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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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 |
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 **** | 2024-02-11 |
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 100 records. Very rare to rare in winter along... | Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with well over 30 records. Very rare visitor, mainly from ea... | Casual visitor. Only about six records, though only one since 1991. Oddly, the dates are "strangel... | You likely will see your first in the state at a feeder near the coast. | * | 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 |
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 ** | 2024-02-11 |
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 |
Snow Bunting | Plectrophenax nivalis | The Snow Bunting breeding range and abundance is remarkably similar to that of the Lapland Longspur,... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor, mainly coastally; declining in numbers in the past several decades. Rare though nea... | Very sparse winter visitor. Casual to very rare; barely 15 reports for the province. Mainly late O... | Very sparse winter visitor. Casual to very rare; about 18-19 records. Has occurred on a handful of... | If you spend a lot of time walking or driving beaches in the winter, you might find a few each year.... | * | 2024-02-11 |
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 ** | 2024-02-11 |
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 |
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... | **** | 2024-02-10 |
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 |
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... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
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 |
Gray Flycatcher | Empidonax wrightii | As with the Hammond's Flycatcher, the Gray Flycatcher is a species of the Western States, but it is ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | One record (see above). | One record (see above). | No records. | | 1/2* | 2024-02-10 |
Fork-tailed Flycatcher | Tyrannus savana | The Fork-tailed Flycatcher's normal range is in Central and South America, but it is famous for vagr... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | Five records (see above). | One record (see above). | No records. | | 1/2* | 2024-02-10 |
Tropical Kingbird | Tyrannus melancholicus | This abundant Neotropical species ranges north to extreme southern Texas and southern Arizona. Howev... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Casual stray. There are six records, four in late fall or early winter: one near Fairfield (Hyde... | No records. | No records. | When birding along and near the coast, be aware of any kingbird with yellow underparts. A few decad... | 1/2* | 2024-02-10 |
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... | * | 2024-02-10 |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | Sphyrapicus varius | The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only true migratory woodpecker species in eastern North America.... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B,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) | 2024-02-10 |
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... | * | 2024-02-10 |
Red-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus | This familiar hawk had for many decades been less numerous or less often seen than the Red-tailed Ha... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B,S5N | G5 | Permanent resident, with some migratory movements; slightly increasing. Fairly common to often comm... | Permanent resident, with barely noticeable migratory movements; increasing. Now fairly common to com... | Permanent resident and migrant. Rare to uncommon in the lower elevations, and very rare over about ... | This species is more easily heard than seen, as its "Kee-yar" call is often heard in swamps and bott... | *** to **** | 2024-02-10 |
Mississippi Kite | Ictinia mississippiensis | Mississippi Kites are a major success story in North Carolina and elsewhere in their breeding range,... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3B | G5 | Summer resident, breeding; increasing in recent decades. Occurs primarily close to brownwater river... | Increasing stray or overshooting migrant, as well as a post-breeding visitor; breeds at a few local ... | Rare migrant/visitor (increasing) in the southern mountains (about 28 records). Very rare north of <... | Visiting the Lock and Dam #1 area or the NC 11 bridge over the Cape Fear River has been consistently... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
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 28 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 --... | * | 2024-02-10 |
Swallow-tailed Kite | Elanoides forficatus | Arguably the most spectacular bird of prey in the world, especially when seen in flight, the Swallow... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Annual visitor, mainly in spring along and near the coast, and breeder at a few sites in the souther... | Very rare to rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months, surprisingly mostly to the western/... | Very rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months; about 26 records, with five coming in fall ... | Birders can usually spot one to several birds, along with some Mississippi Kites, either close to th... | ** | 2024-02-10 |
