While North Carolina might not be the first state to come to mind when thinking of Baltimore orioles, Western North Carolina is one of the important regions where they come to breed. With a pretty song and equally attractive plumage, the Baltimore oriole is a familiar bird because of its distinctive coloring and being a classic MLB team mascot. READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA Northern (Baltimore) Oriole, photo by Larry Page via CC BY 2.0. We have had several of them nest right under the roof of our porch. These birds migrate to the North Carolina mountains in March and depart in October, during which time they breed. More likely to be seen in rural areas, barn swallows are birds common to North Carolina (and much of North America).īut they’re so fashionably dressed in vibrant red, white, and blue that they are a pleasure to see.Īs their name suggests, these birds frequently nest in barns on NC farms, creating muddy nests that cling to the beams. They also frequently settle under bridges, beneath overpasses, and in garages.īarn swallows feed on flying insects, which they catch with a barrage of aerial maneuvers and generally eat while on the move. READ MORE: The Best Hiking in Asheville NC Bucket List (Top 25 Hiking Trails) Barn Swallow via Canva 2. Goldfinches are arguably the most common yellow birds in NC, and I frequently spot them at a friend’s bird feeder. Seeds from the daisy family are a popular goldfinch favorite. These charming birds are found in semi-open areas, such as forest edges, roadsides, and the suburbs, foraging for seeds and small insects. American GoldfinchĪmong the more common backyard birds of North Carolina (and much of the US), American goldfinches deserve recognition for their sweet songs and flashy yellow and black feathers. Hummingbirds & Other Small Birds of North Carolina American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis by The Forest Vixen’s CC Photo Stream is marked with CC BY 2.0. Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus varius).Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus).Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus).Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).White-Breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta carolinensis).Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris).Carolina Wren ( Thyothorus ludovicianus).Carolina Chickadee ( Poecile carolinensis).Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta varia).READ MORE: The 20 Best Treehouse Rentals in the North Carolina Mountains Barn Owl, photo via Canva Birds of North Carolina Guide It’s a loose approach to North Carolina bird identification when you’re vacationing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the most striking birds of Western North Carolina, many of which I encounter on a near-daily basis at certain times of year. While I’m no great spotter, I’ve really come to love seeing some of the regular avian visitors in my own backyard. North Carolina’s ecosystems range from coastal marshes to majestic mountains that reach over 6,000 feet above sea level (the tallest in the Eastern US).Īs a resident of the state of North Carolina (near Elkin NC) and owner of a homestead surrounded by plenty of wilderness, NC birds have come to hold a special reverence for me. With 41 NC state parks, 10 national parks, and 4 national forests in the state, the myriad different birds in NC have loads of natural habitat to attract them. This makes the state a great place for enthusiastic birders as well as less knowledgeable novices who enjoy watching wildlife. There are over 400 species of birds in North Carolina, including native and migratory species.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |