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 **	2026-03-13
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 11-13 published reports. Four have been reviewed and accepted b...	Two records yet voted on, and one voted on with an Unresolved status. An adult male was photographe...	The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <...		1/2*	2026-03-13
Kirtland's Warbler	Setophaga kirtlandii	Considering that North Carolina is about halfway between the species' wintering grounds in the Baham...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G3	Remarkably, just two convincing reports. One was photographed at Duck (Dare) from 2-5 Oct 201...	Casual fall transient in the western portion of the province, but just one accepted record for the e...	Very rare transient (with numbers increasing in recent years); now with 10 records (but only two of ...	Some recent birds have stayed over for an extra day to three, for many observers to observe them. F...	1/2*	2026-03-13
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...	*	2026-03-13
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 25 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 **	2026-03-12
Lark Bunting	Calamospiza melanocorys	This is a conspicuous and unique species of the short-grass prairies, very rare as a stray to the Ea...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Casual migrant, most records from the Dare Outer Banks. There are nine records. One was see...	Accidental. A singing male in breeding plumage at Dorothea Dix farm in Raleigh, 2-12 May 1978, is t...	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-12
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 **	2026-03-12
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	The Snow Bunting breeding range and abundance is remarkably similar to that of the Lapland Longspur,...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, mainly coastally; declining in numbers in the past several decades, though an upturn...	Sparse winter visitor. Very rare; barely 15 reports for the province. Mainly late Oct to early Jan,...	Sparse winter visitor. Very rare; about 19-20 records. Has occurred on a handful of occasions on th...	If you spend a lot of time walking or driving beaches in the winter, you might find a few each year....	*	2026-03-12
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 **	2026-03-12
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...	****	2026-03-12
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 **	2026-03-12
Bank Swallow	Riparia riparia	The Bank Swallow has a range that not only encompasses most of North America (and wintering south to...	Former Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Transient. In spring, generally uncommon (but as it occurs in flocks, can be sporadic from week to...	Transient, and accidental (at least former) breeder. Nested along the Roaring River near Ronda (...	Transient, and breeder (currently?) at one site. Rare to uncommon in both spring and fall. Nested ...	As the quarry site is likely off-limits to birders, and likely is no longer active, one must stumble...	**	2026-03-12
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...	***	2026-03-12
Bell's Vireo	Vireo bellii	Though the Bell's Vireo nests as far east as Illinois, there are relatively few records for the sout...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare along and near the coast in fall and early winter. One was briefly seen and photographed ...	Accidental, though unconfirmed for the province. There is a sight record at Zebulon (Wake) o...	Accidental. One was seen and photographed on the Warren Wilson College grounds (Buncombe) fr...	Be alert to this secretive bird in the fall near the coast, and keep a camera handy; it can be diffi...	*	2026-03-12
Say's Phoebe	Sayornis saya	The Say's Phoebe breeds over much of the Western United States and Western Canada, but it withdraws ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare fall migrant/stray, occasionally lingering into the winter; 16 records. One was seen near ...	Casual; six or seven records. One was seen near Raleigh (Wake) on 23 Oct 1965 (Chat 30:28), ...	Accidental to casual. One was photographed at Jackson Park (Henderson) on 19 Sep 2023* (Chat...	The bird along Howerton Road in northeastern Guilford has been present for the past two falls...	*	2026-03-12
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...	***	2026-03-12
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	The Western Kingbird history in North Carolina is a sad one. Back in the 1960's and early 1970's, o...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Fall transient, regularly lingering into early winter; declining, at least in fall. Along the coast...	Essentially only a fall stray/transient. Very rare, with only about 16 records. Nine of the records...	Casual. Five records: four in fall (two in Aug and two in Sep). The report of two birds in Ashe...	Try driving NC 12 down the Outer Banks in fall, a day or two after a strong cold front. A bird coul...	*	2026-03-12
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...	**	2026-03-12
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...	**	2026-03-12
Rough-legged Hawk	Buteo lagopus	North Carolina lies at and just south of the regular wintering range of the Rough-legged Hawk, meani...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor. Rare in the Tidewater area, mainly at Alligator River NWR; very rare to rare along ...	Winter visitor, with at least 31 reports. Very rare, with a concentration of records in the Raleigh...	Winter visitor, with at least 21 reports. Very rare in the extreme northern counties (such as Al...	Since about 2000, one to occasionally two birds have been seen at the extensive farm fields at Allig...	* to **	2026-03-12
