Birds of North Carolina

comName	sciName	species_account	breeding_status	list_type	state_status	fed_status	S_rank	G_rank	coastal_plain	piedmont	mountain	tips	tips_code	update_on
The 100 most recent account entries/updates.
Painted Bunting	Passerina ciris	The adult male Painted Bunting is certainly the gaudiest-colored of North American songbirds. Thank...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S3B	G5	Summer resident along the southern coast, and sparingly near the South Carolina border at least inla...	Very rare (but increasing) visitor, scattered over the year; a few reports of males singing on terri...	Casual visitor. The only known records are one at a feeder in Asheville, 9-12 Mar 2004; a female or...	Should be easily found along the southern coast in late Apr, May, and Jun, at places such as Fort Ma...	* to **	2026-05-22
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea	The Indigo Bunting is one of the most successful of Eastern songbirds. It has been expanding its br...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident, and scarce straggler into winter. In summer, very common across the province, exce...	Summer resident, and scarce straggler into winter. Very common in summer, throughout the region. M...	Summer resident. In summer, very common throughout, up to about 4,500 feet, and uncommonly to 5,500...	None needed.	****	2026-05-22
Lazuli Bunting	Passerina amoena	The Lazuli Bunting breeds in the western half of North America and winters mainly from Mexico southw...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Three records, with two accepted (see above) and one expecting a review.	One accepted record (see above); another from 2022 is to be reviewed.	No confirmed records, but one under review.		1/2*	2026-05-22
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 16 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.	****	2026-05-22
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 eight 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*	2026-05-22
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 **	2026-05-22
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 115 records. Very rare to rare in winter along the...	Scarce "transient" and winter visitor, with about 52 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 **	2026-05-22
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 **	2026-05-22
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	Now a very rare stray, mainly in fall, with 12-14 published reports; all but a few are coastal, and ...	Three records yet voted on, and one voted on with an Unresolved status. An adult male was photograp...	The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the <...		1/2*	2026-05-19
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Setophaga coronata	The Yellow-rumped Warbler, often called the "Butter-butt", is arguably the most abundant warbler on ...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B,S5N	G5	Winter resident. Along the coast and in Tidewater near sounds, abundant in winter, particularly on ...	Winter resident, with noticeable migratory movements. In winter, common in the southeastern half, a...	Very sparse (and recent) breeder, widespread transient, and winter resident/visitor. In summer, rar...	None needed near the coast in winter.	****	2026-05-19
Black-throated Blue Warbler	Setophaga caerulescens	Compared with most warblers, the Black-throated Blue has a relatively small breeding range, found in...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Transient, and casually into early winter. In spring, uncommon to fairly common in the western port...	Transient, and sparse breeder (currently?) in foothill ranges. Fairly common over the region in spr...	Summer resident, and transient. In summer, common and relatively widespread over the province, main...	The species is hard to miss in several hours of birding at middle to somewhat high elevations in the...	****	2026-05-19
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 ...	****	2026-05-19
MacGillivray's Warbler	Geothlypis tolmiei	Casual visitor, so far only in the Coastal Plain in fall and winter, except for a Piedmont record in...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Five records (see above).	One record (see above).	No records.		1/2*	2026-05-19
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...	**	2026-05-19
Orange-crowned Warbler	Leiothlypis celata	The Orange-crowned Warbler breeds nearly from coast to coast, but essentially in the Western states ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident, and poorly known transient. In winter, fairly common along the coast (i.e., coasta...	Transient, and scarce winter visitor/resident. In migration, generally rare to uncommon (or easily ...	Transient. Rare in both spring and fall in the lower elevations, and very rare above 2,500 feet; as...	You should be able to find the species in a morning along the Lake Mattamuskeet causeway (NC 94) in ...	***	2026-05-19
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.	****	2026-05-19
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 *	2026-05-19
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; many records prior to 2010, but with a decline in reports until around 202...	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, especially near the coast.	*	2026-05-19
