• Source: List of birds of North Carolina

This list of birds of North Carolina includes species documented in the U.S. state of North Carolina and accepted by the North Carolina Bird Records Committee (NCBRC) of the Carolina Bird Club. As of January 2020, there are 479 species and a species pair definitively included in the official list. Thirteen additional species, one of which is identified only at the genus level, are on the list but classed as provisional. Two "non-established" species are also included here. Of the resulting 486 species, 96 are rare anywhere in the state, 91 are rare in some part of the state or in a single season, six have been introduced to North America, and four are extinct. Additional accidental species have been added from different sources.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in North Carolina as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following tags are used to annotate some species:

(R) - Rare - a species whose report is reviewable by the NCBRC if the bird is found anywhere in North Carolina
(RC) - Rare coastal - a species whose report is reviewable by the NCBRC if the bird is found along the coast
(RD) - Rare downstate - a species whose report is reviewable by the NCBRC if the bird is found in the southern part of the state
(RI) - Rare inland - a species whose report is reviewable by the NCBRC if the bird is found away from the coast
(RM) - Rare in mountains - a species whose report is reviewable by the NCBRC if the bird is found in the mountainous part of the state
(RS) - Rare in spring - a species whose report is reviewable by the NCBRC if the bird is found in the spring
(I) - Introduced - a species introduced to North America by humans, either directly or indirectly
(E) - Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists
(P) - Provisional list - a species that has been approved by the NCBRC but is known only from sight records




Ducks, geese, and waterfowl


Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-six species have been recorded in North Carolina.





















New World quail


Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus




Pheasants, grouse, and allies



Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the underside of the beak and a fleshy protuberance that hangs from the top of its beak called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female (the hen) is smaller and much less colorful than the male (the tom). With wingspans of 1.5–1.8 meters (almost 6 feet), the turkeys are the largest birds in the open forests in which they live and are rarely mistaken for any other species. Grouse inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are game and are sometimes hunted for food. In all North Carolinian species, males are polygamous and have elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round residents and do not migrate. Three species in this family have been recorded in North Carolina.

Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (RD)
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)




Grebes



Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Six species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (RI)
Clark's grebe, Aechmorphorus clarkii (P) (R)




Pigeons and doves



Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Seven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (R)
Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E)
Common ground dove, Columbina passerina
White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (RM)
Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura




Cuckoos



Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites. Four species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani (R)
Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (P) (R)
Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus




Nightjars and allies



Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet which are of little use for walking and long, pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Five species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (R)
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Antillean nighthawk, Chordeiles gundlachii (R)
Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis
Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus




Swifts


Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Three species have been recorded in North Carolina, although one was only identified to genus.

Swift species, Cypseloides sp. (P) (R)
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
Common swift, Apus apus (R)




Hummingbirds



Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Eleven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (R)
Green-breasted mango, Anthracothorax prevostii (R)
Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (RM)
Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (R)
Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope
Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (R)
Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (R)
Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (R)
Buff-bellied hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis (R)




Rails, gallinules, and coots



Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Nine species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans (RM)
King rail, Rallus elegans
Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
Sora, Porzana carolina
Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
American coot, Fulica americana
Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus
Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis




Limpkin


Order: Gruiformes Family: Aramidae
The limpkin is a large bird in a monotypic family. It is similar in appearance to the rails, but skeletally it is closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes and gets its common name from its appearance of limping as it walks.

Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (R)




Cranes


Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". Three species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Siberian crane, Leucogeranus leucogeranus (accidental) (not on the AOS Check-list)
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis
Whooping crane, Grus americana (R) (not established)




Stilts and avocets


Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
American avocet, Recurvirostra americana




Oystercatchers



Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus




Plovers and lapwings


Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Eleven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (R)
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (R)
Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (R)
Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (RI)
Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (RI)
Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (R)




Sandpipers and allies


Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-seven species have been recorded in North Carolina,.





















