern" species until a few decades ago. How...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and sparse winter resident, mainly near the coast. In fall, rare to uncommon along the c...	Transient, essentially in fall and winter. Very rare in fall and winter (about 21 records in fall a...	Transient. Very rare in fall, winter, and spring, nearly all records in low elevations in the south...	Your best bet is probably Fort Fisher in Sep and Oct. A few were being seen semi-regularly in winte...	* to **	2024-05-14
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, though an upturn...	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....	*	2024-05-14
Lapland Longspur	Calcarius lapponicus	This is the only one of the four species of longspur that is not of accidental occurrence in the sta...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter visitor, and possibly winter resident (regular from winter to winter) in a few areas. Rare to...	Winter visitor. Very rare to rare across the region, with no regular wintering sites. Certainly oc...	Winter visitor. Very rare, essentially in lower elevations in wide valleys, though four were seen a...	Though a scarce bird in the state, a diligent birder can at times find the species over a several-da...	* to **	2024-05-14
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...	*	2024-05-14
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	One record. One was photographed at Airlie Gardens (New Hanover) on 3 Feb 2024 (Chat 88:43);...	Casual; five records. An adult female was seen on three dates between 19 and 29 Dec 2005 near Hills...	Accidental. An adult male was photographed in Fletcher (Henderson) on 1 Feb 2010* (Chat 74:6...		1/2*	2024-05-14
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 ...	***	2024-05-14
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	Polioptila caerulea	The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is the only member of its small family found in the eastern half of the co...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S2N	G5	Summer resident regionwide, and a sparse winter resident in part of the region. Common (to locally ...	Summer resident, with stragglers into winter. In summer, generally common to at least locally very ...	Summer resident. Fairly common in lower elevations, at least in broad valleys below 2,500 feet; unc...	None needed.	****	2024-05-14
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...	***	2024-05-14
Fish Crow	Corvus ossifragus	Unlike the American Crow, the Fish Crow is poorly known to the layman -- "There are two kinds of cro...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident over most of the area, with migratory movements. Generally, common to locally ve...	Summer resident, remaining into late fall, and sparingly winters in the eastern portions; still slow...	Sparse migrant/stray; recent arrival, since 2006. Five records for low elevations in the southern m...	Easy to find, and not local, in the breeding season, in most of the Coastal Plain, especially around...	****	2024-05-14
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...	***	2024-05-14
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...	****	2024-05-14
Western Flycatcher	Empidonax difficilis	There are four state records of this species of western North America. Several dozen years ago, the...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA		One record (see above), currently being reviewed by the NC BRC.	Three records (see above), with the first two accepted by the NC BRC. The third has yet to be review...	No records.		1/2*	2024-05-13
Ash-throated Flycatcher	Myiarchus cinerascens	The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a Western species, breeding from southern Washington to Texas. Like ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Greatly increasing in late fall and winter near the coast; late autumn migrant/visitor, with birds a...	Casual to perhaps now very rare stray/visitor. Two sight reports are from the Raleigh area: one on ...	Accidental. One videotaped in Henderson on 28 Oct 1999 is the only record for the mountains....	There have now been numerous recent records at Alligator River NWR, and somewhat fewer near Pungo La...	* to **	2024-05-13
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...	**	2024-05-13
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	The Short-eared Owl is the owl species most likely to be seen flying about in daylight hours, as a f...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive	W		SUB,S3N	G5	Winter resident, and probable accidental/casual breeder. In winter, uncommon (to sporadically and l...	Winter visitor. Very rare to rare, mainly from early Nov to late Mar; a preponderance of records we...	Winter visitor. Very rare in the southern mountains, with nine records, six from Hooper Lane in ...	A good technique for locating likely spots for Short-eareds is to find marshes or grasslands th...	**	2024-05-13
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	This very large and powerful raptor -- the largest in the state -- has always had a mysterious prese...	Former Probable Breeder	Definitive	SR		SUB,S1N	G5	Migrant and winter visitor. Rare in the vicinity of lakes Mattamuskeet and Pungo and at Alligator R...	Scarce migrant; about 29 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 --...	*	2024-05-13
