Birds of North Carolina

comName	sciName	species_account	breeding_status	list_type	state_status	fed_status	S_rank	G_rank	coastal_plain	piedmont	mountain	tips	tips_code	update_on
The 100 most recent account entries/updates.
Dovekie	Alle alle	The Dovekie is, by far, the smallest of the six species of Atlantic alcids. It is one of three -- a...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Mostly an offshore winter visitor, quite erratic from winter to winter and month to month. There wer...	Accidental. One record, during the memorable late 1950 flight, is from Raleigh on 7 or 8 Dec (1950) ...	No records.	To try to see the species in NC, you should sign up for a pelagic trip, preferably in Feb, to the co...	**	2024-12-12
Black Guillemot	Cepphus grylle	Of the six Atlantic alcids, the Black Guillemot was the last one to be added to the state's Definiti...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Casual winter visitor to the coast. The five accepted records are of single birds in basic plumage ...	No records.	No records.	This species is strictly coastal in winter, and it strongly favors the vicinity of jetties and piers...	1/2*	2024-12-12
Common Gull	Larus canus	In summer 2021, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) split the former Mew Gull (Larus canus) in...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual along the coast in winter. Four records: one adult seen at Cape Hatteras Point, on 31 Dec 198...	No records.	No records.	The species may be more frequent in NC than the four records indicate. Adult Common Gulls are typic...	1/2*	2024-12-12
Dickcissel	Spiza americana	Although there are numerous birds that are highly erratic wintering species in North Carolina and el...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Sporadic and very local summer resident, and sparse winter visitor. In summer, very rare to rare ov...	Sporadic and very local summer resident, and very sparse winter visitor. In summer, rare and sporad...	Sparse transient; seldom in summer or winter. Despite many wide valleys with farmland at low elevat...	From 2005 - 2018, the species has been easily found in summer at North River Farms, but this is a pr...	**	2024-11-11
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 **	2024-11-11
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 **	2024-11-11
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 over 100 records. Very rare to rare in winter along the...	Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with about 40 records. Very rare visitor, mainly from early ...	Casual visitor. Only about six records, though only one since 1991. Oddly, the dates are "strangel...	You likely will see your first in the state at a feeder near the coast. A handful are now occurring ...	* to **	2024-11-11
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	The Summer Tanager is a characteristic bird of the Deep South, nesting north only to southern New Je...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, and winter straggler. Common in the southern half of the region, from the Croatan ...	Summer resident, with a few winter records. Fairly common to common over most of the region, more n...	Sparse summer resident, with little migratory movement noted. Uncommon in the extreme southwestern ...	None needed in the southern Coastal Plain, such as in the Sandhills Game Land, Weymouth Woods Preser...	****	2024-11-11
Black-throated Green Warbler	Setophaga virens	The Black-throated Green Warbler has a fragmented breeding range, thanks to a separate subspecies --...	Breeder	Definitive	E*		S4B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, variously rare to locally common in the eastern third to...	Sparse summer resident, and transient. In summer, formerly common (but decreasing due to loss/death...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. Breeds over the entire region, but local; can be common ...	Should be easily found in late Apr or May in many areas of the higher mountains, such as along the B...	****	2024-11-11
Yellow-throated Warbler	Setophaga dominica	The Yellow-throated Warbler is a "Southern" warbler, as it breeds in the eastern United States only ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, and sparse winter resident near the southern coast. In summer, common over most of ...	Summer resident, and very rare winter straggler. In summer, fairly common to locally common in the ...	Summer resident. Uncommon along rivers and streams at low elevations, essentially below 2,500 feet;...	The species is easily found in many parks and preserves, and Croatan National Forest, in the southea...	****	2024-11-11
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Setophaga coronata	The Yellow-rumped Warbler, often called the "Butter-butt", is arguably the most abundant warbler on ...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B,S5N	G5	Winter resident. Along the coast and in Tidewater near sounds, abundant in winter, particularly on ...	Winter resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In winter, common in the southeastern half, a...	Very sparse (and recent) breeder, widespread transient, and winter resident/visitor. In summer, rar...	None needed near the coast in winter.	****	2024-11-11
