Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
50 most recent updates
Return Max of 200
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Red CrossbillBurkeScott Vakos vakoshsv@gmail.com6-18-2026Primitive camping off old nc 105. Higher up on the ridgelineHe was initially in the branches above before he flew down close to me allowing for a photo. Yes
Swallow-tailed KiteGatesFloyd Williams, Signa Williamsfloyd.williams80@gmail.com2026-06-21Merchants Millpond State ParkBird was soaring/flying along with 4 Turkey Vultures. Observed at less than 300 feet by eye and binoculars. Field marks were easily seen.
Yellow-headed BlackbirdCabarrusJudy Stillerstillerj@proton.meMay 2, 2026He has been eating sunflower seeds and suet at my feeding station. I have a pond on the property so I guess that is what attracted him.Yes
Western Cattle-EgretFranklinApril Lloydamdoremus@gmail.com4/21/2026First noticed the birds out in our paddocks near our cows, and again in our yard by our chickens.
Ring-necked PheasantGastonstellastellapayne404@gmail.com03/19/2026Robinson roadThe first time I saw it I didn't know what it was and so I had to look up his features and found out that it was a ringneck because of the white ring on the neck, and the red patches around the eyes. Today I saw it with a female that was brown with black patchy spots. I don't know if maybe it's somebody's pets that got loose but I've been seeing it consistently. today however, is the first time I saw it with a female.
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Painted BuntingJohnstonAshley Mitchell Ashleypdaughtry@gmail.com02/07/2026Birdfy feeder in Princeton NC residential yardA Painted bunting has visited our feeder several times over the last 3 days Yes
Black-billed CuckooPerquimansSilas Hernandezsilas.hernandez99@yahoo.com06/12/2536.15724, -76.54574Recording. See ML639460188 at macaulaylibrary.org
AcceptWhite-crowned SparrowRandolphGinger Walter ggwrn18@gmail.com 10/6/2015Ramseur Wright Country Rd Have actually seen a white crowned sparrow in my yard for the past few winters. Just discovered this list. I may be able to find the earliest date. Yes
DickcisselRandolphGinger Walter ggwrn18@gmail.com 11/16/2025 Ramseur Wright Country Rd Photo taken by wildlife camera Yes
AcceptClapper RailLeeWilliam Mullinwmullin@jhcarterinc.comSeptember 3, 2025parking lotfound dead; photos on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/314577205
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Black-bellied Whistling-DuckGranvilleMyself -- Alexandra Goodmanaagood4@gmail.com2022Beside my house, on the pond.I don't remember how many there were exactly, but there were at least 5.
Ring-necked PheasantJohnstonZach Quinntobaccoroadoutdoors@hotmail.com6/10/2025Carriage Creek RoadA female ring necked pheasant. I will try to get a better picture in the coming days. She has resided in the neighborhood. Yes
AcceptScopoli's ShearwaterDareBrian Patteson, Kate Sutherland, and many othershlegrandjr@gmail.com2023-08-05Gulf Streampelagic trip records
AcceptSwamp SparrowLeeJimmy Randolph4jhrandolph@gmail.com3/15/2025Upper Lake at San Lee Nature Park in Sanford/Lee County. While observing breeding southern toads in the upper reaches of the lake, ventured out onto sandy/muddy delta associated with beaver activity. Sparsely covered with early successional small shrubs and grasses. Flushed a small mixed flock of sparrows, including Song Sparrows and what I keyed to Swamp Sparrows (see photo). If I missed the ID, please disregard. Thanks in advance. JimmyYes
RejectSpotted TowheeGuilfordRachel Capen, Alan and Barbara ReeceRachelrcapen@gmail.com2/19/2025Pleasant Garden, North CarolinaMy family spotted a spotted towhee on their farm. Very cool!Yes
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RejectSpotted TowheeGuilfordRachel Capen, Alan and Barbara ReeceRachelrcapen@gmail.com2/19/2025Pleasant Garden, North CarolinaMy family spotted a spotted towhee on their farm. Very cool!Yes
RejectSpotted TowheeGuilfordRachel Capen, Alan and Barbara ReeceRachelrcapen@gmail.com2/19/2025Pleasant Garden, North CarolinaMy family spotted a spotted towhee on their farm. Very cool!Yes
RejectSpotted TowheeGuilfordRachel Capen, Alan and Barbara ReeceRachelrcapen@gmail.com2/19/2025Pleasant Garden, North CarolinaMy family spotted a spotted towhee on their farm. Very cool!Yes
AcceptRufous HummingbirdChathamNancy Salmonnancysalmon@hotmail.comwinter resident5 Carolina Meadows, Apt. 102 (5 Appletree Lane), Chapel Hill 27517Photo taken 10/21/2024, but this is the second winter in a row that this type of hummingbird has been frequenting our feeder from early October until end of January. Yes
AcceptWhite-throated SwiftTyrrellEd Coreyhlegrandjr@gmail.com2024-11-22Scuppernong River at ColumbiaReported in Chat 89:12.