Roseate Spoonbill	Platalea ajaja	Hardly any bird is more easily identified than the Roseate Spoonbill. This tropical breeder nests no...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Post-breeding visitor and stray, mostly to the coast; greatly increasing in recent years. Now rare ...	Formerly accidental to casual, but now very rare to rare and increasing, post-breeding visitor, with...	Casual post-breeding visitor, with all records from 2018 (Chat 82:112). Singles were seen on the Fr...	Increasing annually now, and can now be tracked down to see, as some have lingered for a while, espe...	* to **	2024-05-13
Least Bittern	Botaurus exilis	The Least Bittern is just as shy as its larger cousin, the American Bittern, but because it is much ...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2S3B	G5	Summer resident and migrant; a handful of winter records. Occurs nearly throughout the Tidewater an...	Transient and scarce summer resident. Rare (and easily overlooked) transient, and rare and local br...	Casual to very rare transient, and perhaps has nested on rare occasions in the Hendersonville area. ...	Most of the better sites are difficult for birders to reach. It is reportedly common as a breeder a...	**	2024-05-13
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 27 reports, mostly at large reservoirs (about one-third of these from F...	Accidental/casual. Four reports (all single birds); Waynesville, 6 Aug 1979; Lake Junaluska (Hay...	None needed; easily found along and near coastal areas.	****	2024-05-13
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...	***	2024-05-13
Anhinga	Anhinga anhinga	The Anhinga is still another of the Pelicaniform species that has increased noticeably in the state ...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Breeding summer resident, increasing. Nests at least locally, scattered over most of the province, e...	Nonbreeding migrant/visitor; increasing. Casual but likely increasing breeder (or probable breeder) ...	Casual visitor. One was seen from a hawk watch at Mount Pisgah (Buncombe), 21 Sep 2003; one ...	The spillway at Orton Pond is probably the best site in the state. Birds can also be seen at Orton ...	***	2024-05-13
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana	The Wood Stork is probably the most significant wader in the state, because it is a Federally listed...	Breeder	Definitive	T	T	S1B,S1N	G4	Summer resident and post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing; rare straggler in winter, though perh...	Post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing. Formerly very rare to now locally rare, mainly from Jun ...	Post-breeding visitor; very rare to now rare in the southern and central mountains, with about 15 re...	The species can almost always be found around the margins of the two freshwater ponds at Twin Lakes,...	* to **	2024-05-13
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...	****	2024-05-13
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Larus fuscus	Hardly any other gull species' status in North Carolina has changed as rapidly over the last 20-30 y...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter visitor/resident, greatly increasing in recent years. Formerly (prior to about 1990), rare a...	Winter visitor/resident. Rare to locally uncommon, but greatly increasing, at large lakes and landf...	Casual. The only records are a first-year bird photographed at the Hooper Lane Sod Farms (Hender...	This species is easy to find in the large gull flocks that congregate at Cape Hatteras Point from la...	* to **	2024-05-13
California Gull	Larus californicus	Despite this being a very common to locally abundant nesting bird in the Canadian and United States ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor along the coast, with most records from Cape Hatteras Point. Typically occurs as sin...	Accidental. The only record is of an adult seen at the Raleigh landfill on 22 Jan 2005* (Chat 69:80...	No records.	To see this species in the state, one should be in an ORV at Cape Hatteras Point in winter, carefull...	*	2024-05-13
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, now close to 20 records. Accidental in spring, with the only record being of one...	Very rare visitor to the southern portion of the province. Nine records: 1 at Hooper Lane (Hender...	The species is too rare to intentionally search for. However, birders should be aware of the specie...	*	2024-05-13
Little Gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	Like the Black-headed Gull, the Little Gull is essentially an Old World species, though in the past ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially only along the coast and in near offshore waters. From Hatteras Inlet n...	Casual to now very rare winter visitor. Single birds noted at Jordan Lake: an immature seen from 5-...	No records.	This species is reliably found among the large flocks of Bonaparte's Gulls along the northern half o...	**	2024-05-13
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...	Very rare winter visitor; nine records. One adult seen in a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls at Jordan La...	No records.	Individuals may hang around a coastal site for a week or more and thus can be chased with some chanc...	* to **	2024-05-13
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...	**	2024-05-11
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...	*	2024-05-11
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...	**	2024-05-11
Dovekie	Alle alle	The Dovekie is, by far, the smallest of the six species of Atlantic alcids. It is one of three -- a...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Mostly an offshore winter visitor, quite erratic from winter to winter and month to month. There wer...	Accidental. One record, during the memorable late 1950 flight, is from Raleigh on 7 or 8 Dec (1950) ...	No records.	To try to see the species in NC, you should sign up for a pelagic trip, preferably in Feb, to the co...	**	2024-05-11