Yellow Warbler	Setophaga petechia	The Yellow Warbler has one of the most extensive breeding ranges of any warbler -- across nearly all...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Transient, and sparse breeder; a few winter records. In summer, formerly uncommon, but now apparent...	Summer resident (strongly declining), and transient. In summer, now rare in the western portions, v...	Summer resident (strongly declining), and transient. In summer, fairly common to formerly common in...	Driving back roads in the [open] "country" in the mountains in May and Jun should yield a few Yellow...	***	2024-11-11
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...	***	2024-11-11
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 *	2024-11-11
Kentucky Warbler	Geothlypis formosa	In 2011, the Kentucky Warbler was moved from the genus Oporornis to the genus that formerly w...	Breeder	Definitive			S3S4B	G5	Summer resident, declining. Generally uncommon over the region as a whole; however, fairly common al...	Summer resident; strongly declining in much of the region. Generally uncommon throughout the region...	Summer resident. Generally uncommon and somewhat local; more restricted in range and habitat than d...	The species should be found in Howell Woods Preserve (Johnston). It is also rather easily fo...	to *	2024-11-11
Tennessee Warbler	Leiothlypis peregrina	In 2010, the American Ornithologists' Union moved several warblers out of the genus Vermivora...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. In spring, very rare in the region (about 13 reports -- 3 in 2021). In fall, generally ...	Transient. In spring, very rare to rare in the eastern portion, and rare farther west. In fall, fa...	Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon, mainly in valleys and elsewhere below about 3,500 feet. In...	The species is difficult to miss on a day of birding in the mountains during much of September, such...	* to **	2024-11-11
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; however slowly increasing and spreading into the ...	Summer resident, increasing/spreading in range. Breeds most frequently along the Blue Ridge Escarpm...	Despite it not being common anywhere, you should be able to hear one to several in Alligator River N...	***	2024-11-08
Prothonotary Warbler	Protonotaria citrea	The Prothonotary Warbler has often been called the "Golden Swamp Warbler", with good reason -- the m...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident. Breeds over the entire province, even sparingly on the Outer Banks. Common to ver...	Summer resident. Fairly common in the eastern and southern portions of the region, especially aroun...	Scarce transient, and now almost certainly a very rare and local breeder. Rare transient in spring,...	The species is impossible to miss along Coastal Plain rivers in the breeding season. Good areas are...	****	2024-11-08
Blue-winged Warbler	Vermivora cyanoptera	The Blue-winged Warbler nests in the eastern United States and extreme southeastern Canada. Its nes...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Transient. Migrates in spring and fall across the region, but scarce. In spring, uncommon in the w...	Transient. Uncommon and easily overlooked in both spring and fall (not really "rare"). Distributio...	Transient, scarce and decliing summer resident, though with few records of breeding evidence. In su...	Perhaps a visit to Sandy Mush Game Land in late May or early June could produce a sighting, as might...	**	2024-11-08
Golden-winged Warbler	Vermivora chrysoptera	The Golden-winged Warbler, though it looks completely different from its closest "cousin", the Blue-...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2S3B	G4	Transient. In spring, casual (i.e., essentially avoids the region); in fall, very rare throughout, ...	Transient. Rare in both spring and fall, slightly more "numerous" in the western half of the region...	Summer resident, and transient; decreasing at an alarming rate. Nests mainly at middle elevations (g...	There are still a few places/roads where birders have a likely chance to see the species in a given ...	to *	2024-11-08
Worm-eating Warbler	Helmitheros vermivorum	The Worm-eating Warbler is not one of better known warblers in North America. It is really not comm...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, uncommon to locally fairly common in the eastern 60% of ...	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, uncommon to locally fairly common in most foothill range...	Summer resident. Uncommon to often fairly common (and not obviously local) below about 3,500 feet; ...	The species should be heard, and hopefully seen, by driving roads through Alligator River NWR, the b...	***	2024-11-08
Orchard Oriole	Icterus spurius	The Orchard Oriole breeding range covers the Eastern Deciduous Forest area of the continent -- nesti...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, with no obvious migratory movements. Common in summer, over the province as a whol...	Summer resident, with no obvious migratory movements. Generally fairly common in summer in the east...	Summer resident, with no obvious migratory movements. Uncommon in lower elevations, mainly in broad...	None needed in the Coastal Plain in spring to early summer, by driving back roads, especially throug...	* to **	2024-11-08
