Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
PARULIDAE Members: Townsend's Warbler 457
General Comments
This close relative of the Black-throated Green Warbler breeds only from Alaska to the northwestern portion of the Lower 48 States; it winters along the Pacific Coast and southward into Mexico. Though it would seem an unlikely candidate to stray to the Eastern states, most such states do have records. Thankfully, as of 2025, North Carolina has around 20 records, nearly all from the coast but a few now are from inland provinces.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SA
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Now a very rare stray, mainly in fall, with 12-14 published reports; all but a few are coastal, and the others are from Tidewater areas. Four have been reviewed and accepted by the NC BRC: one photographed on the northern dike of North Pond at Pea Island NWR (Dare) on 7 Nov 1992* (Chat 61:274-75); one specimen salvaged from a boat offshore on 20 Sep 1999* (Chat 66:4); one photographed at North River Preserve (Carteret) from 30 Sep - 3 Oct 2018* (Chat 83:36); and one photographed in a yard in Hatteras (Dare) on 23-24 Sep 2020* (Chat 85:38). There is also one un-reviewed report from the Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Island (Dare) on 27 Apr 2000 (Chat 64:157). A recent report, not yet reviewed, was one photographed at Duck (Dare) on 28-29 Sep 2019 (Chat 84:27). Though the report was made by an experienced observer, with probably little reason to doubt it, the report was not reviewed because no detailed description of the bird was ever made available to the NC BRC. Photos of the North River Preserve bird are on the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery. One was photographed in Colington Harbour (Dare) on 22 Jan 2023 (Chat 87:44), for a first state winter record; and presumably this same bird was photographed there on 13 Mar 2023 (Chat 87:62), suggesting that it survived the winter. As with a few other reports listed above, this Colington Harbour bird has not yet been reviewed by the NC BRC. In fall 2023, singles were photographed at Run Hill State Natural Area (Dare) on 16 Sep* (Chat 88:55), this or another bird nearby at Duck Park on 16-17 Sep*, and near the Bodie Island lighthouse (Dare) on 30 Sep* (Chat 88:20), (Chat 88:55-57). One was not described, but accepted by an eBird reviewer, at Hatteras Point (Dare) on 12-13 Sep 2025 (Chat 90:33). This preponderance of recent records from the northern portion of the Dare Outer Banks makes one wonder if just one bird has been responsible for records over these last two winter to fall seasons. On the nearby mainland, one was photographed at Alligator River NWR (Dare) on 16 Mar 2024 (Chat 88:80). One was seen and well-described in Pamlico on 20 Dec 2025 (Chat 90:67).
Piedmont
Three records yet voted on, and one voted on with an Unresolved status. An adult male was photographed in a Charlotte (Mecklenburg) yard on 19 Mar 2025 (Chat 89:129); supposedly it had been reported in the yard for a few days earlier, but no data are available. Another adult male was photographed near Chapel Hill (Orange) on 3 Apr, also in 2025 (Chat 89:129). An adult male was photographed at a feeder in Charlotte on 23 Jan 2026 (Chat 90:67). These have yet to be reviewed by the NC BRC. One reported in Chatham in Oct 2024 received a split vote and has an Unresolved status; it may or may not be voted on again at a later date (Chat 90:6).
Mountain
The only record is of a first-year female photographed at the Richland Balsam Overlook, along the Jackson/Haywood line, on 13 Sep 2014* (Chat 79:14), (Chat 79:53). Photos are on the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery.
Finding Tips