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...	**	2024-05-11
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 20 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 could formerly be found with some regularity only at the Pea and Bodie island ponds; now...	* to **	2024-05-09
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	As the name implies, the Lesser Yellowlegs is very similar to the larger Greater Yellowlegs, and its...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Transient and winter resident. Locally common (to at times very common or abundant) migrant along t...	Transient. Uncommon to locally fairly common in spring and fall, slightly more numerous in fall (wh...	Transient. Rare to locally uncommon in spring; seemingly rare in most areas in fall. Definitely mo...	The species is easily found at impoundments and other fresh water pools and flats near the coas at l...	****	2024-05-09
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...	***	2024-05-09
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 *	2024-05-09
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 10+ fall reports, all from the coast, plus one in winter. T...	No records.	No records.	As the species has been seen now for at least six consecutive falls (2016-21) at the eastern end of ...	*	2024-05-09
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	Over most of the state, the Killdeer is the most familiar and often seen shorebird, it being found i...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Breeding permanent resident, with migratory movements. Along the coast, mostly uncommon as a breede...	Breeding permanent resident, with migratory movements; increasing, at least slowly. Fairly common i...	Breeding permanent resident, with migratory movements. Fairly common in the breeding season, at lea...	This widespread species should not be hard to find around ponds, extensive lawns, or large plowed fi...	* to **	2024-05-09
Pacific Golden-Plover	Pluvialis fulva	One of the more remarkable shorebird records for the state was the discovery of a Pacific Golden-Plo...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Six or seven records, nearly all presumably of the same individual (see above) seen annually from 20...	No records.	No records.	Nearly all records have come in late summer or early fall from the sand and mud flats around the Sal...	1/2*	2024-05-09
Black-necked Stilt	Himantopus mexicanus	The Black-necked Stilt is one of the most unmistakable birds occurring in North Carolina, resembling...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Summer resident and sparse migrant along the coast and in the Tidewater zone; casual to very rare in...	Casual migrant or stray, mainly in late spring; 10 records. One was seen in Franklin on 5 Ju...	Accidental, with two records. One was seen at Hooper Lane (Henderson) on 25 Sep 2004, presum...	The best -- at least most accessible -- places to see this species are the impoundments at Pea Islan...	***	2024-05-09
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...	There are typically one to several records in recent years from large fields in the lower Coastal Pl...	**	2024-05-09
Limpkin	Aramus guarauna	The Limpkin breeds locally over much of the Neotropics, ranging north to Florida, and a few are now ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual to now very rare (eight records), nearly all in the southern Coastal Plain. One seen along t...	Greatly increasing post-breeding(?) visitor, though still very rare to rare; now (2024) close to 25 ...	Very rare visitor, increasing. Five reports: One was seen and photographed at Owen Park in Ashevil...	Your best hope of finding one in NC by chance would be to paddle along a blackwater river in the sou...	*	2024-05-09
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. As a...	Mostly a transient, but scattered summer and winter records, where status at these two seasons is un...	Poorly known transient (about 19 reports), with two known breeding records, and several reports of p...	The descending grunting call is easily heard in migration and winter in tidewater marshes, especiall...	***	2024-05-09
King Rail	Rallus elegans	Slightly larger than the Clapper Rail, and the freshwater/inland counterpart of that species, the Ki...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S3N	G4	Permanent resident near the coast, with migratory movements; status farther inland poorly understood...	Poorly known, but transient and local summer resident (at least formerly, when there were scattered ...	Accidental stray/migrant. Two records: one, downtown Asheville (grounded migrant), 25 Apr 2002; and...	This species is somewhat local, and because freshwater marshes are spottily located in some areas of...	**	2024-05-09
Rufous Hummingbird	Selasphorus rufus	The Rufous Hummingbird is the state's second-most numerous hummingbird, and though it breeds in the ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Transient and winter visitor. Very rare along the coast and in the Tidewater zone, mainly at feeders...	Transient and winter visitor. Very rare to rare (essentially only at feeders) across the province, ...	Fall transient and winter visitor, but primary in the fall season. Very rare to now rare, and mainl...	One has a reasonable chance to see one during the year, but only by visiting a feeder with a known b...	* to **	2024-05-09