Swainson's Hawk	Buteo swainsoni	Though the Swainson's Hawk is a Western species, like the Broad-winged Hawk almost the entire breedi...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Formerly casual transient to the coast and Tidewater areas, but since about 2005, now very rare, wit...	Casual visitor. Three reports, two accepted -- of birds seen overhead: one adult, Lake Benson (W...	Casual visitor. The only report is an immature photographed at the Biltmore Estate (Buncombe)...	Because a number of records have recently come from Alligator River NWR, this is the only place in t...	*	2026-03-12
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 --...	*	2026-03-12
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...	**	2026-03-12
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	The Black-crowned Night Heron is our only truly nocturnal waterbird. Birds roost in thickets, usual...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident coastally, and a transient inland. Along the coast, fairly common to locally com...	Transient and post-breeding visitor; accidental breeder (in 2022-24). Rare and secretive, mostly in...	Transient and post-breeding visitor. Rare at low elevations in the southern counties; very rare in ...	This species is usually found along the coast at any season, but you might need to wait around tidal...	***	2026-03-12
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...	**	2026-03-12
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 **	2026-03-12
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 ...	***	2026-03-12
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	Four records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-12
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	The Great Cormorant is still another species that greatly increased in the East over the past severa...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Declining in recent years. Winter resident and visitor along the coast, but only in very small numb...	Very rare migrant and winter visitor. About 14 records, all at reservoirs in the eastern and centra...	No records.	The species is reliably seen at just a few places along the NC coast. Your best bet currently (2026...	***	2026-03-12
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 ...	Surprisingly few records, considering the many in the Piedmont, where records are greatly increasing...	The spillway at Orton Pond is probably the best site in the state. Birds can also be seen at Twin L...	***	2026-03-12
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 six records. An adult female was seen and photographed on many dates at Lookout Shoals...	No records.	As with other rare pelagic species, you will have to take dozens of trips out of Oregon Inlet or Hat...	*	2026-03-12
Great Shearwater	Ardenna gravis	In 2010, the American Ornithologists' Union changed the common name of Greater Shearwater to Great S...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Offshore visitor, mainly to the Gulf Stream. Generally fairly common, to at times common in midsumm...	No records.	No records.	This shearwater is best seen by taking a chartered birding trip to the Gulf Stream off Oregon or Hat...	***	2026-03-12
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 ...	*	2026-03-12
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 22 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...	*	2026-03-12
Elegant Tern	Thalasseus elegans	This is a species of the Pacific Ocean, ranging regularly north to southern CA, and southward along ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G4	Two records (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-12
Forster's Tern	Sterna forsteri	The Forster's Tern is the only tern that remains relatively common along the coast of North Carolina...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; primarily coastal. Fairly common breeder around the p...	Transient. Rare spring migrant and uncommon fall migrant at larger lakes and reservoirs, occasional...	Transient, essentially only in the southern mountains. Rare (to occasionally uncommon) in spring, a...	Forster's are the most commonly seen terns from late Oct through Mar along our coast, and except dur...	****	2026-03-12
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 **	2026-03-12
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger	This is one of the few tern species in the state that is just a migrant, without a breeding or winte...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4G5	Transient, though small numbers can be seen coastally during summer. Along the coast -- formerly fa...	Transient. Very rare in spring and uncommon in fall, mainly at lakes/reservoirs; casual to very rar...	Transient. Accidental/casual in spring, with the only records being one along the New River at Pine...	Formerly, swarms of Black Terns could be seen by the dozens hawking insects over the marshes and imp...	***	2026-03-12
Long-tailed Jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	The Long-tailed Jaeger is certainly one of the most elegant of the "pelagic birds", and an adult wit...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, essentially offshore. Rare to uncommon during a brief period in late spring, and rare ov...	Casual visitor. Four records: one found dead under a TV tower near Raleigh on 26 Aug 1960; an adult ...	No records.	This species is best seen by taking a pelagic trip to the waters of the Gulf Stream in the latter ha...	* to **	2026-03-12
Parasitic Jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus	Though the Parasitic Jaeger is probably more numerous globally than the Pomarine Jaeger, in our wate...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Transient, and poorly-known winter visitor/resident, to the offshore zone and the inshore ocean. Un...	Visitor to lakes and reservoirs, mostly storm-related. Casual to very rare, with seven records: 1 a...	No records.	This species can be seen from shore almost anywhere along the coast, though Cape Lookout and Cape Ha...	**	2026-03-12
