Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in North Carolina

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in North Carolina. A starting field list, drawn from iNaturalist research-grade observations, for what is likely living near you.

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Birds

Birds Commonly Recorded In North Carolina

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 12,953 records
  2. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 10,325 records
  3. Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 9,341 records
  4. Eastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 8,488 records
  5. Canada Goose Branta canadensis 8,102 records
  6. Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 7,673 records
  7. Mallard Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 7,620 records
  8. Red-Shouldered Hawk Red-Shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus 7,583 records
  9. Carolina Wren Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 6,297 records
  10. Carolina Chickadee Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis 5,157 records
  11. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus 5,156 records
  12. Tufted Titmouse Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor 5,146 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In North Carolina

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. Christmas Fern Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides 11,336 records
  2. American Sweetgum American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 9,813 records
  3. Crane-Fly Orchid Crane-Fly Orchid Tipularia discolor 9,101 records
  4. American Tuliptree American Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera 9,065 records
  5. American Pokeweed American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana 8,065 records
  6. Striped Wintergreen Striped Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata 7,521 records
  7. White Clover White Clover Trifolium repens 7,219 records
  8. American Holly American Holly Ilex opaca 6,400 records
  9. Mayapple Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum 6,286 records
  10. Eastern Poison Ivy Eastern Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans 6,191 records
  11. Little Brown Jugs Little Brown Jugs Asarum arifolium 6,184 records
  12. American Beech American Beech Fagus grandifolia 6,181 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In North Carolina

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus 15,577 records
  2. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 12,394 records
  3. Eastern Carpenter Bee Eastern Carpenter Bee Xylocopa virginica 10,855 records
  4. Common Eastern Bumble Bee Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens 10,119 records
  5. Monarch Monarch Danaus plexippus 8,279 records
  6. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 7,903 records
  7. Silver-Spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus 7,029 records
  8. Red-Spotted Admiral Red-Spotted Admiral Limenitis arthemis 5,791 records
  9. Common Whitetail Common Whitetail Plathemis lydia 5,566 records
  10. North American Luna Moth North American Luna Moth Actias luna 5,542 records
  11. Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Junonia coenia 5,537 records
  12. Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor 5,464 records

Go Deeper

Use the live finder to narrow this to your town and season. Then read Who Lives Here, how to attract wildlife to your yard, and planting for local wildlife. For tools and field guides, see the recommended gear.

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