Eurasian Collared-Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	The Eurasian Collared-Dove is the latest of the relatively few species (along with Rock Pigeon, Euro...	Breeder; Introduced	Definitive			SE	G5	Breeding, permanent resident; nonmigratory though possibly nomadic; increasing. Locally uncommon to...	Breeding permanent resident, but mainly in the southern and western Piedmont. Surprisingly scarce in...	Scarce and poorly documented breeding permanent resident in low elevations. Relatively few records,...	Not hard to find by driving around side streets of Morehead City, Beaufort, and Harkers Island -- al...	***	2024-05-09
Horned Grebe	Podiceps auritus	Of our waterbirds, the Horned Grebe has showed one of the more alarming declines over the past few d...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident and migrant. Generally uncommon to fairly common, along the coast and in the Tidewat...	Winter resident and migrant. Uncommon and local, to locally common, mainly on the larger lakes -- e...	Winter visitor and migrant. Does not winter regularly in the region. Rare to occasionally and briefl...	The Horned Grebe can now be missed on a day of birding along the coast in winter, though there are u...	***	2024-05-09
Harlequin Duck	Histrionicus histrionicus	The Harlequin Duck is the third of the three "jetty/pier" sea ducks (along with the two eiders) that...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Rare winter visitor along the immediate coast, and very rare in estuarine waters of bays and sounds....	Accidental; a single record, an immature male seen at Lake Brandt (Guilford) on 18 Feb 2007*,...	No records.	The finding tips are essentially the same as for eiders. Look especially under the southern end of ...	*	2024-05-09
Greater Scaup	Aythya marila	Of our regular wintering waterfowl, the range and abundance of the Greater Scaup is more difficult t...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S2N	G5	Winter visitor/resident. Uncommon along the northern half of the coast and in Tidewater; rare to un...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare over most of the province, occurring almost solely on large lake...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare in the southern mountains, from Buncombe southward. Casua...	This can be a difficult bird to find and identify. Nowhere does it occur in NC in any numbers, and ...	to *	2024-05-09
Redhead	Aythya americana	As with the Canvasback, the Redhead had suffered continental population declines in recent decades, ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident. Generally uncommon along the northern coast and in the Tidewater area, south to Co...	Winter visitor/resident. Rare to locally uncommon, mostly in the eastern portion of the province. G...	Winter visitor; rare to locally uncommon, essentially at lower elevations (below 3,000 feet). Mainly...	One or two dense flocks winter on South Pond, New Field, and/or North Pond at Pea Island, and thus t...	* to **	2024-05-08
Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	The Canvasback has experienced continental population declines for several decades. It was formerly...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident; declining. Uncommon to locally fairly common, mainly along the northern coast and ...	Winter visitor/resident; declining. Rare to briefly locally uncommon, most numerous along the north...	Very rare to rare winter visitor, with only about 17 records, nearly all from the southern mountains...	This species can be somewhat difficult to find in most areas. Formerly, it could usually be seen fr...	to *	2024-05-08
Northern Shoveler	Spatula clypeata	The Northern Shoveler is one of the few species of waterfowl that has clearly increased in the state...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident; increasing. Generally fairly common, but locally common to very common, along the ...	Locally uncommon fall and spring migrant, most frequent in Mar. Rare to locally uncommon in midwint...	Rare spring and fall migrant, and very rare winter visitor, mainly in lower elevations. Late Oct to...	It is easily found at most coastal NWR's, such as Mattamuskeet and Pea Island. You should be able t...	****	2024-05-08
Trumpeter Swan	Cygnus buccinator	This relatively rare swan of the northwestern United States and western Canada formerly nested as fa...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Now a very rare (but increasing) winter visitor, but primarily just to the Pungo and Mattamuskeet re...	Casual to very rare visitor in recent years. Two accepted records -- an immature was seen and photog...	One report -- one seen and photographed on the French Broad River near Alexander (Buncombe), ...	Your best hope to see a Trumpeter Swan is to search through large flocks of Tundra Swans, such as in...	*	2024-05-08
Cackling Goose	Branta hutchinsii	The Cackling Goose is a rare to very locally uncommon but increasing winter resident (near the coast...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Rare to locally uncommon winter resident, to the eastern (tidewater and north coastal) portions, alm...	Formerly casual, but now a rare winter visitor to the western Piedmont, but still (oddly) very rare ...	Very rare winter visitor (but nearly all in the southern counties). At least 8 reports: Lake Junalu...	Look for this species in fields at Pungo refuge, at Lake Mattamuskeet or in nearby fields, or at Pea...	**	2024-05-08
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 44 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 **	2024-05-08
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 55 records. Scattered ...	Winter visitor. Rare, but greatly increasing, in the southern counties, with about 46 records. All...	In the past few winters, the species has been seen, generally with Snow Geese, in fields near Pungo ...	**	2024-05-08
