The 100 most recent account entries/updates. |
comName | sciName | species_account | breeding_status | list_type | state_status | fed_status | S_rank | G_rank | coastal_plain | piedmont | mountain | tips | tips_code | update_on |
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Painted Bunting | Passerina ciris | The adult male Painted Bunting is certainly the gaudiest-colored of North American songbirds. Thank... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B | G5 | Summer resident along the southern coast, and sparingly near the South Carolina border at least inla... | Very rare (but increasing) visitor, scattered over the year; a few reports of males singing on terri... | Casual visitor. The only known records are one at a feeder in Asheville, 9-12 Mar 2004; a female or... | Should be easily found along the southern coast in late Apr, May, and Jun, at places such as Fort Ma... | *** to **** | 2025-07-29 |
Black-headed Grosbeak | Pheucticus melanocephalus | The Black-headed Grosbeak, the Western counterpart of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, is a casual to ver... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Casual visitor. There are seven records: one in Wilmington, 8-16 Apr 1969 (Chat 33:4); one at Bodie... | Casual visitor. There are seven records: one in Greensboro, 6 Jan - 12 Apr 1964 (Chat 28:2); a male... | Casual/accidental, with just one record: a breeding-plumaged male was photographed at a feeder on 11... | | 1/2* | 2025-07-29 |
Townsend's Warbler | Setophaga townsendi | This close relative of the Black-throated Green Warbler breeds only from Alaska to the northwestern ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G5 | Casual visitor, mainly in fall, with ten to twelve published reports. Four have been reviewed and ac... | Two records. An adult male was photographed in a Charlotte (Mecklenburg) yard on 19 Mar 2025... | The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <... | | 1/2* | 2025-07-29 |
Cerulean Warbler | Setophaga cerulea | The Cerulean Warbler is one of the more strongly declining songbirds in the eastern part of the cont... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S2B | G4 | Local summer resident, and sparse transient. In summer, rare to uncommon, local, and declining, alo... | Transient; breeds along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, which forms the border between the Piedmont and M... | Summer resident, and transient. In summer, mostly rare and local at lower elevations (below about 3... | The species is best found by stopping at several overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway northeast of As... | ** to *** | 2025-07-29 |
Mourning Warbler | Geothlypis philadelphia | The Mourning Warbler, until 2011, was placed in the same genus (Oporornis) with the Connectic... | Probable Breeder | Definitive | W | | SUB,SZN | G5 | Transient. Casual in spring, so far only along or near the coast; very rare in fall along the immed... | Transient. In spring, very rare in the western half of the province and casual in the eastern half;... | Transient; also very rare (in the past few decades) in summer, and probable breeder, though as yet w... | This is a difficult bird to find in the state, because relatively few pass through, and then mainly ... | * | 2025-07-29 |
Nashville Warbler | Leiothlypis ruficapilla | The Nashville Warbler, along with the Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, and several Western... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, and scarce straggler into early winter. Very rare in spring (essentially avoiding the re... | Transient, and a very scarce straggler into early winter. In spring, rare in the western and centra... | Transient; one recent record of a potential breeding bird. Rare to occasionally uncommon in spring, ... | Pure migrant species can be hard to pin down in time and place, depending on cold fronts in fall, et... | ** | 2025-07-29 |
Tennessee Warbler | Leiothlypis peregrina | In 2010, the American Ornithologists' Union moved several warblers out of the genus Vermivora... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient. In spring, very rare in the region (about 14 reports -- 3 in 2021). In fall, generally ... | Transient. In spring, very rare to rare in the eastern portion, and rare farther west. In fall, fa... | Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon, mainly in valleys and elsewhere below about 3,500 feet. In... | The species is difficult to miss on a day of birding in the mountains during much of September, such... | *** to **** | 2025-07-29 |
Swainson's Warbler | Limnothlypis swainsonii | The Swainson's Warbler was once considered one of the rarest of warblers in the country. This perce... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3S4B | G4 | Summer resident. Breeds over essentially all of the region, as far west as Weldon (Halifax) ... | Summer resident (sparingly), and scarce transient; however slowly increasing and spreading into the ... | Summer resident, increasing/spreading in range. Breeds most frequently along the Blue Ridge Escarpm... | Despite it not being common anywhere, you should be able to hear one to several in Alligator River N... | *** | 2025-07-29 |
Brewer's Blackbird | Euphagus cyanocephalus | The Brewer's Blackbird is an abundant bird of the Western half of the country. It is somewhat migra... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Possible winter resident; otherwise a sparse winter visitor and transient. Formerly known to winter... | Scarce (very rare) transient and winter visitor, as the province is generally east of the migration ... | Scarce, though a regular transient and very rare in winter. Rare in southern mountain valleys, and ... | Arrangements to access Open Ground Farms have always been tricky, and this is not a good option. Re... | * | 2025-07-29 |
Yellow-headed Blackbird | Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus | The Yellow-headed Blackbird is practically a "waterbird", in that in its nesting range in the upper ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Sparse transient and winter visitor. Rare in fall along the immediate coast, more so along the Oute... | Very rare visitor. There are only about 17 reports from the province -- six from late summer to ear... | Very rare visitor. There are only about 10 reports from the mountains, all since 1988. All but one... | The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a difficult bird to find in the state. When birding along the coast ... | * | 2025-07-29 |
LeConte's Sparrow | Ammospiza leconteii | The LeConte's Sparrow is another secretive grassland/marsh sparrow of the central part of the contin... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1?N | G5 | Winter resident, but scarce and easily overlooked. Fewer reports since about 2010, but whether that ... | Transient, and straggler into winter; scarce and poorly known. Very rare in both fall (between 23 O... | Transient, scarce. Casual, with only nine reports of single birds: in Franklin (Macon) on 17... | The only reliable spot in recent years has been at a privately-owned conservation area -- North Rive... | * | 2025-07-28 |
Clay-colored Sparrow | Spizella pallida | The Clay-colored Sparrow was primarily a "Western"/Midwestern" species until a few decades ago. How... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, and sparse winter resident, mainly near the coast. In fall, rare to uncommon along the c... | Transient, essentially in fall and winter. Very rare in fall and winter (about 21 records in fall a... | Transient. Very rare in fall, winter, and spring, nearly all records in low elevations in the south... | Your best bet is probably Fort Fisher in Sep and Oct. A few were being seen semi-regularly in winte... | * to ** | 2025-07-28 |
