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.
American Goshawk	Astur atricapillus	For such a large hawk (being the state's largest Accipiter), the Northern Goshawk is remarkab...	Nonbreeder (but Possible Breeder)	Definitive			SUB	G5	Visitor in migration and winter; about 33 reports. Rare, mainly in winter, to the northern coast (in...	Visitor in migration and winter; only about 15 reports. Very rare to the northern half of the provin...	Visitor in migration and winter; at least 20 reports. Very rare (though more numerous here than els...	The species is much too rare to specifically search for, but people at hawk watches in the mountains...	*	2025-09-11
Cooper's Hawk	Astur cooperii	This Accipiter was apparently a reasonably numerous breeding species in the first half of the...	Breeder	Definitive			S3S4B,S4N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; increasing. Generally uncommon in migration and as a w...	Permanent resident, with some migratory movements; increasing. Uncommon, but widespread and often s...	Permanent resident, with some migratory movements; slightly increasing. Uncommon fall migrant, rare...	You simply cannot search for this species; you must be afield frequently, and keep your eyes open to...	**	2025-09-11
Eastern Warbling-Vireo	Vireo gilvus	The Eastern Warbling-Vireo, along with the Red-eyed Vireo, has the most extensive breeding range of ...	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...	***	2025-09-11
American Herring Gull	Larus smithsonianus	The American Herring Gull is, along with the Ring-billed Gull, one of the most abundant birds in tid...	Breeder	Definitive			S3B,S5N	G5	Year-round resident, with migratory movements. Fairly common to locally common, and increasing, bre...	Winter resident/visitor. Uncommon to locally fairly common, but mainly at larger reservoirs and lan...	Winter visitor. Surprisingly scarce, generally rare and sporadic, mainly in low elevations; very ra...	None needed.	****	2025-09-11
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 *	2025-09-11
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 **	2025-07-29
Black-headed Grosbeak	Pheucticus melanocephalus	The Black-headed Grosbeak, the Western counterpart of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, is a casual to ver...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual visitor. There are seven records: one in Wilmington, 8-16 Apr 1969 (Chat 33:4); one at Bodie...	Casual visitor. There are seven records: one in Greensboro, 6 Jan - 12 Apr 1964 (Chat 28:2); a male...	Casual/accidental, with just one record: a breeding-plumaged male was photographed at a feeder on 11...		1/2*	2025-07-29
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...	Two records. An adult male was photographed in a Charlotte (Mecklenburg) yard on 19 Mar 2025...	The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <...		1/2*	2025-07-29
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 *	2025-07-29
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 ...	*	2025-07-29
Nashville Warbler	Leiothlypis ruficapilla	The Nashville Warbler, along with the Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, and several Western...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and scarce straggler into early winter. Very rare in spring (essentially avoiding the re...	Transient, and a very scarce straggler into early winter. In spring, rare in the western and centra...	Transient; one recent record of a potential breeding bird. Rare to occasionally uncommon in spring, ...	Pure migrant species can be hard to pin down in time and place, depending on cold fronts in fall, et...	**	2025-07-29
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 14 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 **	2025-07-29
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...	***	2025-07-29
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	Possible winter resident; otherwise a sparse winter visitor and transient. Formerly known to winter...	Scarce (very rare) transient and winter visitor, as the province is generally east of the migration ...	Scarce, though a regular transient and very rare in winter. Rare in southern mountain valleys, and ...	Arrangements to access Open Ground Farms have always been tricky, and this is not a good option. Re...	*	2025-07-29
Yellow-headed Blackbird	Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	The Yellow-headed Blackbird is practically a "waterbird", in that in its nesting range in the upper ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Sparse transient and winter visitor. Rare in fall along the immediate coast, more so along the Oute...	Very rare visitor. There are only about 17 reports from the province -- six from late summer to ear...	Very rare visitor. There are only about 10 reports from the mountains, all since 1988. All but one...	The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a difficult bird to find in the state. When birding along the coast ...	*	2025-07-29
LeConte's Sparrow	Ammospiza leconteii	The LeConte's Sparrow is another secretive grassland/marsh sparrow of the central part of the contin...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1?N	G5	Winter resident, but scarce and easily overlooked. Fewer reports since about 2010, but whether that ...	Transient, and straggler into winter; scarce and poorly known. Very rare in both fall (between 23 O...	Transient, scarce. Casual, with only nine reports of single birds: in Franklin (Macon) on 17...	The only reliable spot in recent years has been at a privately-owned conservation area -- North Rive...	*	2025-07-28
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 **	2025-07-28
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 **	2025-07-28
Snail Kite	Rostrhamus sociabilis	This rare (Federally listed) species is normally found only from central Florida southward, and is m...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G4G5	Two accepted records, and two additional reports that have yet to be voted on. The first was an adul...	No records.	One record. An immature was photographed at a rest area near Andrews (Cherokee) on 31 Mar 20...		1/2*	2025-07-28