Red-footed Booby	Sula sula	This Tropical waterbird, found in the warmer portions of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, had b...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	One record (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2024-05-08
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...	**	2024-02-11
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 nine to ten published reports. Four have been reviewed and acce...	No records.	The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <...		1/2*	2024-02-11
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...	****	2024-02-11
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....	***	2024-02-11
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 ...	***	2024-02-11
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, 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...	***	2024-02-11
Western Meadowlark	Sturnella neglecta	Accidental. There are two accepted state records of singing Western Meadowlarks: one at Pea Island ...	Nonbreeder	Provisional			SA	G5	One record (see above).	One record (see above).	One pending record (see above).		1/2*	2024-02-11
Henslow's Sparrow	Centronyx henslowii	The Henslow's Sparrow has always been one of the rarest sparrows in North America, and being a grass...	Breeder	Definitive	E		S1B,S1N	G4	Summer resident, and winter resident, over parts of the region; strongly declining. In summer, stil...	Spring transient and former breeder; strongly declining. Currently, casual to very rare spring migra...	Transient, and possible former breeder; strongly declining. Casual to very rare in spring; mainly A...	The species can still be found at VOA site A, mostly in the eastern half of the site. Birds can be h...	to *	2024-02-11
Nelson's Sparrow	Ammospiza nelsoni	In 1995, the Sharp-tailed Sparrow was split into two species, instead of a potential three species. ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident coastally, and transient inland. In winter, fairly common to common along the south...	Transient, scarce. Very rare fall migrant, with the few records between 10 Sep and 14 Oct, with the...	Transient, scarce. Very rare in spring and fall. In spring, eight records -- 2 at Swannanoa, 25 May...	The species is usually easy to find, especially at high tide, in marshes at Fort Fisher near the Aqu...	***	2024-02-11
LeConte's Sparrow	Ammospiza leconteii	The LeConte's Sparrow is another secretive grassland/marsh sparrow of the central part of the contin...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1?N	G5	Winter resident, but scarce and easily overlooked. Fewer reports since about 2010, but whether that ...	Transient, and straggler into winter; scarce and poorly known. Very rare in both fall (between 23 O...	Transient, scarce. Casual, with only eight reports of single birds: in Franklin (Macon) on 1...	The only reliable spot in recent years has been at a privately-owned conservation area -- North Rive...	*	2024-02-11
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 six records), and very rare in late summer/fall (about 11 records). In...	The breeding sites are generally off-limits to birders on military reservations; thus, the best plac...	* to **	2024-02-11
Cave Swallow	Petrochelidon fulva	Hardly any bird has expanded its breeding range in the United States in recent years as has the Cave...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Fall transient, and straggler into early winter, essentially along the coast; greatly increasing in ...	Accidental to casual, with three records: a single bird seen at Troutman (Iredell) on 20 Dec ...	Accidental, if correctly identified. One was photographed and observed by several birders at Ecusta...	The best bet may be to search the catfish ponds near the Tidewater Research Station, and the adjacen...	*	2024-02-10
Purple Martin	Progne subis	Probably no bird in the United States relies on man as does the Purple Martin. Prior to man providi...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, somewhat declining. Generally common in the eastern portions -- near the coast and...	Summer resident, declining. Fairly common on the whole for the region, but in reality it is various...	Summer resident. Generally uncommon to locally fairly common at low elevations, up to about 3,000 f...	Usually easy to find on the Outer Banks in the early summer. The birds are not "miss-able" at the o...	****	2024-02-10
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...	***	2024-02-10
Bell's Vireo	Vireo bellii	Though the Bell's Vireo nests as far east as Illinois, there are relatively few records for the sout...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare along and near the coast in fall and early winter. One was briefly seen and photographed ...	Accidental, though unconfirmed for the province. There is a sight record at Zebulon (Wake) o...	Accidental. One was seen and photographed on the Warren Wilson College grounds (Buncombe) fr...	Be alert to this secretive bird in the fall near the coast, and keep a camera handy; it can be diffi...	*	2024-02-10
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; 14 records. One was seen near ...	Casual; five or six records. One was seen near Raleigh on 23 Oct 1965 (Chat 30:28), (Chat 54:56). A...	Accidental. One was photographed at Jackson Park (Henderson) on 19 Sep 2023 (Chat 88:16). T...	The bird along Howerton Road in northeastern Guilford has been present for the past two falls...	*	2024-02-10