Song Sparrow	Melospiza melodia	The Song Sparrow is one of the most abundant and successful species in North America, breeding from ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Winter resident, and (northern) coastal breeder. In summer, generally common, though can be local, ...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; much more common in winter. In summer, common and wid...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Very common at all seasons at low to mid-elevations; ...	None needed.	****	2024-11-08
Savannah Sparrow	Passerculus sandwichensis	The Savannah Sparrow is one of the more abundant sparrows in North America, nesting commonly in a va...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B,S5N	G5	Winter resident, with migratory movements. In winter, common to very common in the eastern third of...	Winter resident, and transient. Apparently now nesting in parts of Wilkes, as a juvenile was ...	Summer resident, transient, and sparse winter resident. In summer, rare to uncommon in the northern...	None needed; easy to find in winter, at least near the coast.	****	2024-11-08
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	The Vesper Sparrow, a species in its own genus, has a wide breeding range, from the Western states e...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2B,S2N	G5	Winter resident and transient; strongly declining. In winter, formerly fairly common in the souther...	Transient, and sparse and local winter resident; strongly declining. In winter, rare to very uncomm...	Summer resident and transient; declining in summer and in migration. In summer, uncommon and very l...	Breeding birds are usually well away from roads and require some hiking to reach, such as at Pond Mo...	to *	2024-11-08
White-crowned Sparrow	Zonotrichia leucophrys	The White-crowned Sparrow, though nesting from Alaska east to Labrador, and south through much of th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident, and transient (mainly in fall). In winter, uncommon to fairly common but very loca...	Winter resident, with little migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common, though local, in the w...	Winter resident, with little migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common in lower elevations (be...	It is not hard to find at a few localized places in the state in winter, such as along Leggett Road ...	***	2024-11-08
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 **	2024-11-08
Bachman's Sparrow	Peucaea aestivalis	The Bachman's Sparrow is a rare and strongly declining species over its entire range. It nests only...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B,S2N	G3	Scarce permanent resident, but with migratory movements. In summer, locally fairly common near the ...	Former summer resident in a portion of the region; probably now absent. Prior to 1942, it nested in...	Accidental. Historical records from Buncombe and Macon.	The species is still easily found from Mar into about Jul in Holly Shelter Game Land (along Lodge Ro...	***	2024-11-07
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 *	2024-11-07
Northern House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	Northern House Wrens breed from coast to coast across the United States and southern Canada, though ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Winter resident, transient, and sparse and local summer resident. As a summer resident, uncommon in...	Summer resident, transient, and winter visitor/resident. Breeds across the entire province, but fai...	Summer resident, transient, and sparse in winter. Breeds across the region; fairly common over most...	Normally not hard to find in summer in most residential areas in cities and towns in the mountains a...	* to **	2024-11-07
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta canadensis	The Red-breasted Nuthatch is the only one of the four nuthatches in North America that is strongly m...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S4N	G5	Fall transient and winter visitor (little northbound movement noted); very erratic from year to year...	Fall transient and winter visitor (little northbound movement noted); very erratic from year to year...	Summer resident and winter visitor; very erratic outside the breeding season. In summer, fairly com...	The birds are too erratic in fall, winter, and spring to offer tips; thus, look for them in summer. ...	***	2024-11-06
Cedar Waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum	The Cedar Waxwing is a very unconventional bird. Its movements for much of the year are somewhat un...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B,S5N	G5	Winter resident, and sparse and very erratic breeder. Generally common over the entire region, but ...	Winter resident, and sparse summer resident (breeder). In migration and winter, generally common, b...	Permanent resident, with considerable migratory movements. As a breeder in summer, generally fairly...	Though often common in winter downstate, it could be missed in a day of birding because it occurs in...	***	2024-11-06