Lark Sparrow | Chondestes grammacus | The Lark Sparrow, as with the Vesper Sparrow, is by itself in a monotypic genus; no other sparrow is... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Sparse summer resident, transient, and winter straggler. In summer, rare and local, only in the San... | Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and very rare in fall; scattered over the region. Mainly... | Transient. Casual to very rare in spring (eight records), and very rare in late summer/fall (about ... | Most breeding sites are generally off-limits to birders on military reservations (especially at Fort... | * to ** | 2025-07-28 |
Snail Kite | Rostrhamus sociabilis | This rare (Federally listed) species is normally found only from central Florida southward, and is m... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G4G5 | Two accepted records, and two additional reports that have yet to be voted on. The first was an adul... | No records. | One record. An immature was photographed at a rest area near Andrews (Cherokee) on 31 Mar 20... | | 1/2* | 2025-07-28 |
Sage Thrasher | Oreoscoptes montanus | This is a thrasher of the Western states, the only member of the genus Oreoscoptes, and thus ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G4 | Accidental to casual. There are two accepted records, plus a third in 2025 that has not yet been re... | No records. | One record. One was seen and photographed at the Warren Wilson College campus (Buncombe) fro... | | 1/2 * | 2025-07-28 |
Brown-headed Nuthatch | Sitta pusilla | The Brown-headed Nuthatch, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and the Bachman's Sparrow are the signature ... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5 | G4 | Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Common in the Sandhills and other areas in the southern portions ... | Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Common along the extreme eastern and southern portions, but mostl... | Scarce permanent resident, but slowly increasing; apparently nonmigratory. Formerly did not occur/b... | This species is almost always found in a morning of birding in Longleaf Pine forests. Weymouth Wood... | **** | 2025-07-28 |
Cave Swallow | Petrochelidon fulva | Hardly any bird has expanded its breeding range in the United States in recent years as has the Cave... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Fall transient, and straggler into early winter, essentially along the coast; greatly increasing in ... | Casual, with four records: a single bird seen at Troutman (Iredell) on 20 Dec 1999 (Chat 64:1... | Casual in migration, with reports having yet to be reviewed by the NC BRC. One was photographed and... | There are no consistent spots for seeing fall and early winter migrants, as they can be seen flying ... | * to ** | 2025-07-28 |
Common Raven | Corvus corax | The Common Raven is considered to be the largest passerine in the world. It also is the one occurri... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3 | G5 | Formerly (prior to 1932), accidental/casual visitor to the coast: 2, Beaufort (Carteret), 4 J... | Present, but scarce, all year over much of the province, occasionally breeding; mainly since about 1... | Permanent resident, with migratory movements rather imperceptible. Little distributional change ove... | Though uncommon number-wise in the mountains, it can be heard calling at long distances, so not hard... | *** | 2025-07-28 |
Fish Crow | Corvus ossifragus | Unlike the American Crow, the Fish Crow is poorly known to the layman -- "There are two kinds of cro... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B,S5N | G5 | Permanent resident over most of the area, with migratory movements. Generally, common to locally ve... | Summer resident, remaining into late fall, and sparingly winters in the eastern portions; still slow... | Greatly increasing visitor and presumed local breeder; a recent arrival, since 2006. Now surely nest... | Easy to find, and not local, in the breeding season, in most of the Coastal Plain, especially around... | **** | 2025-07-28 |
Black-whiskered Vireo | Vireo altiloquus | For a species that nests in the West Indies and north to the western and southern coasts of Florida,... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Now a very rare overshooting stray along and near the coast, in spring; a remarkable 15+ records so ... | No records. | No records. | If one is birding along the southern coastline in May or early June, especially on islands, it doesn... | * | 2025-07-28 |
Warbling Vireo | Vireo gilvus | The Warbling Vireo, along with the Red-eyed Vireo, has the most extensive breeding range of any vire... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Transient, and possible accidental breeder. Very rare in both spring and fall. Records are increasin... | Transient (mainly in spring), and scarce summer resident. In spring, rare in the western half, and ... | Summer resident and transient. Uncommon in summer in the New River area of Ashe and Alleg... | Though a scarce bird in the state, driving roads that parallel or cross the South Fork New River, wi... | *** | 2025-07-28 |
Alder Flycatcher | Empidonax alnorum | Prior to 1973, Alder and Willow flycatchers were considered as a single species -- Traill's Flycatch... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Transient. Status very poorly known, but apparently casual to (at best) very rare. There are only ... | Transient; apparently very rare. Very poorly known, though possibly regular in both spring and fall... | Summer resident; breeding, mainly above 3,500 feet elevation. Generally uncommon and local, with th... | Some of the better sites for finding the species are the road to the Shining Rock Wilderness and Bla... | *** | 2025-07-28 |
Olive-sided Flycatcher | Contopus cooperi | The Olive-sided Flycatcher has a very wide breeding range, in the boreal forests from Alaska to Labr... | Former Probable Breeder | Definitive | W | | SU | G4 | Transient. Very rare in fall, and casual/accidental in spring; only about 17 records. Two of the on... | Transient. Rare in both spring and fall, across the region. Primarily from early May to late May, w... | Transient and former summer resident, with current "breeding" status undetermined. Many scattered re... | This bird is too rare to expect to see one. Your best bet is to drive roads in the mountains, especi... | * | 2025-07-28 |
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher | Tyrannus forficatus | The beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nests in the south-central United States, primarily in Texas... | Sporadic Breeder | Definitive | W | | SAB,SZ | G5 | Transient/vagrant, both in late spring/summer and again in fall; accidental breeder. Very rare to r... | Transient/vagrant, and sporadic breeder (only three sites reported). Very rare in migration, with m... | Casual spring visitor, with all records only in May. One was photographed in Swannanoa (Buncombe... | Your best bet is to drive to a known nesting site. If none are available for an easy "tick", you ar... | * | 2025-07-28 |