Lincoln's Sparrow	Melospiza lincolnii	Despite the Lincoln's Sparrow having a very wide breeding range, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and so...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S2N	G5	Winter resident, and poorly known transient. In winter, uncommon and easily overlooked in the south...	Transient, with a few lingering into early winter. In fall, rare to uncommon and easily overlooked;...	Transient. In fall, uncommon and easily overlooked, at least at the lower elevations; poorly known ...	If you bird around brush piles and thickets in winter in the Lake Phelps to Lake Mattamuskeet areas,...	**	2026-05-19
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	Poorly known winter resident, but scarce and easily overlooked. Fewer reports since about 2010, but ...	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...	*	2026-05-18
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	The Vesper Sparrow, a species in its own genus, has a wide breeding range, from the Western states e...	Breeder	Definitive	SC		S2B,S2N	G5	Winter resident and transient; strongly declining. In winter, formerly fairly common in the souther...	Transient, and sparse and local winter resident; strongly declining. In winter, rare to very uncomm...	Summer resident and transient; declining in summer and in migration. In summer, rare to uncommon an...	Breeding birds are usually well away from roads and require some hiking to reach, such as at Pond Mo...	to *	2026-05-18
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 ...	*	2026-05-18
Field Sparrow	Spizella pusilla	The Field Sparrow is one of the few sparrows that breeds over essentially all of the eastern United ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S5N	G5	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; clearly declining. In summer, fairly common (formerly...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; clearly declining. In summer, at best fairly common (...	Permanent resident, with migratory movements; clearly declining. In summer, fairly common (formerly...	Still rather easily found in the state in most areas, but no longer the gimme that it was 10-15 year...	***	2026-05-18
Clay-colored Sparrow	Spizella pallida	The Clay-colored Sparrow was primarily a "Western"/Midwestern" species until a few decades ago. How...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient, and sparse winter resident, mainly near the coast. In fall, rare to uncommon along the c...	Transient, essentially in fall and winter. Very rare in fall and winter (about 25 records in fall a...	Transient. Very rare in fall, winter, and spring, nearly all records in low elevations in the south...	Your best bet is probably Fort Fisher in Sep and Oct. A few were being seen semi-regularly in winte...	* to **	2026-05-18
Grasshopper Sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum	The Grasshopper Sparrow is another sparrow that breeds from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but it nest...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S3B,S1N	G5	Summer resident in most of the region, and scarce winter resident; declining. In summer, uncommon ov...	Summer resident, with a few winter stragglers; declining. In summer, rare to uncommon across the re...	Summer resident; declining. Rare to locally uncommon (formerly uncommon but widespread) over the re...	Still can be heard and seen reliably in a few places; the two large Voice of America fields in south...	to *	2026-05-18
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	The Snow Bunting breeding range and abundance is remarkably similar to that of the Lapland Longspur,...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, mainly coastally; declining in numbers in the past several decades, though an upturn...	Sparse winter visitor. Very rare; barely 15 reports for the province. Mainly late Oct to early Jan,...	Sparse winter visitor. Very rare; about 19-20 records. Has occurred on a handful of occasions on th...	If you spend a lot of time walking or driving beaches in the winter, you might find a few each year....	*	2026-05-18
Lapland Longspur	Calcarius lapponicus	This is the only one of the four species of longspur that is not of accidental occurrence in the sta...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter visitor, and possibly winter resident (regular from winter to winter) in a few areas. Rare to...	Winter visitor. Very rare to rare across the region, with no regular wintering sites. Certainly oc...	Winter visitor. Very rare, essentially in lower elevations in wide valleys, though four were seen a...	Though a scarce bird in the state, a diligent birder can at times find the species over a several-da...	* to **	2026-05-18
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...	*	2026-05-18
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...	***	2026-05-18
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	The Swainson's Thrush is another thrush that nests across the boreal forest zone of Canada, south in...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Transient. In spring, uncommon in the western portion, but rare in the central and eastern portions...	Transient. Uncommon to fairly common across the region, both in spring and fall; probably more nume...	Very rare summer resident, but declining since about 2020, and very few are now present in the breed...	Finding the species in migration is always "chancey", so you need to bird at parks or refuges in the...	to *	2026-05-18