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Corthylio calendula	The Ruby-crowned Kinglet, like the Golden-crowned, is a tiny bundle of energy, having to constantly ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident. Common to occasionally very common (in early winter) over the region; fairly commo...	Winter resident. Common, to sometimes very common, in early winter, across the eastern and southern...	Winter resident and transient. Fairly common transient in spring and fall; generally uncommon in th...	None needed.	****	2024-11-06
Tree Swallow	Tachycineta bicolor	The Tree Swallow is by far the most cold-hardy swallow in North America, being the only one to winte...	Breeder	Definitive			S3B,S4N	G5	Breeder and winter resident, with noticeable migratory movements; scarce but increasing as a breeder...	Transient, and sparse breeder, slightly increasing as a breeder. In summer, rare to locally fairly ...	Summer resident, with migratory movements; increasing as a breeder. Uncommon to fairly common breed...	The species is most easily seen at large lakes toward the coast in the cooler months. Though never a...	* to **	2024-11-06
Bank Swallow	Riparia riparia	The Bank Swallow has a range that not only encompasses most of North America (and wintering south to...	Former Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Transient. In spring, generally uncommon (but as it occurs in flocks, can be sporadic from week to...	Transient, and accidental (at least former) breeder. Nested along the Roaring River near Ronda (...	Transient, and breeder (currently?) at one site. Rare to uncommon in both spring and fall. Nested ...	As the quarry site is likely off-limits to birders, and likely is no longer active, one must stumble...	**	2024-11-06
Fish Crow	Corvus ossifragus	Unlike the American Crow, the Fish Crow is poorly known to the layman -- "There are two kinds of cro...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident over most of the area, with migratory movements. Generally, common to locally ve...	Summer resident, remaining into late fall, and sparingly winters in the eastern portions; still slow...	Greatly increasing visitor; a recent arrival, since 2006. Now surely breeding at a few places, but n...	Easy to find, and not local, in the breeding season, in most of the Coastal Plain, especially around...	****	2024-11-06
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 15+ records so ...	No records.	No records.	If one is birding along the southern coastline in May or early June, especially on islands, it doesn...	*	2024-11-06
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus	The Warbling Vireo, along with the Red-eyed Vireo, has the most extensive breeding range of any vire...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Transient, and possible accidental breeder. Very rare in both spring and fall. Records are increasin...	Transient (mainly in spring), and scarce summer resident. In spring, rare in the western half, and ...	Summer resident and transient. Uncommon in summer in the New River area of Ashe and Alleg...	Though a scarce bird in the state, driving roads that parallel or cross the South Fork New River, wi...	***	2024-11-06
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 breeder. Up to two were seen in Kill Devil Hills, Dare, 19-28 Sep 2012 (...	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...	*	2024-11-06
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; apparently nests or has nested in recent years. Very rare to r...	Your best chance to see a Merlin is to visit the coast in Oct, especially after a cold front. Birds...	to *	2024-11-06
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Aegolius acadicus	The smallest owl in eastern North America, the Northern Saw-whet Owl usually requires a special sear...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S2B,S2N	G5	Winter visitor or resident. Status is poorly known, but generally rare (to possibly locally uncommo...	Winter visitor. Very rare (or at least very rarely reported) in the northeastern portion, with abou...	Breeder in the higher elevations; winter resident over most of the region. Uncommon to fairly commo...	To find the species in the state, it is obviously more advantageous to try for it on the breeding gr...	**	2024-11-06
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 30 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...	***	2024-11-04
Sharp-shinned Hawk	Accipiter striatus	The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest of the three Accipiter species in the state and was, u...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B,S4N	G5	Migrant and winter resident, but declining in numbers; casual breeder in the extreme western portion...	Migrant and winter resident, and scarce breeder, declining. Primarily an uncommon to (formerly) fai...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements, declining. Fairly common (to occasionally common afte...	Accipiters can be difficult to target for observation, because habitat is abundant, and they ...	to *	2024-11-04
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 **	2024-11-04
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 ...	***	2024-11-04