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 ** | 2024-02-10 |
Least Bittern | Ixobrychus 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... | ** | 2024-02-10 |
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 26 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. | **** | 2024-02-10 |
Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | The Great Cormorant is still another species that greatly increased in the East over the past severa... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Declining in recent years. Winter resident and visitor along the coast, but only in very small numb... | Very rare migrant and winter visitor. About 13 records, all at reservoirs in the eastern and centra... | No records. | The species is reliably seen at just a few places along the NC coast. Your best bet is at Wrightsvi... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
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. Locally co... | 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 **** | 2024-02-10 |
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... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
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 ** | 2024-02-10 |
Pacific Loon | Gavia pacifica | This Arctic breeding species winters essentially along the Pacific coast. For unknown reasons, the ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter visitor along the coast, and a winter resident (a handful of birds only) in a local area; man... | Casual. Six records: one at L. Tahoma (McDowell) on 6 May 2007, in alternate plumage (Chat 71... | Accidental. A single record: one photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on 5-6 Jan 2012* (Ch... | To look for this species, you must be prepared to carefully scrutinize loons on the ocean, with a sc... | * to ** | 2024-02-10 |
Sandwich Tern | Thalasseus sandvicensis | The Sandwich Tern is the Royal Tern's "little brother"; it always nests in flocks of Royal Terns, re... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3S4B | G5 | Summer resident (breeding) and migrant along the coast. Fairly common along the coast in summer and... | Storm-related visitor, in early fall, to large lakes and reservoirs, but only close to the Fall Line... | No records. | This tern is usually seen in a day of birding at Oregon Inlet or near the Pea Island impoundments. ... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
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... | Very rare storm-carried visitor. Eight records: one at a parking lot in Shelby on 22 Sep 1989 (after... | No records. | Your best bet, by far, is to take a pelagic trip out of Oregon or Hatteras inlets in the latter half... | * to ** | 2024-02-10 |
Common Tern | Sterna hirundo | Until about 20 years ago, the common name of this species (Common Tern) was quite appropriate in Nor... | Breeder | Definitive | E | | S2B | G5 | Summer resident (breeding) and transient along the coast, and transient inland. Fairly common to at... | Transient. Rare in spring, and rare to at times uncommon in fall, at larger lakes and reservoirs; h... | Transient. Casual in spring, and very rare in fall, at lakes in the southern mountains; about ten r... | It is still rather easily found from May into the fall along the coast, at least along the Outer Ban... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
Roseate Tern | Sterna dougallii | The Roseate Tern is one of the more elegant and graceful of the tern species, and because it is a gl... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | E | E | SHB | G4 | Transient and summer visitor coastally and offshore. In the warmer months, rare along the northern ... | No records. | No records. | The most likely spot to find this species used to be in the tern colony at Cape Hatteras Point, but ... | * | 2024-02-10 |
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... | * | 2024-02-10 |
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 to very rare; seven records. One adult seen in a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls at Jordan Lake o... | No records. | Black-headed Gulls are somewhat more likely to be found with Ring-billed Gulls than with other gulls... | * | 2024-02-10 |
Sabine's Gull | Xema sabini | The Sabine's Gull is arguably the most beautiful gull in North America, and because it nests in the ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient; essentially offshore, with a scattering of onshore records. Generally very rare in both ... | Transient, in fall migration only. Very rare, with 11 records, all but two of single individuals: a... | Accidental; two records. One at Lake Junaluska (Haywood) on 8 Sep 2004 (after Tropical Storm ... | The species is much too rare onshore to be hoped for, but taking a pelagic trip in late May or the l... | * | 2024-02-10 |
Black-legged Kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | The Black-legged Kittiwake is one of just two (along with the Sabine's) essentially pelagic gulls th... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter resident offshore; clearly declining. From the late 1990's to about 2005, generally fairly c... | Casual in late fall, with five records: an immature seen and photographed at Beaverdam Reservoir (Accidental: an immature was seen and photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on the remarkably... | If you take a pelagic trip from Cape Hatteras northward during the winter, you now have about a 50% ... | ** | 2024-02-10 | |
