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: 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 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.

Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Brant, Branta bernicla Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (R) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (RI) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Wood duck, Aix sponsa Garganey, Spatula querquedula (P) (R) 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) White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis (R) 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 (RI) Common eider, Somateria mollissima (RI) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (RI) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (R) 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 North 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 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: 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. 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: ColumbiformesFamily: 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: CuculiformesFamily: 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: 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 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: 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. 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: 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. 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: GruiformesFamily: 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: 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 (R)

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". 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: CharadriiformesFamily: 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: CharadriiformesFamily: 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: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae