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.
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...	**	2025-02-06
Scarlet Tanager	Piranga olivacea	Certainly one of the most beautiful birds in North America, the Scarlet Tanager is a classic bird of...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, currently uncommon to locally fairly common in the north...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. Currently, fairly common in summer over most of the regi...	Summer resident, with migratory movements. Fairly common to common in summer, up to about 5,000 fee...	The species should be heard and seen in a morning of birding in the mountains and most of the Piedmo...	* to **	2025-02-06
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...	****	2025-02-06
Blackpoll Warbler	Setophaga striata	The Blackpoll Warbler, at a glance at its breeding range, would seem to have a similar migration pat...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. In spring, uncommon to at times fairly common over most of the region, likely less numer...	Transient. Fairly common (formerly common) across the region in spring; in fall, generally uncommon...	Transient. Fairly common in low to middle elevations in spring; rare at high elevations. In fall, g...	Normally not hard to find between 5-20 May, especially around 10-15 May, in many parks in the state....	***	2025-02-06
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 *	2025-02-06
Connecticut Warbler	Oporornis agilis	The Connecticut Warbler, poorly named, is one of the less common warblers in North America. It has ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4G5	Transient, in fall. Accidental in spring -- the only report is one at Fort Macon (Carteret) ...	Transient, primarily in fall. Casual to very rare in spring in the southwestern half of the region,...	Transient, more frequent in spring than in fall. Rare but regular in spring across the southern hal...	The only semi-reliable spots are Jackson Park in Hendersonville in mid-May, and Buxton Woods in D...	* to **	2025-02-06
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	Winter resident at one and possibly two sites, otherwise a sparse winter visitor and transient. Kno...	Scarce transient and winter visitor, as the province is generally east of the migration routes; some...	Scarce, though a regular transient. Rare in southern mountain valleys, and casual in the northern h...	Arrangements to access Open Ground Farms have always been tricky, and this is not a good option. Re...	*	2025-02-04
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.	*	2025-02-04
Henslow's Sparrow	Centronyx henslowii	The Henslow's Sparrow has always been one of the rarest sparrows in North America, and being a grass...	Breeder	Definitive	E		S1B,S1N	G4	Summer resident, and winter resident, over parts of the region; strongly declining. In summer, stil...	Spring transient and former breeder; strongly declining. Currently, casual to very rare spring migra...	Transient, and possible former breeder; strongly declining. Casual to very rare in spring; mainly A...	The species can still be found at VOA site A, mostly in the eastern half of the site. Birds can be h...	to *	2025-02-04
Nelson's Sparrow	Ammospiza nelsoni	In 1995, the Sharp-tailed Sparrow was split into two species, instead of a potential three species. ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident coastally, and transient inland. In winter, fairly common to common along the south...	Transient, scarce. Very rare fall migrant, with the few records between 10 Sep and 14 Oct, with the...	Transient, scarce. Very rare in spring and fall. In spring, eight records -- 2 at Swannanoa, 25 May...	The species is usually easy to find, especially at high tide, in marshes at Fort Fisher near the Aqu...	***	2025-02-04
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 **	2025-02-04
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, nearly all records from the Dare Outer Banks. There are eight records. One ...	Accidental. A singing male in breeding plumage at Dorothea Dix farm in Raleigh, 2-12 May 1978, is t...	No records.		1/2*	2025-02-04
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 **	2025-02-04
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*	2025-02-04
Wood Thrush	Hylocichla mustelina	The Wood Thrush is one of the characteristic breeding birds of the Eastern deciduous forest. Its ra...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G4	Summer resident, strongly declining. Formerly (prior to perhaps 2000) common across most of the pro...	Summer resident, strongly declining. Formerly common, to even very common in some areas; now only u...	Summer resident, declining. Formerly common up to about 4,500 feet, and scarce to 5,000 feet; now o...	Before 2000, this was a "gimme", but now it can be missed in a morning of birding even in prime habi...	***	2025-02-04
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	The Swainson's Thrush is another thrush that nests across the boreal forest zone of Canada, south in...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Transient. In spring, uncommon in the western portion, but rare in the central and eastern portions...	Transient. Uncommon to fairly common across the region, both in spring and fall; probably more nume...	Very rare summer resident, almost certainly breeding (both pre-1900 and after a lapse of over 100 ye...	Finding the species in migration is always "chancey", so you need to bird at parks or refuges in the...	to *	2025-02-04