Sage Thrasher	Oreoscoptes montanus	This is a thrasher of the Western states, the only member of the genus Oreoscoptes, and thus ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G4	Accidental to casual. There are two accepted records, plus a third in 2025 that has not yet been re...	No records.	One record. One was seen and photographed at the Warren Wilson College campus (Buncombe) fro...		1/2 *	2025-07-28
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, but slowly increasing; apparently nonmigratory. Formerly did not occur/b...	This species is almost always found in a morning of birding in Longleaf Pine forests. Weymouth Wood...	****	2025-07-28
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 ...	Casual, with four records: a single bird seen at Troutman (Iredell) on 20 Dec 1999 (Chat 64:1...	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 **	2025-07-28
Common Raven	Corvus corax	The Common Raven is considered to be the largest passerine in the world. It also is the one occurri...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3	G5	Formerly (prior to 1932), accidental/casual visitor to the coast: 2, Beaufort (Carteret), 4 J...	Present, but scarce, all year over much of the province, occasionally breeding; mainly since about 1...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements rather imperceptible. Little distributional change ove...	Though uncommon number-wise in the mountains, it can be heard calling at long distances, so not hard...	***	2025-07-28
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 and presumed local breeder; a recent arrival, since 2006. Now surely nest...	Easy to find, and not local, in the breeding season, in most of the Coastal Plain, especially around...	****	2025-07-28
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...	*	2025-07-28
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...	***	2025-07-28
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...	*	2025-07-28
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus	The beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nests in the south-central United States, primarily in Texas...	Sporadic Breeder	Definitive	W		SAB,SZ	G5	Transient/vagrant, both in late spring/summer and again in fall; accidental breeder. Very rare to r...	Transient/vagrant, and sporadic breeder (only three sites reported). Very rare in migration, with m...	Casual spring visitor, with all records only in May. One was photographed in Swannanoa (Buncombe...	Your best bet is to drive to a known nesting site. If none are available for an easy "tick", you ar...	*	2025-07-28
Gray Kingbird	Tyrannus dominicensis	The Gray Kingbird is somewhat the Southern version of the Eastern Kingbird, being mainly a bird of F...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Stray/transient, essentially along the coast, and accidental/casual breeder. As a visitor, very rar...	Casual. There are only three records, from Umstead State Park (Wake) on 16 Apr 1959 (Chat 23...	No records.	This is a long shot, but your best bet is to drive roads along the southern coastal islands, in late...	*	2025-07-28
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 **	2025-07-28
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...	**	2025-07-28
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 32 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...	***	2025-07-28
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 32 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 --...	*	2025-07-28
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, mostly a post-breeding visi...	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 **	2025-07-27
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 nine known reports. One seen at Altamont (Avery) on 12...	This species has been somewhat more difficult to find along the coast in the spring to fall seasons ...	***	2025-07-27
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, ...	****	2025-07-27
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...	**	2025-07-27
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 **	2025-07-27
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 (2025) 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...	***	2025-07-27
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...	*	2025-07-27
Scopoli's Shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	The Scopoli's Shearwater was split off from Cory's Shearwater by the AOS (formerly AOU) in 2024; it ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	GNR	Offshore visitor, being uncommon to at times common in the warmer months, from May into Oct, and per...	No records.	No records.	You will want or need to take an organized pelagic trip to see this, as photographs might be require...	to *	2025-07-27
Black-capped Petrel	Pterodroma hasitata	The Black-capped Petrel is, by far, the most often seen of the gadfly petrels (genus Pterodroma	Nonbreeder	Definitive		FSC	S1N	G1	Offshore visitor (at all seasons). Generally fairly common to often common in the Gulf Stream, at l...	Accidental: 1, Jordan Lake, 6-7 Sep 1996 (during and after Hurricane Fran) (Nat. Audubon Soc. Field ...	No records.	This is an easy bird if you take a pelagic trip that goes into the deeper waters of the Gulf Stream....	* to **	2025-07-27
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 ...	*	2025-07-26
Red-billed Tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus	Until the mid- or late 1990's, there were very few state records of the spectacular Red-billed Tropi...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Offshore visitor. Rare in the Gulf Stream, and less regular than White-tailed, from spring to fall;...	No records.	No records.	Seeing a Red-billed Tropicbird on an organized pelagic trip is simply a matter of luck, though there...	*	2025-07-26
White-tailed Tropicbird	Phaethon lepturus	Typically, one of the most exciting birds to spot on a warm season pelagic trip to the Gulf Stream i...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Offshore visitor. Rare though regular in the Gulf Stream (mainly seen off Oregon and Hatteras inlet...	Casual visitor (5 records), essentially only after hurricanes -- single individuals only: Jordan Lak...	No records.	As with so many other species, one must take to the seas to see one, and that means taking pelagic t...	*	2025-07-26
