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