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; apparently nonmigratory. Formerly did not occur/breed in the province; f...	This species is almost always found in a morning of birding in Longleaf Pine forests. Weymouth Wood...	****	2025-02-04
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 ...	Accidental to casual, with three records: a single bird seen at Troutman (Iredell) on 20 Dec ...	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 **	2025-02-04
Northern Shrike	Lanius borealis	This Far Northern species formerly ranged routinely in winter to New Jersey and Pennsylvania, tantal...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Accidental. One immature male collected at Pea Island on 9 December 1909 was noted by T.G. Pearson ...	No records.	Accidental. There are two reports from Christmas Bird Counts near the Nathan's Creek community (...		1/2*	2025-02-04
Loggerhead Shrike	Lanius ludovicianus	The Loggerhead Shrike was historically rare to absent as a breeding species in the East, but with th...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B,S3N	G4	Permanent resident, with migratory movements. Nests east to about Roanoke Rapids, Washington, and W...	Permanent resident, with slightly noticeable migratory movements. Formerly (prior to about 1975) ne...	Transient and winter visitor/resident, and likely former breeder. Now a very rare transient in the ...	Your best bet is to drive secondary roads in Robeson or Scotland counties, where the s...	to *	2025-02-04
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus	The Red-eyed Vireo is the most common breeding bird of the Eastern deciduous forest, and this commen...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident. Very common over most of the province, though less numerous close to the coast, an...	Summer resident. Very common across the region. Mainly mid-Apr to mid-Oct. The only known winter r...	Summer resident. Very common at lower to middle elevations, up to 4,000 feet; less numerous to abou...	No tips needed.	****	2025-02-04
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...	***	2025-02-04
Philadelphia Vireo	Vireo philadelphicus	This is the only Eastern vireo that does not nest in North Carolina. Instead, the Philadelphia Vireo...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, essentially only in fall; very sparse in spring. In fall, rare along the coast, and very...	Transient, records clearly increasing in recent years. Rare to uncommon (and easily overlooked) acr...	Transient; more numerous in this province in both spring and fall than downstate. Records increasing...	Jackson Park in Hendersonville in the latter part of September provides a decent chance to see the s...	* to **	2025-02-04
Vermilion Flycatcher	Pyrocephalus rubinus	The Vermilion Flycatcher's normal range extends from the southwestern United States far into South A...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual to very rare, mainly along the coast. One immature male was seen at Nags Head (Dare) ...	No records.	No records.	1/2*		2025-02-03
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; five or six records. One was seen near Raleigh on 23 Oct 1965 (Chat 30:28), (Chat 54:56). A...	Accidental. One was photographed at Jackson Park (Henderson) on 19 Sep 2023* (Chat 88:16), (...	The bird along Howerton Road in northeastern Guilford has been present for the past two falls...	*	2025-02-03
Least Flycatcher	Empidonax minimus	The Least Flycatcher, as its name implies, is the smallest species of flycatcher in the Eastern Unit...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Transient. Rare along and very close to the coast, but seemingly casual to very rare farther inland...	Transient. Rare in spring, and rare to uncommon in fall, across the region; most records are for th...	Summer resident. Very local, generally uncommon as a whole, but locally fairly common, and rare to ...	Good areas during the nesting season include the Highlands Country Club (Macon), Black Camp G...	to *	2025-02-03
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	In 1973, the American Ornithologists' Union split Traill's Flycatcher into two "song type" species -...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Transient. Poorly known because of difficulty of identification. Very rare to rare (probably) alon...	Transient, and sparse summer resident. Rare and local breeder in scattered sites in the western half...	Summer resident. Uncommon, to very locally fairly common, at lower elevations throughout the region...	Good places to look for the species are to drive along roads that parallel the New River, or the Sou...	***	2025-02-03
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...	***	2025-02-03
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...	*	2025-02-03
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. Casual to very rare, with only about 15 records. Eight of ...	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...	*	2025-02-03
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*	2025-02-03
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 **	2025-02-03