American Flamingo | Phoenicopterus ruber | This species is familiar to most people only from zoos, but it is an American species that breeds ma... | Nonbreeder | Provisional | | | SA | G4 | One record (see above). Any previous reports were not considered for a vote by the NC BRC or were no... | No records. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2024-02-10 |
Parasitic Jaeger | Stercorarius parasiticus | Though the Parasitic Jaeger is probably more numerous globally than the Pomarine Jaeger, in our wate... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Transient, and poorly-known winter visitor/resident, to the offshore zone and the inshore ocean. Un... | Visitor to lakes and reservoirs, mostly storm-related. Casual to very rare, with seven records: 1 a... | No records. | This species can be seen from shore almost anywhere along the coast, though Cape Lookout and Cape Ha... | ** | 2024-02-10 |
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... | ** | 2024-02-10 |
Baird's Sandpiper | Calidris bairdii | The Baird's Sandpiper is the rarest of the five non-accidental "peep" species in North Carolina, and... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient. Casual in spring, and rare to locally uncommon in fall, mainly along the coast. Three s... | Transient. Rare in fall, mainly at the larger reservoirs (when mudflats are present). Flights are e... | Transient, though essentially only in low elevation valleys in Henderson, and single records ... | In mid-autumn, the impoundments at Pea and Bodie islands, and the tidal pool at Cape Hatteras point,... | * to ** | 2024-02-10 |
Dunlin | Calidris alpina | Though a Calidris species like most other small sandpipers, the Dunlin is often not considere... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Transient, and winter resident along and near the coast. Coastally, very common to abundant migrant ... | Transient, lingering into early winter in the eastern portions. Rare spring migrant, and rare to un... | Transient. Very rare spring and very rare to rare fall migrant, at low elevations, with nearly all ... | Dunlins can hardly be missed on a birding trip to the coast in late fall or winter.
| **** | 2024-02-10 |
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. Very rare in spring, and rare in fall, mainly at large reservoirs. In spring, only in M... | Transient. Very rare in spring and fall, with all records from Henderson except for a single... | Turnstones are widespread along the coast, at least during the migrations, and are easily found, exc... | **** | 2024-02-10 |
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 ... | * | 2024-02-10 |
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 casual in spring. Three of the records surprisingly are from grass bal... | This species is not difficult to find along the coast during migration. They are most common on bar... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
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 15 records, mostly f... | Casual, with just five 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... | ** to *** | 2024-02-10 |
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 but regular in fall, along the entire coast, particularly the O... | 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 ** | 2024-02-10 |
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. Rare fall migrant, and accidental/casual spring migrant, with most records from larger r... | Transient. Very rare southbound migrant in summer and fall, with 11 known records: 1, Cashiers (... | The only reliable spots are the impoundments at Pea Island NWR and less so at the adjacent Bodie Isl... | *** | 2024-02-10 |
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 very rare (seven records), nearly all in the southern Coastal Plain. One seen along the W... | Greatly increasing post-breeding(?) visitor, though still very rare to rare; now (2023) close to 20 ... | Four reports: One was seen and photographed at Owen Park in Asheville (Buncombe) on 8 Jul 20... | Your best hope of finding one in NC by chance would be to paddle along a blackwater river in the sou... | * | 2024-02-10 |
Elegant Tern | Thalasseus elegans | This is a species of the Pacific Ocean, ranging regularly north to southern CA, and southward along ... | Nonbreeder | Provisional | | | SA | G4 | One report (see above). | No records. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2024-02-08 |
Common Gallinule | Gallinula galeata | This species is a "cousin" of the Purple Gallinule, occurring in similar freshwater ponds, though th... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S2N | G5 | Permanent resident near the coast, but with strongly migratory movements; farther inland, very local... | Scarce transient. Very rare to rare and easily overlooked transient (as birds tend to be secretive ... | Scarce transient (only about 10 records). Very rare at low elevations in the southern mountains; la... | Your best chances for seeing this species are along the southern coast, where more widespread than f... | *** | 2024-02-08 |
Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Selasphorus platycercus | Accidental. There are two state records of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird: an immature male was bande... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | No records. | Two records (see above). | No records. | | 1/2 * | 2024-02-08 |
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, and mainly at feeders... | One has a reasonable chance to see one during the year, but only by visiting a feeder with a known b... | * to ** | 2024-02-08 |
Eared Grebe | Podiceps nigricollis | The Eared Grebe also breeds, like the Red-necked and Horned grebes, in some Prairie pothole lakes an... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor and transient, and sporadic winter resident at Goldsboro. Rare but annual along the e... | Winter visitor and transient. Very rare to rare on the larger reservoirs, and very rare elsewhere; s... | Casual to very rare transient in the southern mountains. Records are of single birds at Brevard, 10 ... | It was formerly seen each fall and winter at the Goldsboro sewage ponds; however, reports have been ... | * | 2024-02-08 |
Black Scoter | Melanitta americana | The Black Scoter streams southward over the inshore ocean in Oct and Nov, and an observer can at tim... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Winter resident. Common to abundant southbound migrant over the ocean, but by Dec only a fairly com... | Transient. Rare, almost always at larger lakes/reservoirs; late Oct to mid-Dec, with only two repor... | Transient. Surprisingly scarce, being very rare, with just nine records: 1, Lake Julian (Buncomb... | The species can usually be seen from the two Pamlico Sound ferries -- Swan Quarter or Cedar Island; ... | *** | 2024-02-08 |
White-winged Scoter | Melanitta deglandi | By far the least common of the scoters along the mid-Atlantic coast, the White-winged Scoter can be ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter visitor. Uncommon and erratic (depending on the severity of the weather) along the immediate... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare, mainly to larger lakes and reservoirs; late Oct to mid-Mar, wit... | 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... | ** | 2024-02-08 |
Surf Scoter | Melanitta perspicillata | The Surf Scoter is the most common of the wintering scoters in North Carolina, though it is often ou... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Winter resident. Locally common near the northern half of the coast and the Tidewater areas, south ... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare on reservoirs and other large bodies of water; mainly mid-Oct to... | Transient. Very rare to rare, with brief stop-over time; nearly all records from the southern mount... | As with the Black Scoter, it is normally easy to find the species on the two Pamlico Sound ferries, ... | *** to **** | 2024-02-08 |
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 ... | * | 2024-02-08 |
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 winter visitor, with only about 14 records, nearly all from the southern mountains (Bun... | This species can be somewhat difficult to find in most areas. Formerly, it could usually be seen fr... | ** to *** | 2024-02-08 |
Tundra Swan | Cygnus columbianus | The only common swan in eastern North America, the Tundra Swan (formerly named the Whistling Swan) h... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Locally abundant winter resident in the northeastern quarter of the province, south to Pea Island NW... | Rare winter visitor; no regular wintering locales. Seen mainly on larger reservoirs; typically late... | Very rare winter to rare visitor; extreme dates are 8 Nov - 30 Mar. Peak counts: 12 in flight over V... | This species can often be seen by the thousands at places such as Pea Island, Bodie Island, Pungo La... | **** | 2024-02-08 |
Brant | Branta bernicla | The Brant was formerly a common to locally abundant winter visitor to the northern coastal area of t... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Winter resident along the coast. Uncommon to formerly very locally common in coastal bays. Practic... | Late fall and early winter visitor. Casual to very rare; five records, all in Nov-Dec, and all from... | No records. | Brants can occasionally be seen from shore at the western tip of Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, o... | ** | 2024-02-08 |
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 41 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 ** | 2024-02-08 |
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna autumnalis | The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a rather recent stray and visitor to the state, mostly to the co... | Sporadic Breeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Now a rare to occasionally uncommon but strongly increasing visitor to the southern coastal areas an... | Very rare but increasing; about 16 known records, though records should increase greatly over the ne... | Very rare but increasing; about 7 records as of 2023. A flock of 12 was seen and photographed at th... | The species is most likely to show up in the Twin Lakes area of Brunswick, based on closest p... | ** | 2024-02-08 |