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.	****	2026-05-18
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis	This species, long known as the Rough-winged Swallow, had to have its common name changed several de...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B	G5	Summer resident. Fairly common over the inner two-thirds of the province, but uncommon to locally f...	Summer resident. Fairly common over nearly the entire region, perhaps slightly more frequent near r...	Summer resident. Fairly common over the region, up to about 4,000 feet, and sparingly up to about 5...	The species is normally seen in a day of birding in most sites away from coastal counties. The best...	***	2026-05-18
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 at all seasons and presumed local breeder; a recent arrival, since 2006. ...	Easy to find, and not local, in the breeding season, in most of the Coastal Plain, especially around...	****	2026-05-18
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 **	2026-05-18
Blue-headed Vireo	Vireo solitarius	Long known as the Blue-headed Vireo, in the 1970's its name was changed to Solitary Vireo, for no ob...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S3N	G5	Primarily a transient and winter resident; sparse breeder. In the nesting season, rare to uncommon ...	Primarily a transient, but also a summer resident in parts of the region, and a sparse winter visito...	Summer resident. Breeds essentially at all elevation levels, though more numerous (common) above 3,...	The species is easily found in spring and summer in the mountains. Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway a...	****	2026-05-18
Say's Phoebe	Sayornis saya	The Say's Phoebe breeds over much of the Western United States and Western Canada, but it withdraws ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare fall migrant/stray, occasionally lingering into the winter; 16 records. One was seen near ...	Casual; six or seven records. One was seen near Raleigh (Wake) on 23 Oct 1965 (Chat 30:28), ...	Accidental to casual. One was photographed at Jackson Park (Henderson) on 19 Sep 2023* (Chat...	The bird along Howerton Road in northeastern Guilford has been present for the past two falls...	*	2026-05-18
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 **	2026-05-18
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Aegolius acadicus	The smallest owl in eastern North America, the Northern Saw-whet Owl usually requires a special sear...	Breeder	Definitive	T		S2B,S2N	G5	Winter visitor or resident. Status is poorly known, but generally rare (to possibly locally uncommo...	Winter visitor. Very rare (or at least very rarely reported) in the northeastern portion, with abou...	Breeder in the higher elevations; winter resident over most of the region. Uncommon to fairly commo...	To find the species in the state, it is obviously more advantageous to try for it on the breeding gr...	**	2026-05-18
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 13 records, eight from Hooper Lane in ...	A good technique for locating likely spots for Short-eareds is to find marshes or grasslands th...	**	2026-05-18
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 **	2026-05-18
American Goshawk	Astur atricapillus	For such a large hawk (being the state's largest Accipiter), the Northern Goshawk is remarkab...	Nonbreeder (but Possible Breeder)	Definitive			SUB	G5	Visitor in migration and winter; about 34 reports, if all correct. Rare, mainly in winter, to the no...	Visitor in migration and winter; only about 15 reports. Very rare to the northern half of the provin...	Visitor in migration and winter; at least 21 reports. Very rare (though more numerous here than els...	The species is much too rare to specifically search for, but people at hawk watches in the mountains...	*	2026-05-14
Great Egret	Ardea alba	The Great Egret is one of the most easily observed and identified wading birds in North Carolina, oc...	Breeder	Definitive			S4B,S4N	G5	Permanent resident along the coast and in Tidewater areas, with numbers increased during migration. ...	Primarily a post-breeding visitor; however, it breeds in a colony with Great Blue Herons in Rowan...	Essentially a post-breeding visitor. Uncommon in lower elevations, mainly mid-Jul to late Sep; rare...	The species is difficult to miss near the coast, except in late winter. Often seen inland at lakes ...	****	2026-05-14
Green Heron	Butorides virescens	The Green Heron, formerly called the Green-backed Heron (and before that the Green Heron again), is ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B	G5	Summer resident and migrant. Fairly common breeder over most of the entire province, though somewha...	Summer resident and migrant. Fairly common breeder over most of the region, though uncommon in the ...	Summer resident and migrant. Generally uncommon breeder, but may be fairly common in low elevations...	Though not uncommon in much of the state, it is hard to pinpoint specific places to search for them....	***	2026-05-14