Monk Parakeet	Myiopsitta monachus	The Monk Parakeet is a native of South America, being found from the southern Amazon Basin to centra...	Probable breeder; Introduced	Not Established List			SE	G5	Casual, and apparent former breeder. Up to two were seen in Kill Devil Hills, Dare, 19-28 Sep...	Casual visitor, and possible former breeder. A nest-building bird was photographed at Farmington,	Casual visitor, and accidental breeder. The species bred for several years in Buncombe in the...	The pair in Brunswick County was fairly reliably seen for well over a year, and this was the best pl...	*	2025-02-03
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...	**	2025-02-03
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 10 records, seven from Hooper Lane in ...	A good technique for locating likely spots for Short-eareds is to find marshes or grasslands th...	**	2025-02-03
American Barn Owl	Tyto alba	The American Barn Owl is a completely nocturnal feeder; thus, its presence in a given area can be di...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; noticeably declining (since around 1970). Along the c...	Permanent resident, probably with migratory movements; certainly declining. Rare to locally uncommo...	Permanent resident, likely with migratory movements; presumed declining. Rare in valleys in the sou...	American Barn Owls must be searched for intentionally. You are not likely to stumble upon them in g...	* to **	2025-02-03
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 19 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 **	2025-02-03
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...	No records.	Because a number of records have recently come from Alligator River NWR, this is the only place in t...	*	2025-02-03
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus	The Broad-winged Hawk is famous for its strongly migratory habits, as it completely leaves the Unite...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Migrant, and very scarce summer resident; declining. Rare to uncommon spring and fall migrant, over...	Summer resident and migrant, but declining in recent years. Mostly uncommon migrant (spring and fal...	Summer resident and migrant, slightly declining. In summer, uncommon to fairly common, and reasonab...	If you visit a hawk-watch site in the mountains in fall, such as Pilot Mountain, you might be able t...	***	2025-02-03
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 30 records, with five coming in fall ...	Birders can usually spot one to several birds, along with some Mississippi Kites, either close to th...	**	2025-02-03
Roseate Spoonbill	Platalea ajaja	Hardly any bird is more easily identified than the Roseate Spoonbill. This tropical breeder nests no...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Post-breeding visitor and stray, mostly to the coast; greatly increasing in recent years. Now rare ...	Formerly accidental to casual, but now very rare to rare and increasing, post-breeding visitor, with...	Casual post-breeding visitor, with all records from 2018 (Chat 82:112). Singles were seen on the Fr...	Increasing annually now, and can now be tracked down to see, as some have lingered for a while, espe...	* to **	2025-02-03
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...	*	2025-02-03
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	The history of the Glossy Ibis is somewhat the reverse of that of the White Ibis. Though it also is...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S1S2B	G5	Breeding summer resident along the coast, but sparse (and declining) in winter; post-breeding visito...	Migrant and post-breeding visitor. Rare in the eastern portion (mainly in the Jordan and Falls lake...	Casual to very rare visitor; with only seven known reports. One seen at Altamont (Avery) on 1...	This species has been somewhat more difficult to find along the coast in the spring to fall seasons ...	***	2025-02-03
Western Cattle-Egret	Ardea ibis	This formerly Old World species has a most unusual history in the New World. "Cattle Egrets" appare...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Summer resident and transient, and straggler in winter, but generally absent by late winter. Fairly...	Transient and post-breeding visitor; records declining in recent years. Rare in the eastern countie...	Transient, at low (to rarely middle) elevations. Very rare, mainly early Apr to early Jul; casual t...	Unlike other waders, the Western Cattle-Egret is seen mostly in pastures, but it may be seen in lawn...	to *	2025-02-03
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...	***	2025-02-03
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula	The elegant Snowy Egret has, sadly, shown an alarming decline in numbers along the East Coast since ...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2S3B,S3N	G5	Permanent resident along the coast, being migratory and thus more numerous in spring, late summer, a...	Transient, but primarily a post-breeding visitor. Rare to uncommon in the eastern portion (mainly a...	Transient and post-breeding visitor. Very rare in the lower elevations (generally below 2,500 feet)...	Though clearly declining, you should have little trouble finding the species along the immediate coa...	****	2025-02-03