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, ...	****	2024-11-04
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias	Our most familiar and frequently seen wader, the Great Blue Heron has shown a remarkable increase in...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Year-round resident throughout the province, with some populations migratory. Essentially common al...	Year-round resident, breeding locally but in most counties; increasing at all seasons. Common over ...	Nearly year-round resident, though generally rare to uncommon in late spring and early summer; breed...	This widespread species can be seen daily in most regions from late summer through spring, and findi...	****	2024-11-04
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 *	2024-11-04
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, with close to 30 records, at low elevations in the south...	This species is usually found along the coast at any season, but you might need to wait around tidal...	***	2024-11-04
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 to rare, and only in the lower mountains, mostly from Henderson; nearly...	Areas where they can be seen somewhat regularly are the Twin Lakes ponds on the mainland part of Sun...	**	2024-11-04
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...	****	2024-11-04
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea	Despite the fact that adult Little Blue Herons are dark-colored, this species and the Snowy Egret ar...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident along the coast, being migratory and thus more numerous in spring, late summer, a...	Transient, though mainly a post-breeding visitor. Formerly fairly common, at least in the eastern p...	Transient, though mainly a post-breeding visitor. Rare from mid-Apr to early Sep, essentially only ...	This species is slightly less numerous than the Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret, but you should be ...	***	2024-11-04
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...	**	2024-11-04
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...	Fortunately for the birder, individuals of this species often linger for a month or more in NC. Form...	***	2024-11-04
Neotropic Cormorant	Nannopterum brasilianum	This species is found across most of Latin America, north into eastern Texas and Louisiana. There a...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Two records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2024-11-04
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		S1B,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...	****	2024-11-04
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...	***	2024-11-04
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...	*	2024-11-04
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana	The Wood Stork is probably the most significant wader in the state, because it is a Federally listed...	Breeder	Definitive	T	T	S1B,S1N	G4	Summer resident and post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing; rare straggler in winter, though perh...	Post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing. Formerly very rare to now locally rare, mainly from Jun ...	Post-breeding visitor; very rare to now rare in the southern and central mountains, with about 15 re...	The species can almost always be found around the margins of the two freshwater ponds at Twin Lakes ...	* to **	2024-11-04
Cory's Shearwater	Calonectris borealis	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...	****	2024-11-01
Bermuda Petrel	Pterodroma cahow	The Bermuda Petrel is the rarest of the four Pterodroma petrels found somewhat regularly off ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive		E	SZ	G1	Offshore visitor. Very rare, but now seen almost annually, though no records from 2010-2012. Occur...	No records.	No records.	As with all Pterodroma petrels, you need to get far offshore, taking organized pelagic trips ...	*	2024-11-01
Leach's Storm-Petrel	Hydrobates leucorhous	As the Leach's Storm-Petrel is one of the few tubenoses to breed in the northwestern Atlantic, and a...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Offshore transient and summer visitor. Generally uncommon (though regular) spring and fall migrant, ...	Accidental to casual non-breeding visitor, during or after hurricanes. Three records: 1, Lake Norma...	No records.	This species is more unpredictable than is the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel. Birders have about a 40-50...	**	2024-11-01
Common Loon	Gavia immer	The Common Loon is one of the best known waterbirds on the continent, known both to the layman and t...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident and transient. Along the entire coast, generally common, though less so along east-...	Winter resident and transient. In midwinter, mainly uncommon on larger reservoirs, and very rare to ...	Winter visitor and transient. Rare in midwinter on larger lakes (in the southern mountains), mainly...	The Common Loon is more widespread in coastal areas than is the Red-throated Loon, being found on th...	****	2024-11-01