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AcceptNorthern HarrierLeeJimmy Randolph4jhrandolph@gmail.com12/30/20246000 Enterprise Park Drive Sanford, NC 27330 (Vacant 18 acre industrial site in Central Carolina Enterprise Park)While inspecting the Shell Industrial Building on Lot 6 at Central Carolina Enterprise Park, observed Norther Harrier flying low and occasionally hovering just a few feet above the ground on the vacant adjacent lot, approximately 15-18 cleared and graded acres with two years growth of various grasses and lespedeza.Yes
AcceptCommon RavenDavidsonMorgan Hookermorgan.hooker31@gmail.com1/1/2025Spotted on the Randolph/Davidson county line I have video of the call, however, I cannot upload it here. I can email it to you.
AcceptCommon RavenDavidsonMorgan Hookermorgan.hooker31@gmail.com1/1/2025Spotted on the Randolph/Davidson county line I have video of the call, however, I cannot upload it here. I can email it to you.
RejectGolden EagleCabarrusEmily HaldenMallen418@gmail.com12/12Along highway 73, in a tree overlooking the coddle creek reservoir.This is the second time I've seen it. I got a better look at it this time and it is without a doubt a golden eagle. I was driving, so no photo.
RejectGolden EagleCabarrusEmily HaldenMallen418@gmail.com12/6/24Along SR 73, on top of a tree looking at the Coddle Creek resevoir I was driving so I couldn't get a picture. It was massive and absolutely not a hawk. I could see the back of it, and it had that brown and white or gray multicolor to it like golden eagles have. The beak was also the right shape.
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AcceptCommon NighthawkUnionDonna Jeffersdjeffers1@carolina.rr.comoctober 15,2024Weddington 1008 Heritage Acres Dr Matthews NC 28104 A few years ago I noticed an odd unfamiliar sound in the evening. Now I know that the sound is a common nighthawk. I have recorded the sound on my phone numerous times. My Merlin bird app has identified the sound as a common nighthawk. It is still in the area as I just heard it!
AcceptEastern Screech-OwlCaswellDawn-Michelle Oliverdmo1931@gmail.com9/11/241672 Marshall Graves Rd., Yanceyville, NC 27379 36.33396, -79.38429I live in Caswell County, and have been regularly hearing a screech-owl (rarely two) near my home over the past several weeks. Last night I heard one through an open window north of the house at 4:00 a.m. I have entered the observations in eBird in the NC Bird Atlas portal. I have not seen the owls. Thank you!
AcceptCommon MerganserClaySeth BanksSethbanks18@yahoo.comSeptember 6th 2024Hiwassee River. 98 Riverbend Cir.These Mergansers have been coming back almost daily for about a month. They were on my side of the river this morning, so wanted to submit a better picture.Yes
AcceptCommon MerganserClaySeth Banks, Madison BanksSethbanks18@yahoo.comAugust 17th 2024 - prese98 Riverbend Cir. Hayesville NC 28904 Hiwassee RiverFor nearly a month now, we have be seeing these common mergansers on the river. It started as a group of 4, and has grown to 30+ at times. I had never seen these before, so started searching them up, and realized they weren’t listed in our county either. I did not take any pictures until today, I had just been watching them up to this point. Yes
AcceptKing RailIredellJana Alexanderjanaalexander09@gmail.comAug. 24, 2024Wandering in and around my ferns and shrubs around my house on Lake NormanI'm not sure what this bird was. It walked like a Chicken and didn't fly away, just strutted away but was secretive. Its tail flipped up. It was very slender but seemed more solid gray. I wondered if it got blown in from Hurricane Debby.Yes
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AcceptAnhingaYadkinDavid and Susan Disherdkdisher@gmail.com8/13/2024Yadkin Memorial Park (Lake Hampton)First observed flying away toward the far side of the then it circled and landed in the top of a tree across the lake from our position near the main office. I got my scope out and we watched it for about 10 minutes until it dropped down where we could not see it. Digiscope in the ebird list and a super cropped photo taken at 500 mm and cropped way down added here.
AcceptSemipalmated PloverPerquimansGregory Hudsongregorylhudson1@gmail.comField adj to Perquimans Cmty Center.Field inundated.
AcceptSemipalmated SandpiperPerquimansGregory Hudsongregorylhudson1@gmail.comAug. 9, 2024Field adj to Perquimans Cmty CenterField inundated.
AcceptStilt SandpiperPerquimansGregory Hudsongregorylhudson1@gmail.comAug. 9, 2024Field adjacent to Perquimans County Cmty CenterField inundated due to recent rain attracting shorebirds.
