Priority Birds

A priority species is one that is particularly threatened in terms of the species' long-term survival.

Photo: Don Mullaney

What is a priority species? 

A priority species is one that is particularly threatened in terms of the species' long-term survival. All priority species have been selected through rigorous scientific analysis, and most represent a broad array of other birds and wildlife that use the same habitat type. Conservation focused on priority species is almost always focused on priority habitats as well. Audubon has identified 32 priority-bird species within the Atlantic Flyway. 

For a complete list of Audubon's priority-bird species click here.

American Oystercatcher

Latin:  Haematopus palliatus

Illustration for American Oystercatcher

American Woodcock

Latin:  Scolopax minor

Illustration for American Woodcock

Arctic Tern

Latin:  Sterna paradisaea

Illustration for Arctic Tern

Bald Eagle

Latin:  Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Illustration for Bald Eagle

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Latin:  Setophaga caerulescens

Illustration for Black-throated Blue Warbler

Black-capped Petrel

Latin:  Pterodroma hasitata

Illustration for Black-capped Petrel

Black Skimmer

Latin:  Rynchops niger

Illustration for Black Skimmer

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Latin:  Sitta pusilla

Illustration for Brown-headed Nuthatch

Brown Pelican

Latin:  Pelecanus occidentalis

Illustration for Brown Pelican

Canada Warbler

Latin:  Cardellina canadensis

Illustration for Canada Warbler

Cerulean Warbler

Latin:  Setophaga cerulea

Illustration for Cerulean Warbler

Common Tern

Latin:  Sterna hirundo

Illustration for Common Tern

Golden-winged Warbler

Latin:  Vermivora chrysoptera

Illustration for Golden-winged Warbler

Grasshopper Sparrow

Latin:  Ammodramus savannarum

Illustration for Grasshopper Sparrow

Least Tern

Latin:  Sternula antillarum

Illustration for Least Tern

Piping Plover

Latin:  Charadrius melodus

Illustration for Piping Plover

Prothonotary Warbler

Latin:  Protonotaria citrea

Illustration for Prothonotary Warbler

Red Knot

Latin:  Calidris canutus

Illustration for Red Knot

Roseate Spoonbill

Latin:  Platalea ajaja

Illustration for Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Tern

Latin:  Sterna dougallii

Illustration for Roseate Tern

Ruddy Turnstone

Latin:  Arenaria interpres

Illustration for Ruddy Turnstone

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Latin:  Ammospiza caudacuta

Illustration for Saltmarsh Sparrow

Sanderling

Latin:  Calidris alba

Illustration for Sanderling

Seaside Sparrow

Latin:  Ammospiza maritima

Illustration for Seaside Sparrow

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Latin:  Calidris pusilla

Illustration for Semipalmated Sandpiper

Snail Kite

Latin:  Rostrhamus sociabilis

Illustration for Snail Kite

Snowy Plover

Latin:  Charadrius nivosus

Illustration for Snowy Plover

Swallow-tailed Kite

Latin:  Elanoides forficatus

Illustration for Swallow-tailed Kite

Western Sandpiper

Latin:  Calidris mauri

Illustration for Western Sandpiper

Wilson's Plover

Latin:  Charadrius wilsonia

Illustration for Wilson's Plover

Wood Stork

Latin:  Mycteria americana

Illustration for Wood Stork

Wood Thrush

Latin:  Hylocichla mustelina

Illustration for Wood Thrush

Bird species that are included in the Audubon North Carolina Conservation Plan

Bird species that are included in the Audubon North Carolina Conservation Plan

  • American Oystercatcher
  • Black Skimmer
  • Brown-headed Nuthatch
  • Brown Pelican
  • Cerulean Warbler
  • Common Tern
  • Golden-winged Warbler
  • Least Tern
  • Piping Plover
  • Prothonotary Warbler
  • Red Knot
  • Saltmarsh Sparrow
  • Sanderling
  • Seaside Sparrow
  • Semipalmated Sandpiper
  • Western Sandpiper
  • Wilson's Plover
  • Wood Thrush

Get to Know North Carolina's Iconic Birds

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

Black Skimmers are named for their unique foraging behavior: Using their brightly colored bill, they skim the surface of the water, and when they come into contact with prey—usually small fish—they snap that bill closed. 

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

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

How you can help, right now