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.
- American Oystercatcher *
- American Woodcock
- Arctic Tern
- Bald Eagle
- Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Black-capped Petrel
- Black Skimmer *
- Brown-headed Nuthatch *
- Brown Pelican *
- Canada Warbler
- Cerulean Warbler *
- Common Tern *
- Golden-winged Warbler *
- Grasshopper Sparrow
- Least Tern *
- Piping Plover *
- Prothonotary Warbler *
- Red Knot *
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Roseate Tern
- Ruddy Turnstone
- Saltmarsh Sparrow *
- Sanderling *
- Seaside Sparrow *
- Semipalmated Sandpiper *
- Snail Kite
- Snowy Plover
- Swallow-tailed Kite
- Western Sandpiper *
- Wilson's Plover *
- Wood Stork
- Wood Thrush *
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
Special NC specific information about some of our most iconic species
- American Oystercatcher
- Black Skimmer
- Bobolink
- Brown-headed Nuthatch
- Brown Pelican
- Cerulean Warbler
- Chimney Swift
- Golden-winged Warbler
- Green-winged Teal
- Least Tern
- Piping Plover
- Saltmarsh Sparrow
- Tundra Swan
- White Ibis
- Wood Thrush
For a complete list of Audubon's priority-bird species click here.
For a list of other species Audubon North Carolina programs are working to protect, see below.
Downloadable Resources
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