AcceptLittle Blue HeronAlexanderRon and Garnet Underwoodrongto@gmail.com08/01/2024Flying east along hwy 64 bypass, about 3 miles east of Taylorsville, NCWhile traveling east on hwy 64 near Taylorsville, NC, we observed a heron fly across the road in front of us, distance about 50 feet and continue parallel to the road for about 30 seconds. Bird was medium sized, larger than a Green Heron, smaller than a Great Blue. Slow wingbeats, neck tucked in. Body mostly dark gray, with maroon neck. Bill mostly dark, especially the tip. Legs were out stretched. Belly was dark, ruling out Tri-colored Heron. We had excellent views with no obstructions, even though we were in our car.
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AcceptEastern Whip-poor-willClayLara Caughmanlaracaughman@yahoo.comMay 2023 and May 2022I heard the whipporwill over a series of nights spanning about a week in May 2022 and May 2023. Our house is isolated and surrounded by woods on the Hiwassee River in Clay County. He was very loud and is mating song went on for hours each night.
AcceptDunlinUnionDennis Kent, Greg Haysdenniskent1956@gmail.com6 November, 2022Lake TwittySignificantly larger than the LESA. Non-breeding plumaged birds. Stocky with brownish-gray upperparts, white underparts, and long, dark drooping bills. Yes
AcceptLong-billed DowitcherUnionDennis Kent, Greg Haysdenniskent1956@gmail.com7 November 2022Lake TwittyCombination of field marks/impression and opinion by other seasoned birders led to this ID. Obvious dowitcher species, sized between the killdeer and GRYE, with a very long straight bill and typical “sewing machine” feeding manner. Appeared to be a juvenile but with a more washed out/ grayer appearance than found with juvenile SBDO. Overall impression was bulky with a hunchbacked look, though perhaps not quite as exaggerated as some classic photos. The bill seemed exceptionally long when viewed in profile. Plumage pattern was fairly plain with solid centers & darker edges to tertials than expected with juvenile SBDO. The Nov migration timing of this bird fits better with LBDO than SBDO. Finally, while the bird did not vocalize during this observation period, others were able to later get the bird to react to an alert posture after playing the LBDO call.Yes
AcceptWestern SandpiperStanlyDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com8 May, 2023Mission Church Rd.Small peep with longer, more droopy bill than LESA. Dark legs. Rufous color visable on auriculars and wings.Yes
AcceptWestern SandpiperUnionDennis Kent, Greg Haysdenniskent1956@gmail.com6 September 2021Stegall LakeContinuing. Large pale peep with dark legs and long slightly drooping bill. Yes
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AcceptCommon GoldeneyeStanlyDennis Kent, Greg Haysdenniskent1956@gmail.com20 February, 2023Lake TilleryFemale. Chocolate brown head, golden eye, and small dark sloped bill. Grayish upperparts with white belly and wing-stripe at rest.Yes
AcceptCommon GoldeneyeCabarrusDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com3 December 2023Harris RoadContinuing female type. Originally located by Taylor Piephoff. All brown head. Mottled gray body. Yellow eye.Yes
AcceptLong-tailed DuckLincolnDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com17 November, 2020Lake NormanOriginally found in Mecklenburg Co. Flock flew into Lincoln as we watched them. Female type. Stocky ducks with white belly, Dark brown wings, back, chest and crown of head. White face with brown cheek patch.Yes
AcceptLong-tailed DuckPolkDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com4 February 2024TIEC Pond (private)Continuing. Black, white and brown plumaged; small bill; white face with dark cheek patchYes
AcceptCommon GoldeneyePolkDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com4 February 2024TIEC Pond (private)Continuing female type. Chocolate brown head, gray body, bright yellow eye, horizontal white wing stripe.Yes
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AcceptRed-necked GrebeIredellDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com18 December, 2022Lake Norman Details Large body grebe, reddish color, long neck, yellow billYes
AcceptWestern GrebeIredellDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com18 December, 2022Lake NormanVery long necked grebe, white throat, big head, long thin bill. Photos. With Red-necked Grebe when first located,Yes
AcceptWestern GrebeCabarrusDennis Kentdenniskent1956@gmail.com15 Feb 2022Coddle Creek Reservoir-South End Details Continuing. Large black and white grebe. Long neck. Yellow dagger-like bill.
AcceptStilt SandpiperUnionDennis Kent, Martina Nordstranddenniskent1956@gmail.com3 August, 2021Lake Twitty2nd county record, medium shorebird with supercilium stripe, long legs, barred flanks, droopy bill. Hung out with the yellowlegs pack.
AcceptBaird's SandpiperUnionDennis Kent, Greg Haysdenniskent1956@gmail.com6 November, 2022Lake TwittySized in-between the DUNL and LESA. Very buffy overtones on head and chest. Dark legs and bill; bill short and straight compared to DUNL. Elongated wings extending beyond tail, evident in typical horizontal feeding posture. Distant photos.Yes