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougallii	The Roseate Tern is one of the more elegant and graceful of the tern species, and because it is a gl...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive	E	E	SHB	G4	Transient and summer visitor coastally and offshore. In the warmer months, rare along the northern ...	No records.	No records.	The most likely spot to find this species used to be in the tern colony at Cape Hatteras Point, but ...	* to **	2025-07-26
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...	***	2025-07-26
Sooty Tern	Onychoprion fuscatus	The Sooty Tern is sometimes considered to be the most abundant bird in the world, it being found com...	Sporadic Breeder	Definitive	W		SHB,S3N	G5	Mainly a pelagic visitor in the warmer seasons, but a sporadic breeder (at least formerly). Mostly ...	Storm-carried visitor to the eastern portion of the province, plus three records for the southern po...	Casual storm-carried visitor. All but one record (of different birds?) came after the passage of Hu...	Offshore, this species is normally less numerous than the Bridled Tern. The best times to look for ...	**	2025-07-24
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 **	2025-07-24
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	Rare stray/visitor along the coast at all times of the year, since 2022 only. No records away from t...	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2025-07-24
Black-legged Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	The Black-legged Kittiwake is one of just two (along with the Sabine's) essentially pelagic gulls th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter resident offshore; clearly declining. From the late 1990's to about 2005, generally fairly c...	Casual in late fall, with four accepted records: an immature seen and photographed at Beaverdam Rese...	Accidental: an immature was seen and photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on the remarkably...	If you take a pelagic trip from Cape Hatteras northward during the winter, you now have about a 50% ...	**	2025-07-24
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...	***	2025-07-24
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	The Red-necked Phalarope and the Red Phalarope are the two pelagic shorebirds, and to see both in th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4G5	Transient, primarily offshore. Generally a fairly common offshore migrant in both spring and fall, ...	Transient. Very rare to rare, in both spring and fall, usually seen only during and after storms, an...	Transient. Casual/very rare in spring; the only records are 1 in Linville (Avery) on 17-18 M...	Take a pelagic trip out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets -- either in the latter part of May, or in the ...	**	2025-07-24
Willet	Tringa semipalmata	The Willet is one of the few shorebirds that nests in North Carolina, and essentially the only one t...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B,S4N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements, along the coast, breeding in salt and brackish marshes...	Transient. Very rare in spring, and rare in fall; quite erratic, and many records in fall are of st...	Transient, nearly all records at low elevations in the southern mountains. Very rare in spring, with...	Willets are noisy and hard to miss along the coast for most of the year.	****	2025-07-24
Short-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus	Among the most difficult identification problem facing birders is the separation of the two dowitche...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Transient and winter resident, mainly along the coast. Common to abundant spring and fall migrant a...	Transient. Very rare in spring, and rare to often uncommon (though local) in fall. Mainly early an...	Transient, mainly in Henderson and Transylvania. Very rare in spring and in fall, at ...	This species is hard to miss along the coast during the migrations.	****	2025-07-23
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.	****	2025-07-23
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	The Semipalmated Sandpiper is, at times, the most abundant of the confusing "peep" sandpipers in the...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. Common to abundant along the coast in spring; common to abundant from Cape Hatteras nort...	Transient. Rare to occasionally uncommon in spring, and uncommon in fall, though occasionally quite...	Transient. Rare in spring and fall (though no published records in fall?), May and late Jul into Oc...	This is one of our most abundant coastal birds in migration, and is easily found.	****	2025-07-23
White-rumped Sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	This and the Baird's Sandpiper are the two large "peep" species found in the state. Neither is comm...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. Uncommon to locally fairly common in spring along the northern coast, particularly at Bo...	Transient. Rare to uncommon (at least locally) in spring and fall; mainly early May to early Jun, a...	Transient, essentially only in low elevations in the southern counties. In spring, very rare to loc...	This can be a difficult to find species away from the Bodie-Pea Island or Cape Hatteras areas. You s...	to *	2025-07-23
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 *	2025-07-23
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres	Except for the closely related Black Turnstone of the Pacific Coast, the Ruddy Turnstone is a rather...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Transient and winter resident, mainly along the coast. Common migrant along the coast, though seldo...	Transient. Very rare in spring, and rare in fall, mainly at large reservoirs. In spring, only in M...	Transient. Very rare in spring and fall, with all records from Henderson except for a single...	Turnstones are widespread along the coast, at least during the migrations, and are easily found, exc...	****	2025-07-23