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 sparingly near the South Carolina border at least inla... | Very rare (but increasing) visitor, scattered over the year; a few reports of males singing on terri... | Casual visitor. The only known records are one at a feeder in Asheville, 9-12 Mar 2004; a female or... | Should be easily found along the southern coast in late Apr, May, and Jun, at places such as Fort Ma... | *** to **** | 2023-10-20 |
Yellow-throated Warbler | Setophaga dominica | The Yellow-throated Warbler is a "Southern" warbler, as it breeds in the eastern United States only ... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, and sparse winter resident near the southern coast. In summer, common over most of ... | Summer resident, and very rare winter straggler. In summer, fairly common to locally common in the ... | Summer resident. Uncommon along rivers and streams at low elevations, essentially below 2,500 feet;... | The species is easily found in many parks and preserves, and Croatan National Forest, in the southea... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Pine Warbler | Setophaga pinus | The Pine Warbler is certainly the best-named warbler species, as it is almost always found in pine t... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B,S4N | G5 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Common to very common breeder across the region, bein... | Permanent resident, with migratory movements. In summer, common to very common in the eastern and so... | Summer resident, and sparse winter resident at lower elevations. In summer, fairly common in the ex... | None needed. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Magnolia Warbler | Setophaga magnolia | The Magnolia Warbler nests across most of the boreal forest zone of Canada and the northeastern stat... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon in the western portions, rare over central portions, and ver... | Transient. Mainly uncommon in spring, and fairly common in fall, over most of the province. Clearl... | Scarce summer resident (at higher elevations), and transient. In summer, rare to locally uncommon (... | It usually can be found in fall migration in the mountains, in various parks and along the Blue Ridg... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Swainson's Warbler | Limnothlypis swainsonii | The Swainson's Warbler was once considered one of the rarest of warblers in the country. This perce... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3S4B | G4 | Summer resident. Breeds over essentially all of the region, as far west as Weldon (Halifax) ... | Summer resident (sparingly), and scarce transient. In summer, uncommon and somewhat local along the... | Summer resident. Breeds along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (see Piedmont notes), mainly at the base, u... | Despite it not being common anywhere, you should be able to hear one to several in Alligator River N... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Loggerhead Shrike | Lanius ludovicianus | The Loggerhead Shrike was historically rare to absent as a breeding species in the East, but with th... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B,S3N | G4 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Nests east to about Roanoke Rapids, Washington, and W... | Permanent resident, with slightly noticeable migratory movements. Formerly (prior to about 1975) ne... | Transient and winter visitor/resident, and likely former breeder. Now a very rare transient in the ... | Your best bet is to drive secondary roads in Robeson or Scotland counties, where the s... | ** to *** | 2023-10-20 |
Black-whiskered Vireo | Vireo altiloquus | For a species that nests in the West Indies and north to the western and southern coasts of Florida,... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Now a very rare overshooting stray along and near the coast, in spring; a remarkable 14+ records so ... | No records. | No records. | If one is birding along the southern coastline in May or early June, especially on islands, it doesn... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher | Tyrannus forficatus | The beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nests in the south-central United States, primarily in Texas... | Sporadic Breeder | Definitive | W | | SAB,SZ | G5 | Transient/vagrant, both in late spring/summer and again in fall; accidental breeder. Very rare to r... | Transient/vagrant, and sporadic breeder (only three sites reported). Very rare in migration, with m... | Accidental to casual. One was photographed in Swannanoa (Buncombe) on 10 May 1984 (Chat 48:1... | Your best bet is to drive to a known nesting site. If none are available for an easy "tick", you ar... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Western Kingbird | Tyrannus verticalis | The Western Kingbird history in North Carolina is a sad one. Back in the 1960's and early 1970's, o... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Fall transient, regularly lingering into early winter; declining, at least in fall. Along the coast... | Fall stray/transient. Casual to very rare, with only 14 records. Eight of the records fall between ... | Casual. Four records: three in fall (one in Aug and two in Sep). The report of two birds in Ash... | Try driving NC 12 down the Outer Banks in fall, a day or two after a strong cold front. A bird coul... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Merlin | Falco columbarius | The Merlin is a very feisty raptor for its size, and its dashing flight chasing down shorebirds and ... | Probable breeder | Definitive | | | SAB,S3N | G5 | Transient, and winter resident in the eastern part of the region. Uncommon to fairly common fall mi... | Transient, with numerous winter reports. Rare fall and spring migrant, may be locally uncommon in f... | Transient, with some winter reports. Very rare to rare fall and spring migrant; very rare winter vi... | Your best chance to see a Merlin is to visit the coast in Oct, especially after a cold front. Birds... | ** to *** | 2023-10-20 |