Gray Kingbird | Tyrannus dominicensis | The Gray Kingbird is somewhat the Southern version of the Eastern Kingbird, being mainly a bird of F... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Stray/transient, essentially along the coast, and accidental/casual breeder. As a visitor, very rar... | Casual. There are only three records, from Umstead State Park (Wake) on 16 Apr 1959 (Chat 23... | No records. | This is a long shot, but your best bet is to drive roads along the southern coastal islands, in late... | * | 2025-07-28 |
Ash-throated Flycatcher | Myiarchus cinerascens | The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a Western species, breeding from southern Washington to Texas. Like ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Greatly increasing in late fall and winter near the coast; late autumn migrant/visitor, with birds a... | Now a very rare visitor. Two sight reports are from the Raleigh area: one on 16 May 1973 (Chat 39:4... | Accidental. One videotaped in Henderson on 28 Oct 1999 is the only record for the mountains.... | There have now been numerous recent records at Alligator River NWR, and somewhat fewer near Pungo La... | * to ** | 2025-07-28 |
Short-eared Owl | Asio flammeus | The Short-eared Owl is the owl species most likely to be seen flying about in daylight hours, as a f... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | W | | SUB,S3N | G5 | Winter resident, and probable accidental/casual breeder. In winter, uncommon (to sporadically and l... | Winter visitor. Very rare to rare, mainly from early Nov to late Mar; a preponderance of records we... | Winter visitor. Very rare in the southern mountains, with 11 records, seven from Hooper Lane in ... | A good technique for locating likely spots for Short-eareds is to find marshes or grasslands th... | ** | 2025-07-28 |
Mississippi Kite | Ictinia mississippiensis | Mississippi Kites are a major success story in North Carolina and elsewhere in their breeding range,... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3B | G5 | Summer resident, breeding; increasing in recent decades. Occurs primarily close to brownwater river... | Increasing stray or overshooting migrant, as well as a post-breeding visitor; breeds at a few local ... | Rare migrant/visitor (increasing) in the southern mountains (about 32 records). Very rare north of <... | Visiting the Lock and Dam #1 area or the NC 11 bridge over the Cape Fear River has been consistently... | *** | 2025-07-28 |
Golden Eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | This very large and powerful raptor -- the largest in the state -- has always had a mysterious prese... | Former Probable Breeder | Definitive | SR | | SUB,S1N | G5 | Migrant and winter visitor. Rare in the vicinity of lakes Mattamuskeet and Pungo and at Alligator R... | Scarce migrant; about 32 reports. Very rare, mainly in fall and early winter, across the province; ... | Scarce winter resident, and also a scarce year-round visitor and migrant. Presently, a rare fall mi... | Over the years there has been a record of Golden Eagle every few winters in the Lake Mattamuskeet --... | * | 2025-07-28 |
Roseate Spoonbill | Platalea ajaja | Hardly any bird is more easily identified than the Roseate Spoonbill. This tropical breeder nests no... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Post-breeding visitor and stray, mostly to the coast; greatly increasing in recent years. Now rare ... | Formerly accidental to casual, but now very rare to rare and increasing, mostly a post-breeding visi... | Casual post-breeding visitor, with all records from 2018 (Chat 82:112). Singles were seen on the Fr... | Increasing annually now, and can now be tracked down to see, as some have lingered for a while, espe... | * to ** | 2025-07-27 |
Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus | The history of the Glossy Ibis is somewhat the reverse of that of the White Ibis. Though it also is... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S1S2B | G5 | Breeding summer resident along the coast, but sparse (and declining) in winter; post-breeding visito... | Migrant and post-breeding visitor. Rare in the eastern portion (mainly in the Jordan and Falls lake... | Casual to very rare visitor; with only nine known reports. One seen at Altamont (Avery) on 12... | This species has been somewhat more difficult to find along the coast in the spring to fall seasons ... | *** | 2025-07-27 |
White Ibis | Eudocimus albus | One of the most common of our coastal wading birds, the White Ibis has increased dramatically in the... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S3N | G5 | Year-round breeding resident along the coast, with migratory movements. Common to locally very comm... | Post-breeding visitor, essentially only in summer and fall. Rare to uncommon along the eastern edge... | Post-breeding visitor. Rare at low elevations in the southern mountains; very rare in the central a... | This species is difficult to miss along the coast, at mudflats, shallow waters of ponds and inlets, ... | **** | 2025-07-27 |
Yellow-crowned Night Heron | Nyctanassa violacea | Though the Yellow-crowned Night Heron can be somewhat nocturnal, it frequently forages during the da... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Summer resident and transient. Generally uncommon along most of the coast, but fairly common at lea... | Transient, post-breeding visitor, and sparse breeder. Rare and local throughout, and no records for... | Transient. Very rare to rare, and only in the lower mountains, mostly from Henderson; nearly... | Areas where they can be seen somewhat regularly are the Twin Lakes ponds on the mainland part of Sun... | ** | 2025-07-27 |
American White Pelican | Pelecanus erythrorhynchos | This spectacular and huge species, which nests in the Great Plains and the Western states, has under... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G4 | Migrant and winter visitor, most frequent along the northern coast and Tidewater; increasing. Coast... | Rare (but increasing) migrant and winter visitor, and possible winter resident at one site. Most ar... | Very rare migrant, with at least 12 records, nearly all from the southern mountains; records and num... | In recent years, the impoundments at Pea Island have small groups, sometimes numbering over 100 bird... | *** to **** | 2025-07-27 |
Anhinga | Anhinga anhinga | The Anhinga is still another of the Pelicaniform species that has increased noticeably in the state ... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B | G5 | Breeding summer resident, increasing. Nests at least locally, scattered over most of the province, e... | Mostly a nonbreeding migrant/visitor; increasing. Now (2025) a casual but increasing breeder in the ... | Casual visitor. One was seen from a hawk watch at Mount Pisgah (Buncombe), 21 Sep 2003; one ... | The spillway at Orton Pond is probably the best site in the state. Birds can also be seen at Twin L... | *** | 2025-07-27 |
Brown Booby | Sula leucogaster | The Brown Booby was until a few years ago a rarer bird off our coast than the Masked Booby, even tho... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Nonbreeding visitor, mainly offshore in the Gulf Stream, but there are quite a few records from shor... | Casual, with five records. An adult female was seen and photographed on many dates at Lookout Shoal... | No records. | As with other rare pelagic species, you will have to take dozens of trips out of Oregon Inlet or Hat... | * | 2025-07-27 |
Scopoli's Shearwater | Calonectris diomedea | The Scopoli's Shearwater was split off from Cory's Shearwater by the AOS (formerly AOU) in 2024; it ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | GNR | Offshore visitor, being uncommon to at times common in the warmer months, from May into Oct, and per... | No records. | No records. | You will want or need to take an organized pelagic trip to see this, as photographs might be require... | ** to *** | 2025-07-27 |
