Birds in North Carolina

For those who enjoy it, birding can be an extremely fun leisure activity, especially if you’re birding in North Carolina. Here you come across a wide variety of birds that would be any bird watchers dream. Let’s take a look at how you can start your birding adventures here.

What is the State Bird of North Carolina?

On March 8 of 1943, Cardinal was officially adopted as the state bird of North Carolina. It is also referred to as the Winter Redbird because one mostly comes across it in winter. Also, it tends to be the only bird with a noticeable red color all around during that time. The male species is almost completely red barring its bill and throat which sport black. The female species have red tails, wings, and crests.

What Are the Top Bird Watching Spots in North Carolina?

The best places to go bird watching in North Carolina are state parks, national parks, and the Wildlife Refugees. If you want to see a wide variety of species in a place, Wildlife Refugees is your stop.

Among the state parks, Carolina Beach State Park inhibits 233 species. It has murky roads made of dunes and ridges, surrounded with oak and pine trees. Its grassy areas make for a great adventure land for its visitors. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area lets you enjoy birding in Raleigh Durham Cary, NC where you can see 60 different eagles in summer. The place is also ideal for North Carolina Birding in all seasons.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park that’s North Carolina’s pride. It is the most popular park in the U.S and hosts 235 bird species. Itis so heavily visited by them that you’re likely to come across wildlife in its every nook and corner.

North Carolina has Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge which is a barrier island that has seen more than 233 species, such as the Peregrine Falcons. Meanwhile, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is home to the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, an endangered species that you have to look hard for and might see a glimpse of among the pines.

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How Many Birds Can You See In North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a total of 481 species have been spotted. If you have enough enthusiasm to explore the entire state- or the desire to dedicate the rest of your life to it- that’s the number of bird species you’re likely to come across.

If you want to go to countries that are likely to have the most bird species, then Dare, Carteret, New Hanover, Brunswick, and Hyde are your best options. These countries have been known to host 427, 380, 366, 356, and 349 species respectively. While you’re quite likely to find most species in Dare alone, the species you’re missing out on is likely to be found in the other countries.

Hotspots like Pea Island NWR with its 323 species, Cape Hatteras with 292, and Bodie Island Lighthouse & Pond with 288 are the areas where the widest range of bird species have been seen to gather.

Top Birds to See in North Carolina

Birds in North Carolina are as beautiful as they’re magnificent. You have the majestic Tundra Swan with a wingspan of 7 feet mostly found in Lake Mattamuskeet. Then, you have the Peregrine Falcon which almost went extinct but can now be seen in places such as Pisgah National Forest.

Of course, we can’t forget about the Golden-crowned Kinglet; North America’s smallest bird, and a common sight in North Carolina.

Common Birds to see in North Carolina

You’re most likely to come across bird species such as Red-winged Blackbird, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Grackle, and Blackbird in North Carolina. These are the kinds you would spot even if you were to go for a walk at a local park. According to reports, there are about 1 million Red-winged Blackbirds.

You can also come across a wide variety of bird species on your visit to the more populated areas of North Carolina. Cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham-Cary, and Greensboro are home to a ton of bird species. In these places, your encounter with birds is likely to occur around the lakes, rivers, prairies, ponds, and so on. If you go to the mountain areas like Raleigh Durhan, you can see them among the trails and forests.

Final Thoughts

North Carolina has a lot to offer its bird watchers, you just need to know where to look. The abundance of parks throughout the state makes it possible for bird watchers to have an educational and yet, adventurous experience. Especially if you’re trying to get a child interested in bird watching, it’s one of the best places to start.