White-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis	The White-breasted Nuthatch breeds from coast to coast, but it is most common and widespread in the ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident, with noticeable migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common in the western a...	Permanent resident, with some migratory movements. Generally fairly common across the province in t...	Permanent resident; migratory movements not obvious. Generally fairly common at low to mid-elevatio...	Very widespread at all seasons; though nowhere really common, it should be seen in most days of bird...	***	2024-11-01
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...	***	2024-11-01
Brown Noddy	Anous stolidus	The Brown Noddy is a very common bird of tropical waters around the world, and a sizable breeding po...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Pelagic visitor in the warmer months. Very rare along the coast and in offshore waters, mostly from...	Accidental, with a single record: 3 seen at Lake Norman on 23 Sep 1989 (Chat 54:76), after passage o...	No records.	There are only two suggestions for seeing this species in NC. The best chance, however, is somewhat...	1/2*	2024-10-31
Iceland Gull	Larus glaucoides	The Iceland Gull is one of the more subtly "beautiful" of the gulls, it being somewhat dainty, thoug...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially coastal, with a preponderance of records from Cape Hatteras and offshore...	Winter visitor; very rare, primarily to the eastern edge of the province. Kumlien's: Very rare...	No records.	To find Iceland Gulls (both taxa), you must have patience and some knowledge of gull identification,...	* to **	2024-10-31
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 seven records (see above), all along the coast, though possibly the same adult indi...	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2024-10-31
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 (12 records) and fall (mostly after storms/ hurricanes), essenti...	It takes no effort whatsoever to find the species along the coast from Mar through Nov.	****	2024-10-31
Long-tailed Jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	The Long-tailed Jaeger is certainly one of the most elegant of the "pelagic birds", and an adult wit...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, essentially offshore. Rare to uncommon during a brief period in late spring, and rare ov...	Casual visitor. Three records: one found dead under a TV tower near Raleigh on 26 Aug 1960; an adult...	No records.	This species is best seen by taking a pelagic trip to the waters of the Gulf Stream in the latter ha...	* to **	2024-10-31
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. Four sp...	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 **	2024-10-31
Ruff	Calidris pugnax	This Old World breeder makes annual visits to the eastern shore of North America, and its appearance...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient/visitor during the warmer months, essentially along the coast. There are at least 48 repo...	Accidental in spring, and casual in fall (four reports), with all five reports from the eastern Pied...	No records.	The species is simply too rare in the state to hope to find by intentionally searching for it. Caref...	1/2* to *	2024-10-31
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 *	2024-10-31
Pacific Golden-Plover	Pluvialis fulva	One of the more remarkable shorebird records for the state was the discovery of a Pacific Golden-Plo...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Six or seven records, nearly all presumably of the same individual (see above) seen annually from 20...	No records.	No records.	Nearly all records have come in late summer or early fall from the sand and mud flats around the Sal...	1/2*	2024-10-31
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 12 known records: 1, Cashiers (...	The only reliable spots are the impoundments at Pea Island NWR and less so at the adjacent Bodie Isl...	***	2024-10-31
Sandhill Crane	Antigone canadensis	The Sandhill Crane is one of the largest birds, in terms of size (standing about 4 feet tall), and t...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient and winter visitor/resident, mainly along the coast and in tidewater areas; increasing. A...	Transient and winter visitor. Very rare (formerly) to rare (now), increasing in recent years. Reco...	Transient, mainly overhead; sparingly in winter. Rare to possibly uncommon migrant in the extreme s...	There are typically one to several records in recent years from large fields in the lower Coastal Pl...	**	2024-10-31
Limpkin	Aramus guarauna	The Limpkin breeds locally over much of the Neotropics, ranging north to Florida, and a few are now ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual to now very rare (ten records), nearly all in the southern Coastal Plain. One seen along the...	Greatly increasing post-breeding(?) visitor, though still very rare to rare; now (2024) about 25 rec...	Very rare visitor, increasing. Five reports: One was seen and photographed at Owen Park in Ashevil...	Your best hope of finding one in NC by chance would be to paddle along a blackwater river in the sou...	*	2024-10-29