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	Both bittern species are secretive birds of marshes, sharing their home with rails and a very few ot...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B,S3N	G5	Transient and winter resident, and sparse and poorly known breeder. Uncommon migrant in coastal and...	Transient and scarce winter visitor. Rare (to possibly uncommon, but easily overlooked) during migr...	Transient. Rare in Apr-May and again early Aug to mid-Nov; one record in Dec and two in Jan, but not...	Observers inland should look for bitterns during spring and fall migration at large marshes, general...	**	2026-05-14
Roseate Spoonbill	Platalea ajaja	Hardly any bird is more easily identified than the Roseate Spoonbill. This tropical breeder nests no...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Post-breeding visitor and stray, mostly to the coast; greatly increasing in recent years. Now rare ...	Formerly accidental to casual, but now very rare to rare and increasing, mostly a post-breeding visi...	Casual post-breeding visitor, with all records from 2018 (Chat 82:112). Singles were seen on the Fr...	Increasing annually now, and can now be tracked down to see, as some have lingered for a while, espe...	* to **	2026-05-14
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, ...	****	2026-05-14
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 15 records, all at reservoirs in the eastern and centra...	No records.	The species is reliably seen at just a few places along the NC coast. Your best bet currently (2026...	***	2026-05-14
Northern Fulmar	Fulmarus glacialis	Northern Fulmars are among the most charismatic of our seabirds, as they seem to enjoy flying in ver...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter visitor and transient offshore; strongly declining. Uncommon (to occasionally fairly common)...	No records.	No records.	Your best bet to see a fulmar is to take a winter pelagic trip, particularly later in winter (Feb to...	* to **	2026-05-14
Pacific Loon	Gavia pacifica	This Arctic breeding species winters essentially along the Pacific coast. For unknown reasons, the ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter visitor along the coast, and a winter resident (a handful of birds only) in a local area; man...	Casual to now very rare. Seven records: one at L. Tahoma (McDowell) on 6 May 2007, in alterna...	Accidental. A single record: one photographed at Lake Julian (Buncombe) on 5-6 Jan 2012* (Ch...	To look for this species, you must be prepared to carefully scrutinize loons on the ocean, with a sc...	* to **	2026-05-14
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 **	2026-05-14
Iceland Gull	Larus glaucoides	The Iceland Gull is one of the more subtly "beautiful" of the gulls, it being somewhat dainty, thoug...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially coastal, with a preponderance of records from Cape Hatteras and offshore...	Winter visitor; very rare, primarily to the eastern edge of the province. Kumlien's: Very rare...	No records.	To find Iceland Gulls (both taxa), you must have patience and some knowledge of gull identification,...	* to **	2026-05-14
California Gull	Larus californicus	Despite this being a very common to locally abundant nesting bird in the Canadian and United States ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor along the coast, with most records from Cape Hatteras Point. Typically occurs as sin...	Accidental. The only record is of an adult seen at the Raleigh landfill on 22 Jan 2005* (Chat 69:80...	No records.	To see this species in the state, one should be in an ORV at Cape Hatteras Point in winter, carefull...	*	2026-05-14
Franklin's Gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	The Franklin's Gull, the "cousin" of the Laughing Gull, does not breed along the ocean coasts, but i...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Visitor/transient, essentially along the coast, and mostly in fall. Coastally, casual in spring, wi...	Very rare visitor, now at least 22 records. Accidental in spring, with the only record being of one...	Very rare visitor to the southern portion of the province. Ten records: 1 at Hooper Lane (Henders...	The species is too rare to intentionally search for. However, birders should be aware of the specie...	*	2026-05-14
Little Gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	Like the Black-headed Gull, the Little Gull is essentially an Old World species, though in the past ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially only along the coast and in near offshore waters. From Hatteras Inlet n...	Casual to now very rare winter visitor. Single birds noted at Jordan Lake: an immature seen from 5-...	No records.	This species is reliably found among the large flocks of Bonaparte's Gulls along the northern half o...	**	2026-05-14
Black-headed Gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	As mentioned under the Bonaparte's Gull account, the Black-headed Gull has a new scientific name, af...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially only along the coast and in the Tidewater zone. Rare, and perhaps sligh...	Very rare winter visitor; nine records. One adult seen in a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls at Jordan La...	No records.	Individuals may hang around a coastal site for a week or more and thus can be chased with some chanc...	* to **	2026-05-14
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; strongly declining. From the late 1990's to about 2005, generally fairly ...	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% ...	**	2026-05-14
Sandwich Tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis	The Sandwich Tern is the Royal Tern's "little brother"; it always nests in flocks of Royal Terns, re...	Breeder	Definitive			S3S4B	G5	Summer resident (breeding) and migrant along the coast. Fairly common along the coast in summer and...	Storm-related visitor, in early fall, to large lakes and reservoirs, but only close to the Fall Line...	No records.	This tern is usually seen in a day of birding at Oregon Inlet or near the Pea Island impoundments. ...	***	2026-05-14
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. To see it from shore, make sure you have...	****	2026-05-13
Thick-billed Murre	Uria lomvia	Quite similar to the Common Murre in appearance and in overall habits, the Thick-billed Murre is a s...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor, essentially coastal (inshore ocean); perhaps slightly declining in recent years, tho...	No records.	No records.	You will just have to luck into one along the coast in winter, though a more careful observer who sc...	* to **	2026-05-13
Dovekie	Alle alle	The Dovekie is, by far, the smallest of the six species of Atlantic alcids. It is one of three -- a...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Mostly an offshore winter visitor, quite erratic from winter to winter and month to month. There wer...	Accidental. One record, during the memorable late 1950 flight, is from Raleigh on 7 or 8 Dec (1950) ...	No records.	To try to see the species in NC, you should sign up for a pelagic trip, preferably in Feb, to the co...	to *	2026-05-13
Atlantic Puffin	Fratercula arctica	The Atlantic Puffin is one of the most charismatic waterbirds in North America, very popular with th...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor/resident, essentially only offshore; greatly increasing in recent years. Formerly ve...	No records.	No records.	Take a pelagic trip out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets in winter. In recent winters, several trips usu...	to *	2026-05-13
Common Murre	Uria aalge	For a seemingly interminable time, North Carolina went without a record of this very common alcid. ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Scarce, but greatly increasing, winter visitor offshore; now rare (to locally more numerous by 2023)...	No records.	No records.	The increase in sightings in the past decade is gratifying for pelagic birders, but whether this sig...	**	2026-05-13
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...	***	2026-05-13
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	Though in the same genus as the Least, Semipalmated, and several other smaller sandpipers known as "...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient; generally widespread across the province, not much more frequent along the coast than inl...	Transient; widespread across the province. Uncommon in spring, and uncommon to locally fairly commo...	Transient. Very uncommon to uncommon in spring, and rare to locally uncommon in fall, generally at ...	Where there are suitable mudflats around inland lakes, especially in fall, the species can usually b...	to *	2026-05-13
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	Though a Calidris species like most other small sandpipers, the Dunlin is often not considere...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Transient, and winter resident along and near the coast. Coastally, very common to abundant migrant ...	Transient, lingering into early winter in the eastern portions. Rare spring migrant, and rare to un...	Transient, with apparently just one winter record. Very rare spring and very rare to rare fall migr...	Dunlins can hardly be missed on a birding trip to the coast in late fall or winter.	****	2026-05-13
Long-billed Curlew	Numenius americanus	The Long-billed Curlew is the largest shorebird in North America, in length, and, considering the ex...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Transient and winter visitor/resident, declining in recent years (though never numerous). Formerly ...	No records. As this species obviously migrates over the province in spring and fall to its breeding...	Accidental. The only far inland record for the state is one photographed at Hooper Lane (Henders...	The best places in recent years have been flats at or near the eastern end of Shackleford Banks, at ...	**	2026-05-13
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 **	2026-05-13
Black Rail	Laterallus jamaicensis	As notoriously secretive as the Yellow Rail, this species at least can be coaxed into view on occasi...	Breeder	Definitive	T	T	S1	G3	Permanent resident, with migratory movements, near the coast; strongly decreasing in recent years. ...	Poorly known breeder (at least formerly) and transient. Casual to very rare breeder, at least forme...	Formerly casual breeder at low elevations; now essentially accidental. Formerly nested near Ashevil...	To hear a Black Rail, visit the Cedar Island marsh causeway (NC 12), or the Wanchese marshes east of...	**	2026-05-13
