This list of birds of South Carolina includes species documented in the U.S. state of South Carolina and accepted by the South Carolina Bird Records Committee (SCBRC) of the Carolina Bird Club. As of mid 2021, there were 446 species definitively included in the official list. Nine additional species are on the list but classed as Provisional I (see definitions below). Of the 446 species on the primary list, 114 are rare anywhere in the state, 34 are rare away from the coast, five have been introduced to North America, and four are extinct. Sixteen additional species are classed as Provisional II and seven as Hypothetical as defined below. An additional accidental species has been added from another source.
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 South Carolina as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following tags are used to designate some species:
(R) - Rare - a species whose report is reviewable by the SCBRC if the bird is found anywhere in South Carolina (RI) - Rare inland - a species whose report is reviewable by the SCBRC if the bird is found away from the coast (I) - Introduced - an established species introduced to North America by humans, either directly or indirectly (E) - Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists (P1) - Provisional I list - species which have been approved by the SCBRC but are known only from sight records (P2) - Provisional II list - "Species whose occurrence in South Carolina is believed to be the result of human assistance, and which have not become established" per the SCBRC (H) - Hypothetical - "Species which are undocumented to the committee but reported in North American Birds or The Chat" (the journal of the Carolina Bird Club)
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl Order: AnseriformesFamily: 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 that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-four species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (RI) Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (R) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Brant, Branta bernicla (R) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (P2) (R) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii (R) Canada goose, Branta canadensis Mute swan, Cygnus olor Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (R) Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (R) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca (R) Wood duck, Aix sponsa Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (RI) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos American black duck, Anas rubripes Mottled duck, Anas fulvigula (RI) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Redhead, Aythya americana Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (R) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis King eider, Somateria spectabilis (R) Common eider, Somateria mollissima (RI) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (R) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi (RI) Black scoter, Melanitta americana (RI) Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser (R) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 South Carolina.
Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 game birds 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 , 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 birds and are sometimes hunted for food. In all of South Carolina's 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 have been recorded in South Carolina.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) (P2) (R)
Flamingoes Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingoes are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis (P2) (R) (not on the AOS Check-list; name and placement are per Clements)Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved August 15, 2019. American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (R)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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. Five species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena (R) Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (R)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Eight species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (R) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I) African collared-dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea (P2) (R) Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These are birds of various sizes with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Four species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani (P1) (R) Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (R) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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 that are of little use for walking and long, pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Four species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (accidental) Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: 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. One species has been recorded in South Carolina.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: 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. Ten species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Blue-throated mountain-gem, Lampornis clemenciae (P1) (R) Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (R) Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (R) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (R) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (R) Cuban emerald, Chlorostilbon ricordii (H) (R) Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (R) Buff-bellied hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis (R)
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small- to medium-sized birds that includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Most members of this family 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 that are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Ten species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans King rail, Rallus elegans Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Sora, Porzana carolina Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata American coot, Fulica americana Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus Purple swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio (R) Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (RI)
Limpkin Order: GruiformesFamily: 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
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: 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". Two species have been recorded in South Carolina.
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis Whooping crane, Grus americana (R)
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds that 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 South Carolina.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. One species has been recorded in South Carolina.