List of birds of South Carolina
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This list of birds of South Carolina includes species documented in the U.S. state of South Carolina and accepted by the South Carolina Bird Records Committee (SCBRC) of the Carolina Bird Club. As of mid 2021, there were 446 species definitively included in the official list. Nine additional species are on the list but classed as Provisional I (see definitions below). Of the 446 species on the primary list, 114 are rare anywhere in the state, 34 are rare away from the coast, five have been introduced to North America, and four are
extinct Extinction is the termination of a kind of organism or of a group of kinds (taxon), usually a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and ...
. Sixteen additional species are classed as Provisional II and seven as Hypothetical as defined below. An additional accidental species has been added from another source. This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the ''Check-list of North and Middle American Birds'', 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the ''Check-list'', except that the common names of families are from the
Clements taxonomy ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World'' is a book by Jim Clements which presents a list of the bird species of the world. The most recent printed version is the sixth edition (2007), but has been updated yearly, the last version in 2022 ...
because the AOS list does not include them. Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in South Carolina as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following tags are used to designate some species: * (R) - Rare - a species whose report is reviewable by the SCBRC if the bird is found anywhere in South Carolina * (RI) - Rare inland - a species whose report is reviewable by the SCBRC if the bird is found away from the coast * (I) - Introduced - an established species introduced to North America by humans, either directly or indirectly * (E) - Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists * (P1) - Provisional I list - species which have been approved by the SCBRC but are known only from sight records * (P2) - Provisional II list - "Species whose occurrence in South Carolina is believed to be the result of human assistance, and which have not become established" per the SCBRC * (H) - Hypothetical - "Species which are undocumented to the committee but reported in ''North American Birds'' or ''The Chat''" (the journal of the Carolina Bird Club)


Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order:
Anseriformes Anseriformes is an order of birds also known as waterfowl that comprises about 180 living species of birds in three families: Anhimidae (three species of screamers), Anseranatidae (the magpie goose), and Anatidae, the largest family, which in ...
Family: Anatidae The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and
swan Swans are birds of the family (biology), family Anatidae within the genus ''Cygnus''. The swans' closest relatives include the goose, geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form t ...
s. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-four species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Black-bellied whistling-duck, ''Dendrocygna autumnalis'' (RI) * Fulvous whistling-duck, ''Dendrocygna bicolor'' (R) * Snow goose, ''Anser caerulescens'' * Ross's goose, ''Anser rossii'' * Greater white-fronted goose, ''Anser albifrons'' * Brant, ''Branta bernicla'' (R) * Barnacle goose, ''Branta leucopsis'' (P2) (R) *
Cackling goose The cackling goose (''Branta hutchinsii'') is a species of goose found in North America. Description The black head and neck with white "chinstrap" distinguish this goose from all other geese except the larger Canada goose (''Branta canadensis'' ...
, ''Branta hutchinsii'' (R) *
Canada goose The Canada goose (''Branta canadensis''), or Canadian goose, is a large wild goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America, and it is o ...
, ''Branta canadensis'' *
Mute swan The mute swan (''Cygnus olor'') is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Eurosiberia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America, home ...
, ''Cygnus olor'' * Trumpeter swan, ''Cygnus buccinator'' (R) * Whooper swan, ''Cygnus cygnus'' (R) * Tundra swan, ''Cygnus columbianus'' * Egyptian goose, ''Alopochen aegyptiaca'' (R) * Wood duck, ''Aix sponsa'' * Blue-winged teal, ''Spatula discors'' * Cinnamon teal, ''Spatula cyanoptera'' (RI) * Northern shoveler, ''Spatula clypeata'' *
Gadwall The gadwall (''Mareca strepera'') is a common and widespread dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. Taxonomy The gadwall was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. DNA studies have shown that ...
, ''Mareca strepera'' * Eurasian wigeon, ''Mareca penelope'' * American wigeon, ''Mareca americana'' *
Mallard The mallard () or wild duck (''Anas platyrhynchos'') is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Arge ...
, ''Anas platyrhynchos'' * American black duck, ''Anas rubripes'' * Mottled duck, ''Anas fulvigula'' (RI) * Northern pintail, ''Anas acuta'' * Green-winged teal, ''Anas crecca'' * Canvasback, ''Aythya valisineria'' * Redhead, ''Aythya americana'' * Ring-necked duck, ''Aythya collaris'' * Tufted duck, ''Aythya fuligula'' (R) * Greater scaup, ''Aythya marila'' * Lesser scaup, ''Aythya affinis'' * King eider, ''Somateria spectabilis'' (R) * Common eider, ''Somateria mollissima'' (RI) * Harlequin duck, ''Histrionicus histrionicus'' (R) * Surf scoter, ''Melanitta perspicillata'' * White-winged scoter, ''Melanitta deglandi'' (RI) * Black scoter, ''Melanitta americana'' (RI) * Long-tailed duck, ''Clangula hyemalis'' *
Bufflehead The bufflehead (''Bucephala albeola'') is a small sea duck of the genus ''Bucephala'', the goldeneyes. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae'' as ''Anas albeola''. The genus na ...
, ''Bucephala albeola'' * Common goldeneye, ''Bucephala clangula'' * Hooded merganser, ''Lophodytes cucullatus'' * Common merganser, ''Mergus merganser'' (R) * Red-breasted merganser, ''Mergus serrator'' * Ruddy duck, ''Oxyura jamaicensis'' File:Canada goose flight cropped and NR.jpg, Canada goose File:Anas platyrhynchos LC0017.jpg, Mallards File:Northern Shoveller (Male) I IMG 0956.jpg, Northern shoveler File:Ruddy Duck at Whipsnade Zoo.jpg, Ruddy duck


New World quail

Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Northern bobwhite, ''Colinus virginianus''


Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: GalliformesFamily:
Phasianidae The Phasianidae are a family (biology), family of heavy, ground-living birds, which includes pheasants, partridges, junglefowl, chickens, Turkey bird, turkeys, Old World quail, and peafowl. The family includes many of the most popular Game (hunti ...
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many species are
game A game is a structured form of play (activity), play, usually undertaken for enjoyment, entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator s ...
birds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy
wattle Wattle or wattles may refer to: Plants *''Acacia sensu lato'', polyphyletic genus of plants commonly known as wattle, especially in Australia and South Africa **''Acacia'', large genus of shrubs and trees, native to Australasia **Black wattle, c ...
that hangs from the underside of the beak and a fleshy protuberance that hangs from the top of its beak called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female (the hen) is smaller and much less colorful than the male (the tom). With wingspans of , the turkeys are the largest birds in the open forests in which they live and are rarely mistaken for any other species. Grouse inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are game birds and are sometimes hunted for food. In all of South Carolina's species, males are polygamous and have elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round residents and do not
migrate Migration, migratory, or migrate may refer to: Human migration * Human migration, physical movement by humans from one region to another ** International migration, when peoples cross state boundaries and stay in the host state for some minimum le ...
. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Wild turkey, ''Meleagris gallopavo'' * Ruffed grouse, ''Bonasa umbellus'' * Ring-necked pheasant, ''Phasianus colchicus'' (I) (P2) (R)


Flamingoes

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae Flamingoes are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Chilean flamingo, ''Phoenicopterus chilensis'' (P2) (R) (not on the AOS ''Check-list''; name and placement are per Clements)Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved August 15, 2019. * American flamingo, ''Phoenicopterus ruber'' (R)


Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae Grebes are small- to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Pied-billed grebe, ''Podilymbus podiceps'' * Horned grebe, ''Podiceps auritus'' *
Red-necked grebe The red-necked grebe (''Podiceps grisegena'') is a migratory aquatic bird found in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Its wintering habitat is largely restricted to calm waters just beyond the waves around ocean coasts, although ...
, ''Podiceps grisegena'' (R) *
Eared grebe The black-necked grebe or eared grebe (''Podiceps nigricollis'') is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It was described in 1831 by Christian Ludwig Brehm. There are currently three accepted subspecies, including the nominate subspeci ...
, ''Podiceps nigricollis'' * Western grebe, ''Aechmorphorus occidentalis'' (R)


Pigeons and doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Eight species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Rock pigeon, ''Columba livia'' (I) *
Band-tailed pigeon The band-tailed pigeon (''Patagioenas fasciata'') is a medium-sized bird of the Americas. Its closest relatives are the Chilean pigeon and the ring-tailed pigeon, which form a clade of ''Patagioenas'' with a terminal tail band and iridescent pl ...
, ''Patagioenas fasciata'' (R) * Eurasian collared-dove, ''Streptopelia decaocto'' (I) *
African collared-dove The African collared dove (''Streptopelia roseogrisea'') is a small dove found in the Sahel, northern parts of the Horn of Africa and southwestern Arabia. Although it lives in arid lands, it is found around water sources. This bird is typica ...
, ''Streptopelia roseogrisea'' (P2) (R) * Passenger pigeon, ''Ectopistes migratorius'' (E) * Common ground dove, ''Columbina passerina'' * White-winged dove, ''Zenaida asiatica'' * Mourning dove, ''Zenaida macroura''


Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos,
roadrunners The roadrunners (genus ''Geococcyx''), also known as chaparral birds or chaparral cocks, are two species of fast-running ground cuckoos with long tails and crests. They are found in the southwestern and south-central United States and Mexico, us ...
, and
anis Anis ( ar, أنيس) is a masculine given name. The meaning of the name Anis is "genial" or "close friend". People In arts * Anis Mohamed Youssef Ferchichi, German rapper known as Bushido * Anis Haffar, educational theorist, teacher, columnist ...
. These are birds of various sizes with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Four species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Smooth-billed ani, ''Crotophaga ani'' (P1) (R) *
Groove-billed ani The groove-billed ani (''Crotophaga sulcirostris'') is a tropical bird in the cuckoo family with a long tail and a large, curved beak. It is a resident species throughout most of its range, from southern Texas, central Mexico and The Bahamas, thr ...
, ''Crotophaga sulcirostris'' (R) * Yellow-billed cuckoo, ''Coccyzus americanus'' *
Black-billed cuckoo The black-billed cuckoo (''Coccyzus erythropthalmus'') is a New World species in the Cuculidae (cuckoo) family. The scientific name is from Ancient Greek. The genus name, ''kokkuzo'', means to call like a common cuckoo, and ''erythropthalmus'' i ...
, ''Coccyzus erythropthalmus''


Nightjars and allies

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet that are of little use for walking and long, pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Lesser nighthawk, ''Chordeiles acutipennis'' (accidental) * Common nighthawk, ''Chordeiles minor'' *
Chuck-will's-widow The chuck-will's-widow (''Antrostomus carolinensis'') is a nocturnal bird of the nightjar family Caprimulgidae. It is mostly found in the southeastern United States (with disjunct populations in Long Island, New York, Ontario, Canada and Cape Cod ...
, ''Antrostomus carolinensis'' *
Eastern whip-poor-will The eastern whip-poor-will (''Antrostomus vociferus'') is a medium-sized (22–27 cm; 8.7-10.6 ins.) bird within the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae, from North America. The whip-poor-will is commonly heard within its range, but less of ...
, ''Antrostomus vociferus''


Swifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Chimney swift, ''Chaetura pelagica''


Hummingbirds

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbird Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the biological family Trochilidae. With about 361 species and 113 genera, they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but the vast majority of the species are found in the tropics aro ...
s are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Ten species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Blue-throated mountain-gem, ''Lampornis clemenciae'' (P1) (R) * Ruby-throated hummingbird, ''Archilochus colubris'' * Black-chinned hummingbird, ''Archilochus alexandri'' (R) *
Anna's hummingbird Anna's hummingbird (''Calypte anna'') is a medium-sized bird species of the family Trochilidae. It was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli. It is native to western coastal regions of North America. In the early 20th century, Anna's hu ...
, ''Calypte anna'' (R) *
Calliope hummingbird The calliope hummingbird ( ; ''Selasphorus calliope'') is the smallest bird native to the United States and Canada. It has a western breeding range mainly from California to British Columbia, and migrates to the Southwestern United States, Mexic ...
, ''Selasphorus calliope'' (R) *
Rufous hummingbird The rufous hummingbird (''Selasphorus rufus'') is a small hummingbird, about long with a long, straight and slender bill. These birds are known for their extraordinary flight skills, flying during their migratory transits. It is one of nine sp ...
, ''Selasphorus rufus'' * Allen's hummingbird, ''Selasphorus sasin'' (R) * Cuban emerald, ''Chlorostilbon ricordii'' (H) (R) *
Broad-billed hummingbird The broad-billed hummingbird (''Cynanthus latirostris'') is a small-sized hummingbird that resides in Mexico and the southwestern United States. The bird displays sexual dimorphism, and the juveniles resemble the female adult more than the male a ...
, ''Cynanthus latirostris'' (R) *
Buff-bellied hummingbird The buff-bellied hummingbird (''Amazilia yucatanensis'') is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States.HBW and BirdLife Internation ...
, ''Amazilia yucatanensis'' (R)


Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order:
Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order (biology), order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird family (biology), families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and t ...
Family: Rallidae Rallidae is a large family of small- to medium-sized birds that includes the rails,
crake The rails, or Rallidae, are a large cosmopolitan family of small- to medium-sized, ground-living birds. The family exhibits considerable diversity and includes the crakes, coots, and gallinules. Many species are associated with wetlands, althoug ...
s, coots, and gallinules. Most members of this family occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes that are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Ten species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Clapper rail, ''Rallus crepitans'' *
King rail The king rail (''Rallus elegans'') is a waterbird, the largest North American rail. Description Distinct features are a long bill with a slight downward curve, with adults being brown on the back and rusty-brown on the face and breast with a da ...
, ''Rallus elegans'' *
Virginia rail The Virginia rail (''Rallus limicola'') is a small waterbird, of the family Rallidae. These birds remain fairly common despite continuing loss of habitat, but are secretive by nature and more often heard than seen. They are also considered a ga ...
, ''Rallus limicola'' * Sora, ''Porzana carolina'' * Common gallinule, ''Gallinula galeata'' * American coot, ''Fulica americana'' *
Purple gallinule Purple gallinule is an alternative name for two species of birds in the rail family. It can refer to: * Purple swamphen, a group of closely related species of swamphen of the Old World * American purple gallinule The purple gallinule (''Porphyr ...
, ''Porphyrio martinicus'' *
Purple swamphen The purple swamphen has been split into the following species: * Western swamphen, ''Porphyrio porphyrio'', southwest Europe and northwest Africa * African swamphen, ''Porphyrio madagascariensis'', sub-Saharan continental Africa and Madagascar * Gr ...
, ''Porphyrio porphyrio'' (R) * Yellow rail, ''Coturnicops noveboracensis'' (R) * Black rail, ''Laterallus jamaicensis'' (RI)


Limpkin

Order:
Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order (biology), order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird family (biology), families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and t ...
Family: Aramidae The limpkin is a large bird in a monotypic family. It is similar in appearance to the rails, but skeletally it is closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes and gets its common name from its appearance of limping as it walks. * Limpkin, ''Aramus guarauna''


Cranes

Order:
Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order (biology), order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird family (biology), families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and t ...
Family: Gruidae Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Sandhill crane, ''Antigone canadensis'' * Whooping crane, ''Grus americana'' (R)


Stilts and avocets

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds that includes the avocets and
stilt Stilt is a common name for several species of birds in the family Recurvirostridae, which also includes those known as avocets. They are found in brackish or saline wetlands in warm or hot climates. They have extremely long legs, hence the grou ...
s. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Black-necked stilt The black-necked stilt (''Himantopus mexicanus'') is a locally abundant shorebird of American wetlands and coastlines. It is found from the coastal areas of California through much of the interior western United States and along the Gulf of Mexic ...
, ''Himantopus mexicanus'' * American avocet, ''Recurvirostra americana''


Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open
mollusc Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000  extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is esti ...
s. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * American oystercatcher, ''Haematopus palliatus''


Plovers and lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small- to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are usually found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Nine species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Northern lapwing The northern lapwing (''Vanellus vanellus''), also known as the peewit or pewit, tuit or tew-it, green plover, or (in Ireland and Britain) pyewipe or just lapwing, is a bird in the lapwing subfamily. It is common through temperate Eurosiberia. ...
, ''Vanellus vanellus'' (P1) (R) * Black-bellied plover, ''Pluvialis squatarola'' *
American golden-plover The American golden plover (''Pluvialis dominica''), is a medium-sized plover. The genus name is Latin and means relating to rain, from ''pluvia'', "rain". It was believed that golden plovers flocked when rain was imminent. The species name ''d ...
, ''Pluvialis dominica'' * Killdeer, ''Charadrius vociferus'' * Semipalmated plover, ''Charadrius semipalmatus'' *
Piping plover The piping plover (''Charadrius melodus'') is a small sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange-red legs, a black band across the forehead from e ...
, ''Charadrius melodus'' * Wilson's plover, ''Charadrius wilsonia'' (RI) * Snowy plover, ''Charadrius nivosus'' (R) * Mountain plover, ''Charadrius montanus'' (R)


Sandpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily:
Scolopacidae Sandpipers are a large family, Scolopacidae, of waders. They include many species called sandpipers, as well as those called by names such as curlew and snipe. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. ...
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small- to medium-sized shorebirds, including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and
phalarope __NOTOC__ A phalarope is any of three living species of slender-necked shorebirds in the genus ''Phalaropus'' of the bird family Scolopacidae. Phalaropes are close relatives of the shanks and tattlers, the ''Actitis'' and Terek sandpipers, a ...
s. The majority of Scolopacidae species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-eight species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Upland sandpiper, ''Bartramia longicauda'' * Whimbrel, ''Numenius phaeopus'' * Eskimo curlew, ''Numenius borealis'' (P1) (believed extinct) (R) *
Long-billed curlew The long-billed curlew (''Numenius americanus'') is a large North American shorebird of the family Scolopacidae. This species was also called "sicklebird" and the "candlestick bird". The species breeds in central and western North America, migrat ...
, ''Numenius americanus'' *
Black-tailed godwit The black-tailed godwit (''Limosa limosa'') is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the godwit genus, ''Limosa''. There are four subspecies, all with orange head, neck and chest ...
, ''Limosa limosa'' (H) (R) *
Hudsonian godwit The Hudsonian godwit (''Limosa haemastica'') is a large shorebird in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae. The genus name ''Limosa'' is from Latin and means "muddy", from ''limus'', "mud". The specific ''haemastica'' is from Ancient Greek and means ...
, ''Limosa haemastica'' (R) *
Marbled godwit The marbled godwit (''Limosa fedoa'') is a large migratory shorebird in the family Scolopacidae. On average, it is the largest of the four species of godwit. Taxonomy In 1750 the English naturalist George Edwards included an illustration and a ...
, ''Limosa fedoa'' * Ruddy turnstone, ''Arenaria interpres'' * Red knot, ''Calidris canutus'' *
Ruff Ruff may refer to: Places *Ruff, Virginia, United States, an unincorporated community *Ruff, Washington, United States, an unincorporated community Other uses *Ruff (bird) (''Calidris pugnax'' or ''Philomachus pugnax''), a bird in the wader fami ...
, ''Calidris pugnax'' (R) * Sharp-tailed sandpiper, ''Calidris acuminata'' (P1) (R) * Stilt sandpiper, ''Calidris himantopus'' * Curlew sandpiper, ''Calidris ferruginea'' (R) * Red-necked stint, ''Calidris ruficollis'' (P1) (R) * Sanderling, ''Calidris alba'' *
Dunlin The dunlin (''Calidris alpina'') is a small wader, formerly sometimes separated with the other "stints" in the genus ''Erolia''. The English name is a dialect form of "dunling", first recorded in 1531–1532. It derives from ''dun'', "dull brown ...
, ''Calidris alpina'' * Purple sandpiper, ''Calidris maritima'' (RI) * Baird's sandpiper, ''Calidris bairdii'' (R) * Little stint, ''Calidris minuta'' (R) * Least sandpiper, ''Calidris minutilla'' *
White-rumped sandpiper The white-rumped sandpiper (''Calidris fuscicollis'') is a small shorebird that breeds in the northern tundra of Canada and Alaska. This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds; these are known collectively as "pee ...
, ''Calidris fuscicollis'' *
Buff-breasted sandpiper The buff-breasted sandpiper (''Calidris subruficollis'') is a small wader, shorebird. The species name ''subruficollis'' is from Latin ''subrufus'', "reddish" (from ''sub'', "somewhat", and ''rufus'', "rufous") and ''collis'', "-necked/-throated" ...
, ''Calidris subruficollis'' * Pectoral sandpiper, ''Calidris melanotos'' * Semipalmated sandpiper, ''Calidris pusilla'' * Western sandpiper, ''Calidris mauri'' * Short-billed dowitcher, ''Limnodromus griseus'' * Long-billed dowitcher, ''Limnodromus scolopaceus'' * American woodcock, ''Scolopax minor'' * Wilson's snipe, ''Gallinago delicata'' *
Spotted sandpiper The spotted sandpiper (''Actitis macularius'') is a small shorebird. Together with its sister species the common sandpiper (''A. hypoleucos''), it makes up the genus ''Actitis''. They replace each other geographically; stray birds may settle dow ...
, ''Actitis macularius'' *
Solitary sandpiper The solitary sandpiper (''Tringa solitaria'') is a small shorebird. The genus name ''Tringa'' is the New Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek ''trungas'', a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbin ...
, ''Tringa solitaria'' * Lesser yellowlegs, ''Tringa flavipes'' * Willet, ''Tringa semipalmata'' * Spotted redshank, ''Tringa erythropus'' (H) (R) * Greater yellowlegs, ''Tringa melanoleuca'' * Wilson's phalarope, ''Phalaropus tricolor'' * Red-necked phalarope, ''Phalaropus lobatus'' * Red phalarope, ''Phalaropus fulicarius'' (RI) File:Catoptrophorus semipalmatus edit.jpg, Willet File:Calidris-alba-001.jpg, Sanderling File:Arenaria interpres.jpg, Ruddy turnstone File:Common snipe fencepost.jpg, Wilson's snipe


