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.
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 **	2025-10-24
Palm Warbler	Setophaga palmarum	The Palm Warbler might be associated with Saw Palmetto stands in Florida, but this is still a bad na...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident, with strong migratory movements. In winter, fairly common along and near the coast...	Transient, and scarce winter resident. Uncommon to fairly common in spring and fall, generally over...	Transient, and very scarce in winter. In spring, generally uncommon, mainly at low to middle elevat...	Generally easily found along the immediate coast in late Sep and most of Oct.	****	2025-10-24
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 ...	*	2025-10-24
Northern Waterthrush	Parkesia noveboracensis	The Northern Waterthrush is one of the few warblers that nests from coast to coast, though this rang...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and a very sparse early winter straggler. In spring, generally uncommon in the western ha...	Transient. Uncommon to fairly common essentially across the entire region, in both spring and fall;...	Transient. Mostly uncommon, at lower to middle elevations; presumably quite scarce over about 4,500...	If you bird in suitable damp wooded areas over a several-day period in early May, or in Sep, you sta...	**	2025-10-24
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 **	2025-10-24
Swamp Sparrow	Melospiza georgiana	The Swamp Sparrow breeds over much of Canada and the northern United States, nesting (rarely) south ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident. Common to locally very common along the coast, Tidewater, and other areas in the e...	Winter resident. Common in the eastern and southern portions, fairly common in the central portions...	Winter resident. Generally uncommon at the lower elevations, more so in broad valleys, below 3,000 ...	None needed, at least in the eastern Coastal Plain in the cooler months.	****	2025-10-24
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 the extreme northwestern corner of the pro...	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.	****	2025-10-24
Seaside Sparrow	Ammospiza maritima	The Seaside Sparrow is an unusual sparrow, in that most individuals within its coastal range apparen...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B,S4N	G4	Permanent resident in coastal marshes, with some migratory and habitat movements. In summer, fairly...	Accidental; the only record is one seen at Falls Lake on 2 Sep 2007 (Chat 72:38).	No records.	The species is somewhat easily found at all seasons at Federal Point and near the Aquarium at Fort F...	***	2025-10-24
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, rare to uncommon an...	Breeding birds are usually well away from roads and require some hiking to reach, such as at Pond Mo...	to *	2025-10-24
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...	**	2025-10-24
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, but declining since about 2020, and very few are now present in the breed...	Finding the species in migration is always "chancey", so you need to bird at parks or refuges in the...	to *	2025-10-22
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...	****	2025-10-22
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. ...	***	2025-10-22
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.	****	2025-10-22
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...	****	2025-10-22
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Aegolius acadicus	The smallest owl in eastern North America, the Northern Saw-whet Owl usually requires a special sear...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S2B,S2N	G5	Winter visitor or resident. Status is poorly known, but generally rare (to possibly locally uncommo...	Winter visitor. Very rare (or at least very rarely reported) in the northeastern portion, with abou...	Breeder in the higher elevations; winter resident over most of the region. Uncommon to fairly commo...	To find the species in the state, it is obviously more advantageous to try for it on the breeding gr...	**	2025-10-22
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 33 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...	***	2025-10-22
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 *	2025-10-22
Swallow-tailed Kite	Elanoides forficatus	Arguably the most spectacular bird of prey in the world, especially when seen in flight, the Swallow...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Annual visitor, mainly in spring along and near the coast, and breeder at a few sites in the souther...	Very rare to rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months, surprisingly mostly to the western/...	Very rare, but increasing, visitor in the warmer months; about 31 records, with five coming in fall ...	Birders can usually spot one to several birds, along with some Mississippi Kites, either close to th...	**	2025-10-22
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	The Osprey is one of the more familiar birds of prey to the layman, easily identified near the coast...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B,S1N	G5	Summer resident and migrant, and sparse winter visitor/resident. Fairly common to common (for a lar...	Primarily a transient, but also a local breeder. Fairly common in migration, more numerous in the e...	Transient, and extremely rare breeder. Generally uncommon, and mainly in lower elevations, below 3,...	Easily seen at coastal waters from about Mar into mid- or late fall.	****	2025-10-22
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 **	2025-10-22
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...	**	2025-10-22
Least Bittern	Botaurus exilis	The Least Bittern is just as shy as its larger cousin, the American Bittern, but because it is much ...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B	G5	Summer resident and migrant; a handful of winter records. Occurs nearly throughout the Tidewater an...	Transient and scarce summer resident. Rare (and easily overlooked) transient, and rare and local br...	Casual to very rare transient, and perhaps has nested on rare occasions in the Hendersonville area. ...	Most of the better sites are difficult for birders to reach. It is reportedly common as a breeder a...	**	2025-10-21
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 **	2025-10-21
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	Three records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2025-10-21
Red-footed Booby	Sula sula	This Tropical waterbird, found in the warmer portions of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, had b...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Two records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2025-10-21
Double-crested Cormorant	Nannopterum auritum	Hardly any bird in North Carolina has increased in recent decades as dramatically as has the Double-...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident, but breeding only at a few sites. Coastally, abundant during migration and loca...	Migrant and winter resident, with some birds all summer, increasing as non-breeders; formerly bred a...	Year-round visitor; known to be breeding at one site. Generally uncommon but increasing, in the sou...	None needed. Spectacular concentrations of 10,000 or more individuals can be seen in winter in Hatt...	****	2025-10-21