Black Rail	Laterallus jamaicensis	As notoriously secretive as the Yellow Rail, this species at least can be coaxed into view on occasi...	Breeder	Definitive	T	T	S1	G3	Permanent resident, with migratory movements, near the coast; strongly decreasing in recent years. ...	Poorly known breeder (at least formerly) and transient. Casual to very rare breeder, at least forme...	Formerly casual breeder at low elevations; now essentially unknown/accidental. Formerly nested near...	To hear a Black Rail, visit the Cedar Island marsh causeway (NC 12), or the Wanchese marshes east of...	**	2024-10-29
Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio martinicus	The beautiful Purple Gallinule has always been at the northeastern periphery of its breeding range i...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Sparse and irregular visitor, and erratic breeding summer resident; casual to very rare in winter, a...	Stray (about 10 records). Casual in migration; mainly May-Jun. Two other records: 1, Camp Grayston...	Accidental stray (three records): 1 found in emaciated condition, Hazelwood (Haywood), 18 Apr...	Formerly, one could see the Purple Gallinule from the causeway at Orton Plantation. However, the ve...	*	2024-10-29
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 11 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...	***	2024-10-29
King Rail	Rallus elegans	Slightly larger than the Clapper Rail, and the freshwater/inland counterpart of that species, the Ki...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S3N	G4	Permanent resident near the coast, with migratory movements; status farther inland poorly understood...	Poorly known, but transient and local summer resident (at least formerly, when there were scattered ...	Accidental stray/migrant. Two records: one, downtown Asheville (grounded migrant), 25 Apr 2002; and...	This species is somewhat local, and because freshwater marshes are spottily located in some areas of...	**	2024-10-29
Chuck-will's-widow	Antrostomus carolinensis	This strictly nocturnal species is a characteristic breeding bird of our drier forest edges and open...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S5B	G5	Breeding summer resident, and occasional winter visitor; apparently slowly declining. Generally com...	Breeding summer resident. Fairly common but somewhat declining in the extreme eastern and southern ...	Seemingly increasing in recent years. Probable breeding summer resident in very low elevation areas...	Hearing this species is seldom a problem. Simply, drive around a little bit after dusk, or before d...	***	2024-10-29
Common Merganser	Mergus merganser	The Common Merganser is both a breeder and a wintering bird in the state, but with different "popula...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S1B,S1N	G5	Winter resident. Rare and local over the northern half of the province, with a flock averaging at l...	Winter visitor, though possibly a winter resident at Roanoke Rapids Lake; casual breeder. Rare in m...	Formerly casual to now (2024) rare to uncommon but increasing breeder; scarce winter visitor. Gener...	To best see this species, look at Phelps Lake in the winter, with a good scope. The wintering flock...	to *	2024-10-26
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola	The male Bufflehead is one of our most attractive ducks. Thankfully for birders, the species is a c...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident. Common to locally abundant on Pamlico Sound, and nearby waters such as the embayed...	Winter resident. Uncommon to fairly common, though common in a very few areas. Favors larger reser...	Winter visitor or resident. Generally rare to locally uncommon, mostly in the lower elevations of t...	This species is easy to find on most of the ferry runs near the coast, and it is also found on lakes...	****	2024-10-26
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis	The Lesser Scaup winters over most of the state, though primarily near the coast, with numbers being...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident. Fairly common to locally common, and reasonably widespread, along the entire coast...	Winter visitor or local winter resident. Uncommon to fairly common, at least locally; more numerous...	Transient and winter visitor. Uncommon transient and winter visitor, mainly to lower elevations in ...	Though not abundant in NC, the species is reasonably widespread, particularly in the Tidewater area....	***	2024-10-26
Greater Scaup	Aythya marila	Of our regular wintering waterfowl, the range and abundance of the Greater Scaup is more difficult t...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S2N	G5	Winter visitor/resident. Uncommon along the northern half of the coast and in Tidewater; rare to un...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare over most of the province, occurring almost solely on large lake...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare in the southern mountains, from Buncombe southward. Casua...	This can be a difficult bird to find and identify. Nowhere does it occur in NC in any numbers, and ...	to *	2024-10-26