Skuas and jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae The skuas are in general medium-to-large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Five species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Great skua The great skua (''Stercorarius skua''), sometimes known by the name bonxie in Britain, is a large seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. It is roughly the size of a herring gull. It mainly eats fish caught at the sea surface or taken fr ...
, ''Stercorarius skua'' (R) * South polar skua, ''Stercorarius maccormicki'' (R) *
Pomarine jaeger The pomarine jaeger (''Stercorarius pomarinus''), pomarine skua, or pomatorhine skua, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropical oceans. Taxonomy Its relationships are not fully resolved; i ...
, ''Stercorarius pomarinus'' (RI) *
Parasitic jaeger The parasitic jaeger (''Stercorarius parasiticus''), also known as the Arctic skua, Arctic jaeger or parasitic skua, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. It is a migratory species that breeds in Northern Scandinavia, Scotland, Iceland, ...
, ''Stercorarius parasiticus'' (RI) * Long-tailed jaeger, ''Stercorarius longicaudus'' (R)


Auks, murres, and puffins

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Alcidae Alcids are superficially similar to
penguin Penguins (order (biology), order List of Sphenisciformes by population, Sphenisciformes , family (biology), family Spheniscidae ) are a group of Water bird, aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere: on ...
s due to their black-and-white colors, their upright posture, and some of their habits; however, they are not related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. Six species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Dovekie The little auk or dovekie (''Alle alle'') is a small auk, the only member of the genus ''Alle''. ''Alle'' is the Sami name of the long-tailed duck; it is onomatopoeic and imitates the call of the drake duck. Linnaeus was not particularly famil ...
, ''Alle alle'' (R) * Common murre, ''Uria aalge'' (R) *
Thick-billed murre The thick-billed murre or Brünnich's guillemot (''Uria lomvia'') is a bird in the auk family (Alcidae). This bird is named after the Danish zoologist Morten Thrane Brünnich. The very deeply black North Pacific subspecies ''Uria lomvia arra'' i ...
, ''Uria lomvia'' (R) * Razorbill, ''Alca torda'' (RI) *
Black guillemot The black guillemot or tystie (''Cepphus grylle'') is a medium-sized seabird of the Alcidae family, native throughout northern Atlantic coasts and eastern North American coasts. It is resident in much of its range, but large populations from the ...
, ''Cepphus grylle'' (R) *
Long-billed murrelet The long-billed murrelet (''Brachyramphus perdix'') is a small seabird from the North Pacific. The genus name ''Brachyramphus'' is from Ancient Greek ''brakhus'', "short", and ''rhamphos'', "bill". The species name ''perdix'' is Latin for "partr ...
, ''Brachyramphus perdix'' (R)


Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae Gulls are typically medium-to-large birds, usually gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and
webbed feet The webbed foot is a specialized limb with interdigital membranes (webbings) that aids in aquatic locomotion, present in a variety of tetrapod vertebrates. This adaptation is primarily found in semiaquatic species, and has convergently evolved m ...
. The large species take up to four years to attain full adult plumage, but two years is typical for small gulls. Terns are in general medium-to-large birds, typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. They have longish bills and webbed feet. They are lighter bodied and more streamlined than gulls and look elegant in flight with long tails and long narrow wings.
Skimmer Skimmer may refer to: Animals *Skimmer (bird), a common name for birds in the genus ''Rynchops'' *Skimmer (dragonfly), a common name for dragonflies in the family Libellulidae *Water strider or skimmer, a common name for insects in the family Ge ...
s are tropical and subtropical species. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use by flying low over the water surface skimming the water for small fish. Thirty Laridae species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Black-legged kittiwake The black-legged kittiwake (''Rissa tridactyla'') is a seabird species in the gull family Laridae. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae'' as ''Larus tridactylus''. The English ...
, ''Rissa tridactyla'' (RI) * Sabine's gull, ''Xema sabini'' (R) * Bonaparte's gull, ''Chroicocephalus philadelphia'' * Black-headed gull, ''Chroicocephalus ridibundus'' (R) * Little gull, ''Hydrocoloeus minutus'' (R) * Laughing gull, ''Leucophaeus atricilla'' *
Franklin's gull Franklin's gull (''Leucophaeus pipixcan'') is a small (length 12.6–14.2 in, 32–36 cm) gull. The genus name ''Leucophaeus'' is from Ancient Greek ''leukos'', "white", and ''phaios'', "dusky". The specific ''pipixcan'' is a Nahuatl name fo ...
, ''Leucophaeus pipixcan'' (R) * Heermann's gull, ''Larus heermanni'' (R) * Ring-billed gull, ''Larus delawarensis'' * California gull, ''Larus californicus'' * Herring gull, ''Larus argentatus'' *
Iceland gull The Iceland gull (''Larus glaucoides'') is a medium-sized gull that breeds in the Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland, but not in Iceland (as its name suggests), where it is only seen during winter. The genus name is from Latin ''larus'', whic ...
, ''Larus glaucoides'' (R) * Lesser black-backed gull, ''Larus fuscus'' *
Glaucous gull The glaucous gull (''Larus hyperboreus'') is a large gull, the second-largest gull in the world. It breeds in Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and winters south to shores of the Holarctic. The genus name is from Latin ''larus'', which a ...
, ''Larus hyperboreus'' (RI) * Great black-backed gull, ''Larus marinus'' * Brown noddy, ''Anous stolidus'' (R) *
Sooty tern The sooty tern (''Onychoprion fuscatus'') is a seabird in the family Laridae. It is a bird of the tropical oceans, returning to land only to breed on islands throughout the equatorial zone. Taxonomy The sooty tern was described by Carl Linnaeu ...
, ''Onychoprion fuscata'' (RI) *
Bridled tern The bridled tern (''Onychoprion anaethetus'') is a seabird of the family Laridae. It is a bird of the tropical oceans. The scientific name is from Ancient Greek. The genus comes from ' meaning "claw" or "nail", and , meaning "saw". The specific ...
, ''Onychoprion anaethetus'' (RI) * Least tern, ''Sternula antillarum'' * Gull-billed tern, ''Gelochelidon nilotica'' * Caspian tern, ''Hydroprogne caspia'' * Black tern, ''Chlidonias niger'' * White-winged tern, ''Chlidonias leucopterus'' (R) *
Roseate tern The roseate tern (''Sterna dougallii'') is a species of tern in the family Laridae. The genus name ''Sterna'' is derived from Old English "stearn", "tern", and the specific ''dougallii'' refers to Scottish physician and collector Dr Peter McDoug ...
, ''Sterna dougallii'' (R) * Common tern, ''Sterna hirundo'' (RI) *
Arctic tern The Arctic tern (''Sterna paradisaea'') is a tern in the family Laridae. This bird has a circumpolar breeding distribution covering the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Europe (as far south as Brittany), Asia, and North America (as far south a ...
, ''Sterna paradisaea'' (R) * Forster's tern, ''Sterna forsteri'' *
Royal tern The royal tern (''Thalasseus maximus'') is a tern in the family Laridae. The species is endemic to the Americas, though strays have been identified in Europe.Buckley, P. A. and F. G. Buckley (2020). Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus), version 1.0. ...
, ''Thalasseus maxima'' (RI) * Sandwich tern, ''Thalasseus sandvicensis'' (RI) *
Black skimmer The black skimmer (''Rynchops niger'') is a tern-like seabird, one of three similar birds species in the skimmer genus ''Rynchops'' in the gull family Laridae. It breeds in North and South America. Northern populations winter in the warmer water ...
, ''Rynchops niger'' File:Laughing Gull in Mating Plumage.jpg, Laughing gull File:Ring-billed Gull eb.jpg, Ring-billed gull File:Royal Tern.jpg, Royal tern