American Coot	Fulica americana	The American Coot is one of the state's most familiar waterbirds, often occurring in large and dense...	Accidental Breeder	Definitive			SAB,S5N	G5	Primarily a winter resident, but a sporadic breeder. Common to locally abundant in winter along the...	Winter resident, and accidental breeder. Variously uncommon (mainly in western portions) to locally ...	Mainly a transient, and scarce winter resident. Rare to uncommon migrant, and rather rare in winter...	Coots should require no finding tips during the cooler months, at least near the coast at fresh wate...	****	2026-05-13
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...	***	2026-05-13
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 to moderate groups are now wintering at several Coastal Plain sites -- Pungo refuge, around th...	to *	2026-05-11
Calliope Hummingbird	Selasphorus calliope	The Calliope Hummingbird was not detected in the state until 1995, when an immature male was photogr...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Casual, from late fall into spring. Four records, three from near the southern half of the coast: a...	Winter visitor, with about 17 records. Very rare at feeders in cities and towns in the western half...	Casual, in the southern mountains. Three records from Transylvania: at Deerlake from 26 Oct -...	There are now records almost every winter or two, so you may have a fair chance to see one in a give...	1/2* to *	2026-05-11
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Archilochus colubris	This is the only hummingbird that nests in the eastern part of North America, and the Ruby-throated ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5B,S2N	G5	Breeding summer resident, and winter visitor/resident mostly along or near the coast. Fairly common...	Breeding summer resident, and now a very rare winter visitor. Fairly common breeder across the enti...	Breeding summer resident. Fairly common at lower and middle elevations, mainly below 4,500 feet. L...	The species can be difficult to intentionally search for, away from hummingbird feeders, mainly beca...	* to **	2026-05-11
Chuck-will's-widow	Antrostomus carolinensis	This strictly nocturnal species is a characteristic breeding bird of our drier forest edges and open...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S5B	G5	Breeding summer resident, and occasional winter visitor/straggler; apparently slowly declining. Gen...	Breeding summer resident. Fairly common but somewhat declining in the extreme eastern and southern ...	Seemingly increasing in recent years. Probable breeding summer resident in very low elevation areas...	Hearing this species is seldom a problem. Simply, drive around a little bit after dusk, or before d...	***	2026-05-11
Common Ground Dove	Columbina passerina	The Common Ground Dove is one of the few species that North Carolina has lost as a breeder in the pa...	Former Breeder	Definitive	SR		SXB	G5	Formerly a permanent resident along the southern coast. At the present time (2026), a very rare vis...	Casual to very rare visitor, with about 10 records. Records are for Raleigh, Jordan Lake, Falls Lake...	Casual stray, with four records: 1 collected at Weaverville on 29 May 1891; 1 seen at Fairview (B...	Currently, one must luck into one, or (of course) chase someone else's find.	*	2026-05-11
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 formerly a sporadic winter resident at Goldsboro (Wayne). R...	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 ...	*	2026-05-11
Horned Grebe	Podiceps auritus	Of our waterbirds, the Horned Grebe has showed one of the more alarming declines over the past few d...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident and migrant. Generally uncommon to fairly common, along the coast and in the Tidewat...	Winter resident and migrant. Uncommon and local, to locally common, mainly on the larger lakes -- e...	Winter visitor and migrant. Does not winter regularly in the region. Rare to occasionally and briefl...	The Horned Grebe can now be missed on a day of birding along the coast in winter, though there are u...	***	2026-05-11
Common Merganser	Mergus merganser	The Common Merganser is both a breeder and a wintering bird in the state, but with different "popula...	Breeder	Definitive	W		S1B,S1N	G5	Winter resident. Rare and local over the northern half of the province, with a flock averaging at l...	Winter visitor, though possibly a winter resident at Roanoke Rapids Lake; casual breeder. Rare in m...	Formerly casual to now (2025) rare to uncommon but increasing breeder; scarce winter visitor. Gener...	To best see this species, look at Phelps Lake in the winter, with a good scope. The wintering flock...	to *	2026-05-11
Black Scoter	Melanitta americana	The Black Scoter streams southward over the inshore ocean in Oct and Nov, and an observer can at tim...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident. Common to abundant southbound migrant over the ocean, but by Dec only a fairly com...	Transient. Rare, almost always at larger lakes/reservoirs; late Oct to mid-Dec, with only four repo...	Transient. Surprisingly scarce, being very rare, with just nine records: 1, Lake Julian (Buncomb...	The species can usually be seen from the two Pamlico Sound ferries -- Swan Quarter or Cedar Island; ...	***	2026-05-11