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis	This species is one of the most familiar of all of the state's birds to the layman, as everyone know...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S3B,S4N	G4	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; breeding. Common to very common, though local, breede...	Very rare visitor. At least 28 reports, mostly at large reservoirs (about one-third of these from F...	Accidental/casual. Four reports (all single birds); Waynesville, 6 Aug 1979; Lake Junaluska (Hay...	None needed; easily found along and near coastal areas.	****	2025-02-03
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 **	2025-02-03
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 13 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 is at Wrightsvi...	***	2025-02-03
Anhinga	Anhinga anhinga	The Anhinga is still another of the Pelicaniform species that has increased noticeably in the state ...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Breeding summer resident, increasing. Nests at least locally, scattered over most of the province, e...	Mostly a nonbreeding migrant/visitor; increasing. Now (2024) a casual but increasing breeder in the ...	Casual visitor. One was seen from a hawk watch at Mount Pisgah (Buncombe), 21 Sep 2003; one ...	The spillway at Orton Pond is probably the best site in the state. Birds can also be seen at Twin L...	***	2025-02-03
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...	*	2025-02-03
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 for the winter season. An adult female was photographed over Ecusta Pond...	North Carolina averages about three to five reports of this species per year, most often in July or ...	*	2025-02-03
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...	***	2025-02-03
Sooty Shearwater	Ardenna grisea	The Sooty Shearwater is one of the most abundant birds in the world, as it occurs nearly worldwide, ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Offshore visitor, though frequently seen from shore, especially at Cape Hatteras Point and elsewhere...	Accidental visitor, but with no confirmation as yet. One seen at Falls Lake (Wake/Durham) af...	Accidental visitor; one record, a specimen found at Twin Oaks, Alleghany, Aug 1939 (Auk 65:14...	To find this species, you must make a conscious effort to look for it within its one-month window. ...	to *	2025-02-03
Cape Verde Shearwater	Calonectris edwardsii	This eastern Atlantic species has recently been split from Cory's Shearwater. The Cape Verde Shearw...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	GNR	Accidental, if not casual (and overlooked), offshore visitor. The sole documented record, with mult...	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2025-02-03
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 *	2025-02-03
Fea's Petrel	Pterodroma feae	The Fea's Petrel, as with the Trindade Petrel, has a checkered taxonomic history and has also underg...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G1G2	Offshore visitor. Distribution is very similar to that of the Trindade Petrel, however it is very s...	No records.	No records.	Fortunately for the birder, the records for the species are mostly clumped into a one-month span; th...	* to **	2025-02-03
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 ...	*	2025-02-03
Royal Tern	Thalasseus maximus	The Royal Tern is the common large tern along the coast of the state for most of the year; however, ...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B,S4N	G5	Permanent resident (breeding), with migratory movements, along the coast. Common to very common alo...	Essentially only a storm-related visitor, in late summer and fall, to lakes and reservoirs. Very rar...	Accidental/casual: one record. Three were photographed at Glenville Lake (Jackson) on 27 Sep...	Easily found along the coast from Mar to Nov, but less so in winter.	****	2025-01-30
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...	****	2025-01-30
Arctic Tern	Sterna paradisaea	To see this species in North Carolina, one must take a pelagic trip in late spring, or less likely i...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, essentially offshore. Offshore -- uncommon in spring, and rare in fall; status in fall w...	Very rare storm-carried visitor. Eight records: one at a parking lot in Shelby on 22 Sep 1989 (after...	No records.	Your best bet, by far, is to take a pelagic trip out of Oregon or Hatteras inlets in the latter half...	* to **	2025-01-30
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	Until about 20 years ago, the common name of this species (Common Tern) was quite appropriate in Nor...	Breeder	Definitive	E		S2B	G5	Summer resident (breeding) and transient along the coast, and transient inland. Fairly common to at...	Transient. Rare in spring, and rare to at times uncommon in fall, at larger lakes and reservoirs; h...	Transient. Casual in spring, and very rare in fall, at lakes in the southern mountains; about 11 re...	It is still rather easily found from May into the fall along the coast, at least along the Outer Ban...	***	2025-01-30
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 **	2025-01-30
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...	***	2025-01-30
Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	Of all of the breeding species in North Carolina, few are as strongly declining over the past decade...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S1S2B	G5	Breeding summer resident, along and near the coast. Uncommon to fairly common -- fairly common prio...	Accidental/casual, presumably a storm-carried visitor, but whether these reports were actually relat...	Accidental, after storms. One in the Mills River area (Henderson) on 17 Sep 2004 (Chat 69:52...	A few Gull-billed Terns can be usually be seen at Pea Island, at Fort Fisher, and at many areas alon...	to *	2025-01-30