Wilson's Phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	The Wilson's Phalarope nests in the western half of the continent, at lakes, ponds, and other wetlan...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, mainly along the coast; declining over the past 20 years. Coastally, very rare in spring...	Transient. Casual in spring migration, with only four reports -- 30 Mar, and 1-18 May (no Apr recor...	Transient, mainly known from Henderson, where casual to very rare in each season. Records fro...	The species could formerly be found with some regularity only at the Pea and Bodie island ponds; now...	* to **	2026-03-12
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 both spring ...	Willets are noisy and hard to miss along the coast for most of the year.	****	2026-03-12
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Calidris subruficollis	The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is one of our most beautiful shorebirds, and its dove-like appearance se...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Transient, only in fall. Very uncommon to occasionally uncommon on the Outer Banks, but generally r...	Transient, only in fall. Rare to occasionally very uncommon (such as at extensive mudflats), scatter...	Transient, only in fall. Rare but seemingly regular since 1996, in the Henderson/Transylvania	There are no consistent spots in fall to see the species. The turf farm just west of Creswell (Wa...	**	2026-03-12
Baird's Sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	The Baird's Sandpiper is the rarest of the five non-accidental "peep" species in North Carolina, and...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. Casual in spring, and rare to locally uncommon in fall, mainly along the coast. Four sp...	Transient. Rare in fall, mainly at the larger reservoirs (when mudflats are present). Flights are e...	Transient, though essentially only in low elevation valleys in Henderson, and single records ...	In mid-autumn, the impoundments at Pea and Bodie islands, and the tidal pool at Cape Hatteras point,...	* to **	2026-03-12
Hudsonian Godwit	Limosa haemastica	The Hudsonian Godwit has an unusual migration pattern. It migrates from its central and southern So...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Transient. Casual in spring, nearly only at Bodie/Pea Islands only; the only other spring report wa...	Casual fall transient (only in the eastern and central portions), with five records: 1, Falls Lake, ...	Accidental fall transient; two records -- 3 at Hooper Lane (Henderson), 8 Sep 2004* (after Tr...	Look for them in Sep and Oct, especially after periods of strong NE winds. North Pond at Pea Island...	**	2026-03-10
Bar-tailed Godwit	Limosa lapponica	This Eurasian shorebird has appeared along the East Coast much more often than the Black-tailed Godw...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Very rare visitor, with four spring and 12+ fall reports, all from the coast, plus one in winter. T...	No records.	No records.	As the species has been seen now for at least eight consecutive falls (2016-23) at the eastern end o...	*	2026-03-10
Long-billed Curlew	Numenius americanus	The Long-billed Curlew is the largest shorebird in North America, in length, and, considering the ex...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient and winter visitor/resident, declining in recent years (though never numerous). Formerly ...	No records. As this species obviously migrates over the province in spring and fall to its breeding...	Accidental. The only far inland record for the state is one photographed at Hooper Lane (Henders...	The best places in recent years have been flats at or near the eastern end of Shackleford Banks, at ...	**	2026-03-10
Pacific Golden-Plover	Pluvialis fulva	One of the more remarkable shorebird records for the state was the discovery of a Pacific Golden-Plo...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Seven or eight records, nearly all presumably of the same individual (see above) seen annually from ...	No records.	No records.	Nearly all records have come in late summer or early fall from the sand and mud flats around the Sal...	1/2*	2026-03-10
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 three records. One was seen at Hooper Lane (Henderson) on 25 Sep 2004, pres...	The best -- at least most accessible -- places to see this species are the impoundments at Pea Islan...	***	2026-03-10
American Avocet	Recurvirostra americana	Over most of the world, various species of stilts (genus Himantopus) and avocets (genus Re...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter resident and migrant, coastally; accidental breeder, along the coast. Fairly common to commo...	Transient. Rare fall migrant, and accidental/casual spring migrant, with most records from larger r...	Transient. Very rare southbound migrant in summer and fall, with 14 known records: 1, Cashiers (...	The only reliable spots are the impoundments at Pea Island NWR and less so at the adjacent Bodie Isl...	***	2026-03-10
Clapper Rail	Rallus crepitans	The Clapper Rail is, by far, the easiest rail to see in the state and is the most characteristic bir...	Breeder	Definitive			S4	G5	Permanent resident along the coast (tidal marshes); casual migrant elsewhere. Common to very common...	Very rare transient in the eastern half of the province, but no records yet for the western portions...	No records.	The species is easily heard calling at dawn or dusk, and sporadically during the day and night, in m...	****	2026-03-10
Limpkin	Aramus guarauna	The Limpkin breeds locally over much of the Neotropics, ranging north to Florida, and a few are now ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual to 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 27 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...	*	2026-03-10
Broad-billed Hummingbird	Cynanthus latirostris	A number of hummingbird species breed essentially or primarily in the United States only in Arizona....	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Casual summer and fall/visitor, lingering into winter. A male was seen in the Fairfield Harbour are...	No records.	No records.		1/2 *	2026-03-10
