Birds

We love them. Now protect them and their habitats.

American Oystercatcher female with nestlings. Photo: Michael Cassella/Audubon Photography Awards

Because birds live everywhere, what affects them eventually affects us. And birds are telling us that their survival—and ours—depends on healthy natural spaces and clean air and water to curb the effects of climate change.

Can you imagine a world without the flute-like eee-oh-lay of a Wood Thrush? Forty percent of the Atlantic Flyway’s bird species are species of conservation need -- including the Wood Thrush, the most widespread of our eastern forest neotropical migratory species, whose population has been reduced by half in the past 40 years.

Scientific studies show that climate change is the biggest threat to birds and people alike, with two-thirds of North American bird species at risk of extinction due to our warming planet. Birds tell us it is not too late, but there is no time to lose. If we stand together and act now, we can still protect our most vulnerable birds and build healthier, stronger human communities too.

Birdwatching in North Carolina

Common Questions
Birds

Common Questions

From "I found an injured bird" to "A bird keeps attacking my window! What do I do?" we answer your most common questions here.

Read more

Bird Feeding Basics
Joy Of Birds

Bird Feeding Basics

Bird feeding can benefit birds and also provides great bird watching from your own backyard. Get easy tips to feed the birds.

Read more

NC Bird Watching Resources
Birding And Bird Watching

NC Bird Watching Resources

Not sure which birds to look for, or where to go? We've got all the information you need right here.

Read more

Birding with Kids
Birds

Birding with Kids

Birding can be simple, too, and you don't need to know how to identify a single species to help your kids get started.

Read more

Bird species included in the Audubon North Carolina Conservation Plan

American Oystercatcher
Priority Birds

American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatchers are the most recognizable of all North Carolina shorebirds. They can be found along the North Carolina coast year-round, nesting on sandy beaches and islands. 

Read more

Black Skimmer
Priority Birds

Black Skimmer

The global population of Black Skimmers has been reduced to 165,000, and they have been classified as a Species of Special Concern in NC, due to loss of breeding habitat.

Read more

Bobolink
Priority Birds

Bobolink

With reforestation of abandoned farmland and further development of the region, the Bobolink population has seen a dramatic decline. 

Read more

Brown-headed Nuthatch
Priority Birds

Brown-headed Nuthatch

The Brown-headed Nuthatch is fondly known to Audubon North Carolina (ANC) as our quintessential southern bird. 

Read more

Brown Pelican
Priority Birds

Brown Pelican

In North Carolina, Brown Pelicans are found in coastal marine and estuarine waters. .

Read more

Cerulean Warbler
Priority Birds

Cerulean Warbler

Cerulean Warbler is one of the species of highest conservation concern and is been considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Read more

Chimney Swift
Priority Birds

Chimney Swift

The small, agile, fast-flying Chimney Swift is readily identified by its characteristic "flying cigar" profile. 

Read more

Golden-winged Warbler
Priority Birds

Golden-winged Warbler

The rapid decline of the Golden-winged Warbler since the 1980s cannot be explained solely by habitat loss, and that mystery has attracted many scientists to study this beautiful warbler.

Read more

Green-winged Teal
Priority Birds

Green-winged Teal

The first to arrive and last to leave, the Green-winged Teal spends a very short period wintering in southern states including North Carolina, so spotting one may require some planning. 

Read more

Least Tern
Priority Birds

Least Tern

Colloquially known as the “little striker” for its headlong dives in pursuit of fish, the Least Tern is, as its name suggests, North America’s smallest tern.

Read more

Piping Plover
Priority Birds

Piping Plover

Piping Plovers are federally threatened and endangered shorebirds, which inhabit wide, open beaches, shorelines and dry lakebeds in North America.

Read more

Saltmarsh Sparrow
Priority Birds

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrows are tiny, social birds weighing less than 1 ounce. It can be difficult to spot this bird as they spend most of their time on the ground within the tall grasses of a salt marsh where they make a home.

Read more

Tundra Swan
Priority Birds

Tundra Swan

The Tundra Swan is known for its exquisite features and courting rituals, which have made it revered throughout history.

Read more

White Ibis
Priority Birds

White Ibis

White Ibis may be seen foraging on lawns or neighborhood ponds, especially in August after nesting season concludes, but marshes, swamps and other wetlands are their native habitat.

Read more

Wood Thrush
Priority Birds

Wood Thrush

As its population has declined nearly 40 percent, the Wood Thrush has been designated a priority for conservation within our global and state IBAs. 

Read more

More Birds Posts

Winter Coastal Surveys Reveal New Shorebird Hotspot and Long-distance Visitors
Coast

Winter Coastal Surveys Reveal New Shorebird Hotspot and Long-distance Visitors

Natural inlets and barrier islands provide critical stopover and wintering habitat for shorebirds, gulls, and more.

Introducing the Secretive Marsh Birds of Pine Island
Coast

Introducing the Secretive Marsh Birds of Pine Island

These hard-to-find birds thrive in extensive, healthy marsh habitat, but their reclusive nature makes them difficult to find and study.

Revealing the Hidden Life of Secretive Marsh Birds
Coast

Revealing the Hidden Life of Secretive Marsh Birds

By surveying for rails, bitterns, and other rare marsh birds, we’ll better understand the health of the marsh and what it means for birds and people.

Looking for an Escape? Try These 360 Videos of Bird Nesting Colonies
Joy Of Birds

Looking for an Escape? Try These 360 Videos of Bird Nesting Colonies

Immerse yourself in the beautiful, chaotic scenes of the Lower Cape Fear River.

Six Birdy and Binge-worthy Videos on North Carolina Birds
Birds

Six Birdy and Binge-worthy Videos on North Carolina Birds

Get your fill of North Carolina birds with these short films, TV shows, and virtual presentations featuring Audubon.

Reigniting a Childhood Love of the Outdoors Through Birds
News

Reigniting a Childhood Love of the Outdoors Through Birds

Bobbing sandpipers. Tiny toads. Swimming geese. Audubon intern London Thompson finds a lot to love on her first-ever bird walk.

Why You Shouldn't Feed Pelicans
Coast

Why You Shouldn't Feed Pelicans

They may look hungry, but tossing food scraps to Brown Pelicans does more harm than good.

A City Girl’s First Time Birding
Birds

A City Girl’s First Time Birding

Audubon intern Daija Graves recounts the lessons learned on her first journey into the woods with binoculars.

8 Fast and Furious Spring Bird Arrivals to Watch for in April
Bird-Friendly Communities

8 Fast and Furious Spring Bird Arrivals to Watch for in April

The start of April means scores of spring birds are en route to North Carolina. Read on for eight arrivals to watch for this month.

2019 Great Backyard Bird Count NC Results
Birds

2019 Great Backyard Bird Count NC Results

North Carolina birders made a strong showing again this year with more than 4,000 checklists.

How you can help, right now