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...	***	2025-01-30
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 ...	**	2025-01-30
Heermann's Gull	Larus heermanni	The thought of a strictly West Coast gull species like Heermann's Gull showing up along the Atlantic...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G4	Three to roughly seven records (see above), all along the coast, though possibly the same adult indi...	No records.	No records.		1/2*	2025-01-30
Franklin's Gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	The Franklin's Gull, the "cousin" of the Laughing Gull, does not breed along the ocean coasts, but i...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Visitor/transient, essentially along the coast, and mostly in fall. Coastally, casual in spring, wi...	Very rare visitor, now at least 20 records. Accidental in spring, with the only record being of one...	Very rare visitor to the southern portion of the province. Nine records: 1 at Hooper Lane (Hender...	The species is too rare to intentionally search for. However, birders should be aware of the specie...	*	2025-01-30
Laughing Gull	Leucophaeus atricilla	Historically, the Laughing Gull was North Carolina's only breeding gull species; however, in recent ...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Breeding summer resident and migrant, and early winter resident. Coastally, very common to abundant...	Transient, at larger reservoirs. Generally rare in spring and in fall migrations, at times locally u...	Transient. Very rare during spring (12 records) and fall (mostly after storms/ hurricanes), essenti...	It takes no effort whatsoever to find the species along the coast from Mar through Nov.	****	2025-01-30
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% ...	**	2025-01-30
Long-tailed Jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	The Long-tailed Jaeger is certainly one of the most elegant of the "pelagic birds", and an adult wit...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, essentially offshore. Rare to uncommon during a brief period in late spring, and rare ov...	Casual visitor. Three records: one found dead under a TV tower near Raleigh on 26 Aug 1960; an adult...	No records.	This species is best seen by taking a pelagic trip to the waters of the Gulf Stream in the latter ha...	* to **	2025-01-29
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 **	2025-01-29
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria	Solitary Sandpipers often forage with Spotted Sandpipers across the breadth of North Carolina during...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient. Uncommon near and along the northern and central coast, such as the Outer Banks, though ...	Transient. Fairly common essentially across the province. Primarily from early Apr to late May, and...	Transient. Fairly common at lower elevations (below 3,500 feet), and much reduced in numbers at hig...	This species is reasonably widespread as a migrant. Ponds or lakes with a little bit of muddy shore...	***	2025-01-29
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	For much of the last century, the Long-billed Dowitcher was a very poorly known species, most likely...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S2N	G5	Transient and winter resident; mainly along the coast and at Mattamuskeet NWR and vicinity. Coastal...	Transient. Accidental to casual in spring (three reports), very rare to locally rare (at Falls and ...	Transient; casual or accidental. The only reports are one photographed at Osceola Lake (Henderso...	You should be able to find the species in mid- to late fall at the impoundments at Pea and Bodie isl...	***	2025-01-29
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 **	2025-01-29
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...	****	2025-01-29
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 four 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...	**	2025-01-29
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...	*	2025-01-29
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...	**	2025-01-29
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 **	2025-01-29
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 13 known records: 1, Cashiers (...	The only reliable spots are the impoundments at Pea Island NWR and less so at the adjacent Bodie Isl...	***	2025-01-29
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 *	2025-01-29
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 25 rec...	Very rare visitor, increasing. Five reports: One was seen and photographed at Owen Park in Ashevil...	Your best hope of finding one in NC by chance would be to paddle along a blackwater river in the sou...	*	2025-01-29
Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio martinicus	The beautiful Purple Gallinule has always been at the northeastern periphery of its breeding range i...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Sparse and irregular visitor, and erratic breeding summer resident; casual to very rare in winter, a...	Stray (about 10 records). Casual in migration; mainly May-Jun. Two other records: 1, Camp Grayston...	Accidental stray (three records): 1 found in emaciated condition, Hazelwood (Haywood), 18 Apr...	Formerly, one could see the Purple Gallinule from the causeway at Orton Plantation. However, the ve...	*	2025-01-29