Black-capped Petrel | Pterodroma hasitata | The Black-capped Petrel is, by far, the most often seen of the gadfly petrels (genus Pterodroma | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | FSC | S1N | G1 | Offshore visitor (at all seasons). Generally fairly common to often common in the Gulf Stream, at l... | Accidental: 1, Jordan Lake, 6-7 Sep 1996 (during and after Hurricane Fran) (Nat. Audubon Soc. Field ... | No records. | This is an easy bird if you take a pelagic trip that goes into the deeper waters of the Gulf Stream.... | *** to **** | 2025-07-27 |
Bermuda Petrel | Pterodroma cahow | The Bermuda Petrel is the rarest of the four Pterodroma petrels found somewhat regularly off ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | E | SZ | G1 | Offshore visitor. Very rare, but now seen almost annually, though no records from 2010-2012. Occur... | No records. | No records. | As with all Pterodroma petrels, you need to get far offshore, taking organized pelagic trips ... | * | 2025-07-26 |
Red-billed Tropicbird | Phaethon aethereus | Until the mid- or late 1990's, there were very few state records of the spectacular Red-billed Tropi... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Offshore visitor. Rare in the Gulf Stream, and less regular than White-tailed, from spring to fall;... | No records. | No records. | Seeing a Red-billed Tropicbird on an organized pelagic trip is simply a matter of luck, though there... | * | 2025-07-26 |
White-tailed Tropicbird | Phaethon lepturus | Typically, one of the most exciting birds to spot on a warm season pelagic trip to the Gulf Stream i... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Offshore visitor. Rare though regular in the Gulf Stream (mainly seen off Oregon and Hatteras inlet... | Casual visitor (5 records), essentially only after hurricanes -- single individuals only: Jordan Lak... | No records. | As with so many other species, one must take to the seas to see one, and that means taking pelagic t... | * | 2025-07-26 |
Roseate Tern | Sterna dougallii | The Roseate Tern is one of the more elegant and graceful of the tern species, and because it is a gl... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | E | E | SHB | G4 | Transient and summer visitor coastally and offshore. In the warmer months, rare along the northern ... | No records. | No records. | The most likely spot to find this species used to be in the tern colony at Cape Hatteras Point, but ... | * to ** | 2025-07-26 |
Least Tern | Sternula antillarum | The smallest tern in North America, the Least Tern is a familiar yet slowly declining breeding speci... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B | G4 | Breeding summer resident along the coast; declining until a few years ago, but recently has increase... | Primarily a storm-carried visitor. Very rare at reservoirs, mainly during and after hurricanes; abo... | No records. | This species is not usually missed on coastal birding trips from May through Aug, though it isn't qu... | *** | 2025-07-26 |
Sooty Tern | Onychoprion fuscatus | The Sooty Tern is sometimes considered to be the most abundant bird in the world, it being found com... | Sporadic Breeder | Definitive | W | | SHB,S3N | G5 | Mainly a pelagic visitor in the warmer seasons, but a sporadic breeder (at least formerly). Mostly ... | Storm-carried visitor to the eastern portion of the province, plus three records for the southern po... | Casual storm-carried visitor. All but one record (of different birds?) came after the passage of Hu... | Offshore, this species is normally less numerous than the Bridled Tern. The best times to look for ... | ** | 2025-07-24 |
Lesser Black-backed Gull | Larus fuscus | Hardly any other gull species' status in North Carolina has changed as rapidly over the last 20-30 y... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Winter visitor/resident, greatly increasing in recent years. Formerly (prior to about 1990), rare a... | Winter visitor/resident. Rare to locally uncommon, but greatly increasing, at large lakes and landf... | Casual. The only records are a first-year bird photographed at the Hooper Lane Sod Farms (Hender... | This species is easy to find in the large gull flocks that congregate at Cape Hatteras Point from la... | *** to **** | 2025-07-24 |
Heermann's Gull | Larus heermanni | The thought of a strictly West Coast gull species like Heermann's Gull showing up along the Atlantic... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SA | G4 | Rare stray/visitor along the coast at all times of the year, since 2022 only. No records away from t... | No records. | No records. | | 1/2* | 2025-07-24 |
Black-legged Kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | The Black-legged Kittiwake is one of just two (along with the Sabine's) essentially pelagic gulls th... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter resident offshore; clearly declining. From the late 1990's to about 2005, generally fairly c... | Casual in late fall, with four accepted records: an immature seen and photographed at Beaverdam Rese... | Accidental: an immature was seen and photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on the remarkably... | If you take a pelagic trip from Cape Hatteras northward during the winter, you now have about a 50% ... | ** | 2025-07-24 |
Razorbill | Alca torda | By far the most numerous alcid in North Carolina waters is the Razorbill, and thankfully for all of ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S2N | G5 | Winter resident offshore and coastally, increasing. Formerly (prior to 1995) rare along the coast, ... | No records. | No records. | The Razorbill is now seldom missed on winter pelagic trips, but on some trips the birds are infreque... | *** | 2025-07-24 |
Red-necked Phalarope | Phalaropus lobatus | The Red-necked Phalarope and the Red Phalarope are the two pelagic shorebirds, and to see both in th... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G4G5 | Transient, primarily offshore. Generally a fairly common offshore migrant in both spring and fall, ... | Transient. Very rare to rare, in both spring and fall, usually seen only during and after storms, an... | Transient. Casual/very rare in spring; the only records are 1 in Linville (Avery) on 17-18 M... | Take a pelagic trip out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets -- either in the latter part of May, or in the ... | ** | 2025-07-24 |
Willet | Tringa semipalmata | The Willet is one of the few shorebirds that nests in North Carolina, and essentially the only one t... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S4B,S4N | G5 | Permanent resident, with migratory movements, along the coast, breeding in salt and brackish marshes... | Transient. Very rare in spring, and rare in fall; quite erratic, and many records in fall are of st... | Transient, nearly all records at low elevations in the southern mountains. Very rare in spring, with... | Willets are noisy and hard to miss along the coast for most of the year. | **** | 2025-07-24 |
Short-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus griseus | Among the most difficult identification problem facing birders is the separation of the two dowitche... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Transient and winter resident, mainly along the coast. Common to abundant spring and fall migrant a... | Transient. Very rare in spring, and rare to often uncommon (though local) in fall. Mainly early an... | Transient, mainly in Henderson and Transylvania. Very rare in spring and in fall, at ... | This species is hard to miss along the coast during the migrations. | **** | 2025-07-23 |
Western Sandpiper | Calidris mauri | The third of three common "peeps" in the state, the Western Sandpiper is easily confused with the Se... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S4N | G5 | Transient, and winter resident along the coast. Common to abundant on the coast in fall; in winter,... | Transient. Very rare to rare in spring, and uncommon in fall, at least locally (such as at Falls an... | Transient. Very rare in both spring and fall, nearly all records in valleys in the Henderson, Tr... | The species is easily found along the coast from Jul to late fall. | **** | 2025-07-23 |
Semipalmated Sandpiper | Calidris pusilla | The Semipalmated Sandpiper is, at times, the most abundant of the confusing "peep" sandpipers in the... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient. Common to abundant along the coast in spring; common to abundant from Cape Hatteras nort... | Transient. Rare to occasionally uncommon in spring, and uncommon in fall, though occasionally quite... | Transient. Rare in spring and fall (though no published records in fall?), May and late Jul into Oc... | This is one of our most abundant coastal birds in migration, and is easily found. | **** | 2025-07-23 |
White-rumped Sandpiper | Calidris fuscicollis | This and the Baird's Sandpiper are the two large "peep" species found in the state. Neither is comm... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient. Uncommon to locally fairly common in spring along the northern coast, particularly at Bo... | Transient. Rare to uncommon (at least locally) in spring and fall; mainly early May to early Jun, a... | Transient, essentially only in low elevations in the southern counties. In spring, very rare to loc... | This can be a difficult to find species away from the Bodie-Pea Island or Cape Hatteras areas. You s... | ** to *** | 2025-07-23 |
Stilt Sandpiper | Calidris himantopus | Though the Stilt Sandpiper is a species in the genus Calidris, it looks hardly anything like ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, mainly along the coast. Uncommon in spring, and often fairly common to common in fall, a... | Transient. Casual spring migrant, and rare to locally uncommon fall migrant (more numerous when ext... | Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and very rare in fall, with all but two published records... | In Aug or early Sep, one has a good chance to see them at the impoundments at Pea or Bodie islands; ... | ** to *** | 2025-07-23 |
Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | Except for the closely related Black Turnstone of the Pacific Coast, the Ruddy Turnstone is a rather... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Transient and winter resident, mainly along the coast. Common migrant along the coast, though seldo... | Transient. Very rare in spring, and rare in fall, mainly at large reservoirs. In spring, only in M... | Transient. Very rare in spring and fall, with all records from Henderson except for a single... | Turnstones are widespread along the coast, at least during the migrations, and are easily found, exc... | **** | 2025-07-23 |
Marbled Godwit | Limosa fedoa | Though this species is a godwit, it has quite a few similarities to the Long-billed Curlew; both bre... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S2N | G5 | Transient and winter resident, essentially along the coast. Uncommon to locally fairly common fall m... | Fall transient only. Very rare (about 19 records) at reservoirs, where birds put down at night duri... | Casual transient, in spring and fall. The only records (six) are of 2 birds, Hooper Lane (Hender... | This species can usually be found along the coast in Aug and Sep, less so later in fall and winter. ... | *** | 2025-07-23 |
Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | For a large shorebird, the Whimbrel is quite numerous in North America, and it is not difficult to f... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, and scarce winter resident/visitor along the coast. Along the coast, fairly common to lo... | Transient. Casual in spring, and very rare in fall, with most records in the eastern portion, espec... | Very rare fall transient, and casual in spring. Three of the records surprisingly are from grass bal... | This species is not difficult to find along the coast during migration. They are most common on bar... | *** | 2025-07-23 |
Snowy Plover | Anarhynchus nivosus | In 2011, the American Ornithologists' Union split the European subspecies and the American subspecie... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G3 | Very rare stray along the central and southern coast, from spring to fall; one winter record. There ... | No records. | No records. | In the warmer months, it doesn't hurt to carefully scrutinize small plovers along the beaches and in... | 1/2* to * | 2025-07-23 |
Piping Plover | Charadrius melodus | The Piping Plover is one of the few Federally listed birds in North Carolina, especially now that th... | Breeder | Definitive | T | T | S1B,S1N | G3 | Breeding permanent resident, with migratory movements, along the coast. Generally uncommon and decl... | Transient. Very rare in fall; late July to early Oct; just one spring record. About 16 records, mos... | Casual, with just five records: one at Hooper Lane, Henderson on 4-5 Sep 2012* (Chat 77:6-10)... | The best area to see this species is at Portsmouth Island in late summer and fall, but a boat is nec... | ** to *** | 2025-07-23 |
American Golden-Plover | Pluvialis dominica | Unlike its slightly larger cousin, the Black-bellied Plover, the American Golden-Plover is a good fi... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient. Very rare in spring, rare but regular in fall, along the entire coast, particularly the O... | Transient. Casual in spring (only about four records), rare but annual in fall, over most of the pr... | Transient, but nearly all records are from Hooper Lane/Mills River area in Henderson, where v... | The species is best located in Sep and Oct, especially after cold fronts. A few birds are present e... | * to ** | 2025-07-23 |
Black-bellied Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | The Black-bellied Plover is one of the more familiar shorebirds of coastal areas, wintering in good ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S5N | G5 | Transient, and coastal winter resident. Common to very common in migration, and common in winter, a... | Transient. Rare in fall, and very rare to rare in spring, in the eastern part of the province (such... | Transient. Very rare (at least 26 records) in the Henderson/Transylvania area of the souther... | This species is easily found along the coast except during Jun. Inland birds are most often found o... | **** | 2025-07-23 |
Black-necked Stilt | Himantopus mexicanus | The Black-necked Stilt is one of the most unmistakable birds occurring in North Carolina, resembling... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Summer resident and sparse migrant along the coast and in the Tidewater zone; casual to very rare in... | Casual migrant or stray, mainly in late spring; 11 records. One was seen in Franklin on 5 Ju... | Accidental, with two records. One was seen at Hooper Lane (Henderson) on 25 Sep 2004, presum... | The best -- at least most accessible -- places to see this species are the impoundments at Pea Islan... | *** | 2025-07-23 |
