Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in South Carolina

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in South 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 South Carolina

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 10,113 records
  2. Eastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 7,528 records
  3. Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 5,780 records
  4. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus 5,648 records
  5. Great Egret Great Egret Ardea alba 5,496 records
  6. Mourning Dove Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 5,456 records
  7. Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 5,160 records
  8. Carolina Wren Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 4,067 records
  9. Carolina Chickadee Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis 3,685 records
  10. Chipping Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina 3,572 records
  11. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 3,571 records
  12. Anhinga Anhinga Anhinga anhinga 3,465 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In South Carolina

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. American Sweetgum American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 3,677 records
  2. Spanish Moss Tillandsia usneoides 2,524 records
  3. American Beautyberry American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana 2,364 records
  4. American Holly American Holly Ilex opaca 2,211 records
  5. Virginia Creeper Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 1,965 records
  6. Southern Magnolia Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora 1,845 records
  7. Christmas Fern Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides 1,815 records
  8. Striped Wintergreen Striped Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata 1,792 records
  9. Yaupon Holly Yaupon Holly Ilex vomitoria 1,789 records
  10. American Tuliptree American Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera 1,758 records
  11. Partridgeberry Partridgeberry Mitchella repens 1,738 records
  12. Muscadine Muscadine Vitis rotundifolia 1,709 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In South Carolina

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Gulf Fritillary Gulf Fritillary Dione vanillae 4,437 records
  2. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 3,100 records
  3. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus 2,854 records
  4. Eastern Pondhawk Eastern Pondhawk Erythemis simplicicollis 2,384 records
  5. Eastern Carpenter Bee Eastern Carpenter Bee Xylocopa virginica 2,259 records
  6. Common Eastern Bumble Bee Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens 2,124 records
  7. Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Junonia coenia 2,090 records
  8. Monarch Monarch Danaus plexippus 1,953 records
  9. Blue Dasher Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis 1,794 records
  10. Carolina Mantis Stagmomantis carolina 1,770 records
  11. North American Luna Moth North American Luna Moth Actias luna 1,671 records
  12. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 1,521 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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