Marbled Godwit	Limosa fedoa	Though this species is a godwit, it has quite a few similarities to the Long-billed Curlew; both bre...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S2N	G5	Transient and winter resident, essentially along the coast. Uncommon to locally fairly common fall m...	Fall transient only. Very rare (about 19 records) at reservoirs, where birds put down at night duri...	Casual transient, in spring and fall. The only records (six) are of 2 birds, Hooper Lane (Hender...	This species can usually be found along the coast in Aug and Sep, less so later in fall and winter. ...	***	2025-07-23
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	For a large shorebird, the Whimbrel is quite numerous in North America, and it is not difficult to f...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and scarce winter resident/visitor along the coast. Along the coast, fairly common to lo...	Transient. Casual in spring, and very rare in fall, with most records in the eastern portion, espec...	Very rare fall transient, and casual in spring. Three of the records surprisingly are from grass bal...	This species is not difficult to find along the coast during migration. They are most common on bar...	***	2025-07-23
Snowy Plover	Anarhynchus nivosus	In 2011, the American Ornithologists' Union split the European subspecies and the American subspecie...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G3	Very rare stray along the central and southern coast, from spring to fall; one winter record. There ...	No records.	No records.	In the warmer months, it doesn't hurt to carefully scrutinize small plovers along the beaches and in...	1/2* to *	2025-07-23
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; just one spring record. About 16 records, mos...	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 *	2025-07-23
American Golden-Plover	Pluvialis dominica	Unlike its slightly larger cousin, the Black-bellied Plover, the American Golden-Plover is a good fi...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. Very rare in spring, rare but regular in fall, along the entire coast, particularly the O...	Transient. Casual in spring (only about four records), rare but annual in fall, over most of the pr...	Transient, but nearly all records are from Hooper Lane/Mills River area in Henderson, where v...	The species is best located in Sep and Oct, especially after cold fronts. A few birds are present e...	* to **	2025-07-23
Black-bellied Plover	Pluvialis squatarola	The Black-bellied Plover is one of the more familiar shorebirds of coastal areas, wintering in good ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Transient, and coastal winter resident. Common to very common in migration, and common in winter, a...	Transient. Rare in fall, and very rare to rare in spring, in the eastern part of the province (such...	Transient. Very rare (at least 26 records) in the Henderson/Transylvania area of the souther...	This species is easily found along the coast except during Jun. Inland birds are most often found o...	****	2025-07-23
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; 11 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...	***	2025-07-23
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 *	2025-07-23
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...	Very rare stray/migrant (about 11 records); mainly May-Jun. Records outside these months: 1, Camp G...	Accidental to casual stray (four records): 1 found in emaciated condition, Hazelwood (Haywood...	Formerly, one could see the Purple Gallinule from the causeway at Orton Plantation. However, the ve...	*	2025-07-23
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 12 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...	***	2025-07-23
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...	**	2025-07-23
White-winged Dove	Zenaida asiatica	The White-winged Dove is a common and well-known migratory game bird from Texas west to Arizona. Ho...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and accidental to casual breeder, mainly coastally. Formerly, a very rare to rare fall m...	Very rare visitor; 10 published records, scattered over the region. Many are of single individuals ...	Accidental; two reports -- neither yet reviewed by the NC BRC. One seen at Brevard College (Tran...	Driving around Beaufort might yield a White-winged Dove. Otherwise, one to several typically turn u...	* to **	2025-07-23
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...	***	2025-07-23
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...	**	2025-07-23
Harlequin Duck	Histrionicus histrionicus	The Harlequin Duck is the third of the three "jetty/pier" sea ducks (along with the two eiders) that...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Rare winter visitor along the immediate coast, and very rare in estuarine waters of bays and sounds....	Accidental; a single record, an immature male seen at Lake Brandt (Guilford) on 18 Feb 2007*,...	No records.	The finding tips are essentially the same as for eiders. Look especially under the southern end of ...	*	2025-07-23
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 **	2025-07-23
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 *	2025-07-23
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 20 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 *	2025-07-23
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...	*	2025-07-23
Brant	Branta bernicla	The Brant was formerly a common to locally abundant winter visitor to the northern coastal area of t...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident along the coast. Uncommon to formerly very locally common in coastal bays. Practic...	Late fall and early winter visitor. Casual to very rare; five records, all in Nov-Dec, and all from...	No records.	Brants can occasionally be seen from shore at the western tip of Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, o...	**	2025-07-23
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 **	2025-07-23