Sandhill Crane | Antigone canadensis | The Sandhill Crane is one of the largest birds, in terms of size (standing about 4 feet tall), and t... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient and winter visitor/resident, mainly along the coast and in tidewater areas; increasing. A... | Transient and winter visitor. Very rare (formerly) to rare (now), increasing in recent years. Reco... | Transient, mainly overhead; sparingly in winter. Rare to possibly uncommon migrant in the extreme s... | Small groups are now wintering at several Coastal Plain sites -- Pungo refuge, around the margins of... | ** to *** | 2025-07-23 |
Purple Gallinule | Porphyrio martinicus | The beautiful Purple Gallinule has always been at the northeastern periphery of its breeding range i... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S1B | G5 | Sparse and irregular visitor, and erratic breeding summer resident; casual to very rare in winter, a... | Very rare stray/migrant (about 11 records); mainly May-Jun. Records outside these months: 1, Camp G... | Accidental to casual stray (four records): 1 found in emaciated condition, Hazelwood (Haywood... | Formerly, one could see the Purple Gallinule from the causeway at Orton Plantation. However, the ve... | * | 2025-07-23 |
Common Gallinule | Gallinula galeata | This species is a "cousin" of the Purple Gallinule, occurring in similar freshwater ponds, though th... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S2N | G5 | Permanent resident near the coast, but with strongly migratory movements; farther inland, very local... | Scarce transient. Very rare to rare and easily overlooked transient (as birds tend to be secretive ... | Scarce transient (only about 12 records). Very rare at low elevations in the southern mountains; la... | Your best chances for seeing this species are along the southern coast, where more widespread than f... | *** | 2025-07-23 |
King Rail | Rallus elegans | Slightly larger than the Clapper Rail, and the freshwater/inland counterpart of that species, the Ki... | Breeder | Definitive | W | | S3B,S3N | G4 | Permanent resident near the coast, with migratory movements; status farther inland poorly understood... | Poorly known, but transient and local summer resident (at least formerly, when there were scattered ... | Accidental stray/migrant. Two records: one, downtown Asheville (grounded migrant), 25 Apr 2002; and... | This species is somewhat local, and because freshwater marshes are spottily located in some areas of... | ** | 2025-07-23 |
White-winged Dove | Zenaida asiatica | The White-winged Dove is a common and well-known migratory game bird from Texas west to Arizona. Ho... | Accidental Breeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient, and accidental to casual breeder, mainly coastally. Formerly, a very rare to rare fall m... | Very rare visitor; 10 published records, scattered over the region. Many are of single individuals ... | Accidental; two reports -- neither yet reviewed by the NC BRC. One seen at Brevard College (Tran... | Driving around Beaufort might yield a White-winged Dove. Otherwise, one to several typically turn u... | * to ** | 2025-07-23 |
Eurasian Collared-Dove | Streptopelia decaocto | The Eurasian Collared-Dove is the latest of the relatively few species (along with Rock Pigeon, Euro... | Breeder; Introduced | Definitive | | | SE | G5 | Breeding, permanent resident; nonmigratory though possibly nomadic; increasing. Locally uncommon to... | Breeding permanent resident, but mainly in the southern and western Piedmont. Surprisingly scarce in... | Scarce and poorly documented breeding permanent resident in low elevations. Relatively few records,... | Not hard to find by driving around side streets of Morehead City, Beaufort, and Harkers Island -- al... | *** | 2025-07-23 |
Ruffed Grouse | Bonasa umbellus | The state's only grouse species is a widespread, though secretive and often hard-to-find bird of the... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S4 | G5 | No records. | Scarce permanent resident; non-migratory. Very rare to rare and poorly known, in foothill ranges; p... | Permanent resident; non-migratory. Strongly declining, formerly fairly common, but now uncommon in ... | This can be a frustrating bird to find, even though hundreds to possibly a few thousands of grouse o... | ** | 2025-07-23 |
Harlequin Duck | Histrionicus histrionicus | The Harlequin Duck is the third of the three "jetty/pier" sea ducks (along with the two eiders) that... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G4 | Rare winter visitor along the immediate coast, and very rare in estuarine waters of bays and sounds.... | Accidental; a single record, an immature male seen at Lake Brandt (Guilford) on 18 Feb 2007*,... | No records. | The finding tips are essentially the same as for eiders. Look especially under the southern end of ... | * | 2025-07-23 |
Common Eider | Somateria mollissima | There are perhaps four to five times as many records of the Common Eider in the state as for the Kin... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor, with records increasing in recent years. Rare along the entire coast (though no rec... | No records. | No records. | You should carefully check around jetties, piers, and bridges. Also check the Oregon Inlet groin an... | * to ** | 2025-07-23 |
Greater Scaup | Aythya marila | Of our regular wintering waterfowl, the range and abundance of the Greater Scaup is more difficult t... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S2N | G5 | Winter visitor/resident. Uncommon along the northern half of the coast and in Tidewater; rare to un... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare over most of the province, occurring almost solely on large lake... | Transient and winter visitor. Rare in the southern mountains, from Buncombe southward. Casua... | This can be a difficult bird to find and identify. Nowhere does it occur in NC in any numbers, and ... | ** to *** | 2025-07-23 |
Canvasback | Aythya valisineria | The Canvasback has experienced continental population declines for several decades. It was formerly... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Winter resident; declining. Uncommon to locally fairly common, mainly along the northern coast and ... | Winter visitor/resident; declining. Rare to briefly locally uncommon, most numerous along the north... | Very rare to rare winter visitor, with only about 20 records, nearly all from the southern mountains... | This species can be somewhat difficult to find in most areas. Formerly, it could usually be seen fr... | ** to *** | 2025-07-23 |
Mottled Duck | Anas fulvigula | This is the only dabbling duck (excluding Wood Duck) that regularly nests as a natural population in... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G4 | A recent visitor, currently rare but records greatly increasing, to the southern half of the coast. ... | One male was seen by multiple observers and photographed at Riverbend Park (Catawba), 24 Jul ... | No records. | Your best bet is to look at ponds at Twin Lakes in summer, fall, and winter. The large pond by the F... | * | 2025-07-23 |
Brant | Branta bernicla | The Brant was formerly a common to locally abundant winter visitor to the northern coastal area of t... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S3N | G5 | Winter resident along the coast. Uncommon to formerly very locally common in coastal bays. Practic... | Late fall and early winter visitor. Casual to very rare; five records, all in Nov-Dec, and all from... | No records. | Brants can occasionally be seen from shore at the western tip of Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, o... | ** | 2025-07-23 |
