List of birds of North Carolina facts for kids

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.

• 

  Wood ducks

• 

  Mallards

• 

  Northern shoveler

• 

  Hooded merganser

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,.

• 

  Willet

• 

  Sanderling

• 

  Ruddy turnstone

• 

  Wilson's snipe

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.

• 

  Laughing gull

• 

  Ring-billed gull

• 

  Royal tern

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.

• 

  Saltmarsh sparrow

• 

  Chipping sparrow

• 

  Eastern towhee

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.

• 

  Chestnut-sided warbler

• 

  Black-throated blue warbler

• 

  Yellow-rumped warbler

• 

  Blackburnian warbler

• 

  Common yellowthroat

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