White-winged Scoter	Melanitta deglandi	By far the least common of the scoters along the mid-Atlantic coast, the White-winged Scoter can be ...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Winter visitor. Uncommon and erratic (depending on the severity of the weather) along the immediate...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare, mainly to larger lakes and reservoirs; late Oct to mid-Mar, wit...	Transient. Very rare to rare in the southern counties, and unknown as yet from north of Buncombe...	This is a tough bird to find in the state, and many birders often require two or three winters to fi...	**	2026-05-11
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	The Surf Scoter is the most common of the wintering scoters in North Carolina, though it is often ou...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S4N	G5	Winter resident. Locally common near the northern half of the coast and the Tidewater areas, south ...	Transient and winter visitor. Rare on reservoirs and other large bodies of water; mainly mid-Oct to...	Transient. Very rare to rare, with brief stop-over time; nearly all records from the southern mount...	As with the Black Scoter, it is normally easy to find the species on the two Pamlico Sound ferries, ...	* to **	2026-05-11
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 *	2026-05-08
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 25 records, nearly all from the southern mountains...	This species can be somewhat difficult to find in most areas. Formerly, it could usually be seen fr...	to *	2026-05-08
Green-winged Teal	Anas crecca	As with the Northern Pintail, many thousands of Green-winged Teals winter in our coastal region, esp...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S5N	G5	Winter resident, common to locally abundant in the northern coastal and Tidewater areas, particularl...	Uncommon winter resident/visitor over most of the region; locally fairly common, but seldom common. ...	Rare to locally uncommon winter visitor; mostly found in lower elevations (below 3,000 feet). Late S...	Numbers in the hundreds to several thousands can often be found at refuges such as Alligator River, ...	****	2026-05-08
Northern Shoveler	Spatula clypeata	The Northern Shoveler is one of the few species of waterfowl that has clearly increased in the state...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S3N	G5	Winter resident; increasing. Generally fairly common, but locally common to very common, along the ...	Locally uncommon fall and spring migrant, most frequent in Mar. Rare to locally uncommon in midwint...	Rare spring and fall migrant, and very rare to rare but increasing winter visitor, mainly in lower e...	It is easily found at most coastal NWR's, such as Mattamuskeet and Pea Island. You should be able t...	****	2026-05-08
Trumpeter Swan	Cygnus buccinator	This relatively rare swan of the northwestern United States and western Canada formerly nested as fa...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G4	Now a very rare (but increasing) winter visitor, but primarily just to the Pungo and Mattamuskeet re...	Casual to very rare visitor in recent years. Two accepted records -- an immature was seen and photog...	One report -- one seen and photographed on the French Broad River near Alexander (Buncombe), ...	Your best hope to see a Trumpeter Swan is to search through large flocks of Tundra Swans, such as in...	*	2026-05-08
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 50 record...	Winter visitor, notably increasing in recent years. Now rare in the southern Mountains; just one re...	There is a tendency for the species to appear with flocks of Canada Geese, both feeding in plowed fi...	* to **	2026-05-08
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 21 known records, though records are accumulating annually; mostly i...	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...	**	2026-05-02
Kirtland's Warbler	Setophaga kirtlandii	Considering that North Carolina is about halfway between the species' wintering grounds in the Baham...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G3	Remarkably, just two convincing reports. One was photographed at Duck (Dare) from 2-5 Oct 201...	Casual fall transient in the western portion of the province, but just one accepted record for the e...	Very rare transient (with numbers increasing in recent years); now with 10 records (but only two of ...	Some recent birds have stayed over for an extra day to three, for many observers to observe them. F...	1/2*	2026-03-13
Brewer's Blackbird	Euphagus cyanocephalus	The Brewer's Blackbird is an abundant bird of the Western half of the country. It is somewhat migra...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			S1N	G5	Possible winter resident; otherwise a sparse winter visitor and transient. Formerly known to winter...	Scarce (very rare) transient and winter visitor, as the province is generally east of the migration ...	Scarce, though a regular transient and very rare in winter. Rare in southern mountain valleys, and ...	Arrangements to access Open Ground Farms have always been tricky, and this is not a good option. Re...	*	2026-03-13
Lark Bunting	Calamospiza melanocorys	This is a conspicuous and unique species of the short-grass prairies, very rare as a stray to the Ea...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SA	G5	Casual migrant, most records from the Dare Outer Banks. There are nine records. One was see...	Accidental. A singing male in breeding plumage at Dorothea Dix farm in Raleigh, 2-12 May 1978, is t...	No records.		1/2*	2026-03-12