Greater White-fronted Goose | Anser albifrons | The Greater White-fronted Goose is a rare (but increasing) winter visitor across all portions of the... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor, though not a winter resident (yet) like Ross's Goose and Cackling Goose. Most frequ... | Winter visitor; very rare to now rare, somewhat increasing in recent years. Approximately 46 record... | Winter visitor, notably increasing in recent years. Now rare in the southern mountains; no records ... | There is a tendency for the species to appear with flocks of Canada Geese, both feeding in plowed fi... | * to ** | 2025-07-23 |
Fulvous Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna bicolor | The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is a strongly declining species, no longer nesting in California and now ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Transient and winter visitor, mainly along the coast; now of casual occurrence. Formerly (prior to ... | Accidental migrant, so far known only from the eastern edge of the region. Two records are an amazi... | No records. | North Carolina had its last report of this species way back in early 2001. Unlike other rare waterf... | 1/2 * | 2025-07-23 |
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna autumnalis | The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a rather recent stray and visitor to the state, mostly to the co... | Sporadic Breeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Now a rare to occasionally uncommon but strongly increasing visitor to the southern coastal areas an... | Very rare but increasing; about 20 known records, though records are accumulating annually. Three we... | Very rare but increasing; about 7 records as of 2023. A flock of 12 was seen and photographed at th... | The species is most likely to show up in the Twin Lakes area of Brunswick, based on closest p... | ** | 2025-07-23 |
White-tailed Kite | Elanus leucurus | The White-tailed Kite is another beautiful raptor, with a very graceful flight, hovering over fields... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Accidental visitor; four records, all accepted by the NC BRC. One seen near Wilmington, 3 Jan 1957*... | No accepted records. There is one published report mentioned in Pearson et al. (1959). | One record: an adult seen at the Shining Rock Wilderness (Haywood), 23 Jul 1993* (Chat 59:26-... | | 1/2* | 2025-05-22 |
Dickcissel | Spiza americana | Although there are numerous birds that are highly erratic wintering species in North Carolina and el... | Breeder | Definitive | SR | | S2B | G5 | Sporadic and very local summer resident, and sparse winter visitor. In summer, very rare to rare ov... | Sporadic and very local summer resident, and very sparse winter visitor. In summer, rare and sporad... | Sparse transient; seldom in summer or winter. Despite many wide valleys with farmland at low elevat... | From 2005 - 2018, the species has been easily found in summer at North River Farms, but this is a pr... | ** | 2025-05-09 |
Blue Grosbeak | Passerina caerulea | The Blue Grosbeak breeds across the southern half to two-thirds of the United States, and winters in... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, with a few winter records. Common in summer across most of the province, but can b... | Summer resident, with about 15 winter records. Common over the eastern and central portions, and fa... | Summer resident at low elevations; little migratory movement through the region. In summer, uncommo... | None needed in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. | **** | 2025-05-09 |
Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Pheucticus ludovicianus | The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a bird of the cooler hardwood and mixed forests of the eastern parts o... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S3S4B | G5 | Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon along the western margin of the province, but generally rare... | Transient. In spring, uncommon to at times fairly common in the western portion, but uncommon over ... | Summer resident and transient. Fairly common (and common in a few ranges) in summer at middle to hi... | You should be able to find the species in a morning of birding along the Blue Ridge Parkway at eleva... | *** to **** | 2025-05-09 |
Western Tanager | Piranga ludoviciana | The Western Tanager is a rare visitor and over-wintering "resident" in North Carolina, but it occurs... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with over 110 records. Very rare to rare in winter along the... | Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with about 44 records, typically at feeders. Very rare visit... | Casual visitor. Only about six records, though only one since 1991. Oddly, the dates are "strangel... | You likely will see your first in the state at a feeder near the coast. A handful are now occurring ... | * to ** | 2025-05-09 |
Summer Tanager | Piranga rubra | The Summer Tanager is a characteristic bird of the Deep South, nesting north only to southern New Je... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, and winter straggler. Common in the southern half of the region, from the Croatan ... | Summer resident, with a few winter records. Fairly common to common over most of the region, more n... | Sparse summer resident, with little migratory movement noted. Uncommon in the extreme southwestern ... | None needed in the southern Coastal Plain, such as in the Sandhills Game Land, Weymouth Woods Preser... | **** | 2025-05-09 |
Black-throated Green Warbler | Setophaga virens | The Black-throated Green Warbler has a fragmented breeding range, thanks to a separate subspecies --... | Breeder | Definitive | E* | | S4B | G5 | Summer resident, and transient. In summer, variously rare to locally common in the eastern third to... | Sparse summer resident, and transient. In summer, formerly common (but decreasing due to loss/death... | Summer resident, with migratory movements. Breeds over the entire region, but local; can be common ... | Should be easily found in late Apr or May in many areas of the higher mountains, such as along the B... | **** | 2025-05-09 |
Yellow Warbler | Setophaga petechia | The Yellow Warbler has one of the most extensive breeding ranges of any warbler -- across nearly all... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S4B | G5 | Transient, and sparse breeder; a few winter records. In summer, formerly uncommon, but now apparent... | Summer resident (strongly declining), and transient. In summer, now rare in the western portions, v... | Summer resident (strongly declining), and transient. In summer, fairly common to formerly common in... | Driving back roads in the [open] "country" in the mountains in May and Jun should yield a few Yellow... | *** | 2025-05-09 |
Northern Parula | Setophaga americana | The Northern Parula is a bird saddled with an awful common name, and this is even more so now that i... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident. Over most of the region -- common, to very common in several of the larger river f... | Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In summer, fairly common over most of the pro... | Summer resident, with noticeable migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common at lower to middle ... | It is hard to miss in the Coastal Plain in spring or summer if birding close to rivers, such as the ... | **** | 2025-05-09 |
American Redstart | Setophaga ruticilla | The very active American Redstart was, until 2011, in a genus all to itself; however, all of the for... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, and transient. In summer, mainly uncommon and local over the region as a whole (bu... | Summer resident, and transient. In summer, breeds over most of the region, but highly local; can be... | Summer resident, and transient. Breeds over the entire region; generally fairly common, mainly to 3... | The species is easy to find from late Apr into Jun along the Roanoke and Neuse rivers, such as at Ho... | **** | 2025-05-09 |
Ovenbird | Seiurus aurocapilla | The Ovenbird recently "lost" its two nearest relatives -- the Louisiana and Northern waterthrushes -... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B,S1N | G5 | Summer resident, and sparse winter visitor/resident. In summer, generally common over the northwest... | Summer resident. Common over the region as a whole. Reasonably widespread, and common also in foot... | Summer resident. Common at low to middle elevations, to about 4,000 feet, and fairly common to abou... | None needed; easily heard in a morning of birding in most areas of the state in May and Jun. | **** | 2025-05-09 |
Rusty Blackbird | Euphagus carolinus | The Rusty Blackbird is a bird of the Far North in the breeding season, nesting in stunted spruce and... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | T | | S3N | G4 | Winter resident. Fairly common, at least locally, over most of the region, except generally absent ... | Winter resident, with noticeable migratory movements. Uncommon to fairly common in winter in the ea... | Transient, and scarce winter visitor. At lower elevations, rare to uncommon transient, and rare in ... | There are no "sure bets", in terms of wintering sites. Forests on the south side of Lake Mattamuske... | ** to *** | 2025-05-09 |
Bullock's Oriole | Icterus bullockii | The Bullock's Oriole is the western counterpart to the Baltimore Oriole. Originally classified as s... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Very rare winter visitor; most records prior to 2010; however, there were four records during the 20... | Very rare winter visitor. There are about 16 records, with 8-9 birds over-wintering. Records are s... | One record. An adult male was photographed at a feeder in Murphy (Cherokee) on 13 Oct 2024 (... | Your first Bullock's Oriole will likely be seen at someone's feeder. | * | 2025-05-09 |
American Tree Sparrow | Spizelloides arborea | Of the several dozen species of sparrows in North America, the American Tree Sparrow is the hardiest... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Winter visitor to the northeastern corner of the province. Scarce and declining, with few recent re... | Winter visitor, declining. Very rare along the northern two tiers of counties, and casual farther s... | Winter visitor, declining. Very rare in the northern counties, casual to very rare in the central c... | To look for this species, work weedy fields in the coldest part of the winter, and pour over flocks ... | * | 2025-05-09 |
Lapland Longspur | Calcarius lapponicus | This is the only one of the four species of longspur that is not of accidental occurrence in the sta... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | S1N | G5 | Winter visitor, and possibly winter resident (regular from winter to winter) in a few areas. Rare to... | Winter visitor. Very rare to rare across the region, with no regular wintering sites. Certainly oc... | Winter visitor. Very rare, essentially in lower elevations in wide valleys, though four were seen a... | Though a scarce bird in the state, a diligent birder can at times find the species over a several-da... | * to ** | 2025-05-09 |
Red Crossbill | Loxia curvirostra | The Red Crossbill is another of the erratic "winter finches" in the East. Unlike with most of these... | Breeder | Definitive | SC | | S3B,S3N | G5 | Winter visitor, and apparently accidental breeder; declining. Currently, very rare to rare across t... | Winter visitor, and accidental breeder; declining. Currently, rare and erratic in winter; formerly ... | Summer resident at higher elevations, and winter visitor to all of the region. In summer, rare to l... | Though the species is erratic in summer, it has been somewhat regular in recent years at Mount Mitch... | ** | 2025-05-09 |
Evening Grosbeak | Coccothraustes vespertinus | Perhaps the epitome of "winter finches" is the Evening Grosbeak, and each fall or early winter, bird... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SZ | G5 | Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, rare to uncommon in "good" winters; rarely e... | Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, uncommon in invasive winters; rarely fairly ... | Erratic winter visitor; strongly declining. Currently, uncommon in invasive winters; rarely fairly ... | The species is seldom seen in the state in recent years, though there were enough birds at feeders d... | * | 2025-05-09 |
Sedge Wren | Cistothorus stellaris | Called the Short-billed Marsh Wren many decades ago, the Sedge Wren is now restricted just to North ... | Nonbreeder | Definitive | | | SUB,S4N | G5 | Winter resident eastward, but otherwise a scarce transient. Generally fairly common, to locally com... | Transient, and occasional straggler into winter. Generally rare (or at least secretive enough that ... | Transient. Very rare (no records for many counties) to rare in spring and fall, mainly limited to l... | The species is fairly easy in fall and winter in shrubby marshes, such as at Bodie Island (near the ... | *** | 2025-05-09 |
Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | The Barn Swallow, like most swallows, breeds from coast to coast, well into Canada; like most of the... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B | G5 | Summer resident, with migratory movements. Common breeder over the entire province (except near ext... | Summer resident. Common breeder throughout the region, and at times very common (at least near rese... | Summer resident. Common breeder at low and middle elevations, to about 4,000 feet; uncommon to perh... | None needed. | **** | 2025-05-09 |
White-eyed Vireo | Vireo griseus | The White-eyed Vireo breeds over the southeastern part of the United States, and it winters in parts... | Breeder | Definitive | | | S5B,S1N | G5 | Summer resident throughout, and scarce winter resident near the coast. In summer, common essentiall... | Summer resident, with some migratory movements; strays into early winter. In the breeding season, c... | Summer resident. Fairly common in lower elevations (below 2,500 feet), and uncommon to about 4,000 ... | A morning of birding in most parks, refuges, and other preserves in the Coastal Plain will yield the... | **** | 2025-05-09 |
Northern Saw-whet Owl | Aegolius acadicus | The smallest owl in eastern North America, the Northern Saw-whet Owl usually requires a special sear... | Breeder | Definitive | T | | S2B,S2N | G5 | Winter visitor or resident. Status is poorly known, but generally rare (to possibly locally uncommo... | Winter visitor. Very rare (or at least very rarely reported) in the northeastern portion, with abou... | Breeder in the higher elevations; winter resident over most of the region. Uncommon to fairly commo... | To find the species in the state, it is obviously more advantageous to try for it on the breeding gr... | ** | 2025-05-08 |