Virginia Rail	Rallus limicola	Only a few decades ago, relatively little was understood of the Virginia Rail's habitats and range i...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident near the coast, with migratory movements; mostly a transient farther inland. As a...	Mostly a transient, but scattered summer and winter records, where status at these two seasons is un...	Poorly known transient (about 21 reports), with two known breeding records, and several reports of p...	The descending grunting call is easily heard in migration and winter in tidewater marshes, especiall...	***	2025-01-29
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...	****	2025-01-29
Rufous Hummingbird	Selasphorus rufus	The Rufous Hummingbird is the state's second-most numerous hummingbird, and though it breeds in the ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Transient and winter visitor. Very rare along the coast and in the Tidewater zone, mainly at feeders...	Transient and winter visitor. Very rare to rare (essentially only at feeders) across the province, ...	Fall transient and winter visitor, but primary in the fall season. Very rare to now rare, and mainl...	One has a reasonable chance to see one during the year, but only by visiting a feeder with a known b...	* to **	2025-01-29
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 12 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...	*	2025-01-29
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*	2025-01-29
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	The Common Nighthawk has undergone a considerable decline as a breeding species in the eastern Unite...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B	G5	Breeder and migrant; declining. In the breeding season, variously uncommon to locally fairly common...	Breeder and migrant; strongly declining and becoming nearly extirpated as a nesting bird in the prov...	Scarce breeder (if not now absent), and migrant; declining. In the nesting season, apparently restr...	You often must make some effort to see a nighthawk in the state. Normally, you will see them in ver...	to *	2025-01-29
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...	Casual to very rare visitor; nine published records, scattered over the region. Most are of single ...	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 **	2025-01-29
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...	***	2025-01-29
Eared Grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	The Eared Grebe also breeds, like the Red-necked and Horned grebes, in some Prairie pothole lakes an...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor and transient, and sporadic winter resident at Goldsboro. Rare but annual along the e...	Winter visitor and transient. Very rare to rare on the larger reservoirs, and very rare elsewhere; s...	Casual to very rare transient in the southern mountains. Records are of single birds at Brevard, 10 ...	It was formerly seen each fall and winter at the Goldsboro sewage ponds; however, reports have been ...	*	2025-01-29
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator	The Red-breasted Merganser is one of the state's most common wintering waterfowl species, it being e...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident, and accidental breeding resident. Common to locally abundant in the Tidewater and ...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare to occasionally uncommon in fall and winter, and uncommon in spr...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare to occasionally uncommon in fall and winter, but more frequent (...	The species is practically impossible to miss in a day of birding around salt or brackish water in w...	****	2025-01-29
Common Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula	Unlike the closely related Bufflehead, this winter resident can be difficult to find in the state, w...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter visitor/resident; decreasing in recent years. Along the coast and in Tidewater, generally no...	Winter visitor. Rare in most areas, though at times it increases to uncommon during severe weather ...	Winter visitor. Very rare to rare, mainly to larger lakes in the southern mountains; early Dec to m...	Sadly, you cannot expect to find it anywhere with any assurance in the state now, but it might be se...	* to **	2025-01-29
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 ...	*	2025-01-29
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 **	2025-01-29
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 *	2025-01-29
Redhead	Aythya americana	As with the Canvasback, the Redhead had suffered continental population declines in recent decades, ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident. Generally uncommon along the northern coast and in the Tidewater area, south to Co...	Winter visitor/resident. Rare to locally uncommon, mostly in the eastern portion of the province. G...	Winter visitor; rare to locally uncommon, essentially at lower elevations (below 3,000 feet). Mainly...	One or two dense flocks winter on South Pond, New Field, and/or North Pond at Pea Island, and thus t...	* to **	2025-01-29