Skuas and jaegers



Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
They are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Five species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Great skua, Stercorarius skua (RI)
South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (RI)
Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (RM)
Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (RM)
Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (RM)




Auks, murres, and puffins


Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colors, their upright posture, and some of their habits; however, they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. Seven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Dovekie, Alle alle (RI)
Common murre, Uria aalge (R)
Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (RI)
Razorbill, Alca torda (RI)
Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle (R)
Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (R)
Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica (RI)




Gulls, terns, and skimmers


Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Gulls are typically medium to large birds, usually gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, stout, longish bills and webbed feet. The large species take up to four years to attain full adult plumage, but two years is typical for small gulls. Terns are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. They have longish bills and webbed feet. They are lighter bodied and more streamlined than gulls and look elegant in flight with long tails and long narrow wings. Skimmers are tropical and subtropical species. They have an elongated lower mandible. They feed by flying low over the water surface with the lower mandible skimming the water for small fish. Thirty-three species of Laridae have been recorded in North Carolina.

















Tropicbirds


Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (RM)
Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (RI)




Loons



Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
Loons are aquatic birds, the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. Three species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (RI)
Common loon, Gavia immer




Albatrosses


Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are amongst the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos (R)
Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris (R)




Southern storm-petrels


Order: Procellariiformes Family: Oceanitidae
The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's three species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae. All three species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (RI)
White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina (RI)
Black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica (R)




Northern storm-petrels



Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family. Four species have been recorded in North Carolina.

European storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus (RI)
Swinhoe's storm-petrel, Hydrobates monorhis (R)
Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (RI)
Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (RI)




Shearwaters and petrels



Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Fourteen species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis (RI)
Trindade petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana (RI)
Bermuda petrel, Pterodroma cahow (RI)
Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (RI)
Fea's petrel, Pterodroma feae (RI)
Zino's petrel, Pterodroma madeira (R)
Tahiti petrel, Pseudobulweria rostrata (R)
Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii (R)
Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (RI)
Cape Verde shearwater, Calonectris edwardsii (R)
Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus (RI)
Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (RI)
Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (RI)
Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri (RI)




Storks


Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Wood stork, Mycteria americana




Frigatebirds


Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black, or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (RI)




Boobies and gannets


Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Four species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Masked booby, Sula dactylatra (RI)
Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (RI)
Red-footed booby, Sula sula (R)
Northern gannet, Morus bassanus (RI)




Anhingas



Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Anhingas are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga




Cormorants and shags


Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed. Three species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (RM)
Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum
Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum (R)




Pelicans



Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (RM)
Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis




Herons, egrets, and bitterns



Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Thirteen species have been recorded in North Carolina.

American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
Great egret, Ardea alba
Little egret, Egretta garzetta (R)
Snowy egret, Egretta thula
Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea
Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor
Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens (RI)
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
Green heron, Butorides virescens
Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea




Ibises and spoonbills


Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. Four species have been recorded in North Carolina.

White ibis, Eudocimus albus
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (RI)
Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja




New World vultures



Order: Cathartiformes Family: Cathartidae
The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura




Osprey


Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The osprey is a medium-large fish-eating bird of prey or raptor. It is widely distributed because it tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location which is near a body of water and provides an adequate food supply. It is the only member of its family.

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus




Hawks, eagles, and kites



Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Fifteen species have been recorded in North Carolina.

White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus (R)
Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus
Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius
Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
American goshawk, Accipiter atricapillus
Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
Snail kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis (R)
Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni (RM)
Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus




Barn-owls


Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Barn owl, Tyto alba




Owls



Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Thirteen species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Flammulated owl, Psiloscops flammeolus (accidental)
Western screech-owl, Megascops kennicottii (accidental)
Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio
Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
Northern pygmy-owl, Glaucidium gnoma (accidental)
Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia (R)
Barred owl, Strix varia
Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa (accidental)
Long-eared owl, Asio otus
Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus (accidental)
Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus




Kingfishers


Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon




Woodpeckers



Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Eleven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
American three-toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis (accidental)
Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens
Ladder-backed woodpecker, Dryobates scalaris (accidental)
Red-cockaded woodpecker, Dryobates borealis (RM)
Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus
Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus
Ivory-billed woodpecker, Campephilus principalis (E?)




Falcons and caracaras


Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Five species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Crested caracara, Caracara plancus (R)
American kestrel, Falco sparverius
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (P) (R)
Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus




New World and African parrots


Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis (E)
Monk parakeet, Myiositta monachus (I) (not established) (R)




Tyrant flycatchers



Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae
Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Twenty-one species and a species pair have been recorded in North Carolina.

Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (RI)
Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (R)
Cassin's kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans (R)
Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (RM)
Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus
Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (R)
Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens
Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii (R)
Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii (R)
Western flycatcher Empidonax difficilis (R)
Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (RI)
Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (R)




Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis



Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble the wood warblers except for their heavier bills. Nine species have been recorded in North Carolina.

White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus
Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (RI)
Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons
Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius
Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus
Yellow-green vireo, Vireo flavoviridis (RI)
Black-whiskered vireo, Vireo altiloquus (RI)




Shrikes



Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
Northern shrike, Lanius borealis (R)




Crows, jays, and magpies



Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Five species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri (accidental)
Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus
Common raven, Corvus corax (RC)




Tits, chickadees, and titmice



Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Three species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis
Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla (RD)
Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor




Larks


Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris




Swallows



Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Eight species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina (P) (R)
Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Purple martin, Progne subis
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (RM)




Kinglets


Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
The kinglets are a family of very small insectivorous birds. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name. Two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa




Waxwings


Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum




Nuthatches



Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
Brown-headed nuthatch, Sitta pusilla




Treecreepers


Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Brown creeper, Certhia americana




Gnatcatchers


Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae
These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through foliage while seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly a soft bluish gray in color and have the long sharp bill typical of an insectivore. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea




Wrens



Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Six species have been recorded in North Carolina.

House wren, Troglodytes aedon
Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis
Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis
Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus
Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (R)




Mockingbirds and thrashers



Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae
The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance. Four species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (R)
Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos




Starlings



Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. The plumage of several species is dark with a metallic sheen. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)




Thrushes and allies



Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Eleven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides (P) (R)
Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi (R)
Veery, Catharus fuscescens
Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli (RI)
Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
American robin, Turdus migratorius
Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius (R)




Old World flycatchers


Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
The Old World flycatchers form a large family of small passerine birds. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (R)




Old World sparrows


Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in North Carolina.

House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)




Wagtails and pipits


Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Three species have been recorded in North Carolina.

White wagtail, Motacilla alba (R)
American pipit, Anthus rubescens
Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii (R)




Finches, euphonias, and allies



Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Eleven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (R)
Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator (P) (R)
House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria (R)
American goldfinch, Spinus tristis




Longspurs and snow buntings


Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae
The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Four species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus (R)
Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (R)
Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis




New World sparrows


Order: Passeriformes Family: Passerellidae
Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-nine species have been recorded in North Carolina.

















Yellow-breasted chat


Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteriidae
This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens




Troupials and allies



Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae
The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Seventeen species have been recorded in North Carolina.




New World warblers


Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae
The wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial, such as the Ovenbird. Most members of this family are insectivores. Forty-two species have been recorded in North Carolina.

























Cardinals and allies



Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae
The cardinals are a family of robust seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Eleven species have been recorded in North Carolina.

Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus (RM)
Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena (R)
Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
Painted bunting, Passerina ciris (RM)
Dickcissel, Spiza americana




See also


List of birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
List of birds
Lists of birds by region
List of North American birds




References






Further reading


Brooks, Marshall; Mark Johns (2005). Birding North Carolina. Helena, MT: Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 0-7627-3134-6.
Porter, Eloise F.; James F. Parnell; Robert P. Teulings; Ricky Davis (2006). Birds of the Carolinas Second Edition. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0-8078-5671-0.




External links


Carolina Bird Club website
North Carolina Birding Trail
Recent North Carolina bird sightings

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Parkit carolina
• Ibis-sendok merah-muda
• Pelatuk perut merah
• Electronic Arts
• Bebek hawaii
• Dinosaurus
• Daftar julukan kota di Arkansas
• Daftar julukan kota di Amerika Serikat
• Daftar julukan kota di Alaska
• Daftar julukan kota di Kansas
• List of birds of North Carolina
• List of birds of North America
• List of birds of South Carolina
• List of U.S. state birds
• List of birds of Canada
• North Carolina
• List of largest birds
• Carolina parakeet
• List of birds of Hawaii
• List of birds of Missouri