Lark Sparrow	Chondestes grammacus	The Lark Sparrow, as with the Vesper Sparrow, is by itself in a monotypic genus; no other sparrow is...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Sparse summer resident, transient, and winter straggler. In summer, rare and local, only in the San...	Transient. Casual to very rare in spring, and very rare in fall; scattered over the region. Mainly...	Transient. Casual to very rare in spring (eight records), and very rare in late summer/fall (about ...	Most breeding sites are generally off-limits to birders on military reservations (especially at Fort...	* to **	2026-03-12
Brown-headed Nuthatch	Sitta pusilla	The Brown-headed Nuthatch, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and the Bachman's Sparrow are the signature ...	Breeder	Definitive			S5	G4	Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Common in the Sandhills and other areas in the southern portions ...	Permanent resident; nonmigratory. Common along the extreme eastern and southern portions, but mostl...	Scarce permanent resident, but slowly increasing; apparently nonmigratory. Formerly did not occur/b...	This species is almost always found in a morning of birding in Longleaf Pine forests. Weymouth Wood...	****	2026-03-12
Cave Swallow	Petrochelidon fulva	Hardly any bird has expanded its breeding range in the United States in recent years as has the Cave...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Fall transient, and straggler into early winter, essentially along the coast; greatly increasing in ...	Casual, with four records: a single bird seen at Troutman (Iredell) on 20 Dec 1999 (Chat 64:1...	Casual in migration, with reports having yet to be reviewed by the NC BRC. One was photographed and...	There are no consistent spots for seeing fall and early winter migrants, as they can be seen flying ...	* to **	2026-03-12
Bank Swallow	Riparia riparia	The Bank Swallow has a range that not only encompasses most of North America (and wintering south to...	Former Breeder	Definitive	SR		S1B	G5	Transient. In spring, generally uncommon (but as it occurs in flocks, can be sporadic from week to...	Transient, and accidental (at least former) breeder. Nested along the Roaring River near Ronda (...	Transient, and breeder (currently?) at one site. Rare to uncommon in both spring and fall. Nested ...	As the quarry site is likely off-limits to birders, and likely is no longer active, one must stumble...	**	2026-03-12
Eastern Warbling-Vireo	Vireo gilvus	The Eastern Warbling-Vireo, along with the Red-eyed Vireo, has the most extensive breeding range of ...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Transient, and possible accidental breeder. Very rare in both spring and fall. Records are increasin...	Transient (mainly in spring), and scarce summer resident. In spring, rare in the western half, and ...	Summer resident and transient. Uncommon in summer in the New River area of Ashe and Alleg...	Though a scarce bird in the state, driving roads that parallel or cross the South Fork New River, wi...	***	2026-03-12
Bell's Vireo	Vireo bellii	Though the Bell's Vireo nests as far east as Illinois, there are relatively few records for the sout...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Very rare along and near the coast in fall and early winter. One was briefly seen and photographed ...	Accidental, though unconfirmed for the province. There is a sight record at Zebulon (Wake) o...	Accidental. One was seen and photographed on the Warren Wilson College grounds (Buncombe) fr...	Be alert to this secretive bird in the fall near the coast, and keep a camera handy; it can be diffi...	*	2026-03-12
Alder Flycatcher	Empidonax alnorum	Prior to 1973, Alder and Willow flycatchers were considered as a single species -- Traill's Flycatch...	Breeder	Definitive	SR		S2B	G5	Transient. Status very poorly known, but apparently casual to (at best) very rare. There are only ...	Transient; apparently very rare. Very poorly known, though possibly regular in both spring and fall...	Summer resident; breeding, mainly above 3,500 feet elevation. Generally uncommon and local, with th...	Some of the better sites for finding the species are the road to the Shining Rock Wilderness and Bla...	***	2026-03-12
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	The Western Kingbird history in North Carolina is a sad one. Back in the 1960's and early 1970's, o...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Fall transient, regularly lingering into early winter; declining, at least in fall. Along the coast...	Essentially only a fall stray/transient. Very rare, with only about 16 records. Nine of the records...	Casual. Five records: four in fall (two in Aug and two in Sep). The report of two birds in Ashe...	Try driving NC 12 down the Outer Banks in fall, a day or two after a strong cold front. A bird coul...	*	2026-03-12
Rough-legged Hawk	Buteo lagopus	North Carolina lies at and just south of the regular wintering range of the Rough-legged Hawk, meani...	Nonbreeder	Definitive			SZ	G5	Winter visitor. Rare in the Tidewater area, mainly at Alligator River NWR; very rare to rare along ...	Winter visitor, with at least 31 reports. Very rare, with a concentration of records in the Raleigh...	Winter visitor, with at least 21 reports. Very rare in the extreme northern counties (such as Al...	Since about 2000, one to occasionally two birds have been seen at the extensive farm fields at Allig...	* to **	2026-03-12