Tropicbirds

Order: PhaethontiformesFamily: Phaethontidae Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. * White-tailed tropicbird, ''Phaethon lepturus'' (R) * Red-billed tropicbird, ''Phaethon aethereus'' (R)


Loons

Order:
Gaviiformes Gaviiformes is an order of aquatic birds containing the loons or divers and their closest extinct relatives. Modern gaviiformes are found in many parts of North America and northern Eurasia (Europe, Asia and debatably Africa), though prehistori ...
Family: Gaviidae
Loon Loons (North American English) or divers (British / Irish English) are a group of aquatic birds found in much of North America and northern Eurasia. All living species of loons are members of the genus ''Gavia'', family Gaviidae and order Gavi ...
s are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are extremely poor at walking. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Red-throated loon, ''Gavia stellata'' *
Pacific loon The Pacific loon or Pacific diver (''Gavia pacifica''), is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family. Taxonomy and etymology The Pacific loon, previously considered conspecific with the similar black-throated loon, was classified as ...
, ''Gavia pacifica'' (R) * Common loon, ''Gavia immer''


Southern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily:
Oceanitidae Austral storm petrels, or southern storm petrels, are seabirds in the family Oceanitidae, part of the order Procellariiformes. These smallest of seabirds feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hove ...
The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's three species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Wilson's storm-petrel, ''Oceanites oceanicus'' (RI)


Northern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Leach's storm-petrel Leach's storm petrel or Leach's petrel (''Hydrobates leucorhous'') is a small seabird of the tubenose order. It is named after the British zoologist William Elford Leach. The scientific name is derived from Ancient Greek. ''Hydrobates'' is from ...
, ''Hydrobates leucorhous'' (R) *
Band-rumped storm-petrel The band-rumped storm petrel, Madeiran storm petrel, or Harcourt's storm petrel (''Hydrobates castro'') is of the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae. Description The band-rumped storm petrel is 19–21 cm in length with a 43–46 cm wi ...
, ''Hydrobates castro'' (R)


Shearwaters and petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Nine species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Northern fulmar The northern fulmar (''Fulmarus glacialis''), fulmar, or Arctic fulmar is a highly abundant seabird found primarily in subarctic regions of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. There has been one confirmed sighting in the Southern Hemis ...
, ''Fulmarus glacialis'' (R) *
Trindade petrel The Trindade petrel (''Pterodroma arminjoniana'') is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is in size, with an wingspan. The petrel has various color morphs: dark and light, as well as intermediates between the two. ...
, ''Pterodroma arminjoniana'' (R) * Black-capped petrel, ''Pterodroma hasitata'' (RI) *
Fea's petrel The Fea's petrel (''Pterodroma feae'') is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, '' Pterodroma''. It was previously considered to be a subspecies of the soft-plumaged petrel (''P. mollis''), but they are actually not closely related at al ...
, ''Pterodroma feae'' (R) * Cory's shearwater, ''Calonectris diomedea'' (RI) * Sooty shearwater, ''Ardenna griseus'' (R) * Great shearwater, ''Ardenna gravis'' (RI) *
Manx shearwater The Manx shearwater (''Puffinus puffinus'') is a medium-sized shearwater in the seabird family Procellariidae. The scientific name of this species records a name shift: Manx shearwaters were called Manks puffins in the 17th century. Puffin is an ...
, ''Puffinus puffinus'' (R) *
Audubon's shearwater Audubon's shearwater (''Puffinus lherminieri'') is a common tropical seabird in the petrel family. Sometimes known as the dusky-backed shearwater,Carboneras (1992) the specific epithet honours the French naturalist Félix Louis L'Herminier. Cer ...
, ''Puffinus lherminieri'' (RI)


Storks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae
Stork Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family called Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes . Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons an ...
s are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills, and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Wood stork, ''Mycteria americana''


Frigatebirds

Order: SuliformesFamily: Fregatidae Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black, or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Magnificent frigatebird, ''Fregata magnificens'' (RI)


Boobies and gannets

Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Four species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Masked booby, ''Sula dactylatra'' (R) *
Brown booby The brown booby (''Sula leucogaster'') is a large seabird of the booby family Sulidae, of which it is perhaps the most common and widespread species. It has a pantropical range, which overlaps with that of other booby species. The gregarious brow ...
, ''Sula leucogaster'' (R) *
Red-footed booby The red-footed booby (''Sula sula'') is a large seabird of the booby family, Sulidae. Adults always have red feet, but the colour of the plumage varies. They are powerful and agile fliers, but they are clumsy in takeoffs and landings. They are f ...
, ''Sula sula'' (R) * Northern gannet, ''Morus bassanus'' (RI)