Fulvous Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna bicolor	The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is a strongly declining species, no longer nesting in California and now ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient and winter visitor, mainly along the coast; now of casual occurrence. Formerly (prior to ...	Accidental migrant, so far known only from the eastern edge of the region. Two records are an amazi...	No records.	North Carolina had its last report of this species way back in early 2001. Unlike other rare waterf...	1/2 *	2025-07-23
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 20 known records, though records are accumulating annually. Three we...	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...	**	2025-07-23
White-tailed Kite	Elanus leucurus	The White-tailed Kite is another beautiful raptor, with a very graceful flight, hovering over fields...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Accidental visitor; four records, all accepted by the NC BRC. One seen near Wilmington, 3 Jan 1957*...	No accepted records. There is one published report mentioned in Pearson et al. (1959).	One record: an adult seen at the Shining Rock Wilderness (Haywood), 23 Jul 1993* (Chat 59:26-...		1/2*	2025-05-22
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...	**	2025-05-09
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.	****	2025-05-09
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 **	2025-05-09
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 110 records. Very rare to rare in winter along the...	Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with about 44 records, typically at feeders. Very rare visit...	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 **	2025-05-09
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...	****	2025-05-09
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...	****	2025-05-09
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...	***	2025-05-09
Northern Parula	Setophaga americana	The Northern Parula is a bird saddled with an awful common name, and this is even more so now that i...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident. Over most of the region -- common, to very common in several of the larger river f...	Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In summer, fairly common over most of the pro...	Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common at lower to middle ...	It is hard to miss in the Coastal Plain in spring or summer if birding close to rivers, such as the ...	****	2025-05-09
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla	The very active American Redstart was, until 2011, in a genus all to itself; however, all of the for...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, mainly uncommon and local over the region as a whole (bu...	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, breeds over most of the region, but highly local; can be...	Summer resident, and transient. Breeds over the entire region; generally fairly common, mainly to 3...	The species is easy to find from late Apr into Jun along the Roanoke and Neuse rivers, such as at Ho...	****	2025-05-09
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla	The Ovenbird recently "lost" its two nearest relatives -- the Louisiana and Northern waterthrushes -...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S1N	G5	Summer resident, and sparse winter visitor/resident. In summer, generally common over the northwest...	Summer resident. Common over the region as a whole. Reasonably widespread, and common also in foot...	Summer resident. Common at low to middle elevations, to about 4,000 feet, and fairly common to abou...	None needed; easily heard in a morning of birding in most areas of the state in May and Jun.	****	2025-05-09
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 *	2025-05-09
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.	*	2025-05-09
American Tree Sparrow	Spizelloides arborea	Of the several dozen species of sparrows in North America, the American Tree Sparrow is the hardiest...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor to the northeastern corner of the province. Scarce and declining, with few recent re...	Winter visitor, declining. Very rare along the northern two tiers of counties, and casual farther s...	Winter visitor, declining. Very rare in the northern counties, casual to very rare in the central c...	To look for this species, work weedy fields in the coldest part of the winter, and pour over flocks ...	*	2025-05-09
Lapland Longspur	Calcarius lapponicus	This is the only one of the four species of longspur that is not of accidental occurrence in the sta...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter visitor, and possibly winter resident (regular from winter to winter) in a few areas. Rare to...	Winter visitor. Very rare to rare across the region, with no regular wintering sites. Certainly oc...	Winter visitor. Very rare, essentially in lower elevations in wide valleys, though four were seen a...	Though a scarce bird in the state, a diligent birder can at times find the species over a several-da...	* to **	2025-05-09
Red Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	The Red Crossbill is another of the erratic "winter finches" in the East. Unlike with most of these...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B,S3N	G5	Winter visitor, and apparently accidental breeder; declining. Currently, very rare to rare across t...	Winter visitor, and accidental breeder; declining. Currently, rare and erratic in winter; formerly ...	Summer resident at higher elevations, and winter visitor to all of the region. In summer, rare to l...	Though the species is erratic in summer, it has been somewhat regular in recent years at Mount Mitch...	**	2025-05-09
Evening Grosbeak	Coccothraustes vespertinus	Perhaps the epitome of "winter finches" is the Evening Grosbeak, and each fall or early winter, bird...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, rare to uncommon in "good" winters; rarely e...	Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, uncommon in invasive winters; rarely fairly ...	Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, uncommon in invasive winters; rarely fairly ...	The species is seldom seen in the state in recent years, though there were enough birds at feeders d...	*	2025-05-09