Black-chinned Hummingbird	Archilochus alexandri	With the advent of hummingbird feeders left up year-round, and not simply taken down in fall when th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially only at feeders in towns. Rare along the southern half of the coast, an...	Winter visitor. Very rare, with at least 14 records -- Charlotte (two records), Gastonia, Bethania ...	Accidental. One record: an immature male was seen at Brevard on 14 Dec 2002 (Chat 67:69).	One has a fair chance to see the species in a given year, by visiting a feeder with one reported (an...	*	2026-03-10
Chimney Swift	Chaetura pelagica	The Chimney Swift is one of the most "unique" species in eastern North America, as no other bird in ...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S5B	G4G5	Breeding summer resident. Common (though declining) throughout the province, except absent to uncom...	Breeding summer resident. Common (though declining) throughout the province, though perhaps slightl...	Breeding summer resident. Common (though declining) in lower elevations (below 2,500 feet), and fai...	None needed; easily found in the warmer months.	****	2026-03-10
Long-tailed Duck	Clangula hyemalis	This species was long known as the Oldsquaw, but its name was changed in recent years to conform to ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident, slightly declining in recent years. Fairly common in a rather small area of northw...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare, mainly at large reservoirs in the eastern and central parts of ...	Winter visitor. Very rare, with only eight known records, all but one of single individuals: in ...	To see Long-tailed Ducks in NC, you should take the Swan Quarter to Ocracoke ferry. The species is ...	to *	2026-03-10
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 *	2026-03-10
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens	The Magnificent Frigatebird is a common coastal bird of subtropical and tropical waters around the w...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Nonbreeding visitor, almost always in flight over the immediate coast or over estuaries; seldom seen...	Accidental/casual to the eastern edge of the province, with just three records: one seen and later p...	Accidental, and remarkably both records are for the winter season. An adult female was photographed...	North Carolina averages about three to five reports of this species per year, most often in July or ...	*	2026-03-01
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus	This abundant Neotropical species ranges north to extreme southern Texas and southern Arizona. Howev...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual stray. There are seven records, five in fall or early winter: one near Fairfield (Hyde	No records.	No records.	When birding along and near the coast, be aware of any kingbird with yellow underparts. A few decad...	1/2*	2026-03-01
Green-tailed Towhee	Pipilo chlorurus	Accidental. The only accepted state record of Green-tailed Towhee was a bird found near Southport (...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	One accepted record (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-01
White-throated Swift	Aeronautes saxatalis	This is a Western species that is strongly migratory, wintering in the far southwestern states and i...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	One record (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-01
White-faced Ibis	Plegadis chihi	The White-faced Ibis is the Western counterpart of the Glossy Ibis, and it also nests along the Gulf...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual (and certainly overlooked) visitor, but records increasing; most records from Mattamuskeet NW...	One record: one in breeding plumage photographed (photos on the CBC Photo Gallery) at Lake Brandt (<...	No records.	With the multiple records now from Mattamuskeet NWR, essentially at the impoundments south of Lake M...	*	2026-03-01
Snail Kite	Rostrhamus sociabilis	This rare (Federally listed) species is normally found only from central Florida southward, and is m...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G4G5	Three accepted records, and one additional report that has 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*	2026-03-01
Crested Caracara	Caracara plancus	The Crested Caracara is essentially a non-migratory "falcon" of dry grasslands, prairies, ranchlands...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Four accepted records, and two other non-accepted reports (see above).	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-01
Varied Thrush	Ixoreus naevius	This Far Western thrush was an embarrassing "miss" or "hole" on the North Carolina bird list for man...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Two records. One was photographed at Airlie Gardens (New Hanover) on 3 Feb 2024* (Chat 88:43...	Casual; five records. An adult female was seen on three dates between 19 and 29 Dec 2005 near Hills...	Accidental. An adult male was photographed in Fletcher (Henderson) on 1 Feb 2010* (Chat 74:6...		1/2*	2026-03-01
Western Flycatcher	Empidonax difficilis	There are four state records of this species of western North America. Several dozen years ago, the...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA		One record (see above).	Three records (see above), with the first two accepted by the NC BRC. The third has yet to be review...	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-01
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*	2026-03-01
Little Gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	Like the Black-headed Gull, the Little Gull is essentially an Old World species, though in the past ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially only along the coast and in near offshore waters. From Hatteras Inlet n...	Casual to now very rare winter visitor. Single birds noted at Jordan Lake: an immature seen from 5-...	No records.	This species is reliably found among the large flocks of Bonaparte's Gulls along the northern half o...	**	2026-03-01
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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