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... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Broad-winged Hawk | Buteo platypterus | The Broad-winged Hawk is famous for its strongly migratory habits, as it completely leaves the Unite... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S4B | G5 | Migrant, and very scarce summer resident; declining. Rare to uncommon spring and fall migrant, over... | Summer resident and migrant, but declining in recent years. Mostly uncommon migrant (spring and fal... | Summer resident and migrant, slightly declining. In summer, uncommon to fairly common, and reasonab... | If you visit a hawk-watch site in the mountains in fall, such as Pilot Mountain, you might be able t... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Northern Harrier | Circus hudsonius | The Northern Harrier is our only regularly occurring hawk that is strictly tied to marshes and field... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B,S4N | G5 | Migrant, winter resident, and sparse breeder; somewhat declining. Rare and poorly known breeder near... | Migrant and winter visitor/resident, declining. Rare to uncommon over the entire province from mid-... | Migrant, and scarce winter visitor, probably declining. Rare spring migrant, mainly in May; very ra... | This species is usually easily found near the coast at extensive marshes or extensive fields, from O... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
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... | ** | 2023-10-20 |
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... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
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 ... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Magnificent Frigatebird | Fregata magnificens | The Magnificent Frigatebird is a common coastal bird of subtropical and tropical waters around the w... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Nonbreeding visitor, almost always in flight over the immediate coast or over estuaries; seldom seen... | Accidental/casual to the eastern edge of the province, with just three records: one seen and later p... | Accidental, and remarkably for the winter season. An adult female was photographed over Ecusta Pond... | North Carolina averages about three reports of this species per year, most often in July or August o... | * | 2023-10-20 |
Cory's Shearwater | Calonectris diomedea | The Cory's Shearwater is the largest of the shearwaters in North Carolina waters and is one of the m... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Offshore visitor, mainly to the Gulf Stream. For the combined subspecies: common and easily seen on... | No records. | No records. | This species is a gimme on pelagic trips that reach the Gulf Stream off the Outer Banks from late Ma... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
Wilson's Storm-Petrel | Oceanites oceanicus | Some authorities consider the Wilson's Storm-Petrel to be the world's most abundant seabird. Certai... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Offshore visitor to the Gulf Stream, and less so to the cooler water zones. Common to abundant from ... | Accidental to casual visitor, after hurricanes. Four records: 3 at Jordan Lake, 6 Sep 1996 (after H... | No records. | This is seldom missed on pelagic trips from May into Oct. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
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... | **** | 2023-10-20 |
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... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Least Tern | Sternula antillarum | The smallest tern in North America, the Least Tern is a familiar yet slowly declining breeding speci... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B | G4 | Breeding summer resident along the coast; declining until a few years ago, but recently has increase... | Primarily a storm-carried visitor. Very rare at reservoirs, mainly during and after hurricanes; abo... | No records. | This species is not usually missed on coastal birding trips from May through Aug, though it isn't qu... | *** | 2023-10-20 |
Heermann's Gull | Larus heermanni | The thought of a strictly West Coast gull species like Heermann's Gull showing up along the Atlantic... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G4 | Three to roughly six records (see above), all along the coast, though possibly the same adult indivi... | No records. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2023-10-20 |
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 (11 records) and fall (mostly after storms/ hurricanes), essenti... | It takes no effort whatsoever to find the species along the coast from Mar through Nov. | **** | 2023-10-20 |
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 ** | 2023-10-20 |