Redhead	Aythya americana	As with the Canvasback, the Redhead had suffered continental population declines in recent decades, ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident. Generally uncommon along the northern coast and in the Tidewater area, south to Co...	Winter visitor/resident. Rare to locally uncommon, mostly in the eastern portion of the province. G...	Winter visitor; rare to locally uncommon, essentially at lower elevations (below 3,000 feet). Mainly...	One or two dense flocks winter on South Pond, New Field, and/or North Pond at Pea Island, and thus t...	* to **	2024-10-26
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, ...	****	2024-10-26
Mottled Duck	Anas fulvigula	This is the only dabbling duck (excluding Wood Duck) that regularly nests as a natural population in...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	A recent visitor, currently rare but records greatly increasing, to the southern half of the coast. ...	One male was seen by multiple observers and photographed at Riverbend Park (Catawba), 24 Jul ...	No records.	Your best bet is to look at ponds at Twin Lakes in summer, fall, and winter. The large pond by the F...	*	2024-10-26
American Black Duck	Anas rubripes	The American Black Duck is one of the few waterfowl species that breeds in the state. Unfortunately...	Breeder	Definitive			S3B,S4N	G5	Fairly common to mostly now uncommon (and declining) breeding summer resident, in the Tidewater and ...	Generally an uncommon winter resident, though can be locally fairly common; declining in numbers in ...	Rare to locally uncommon winter resident/visitor. Most frequent at low elevations, especially in	As with most waterfowl species, the Black Duck is readily found on national wildlife refuges such as...	****	2024-10-26
Ross's Goose	Anser rossii	The Ross's Goose is now a regular winter resident, in very small numbers, amid large flocks of Snow ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G4	Winter resident. Rare to locally uncommon but increasing in winter -- regular at a few sites -- in ...	Winter visitor. Formerly casual; now rare but greatly increasing, with about 55 records. Scattered ...	Winter visitor. Rare, but greatly increasing, in the southern counties, with about 46 records. All...	In the past few winters, the species has been seen, generally with Snow Geese, in fields near Pungo ...	**	2024-10-26
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 17 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...	**	2024-10-26
Piping Plover	Charadrius melodus	The Piping Plover is one of the few Federally listed birds in North Carolina, especially now that th...	Breeder	Definitive	T	T	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 *	2024-10-24
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	As with the Bald Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon populations on the continent nose-dived in the middle p...	Breeder	Definitive	E		S1B,S2N	G4	Transient, and winter resident near the coast. Along the coast, uncommon to occasionally fairly com...	Transient, with many winter reports; casual breeder. Rare in fall, and very rare to rare in spring,...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Rare and local breeder, nesting at 10-12 cliff sites....	In fall and winter, your best bet is the Bodie-Pea Island area, particularly around the impoundments...	to *	2024-10-24
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	T	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...	***	2024-10-24
Blue Grosbeak	Passerina caerulea	The Blue Grosbeak breeds across the southern half to two-thirds of the United States, and winters in...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, with a few winter records. Common in summer across most of the province, but can b...	Summer resident, with about 15 winter records. Common over the eastern and central portions, and fa...	Summer resident at low elevations; little migratory movement through the region. In summer, uncommo...	None needed in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.	****	2024-08-06
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 ten to twelve published reports. Four have been reviewed and ac...	No records.	The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <...		1/2*	2024-08-06
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 ...	***	2024-08-06
Shiny Cowbird	Molothrus bonariensis	The Shiny Cowbird, common and widespread in the Neotropics, spread northward through the West Indies...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Scarce visitor, and apparent breeder at one site in 2017. Essentially near the coast in the warmer ...	Accidental, though none yet accepted by the NC BRC. There are two reports: one from Winston-Salem o...	No records.	Your best bet is to check any cowbirds you see close to the southern coast in the warmer months, par...	*	2024-08-06
Bullock's Oriole	Icterus bullockii	The Bullock's Oriole is the western counterpart to the Baltimore Oriole. Originally classified as s...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare winter visitor; most records prior to 2010; however, there were four records during the 20...	Very rare winter visitor. There are about 16 records, with 8-9 birds over-wintering. Records are s...	No records.	Your first Bullock's Oriole will likely be seen at someone's feeder.	*	2024-08-06