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 to very rare visitor. One was seen from a hawk watch at Mount Pisgah (Buncombe), 21 S...	The spillway at Orton Pond is probably the best site in the state. Birds can also be seen at Twin L...	***	2025-10-21
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris	The Ring-necked Duck is the most common of the diving ducks in winter on the state's inland waters, ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident. Generally fairly common, to locally common, both coastally and well inland. Unlik...	Winter resident. Fairly common to common, and even locally very common, most numerous in the easter...	Winter visitor/resident. Fairly common transient but only uncommon in winter; mainly at lower eleva...	This duck can be found in large numbers on Raleigh lakes such as Wheeler and Benson It is found on ...	* to **	2025-10-21
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	The Surf Scoter is the most common of the wintering scoters in North Carolina, though it is often ou...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident. Locally common near the northern half of the coast and the Tidewater areas, south ...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare on reservoirs and other large bodies of water; mainly mid-Oct to...	Transient. Very rare to rare, with brief stop-over time; nearly all records from the southern mount...	As with the Black Scoter, it is normally easy to find the species on the two Pamlico Sound ferries, ...	* to **	2025-10-21
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 (2025) 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 *	2025-10-21
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...	*	2025-10-21
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 (2025) about 26 rec...	Very rare visitor, increasing. Six reports: One was seen and photographed at Owen Park in Ashevill...	Your best hope of finding one in NC by chance would be to paddle along a blackwater river in the sou...	*	2025-10-21
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 *	2025-10-21
Purple Sandpiper	Calidris maritima	Hardly any bird has as restrictive a habitat in North Carolina than does the Purple Sandpiper, and n...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter resident along the coast. Numerically very rare to rare, but in reality, uncommon at a handf...	No records.	No records.	The best location in NC is the jetty at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, where 30 or more birds ...	***	2025-10-21
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.	****	2025-10-21
Franklin's Gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	The Franklin's Gull, the "cousin" of the Laughing Gull, does not breed along the ocean coasts, but i...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Visitor/transient, essentially along the coast, and mostly in fall. Coastally, casual in spring, wi...	Very rare visitor, now at least 20 records. Accidental in spring, with the only record being of one...	Very rare visitor to the southern portion of the province. Ten records: 1 at Hooper Lane (Henders...	The species is too rare to intentionally search for. However, birders should be aware of the specie...	*	2025-10-21
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana	The Wood Stork is probably the most significant wader in the state, because it is a Federally listed...	Breeder	Definitive	T	T	S1B,S1N	G4	Summer resident and post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing; rare straggler in winter, though like...	Post-breeding visitor, greatly increasing. Formerly very rare to now locally rare, mainly from Jun ...	Post-breeding visitor; very rare to now rare in the southern and central mountains, with about 15 re...	The species can almost always be found around the margins of the two freshwater ponds at Twin Lakes ...	* to **	2025-10-21
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 **	2025-10-20
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 ...	*	2025-10-20
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	The Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world, and it is also one of the most wide-ranging, as i...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S2B,S1N	G5	Permanent resident (and sparse breeder), with migratory movements, along the coast; transient inland...	Transient. Uncommon though regular in both spring and fall at larger lakes/reservoirs, but very rar...	Transient. Rare, in the southern mountains only (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transyl...	Caspian Terns can usually be found along most coastal areas in late summer and fall, especially arou...	***	2025-10-20
Upland Sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	The Upland Sandpiper is one of the more unusual shorebirds in North America. It is monotypic, with ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient; declining. In spring, rare in inland portions, and very rare farther eastward (Tidewater...	Transient; declining. Formerly rare in spring, but now very rare to rare (few recent spring records...	Transient; probably declining. Rare and local in spring, very rare in fall; essentially all records...	Uplands are best located in the fall from late Jul to early Sep, along the coast. The grasslands ar...	**	2025-10-20
American Coot	Fulica americana	The American Coot is one of the state's most familiar waterbirds, often occurring in large and dense...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			SAB,S5N	G5	Primarily a winter resident, but a sporadic breeder. Common to locally abundant in winter along the...	Winter resident, and accidental breeder. Variously uncommon (mainly in western portions) to locally ...	Mainly a transient, and scarce winter resident. Rare to uncommon migrant, and rather rare in winter...	Coots should require no finding tips during the cooler months, at least near the coast at fresh wate...	****	2025-10-20
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...	***	2025-10-20
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...	***	2025-10-20
Gadwall	Mareca strepera	Though not one of our more abundant ducks, the Gadwall is one of the few that nests in some numbers ...	Breeder	Definitive			S2B,S4N	G5	Formerly uncommon to locally fairly common breeding summer resident along and near the northern and ...	Winter resident. Uncommon in most areas, but locally fairly common; generally late Oct to early Apr...	Winter visitor. Rare, in low elevations (mainly below 2,500 feet). Very rare at higher elevations. ...	The coastal NWR's are good for finding nearly all of the dabbling ducks, including the Gadwall. A d...	****	2025-10-19
Harris's Sparrow	Zonotrichia querula	This largest of all sparrows has a rather narrow migration route, from its northwestern Canada borea...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual (only in recent years) near the coast, in migration. One adult was seen at Cape Lookout (...	Casual. One immature was found at Beaverdam Reservoir (Wake) on 21 Nov 1976 (Chat 42:60); on...	Casual. One immature male was collected in the Mills River Valley (Buncombe) on 13 Mar 1933 ...		1/2*	2025-09-22
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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