Anhingas

Order: SuliformesFamily: Anhingidae Anhingas are cormorant-like water birds with long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters and often swim with only their neck above water giving them the appearance of a snake. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Anhinga, ''Anhinga anhinga''


Cormorants and shags

Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorant Phalacrocoracidae is a family of approximately 40 species of aquatic birds commonly known as cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed, but in 2021 the IOC adopted a consensus taxonomy of seven ge ...
s are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Great cormorant, ''Phalacrocorax carbo'' (RI) * Double-crested cormorant, ''Nannopterum auritum''


Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae
Pelican Pelicans (genus ''Pelecanus'') are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before s ...
s are large waterbirds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
American white pelican The American white pelican (''Pelecanus erythrorhynchos'') is a large aquatic soaring bird from the order Pelecaniformes. It breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Central America and South America, in winte ...
, ''Pelecanus erythrorhynchos'' * Brown pelican, ''Pelecanus occidentalis'' (RI)


Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae The family Ardeidae contains the
heron The herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 72 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genera ''Botaurus'' and ''Ixobrychus ...
s, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium- to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Twelve species have been recorded in South Carolina. * American bittern, ''Botaurus lentiginosus'' * Least bittern, ''Ixobrychus exilis'' *
Great blue heron The great blue heron (''Ardea herodias'') is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America, as well as the Caribbean and the Galápagos ...
, ''Ardea herodias'' * Great egret, ''Ardea alba'' *
Snowy egret The snowy egret (''Egretta thula'') is a small white heron. The genus name comes from Provençal French for the little egret, , which is a diminutive of , 'heron'. The species name ''thula'' is the Araucano term for the black-necked swan, app ...
, ''Egretta thula'' * Little blue heron, ''Egretta caerulea'' * Tricolored heron, ''Egretta tricolor'' *
Reddish egret The reddish egret (''Egretta rufescens'') is a medium-sized heron that is a resident breeder in Central America, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the United States (primarily Texas), and Mexico. The egret is known for its unusual ...
, ''Egretta rufescens'' (RI) *
Cattle egret The cattle egret (''Bubulcus ibis'') is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics, and warm-temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus ''Bubulcus'', although some authorities regard it ...
, ''Bubulcus ibis'' *
Green heron The green heron (''Butorides virescens'') is a small heron of North and Central America. ''Butorides'' is from Middle English ''butor'' "bittern" and Ancient Greek ''-oides'', "resembling", and ''virescens'' is Latin for "greenish". It was long c ...
, ''Butorides virescens'' *
Black-crowned night-heron The black-crowned night heron (''Nycticorax nycticorax''), or black-capped night heron, commonly shortened to just night heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, including parts of Europe, Asia, and ...
, ''Nycticorax nycticorax'' * Yellow-crowned night-heron, ''Nyctanassa violacea''


Ibises and spoonbills

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and
spoonbill Spoonbills are a genus, ''Platalea'', of large, long-legged wading birds. The spoonbills have a global distribution, being found on every continent except Antarctica. The genus name ''Platalea'' derives from Ancient Greek and means "broad", refe ...
s. They have long, broad wings and their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long and decurved in the case of the ibises, and straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. Five species have been recorded in South Carolina. * White ibis, ''Eudocimus albus'' * Scarlet ibis, ''Eudocimus ruber'' (P2) (R) * Glossy ibis, ''Plegadis falcinellus'' *
White-faced ibis The white-faced ibis (''Plegadis chihi'') is a wading bird in the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. This species breeds colonially in marshes, usually nesting in bushes or low trees. Its breeding range extends from the western United States south ...
, ''Plegadis chihi'' (R) * Roseate spoonbill, ''Platalea ajaja''


New World vultures

Order: CathartiformesFamily:
Cathartidae The New World vulture or condor family, Cathartidae, contains seven extant species in five genera. It includes five extant vultures and two extant condors found in warm and temperate areas of the Americas. The "New World" vultures were widespread ...
The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Black vulture, ''Coragyps atratus'' * Turkey vulture, ''Cathartes aura''


Osprey

Order: AccipitriformesFamily:
Pandionidae ''Pandion'' is a genus of birds of prey, known as ospreys, the only genus of family Pandionidae. Most taxonomic treatments have regarded this genus as describing a single extant species, separated to subspecies or races, while some treatments rec ...
The osprey is a medium-large fish-eating bird of prey or raptor. It is widely distributed because it tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location that is near a body of water and provides an adequate food supply. It is the only member of its family. * Osprey, ''Pandion haliaetus''


Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae The bird of prey family Accipitridae includes
hawk Hawks are bird of prey, birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. They are widely distributed and are found on all continents except Antarctica. * The subfamily Accipitrinae includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, sharp-shinned hawks and others. Th ...
s,
eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just ...
s, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Sixteen species have been recorded in South Carolina. * White-tailed kite, ''Elanus leucurus'' (R) * Swallow-tailed kite, ''Elanoides forficatus'' * Golden eagle, ''Aquila chrysaetos'' *
Northern harrier The northern harrier (''Circus hudsonius''), or ring-tailed hawk, is a bird of prey. It breeds throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere in Canada and the northernmost USA. The northern harrier migrates to more southerly areas ...
, ''Circus hudsonius'' * Sharp-shinned hawk, ''Accipiter striatus'' * Cooper's hawk, ''Accipiter cooperii'' *
American goshawk The American goshawk (''Astur atricapillus'') is a species of raptor (bird), raptor in the family Accipitridae. It was first described by Alexander Wilson (ornithologist), Alexander Wilson in 1812. The American goshawk was previously considered c ...
, ''Accipiter atricapillus'' (R) *
Bald eagle The bald eagle (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (''Haliaeetus albicilla''), which occupies the same niche as ...
, ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'' * Mississippi kite, ''Ictinia mississippiensis'' * Snail kite, ''Rostrhamus sociabilis'' (R) * Red-shouldered hawk, ''Buteo lineatus'' * Broad-winged hawk, ''Buteo platypterus'' *
Short-tailed hawk The short-tailed hawk (''Buteo brachyurus'') is an American bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles and Old World vultures. As a member of the genus ''Buteo'', it is not a true hawk and thus also referred to as a ...
, ''Buteo brachyurus'' (R) * Swainson's hawk, ''Buteo swainsoni'' (R) * Red-tailed hawk, ''Buteo jamaicensis'' *
Rough-legged hawk The rough-legged buzzard or rough-legged hawk (''Buteo lagopus'') is a medium-large bird of prey. It is found in Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Russia during the breeding season and migrates south for the winter. It ...
, ''Buteo lagopus'' (R)


Barn-owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. *
Barn owl The barn owl (''Tyto alba'') is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds, being found almost everywhere except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalaya ...
, ''Tyto alba''


Owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae The
typical owl The true owls or typical owls (family Strigidae) are one of the two generally accepted families of owls, the other being the barn owls (Tytonidae). This large family comprises 230 living or recently extinct species in 24 genera. The typical owl ...
s are small-to-large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eight species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Eastern screech-owl The eastern screech owl (''Megascops asio'') or eastern screech-owl, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada. This species is native to most wooded environments of its distribution, and more so th ...
, ''Megascops asio'' * Great horned owl, ''Bubo virginianus'' * Snowy owl, ''Bubo scandiacus'' (R) * Burrowing owl, ''Athene cunicularia'' (R) * Barred owl, ''Strix varia'' * Long-eared owl, ''Asio otus'' (R) *
Short-eared owl The short-eared owl (''Asio flammeus'') is a widespread grassland species in the family Strigidae. Owls belonging to genus ''Asio'' are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or ...
, ''Asio flammeus'' * Northern saw-whet owl, ''Aegolius acadicus'' (R)


Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. *
Belted kingfisher The belted kingfisher (''Megaceryle alcyon'') is a large, conspicuous water kingfisher, native to North America. All kingfishers were formerly placed in one family, Alcedinidae, but recent research suggests that this should be divided into three ...
, ''Megaceryle alcyon''


Woodpeckers

Order: PiciformesFamily:
Picidae Woodpeckers are part of the bird family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. M ...
Woodpeckers are small- to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Nine species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Red-headed woodpecker, ''Melanerpes erythrocephalus'' *
Red-bellied woodpecker The red-bellied woodpecker (''Melanerpes carolinus'') is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida and as far north as Canada. Though it has a vivid orange-red ...
, ''Melanerpes carolinus'' *
Yellow-bellied sapsucker The yellow-bellied sapsucker (''Sphyrapicus varius'') is a medium-sized woodpecker that breeds in Canada and the northeastern United States. Taxonomy The yellow-bellied sapsucker was described and illustrated using a hand-coloured plate by the E ...
, ''Sphyrapicus varius'' * Downy woodpecker, ''Dryobates pubescens'' * Red-cockaded woodpecker, ''Dryobates borealis'' *
Hairy woodpecker The hairy woodpecker (''Leuconotopicus villosus'') is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found over a large area of North America. It is approximately in length with a wingspan. With an estimated population in 2020 of almost nine million individ ...
, ''Dryobates villosus'' *
Northern flicker The northern flicker or common flicker (''Colaptes auratus'') is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, and is one of the few woodpecker spec ...
, ''Colaptes auratus'' * Pileated woodpecker, ''Dryocopus pileatus'' * Ivory-billed woodpecker, ''Campephilus principalis'' (E) (R)


Falcons and caracaras

Order: FalconiformesFamily:
Falconidae The falcons and caracaras are around 60 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the family Falconidae (representing all extant species in the order Falconiformes). The family is divided into three subfamilies, Herpetotherinae, which inclu ...
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Five species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Crested caracara, ''Caracara plancus'' (R) * American kestrel, ''Falco sparverius'' *
Merlin Merlin ( cy, Myrddin, kw, Marzhin, br, Merzhin) is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a mage, with several other main roles. His usual depiction, based on an amalgamation of historic and le ...
, ''Falco columbarius'' *
Peregrine falcon The peregrine falcon (''Falco peregrinus''), also known as the peregrine, and historically as the duck hawk in North America, is a Cosmopolitan distribution, cosmopolitan bird of prey (Bird of prey, raptor) in the family (biology), family Falco ...
, ''Falco peregrinus'' * Prairie falcon, ''Falco mexicanus'' (P2) (R)


New World and African parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae Parrots are small-to-large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two at the back. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Monk parakeet, ''Myiopsitta monachus'' (P2) (R) * Carolina parakeet, ''Conuropsis carolinensis'' (E) *
Green parakeet The green parakeet (''Psittacara holochlorus'') is a medium-sized parrot occurring in North and Central America, from the southernmost tip of Texas south to northern Nicaragua. Description The green parakeet is 32 cm in length, and is mos ...
, ''Aratinga holochlora'' (P2) (R)


Old World parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily:
Psittaculidae Psittaculidae is a family containing Old World parrots. It consists of five subfamilies: Agapornithinae, Loriinae, Platycercinae, Psittacellinae and Psittaculinae. This family has been accepted into ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World' ...
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from to in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Budgerigar, ''Melopsittacus undulatus'' (P2) (R)


Tyrant flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tyrannidae Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have rather plain plumage. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Nineteen species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Ash-throated flycatcher, ''Myiarchus cinerascens'' (R) * Great crested flycatcher, ''Myiarchus crinitus'' * Great kiskadee, ''Pitangus sulphuratus'' (R) * Tropical kingbird, ''Tyrannus melancholicus'' (R) * Western kingbird, ''Tyrannus verticalis'' * Eastern kingbird, ''Tyrannus tyrannus'' * Gray kingbird, ''Tyrannus dominicensis'' (RI) * Scissor-tailed flycatcher, ''Tyrannus forficatus'' * Fork-tailed flycatcher, ''Tyrannus savana'' (R) *
Olive-sided flycatcher The olive-sided flycatcher (''Contopus cooperi'') is a small to medium sized passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the Tyrant flycatcher family. It is a migratory species that travels from South to North America to breed during the summer. It ...
, ''Contopus cooperi'' * Eastern wood-pewee, ''Contopus virens'' *
Yellow-bellied flycatcher The yellow-bellied flycatcher (''Empidonax flaviventris'') is a small insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. Description Adults have greenish upperparts and yellowish underparts (especially on the throat), with a dusky wash on the ...
, ''Empidonax flaviventris'' *
Acadian flycatcher The Acadian flycatcher (''Empidonax virescens'') is a small insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. Description Adults have olive upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with whitish underparts; they have a white eye ring, white ...
, ''Empidonax virescens'' *
Alder flycatcher The alder flycatcher (''Empidonax alnorum'') is a small insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. The genus name ''Empidonax'' is from Ancient Greek ''empis'', "gnat", and ''anax'', "master". The specific ''alnorum'' is Latin and means ...
, ''Empidonax alnorum'' (R) *
Willow flycatcher The willow flycatcher (''Empidonax traillii'') is a small insect-eating, neotropical migrant bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. There are four subspecies of the willow flycatcher currently recognized, all of which breed in North America (inc ...
, ''Empidonax traillii'' *
Least flycatcher The least flycatcher (''Empidonax minimus'') (also called chebec, or chebecker, after the sound it makes) is a small insect-eating bird. It is the smallest ''Empidonax'' flycatcher in eastern North America. Taxonomy The closest relative to the ...
, ''Empidonax minimus'' *
Eastern phoebe The eastern phoebe (''Sayornis phoebe'') is a small passerine bird. The genus name ''Sayornis'' is constructed from the specific part of Charles Lucien Bonaparte's name for Say's phoebe, ''Muscicapa saya'', and Ancient Greek ''ornis'', "bird". ...
, ''Sayornis phoebe'' *
Say's phoebe Say's phoebe (''Sayornis saya'') is a passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. A common bird across western North America, it prefers dry, desolate areas. This bird was named for Thomas Say, the American naturalist. Taxonomy Say's phoebe ...
, ''Sayornis saya'' (R) * Vermilion flycatcher, ''Pyrocephalus rubinus'' (R)


Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vireonidae The vireos are a group of small- to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish and resemble the wood warblers, except for their heavier bills. Nine species have been recorded in South Carolina. * White-eyed vireo, ''Vireo griseus'' *
Bell's vireo Bell's vireo (''Vireo bellii'') is a songbird that migrates between a breeding range in Western North America and a winter range in Central America. It is dull olive-gray above and whitish below. It has a faint white eye ring and faint wing bars ...
, ''Vireo bellii'' (R) * Yellow-throated vireo, ''Vireo flavifrons'' *
Blue-headed vireo The blue-headed vireo (''Vireo solitarius'') is a Neotropical migrating song bird found in North and Central America. There are currently two recognized subspecies that belong to the blue-headed vireo. It has a range that extends across Canada an ...
, ''Vireo solitarius'' *
Philadelphia vireo The Philadelphia vireo (''Vireo philadelphicus'') is a small North American songbird in the vireo family (''Vireonidae''). "Vireo" is a Latin word referring to a green migratory bird, perhaps the female golden oriole, possibly the European green ...
, ''Vireo philadelphicus'' *
Warbling vireo The warbling vireo (''Vireo gilvus'') is a small North American songbird. Its breeding habitat is open deciduous and mixed woods from Alaska to Mexico and the Florida Panhandle. It often nests in widely spaced trees, often cottonwood or aspen, ...
, ''Vireo gilvus'' *
Red-eyed vireo The red-eyed vireo (''Vireo olivaceus'') is a small American songbird. It is somewhat warbler-like but not closely related to the New World warblers (Parulidae). Common across its vast range, this species is not considered threatened by the IUCN. ...
, ''Vireo olivaceus'' *
Yellow-green vireo The yellow-green vireo (''Vireo flavoviridis'') is a small American passerine bird. It is bird migration, migratory breeding from Mexico to Panama and wintering in the northern and eastern Andes and the western Amazon Basin. Taxonomy The yellow- ...
, ''Vireo flavoviridis'' (R) *
Black-whiskered vireo The black-whiskered vireo (''Vireo altiloquus'') is a small passerine bird, which breeds in southern Florida, United States, USA, and the West Indies as far south as the offshore islands of Venezuela. It is a bird migration, partial migrant, wi ...
, ''Vireo altiloquus'' (R)


Shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae
Shrike Shrikes () are passerine birds of the family Laniidae. The family is composed of 34 species in four genera. The family name, and that of the largest genus, ''Lanius'', is derived from the Latin word for "butcher", and some shrikes are also know ...
s are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Loggerhead shrike, ''Lanius ludovicianus''


Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae The family Corvidae includes crows,
raven A raven is any of several larger-bodied bird species of the genus ''Corvus''. These species do not form a single taxonomic group within the genus. There is no consistent distinction between "crows" and "ravens", common names which are assigned t ...
s,
jay A jay is a member of a number of species of medium-sized, usually colorful and noisy, passerine birds in the Crow family (biology), family, Corvidae. The evolutionary relationships between the jays and the magpies are rather complex. For examp ...
s, choughs,
magpie Magpies are birds of the Corvidae family. Like other members of their family, they are widely considered to be intelligent creatures. The Eurasian magpie, for instance, is thought to rank among the world's most intelligent creatures, and is one ...
s, treepies, nutcrackers, and
ground jay The ground jays or ground choughs belong to a distinct group of the passerine order of birds in the genus ''Podoces'' of the crow family Corvidae. They inhabit high altitude semi-desert areas from central Asia to Mongolia. Ground jays show adapt ...
s. Corvids are above average in size for the Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learned behavior. Five species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Blue jay The blue jay (''Cyanocitta cristata'') is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. It lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations may be migratory. Resident populations are a ...
, ''Cyanocitta cristata'' *
Black-billed magpie The black-billed magpie (''Pica hudsonia''), also known as the American magpie, is a bird in the corvid family found in the western half of North America. It is black and white, with black areas on the wings and tail showing iridescent hints o ...
, ''Pica hudsonia'' (H) (R) * House crow, ''Corvus splendens'' (P2) (R) (not on the AOS ''Check-list''; name and placement are per Clements) * American crow, ''Corvus brachyrhynchos'' *
Fish crow The fish crow (''Corvus ossifragus'') is a species of crow associated with wetland habitats in the eastern and southeastern United States. Taxonomy and etymology The fish crow was given its binomial name by the Scottish ornithologist Alexa ...
, ''Corvus ossifragus'' * Common raven, ''Corvus corax''


Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet which includes seeds and insects. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Carolina chickadee, ''Poecile carolinensis'' * Black-capped chickadee, ''Poecile atricapillus'' (H) (R) * Tufted titmouse, ''Baeolophus bicolor''


Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. They feed on insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Horned lark, ''Eremophila alpestris''


Swallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. Their feet are designed for perching rather than walking and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Seven species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Bank swallow, ''Riparia riparia'' *
Tree swallow The tree swallow (''Tachycineta bicolor'') is a migratory bird of the family Hirundinidae. Found in the Americas, the tree swallow was first described in 1807 by French ornithologist Louis Vieillot as ''Hirundo bicolor''. It has since been mov ...
, ''Tachycineta bicolor'' *
Northern rough-winged swallow The northern rough-winged swallow (''Stelgidopteryx serripennis'') is a small, migratory swallow. It is very similar to the southern rough-winged swallow, ''Stelgidopteryx ruficollis''. Taxonomy and etymology The genus name, ''Stelgidopteryx'' ...
, ''Stelgidopteryx serripennis'' *
Purple martin The purple martin (''Progne subis'') is a passerine bird in the swallow family Hirundinidae. It is the largest swallow in North America. Despite its name, the purple martin is not truly purple. The dark blackish-blue feathers have an iridescent s ...
, ''Progne subis'' * Barn swallow, ''Hirundo rustica'' *
Cliff swallow The cliff swallow or American cliff swallow (''Petrochelidon pyrrhonota'') is a member of the passerine bird family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins. The generic name ''Petrochelidon'' is derived from Ancient Greek ''petros'' meaning "roc ...
, ''Petrochelidon pyrrhonota'' * Cave swallow, ''Petrochelidon fulva'' (R)


Long-tailed tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Aegithalidae Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium-to-long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Bushtit, ''Psaltriparus minimus'' (H) (R)


Kinglets

Order: PasseriformesFamily:
Regulidae A kinglet is a small bird in the family Regulidae. Species in this family were formerly classified with the Old World warblers. "Regulidae" is derived from the Latin word ''regulus'' for "petty king" or prince, and refers to the coloured crowns ...
The kinglets are a family of small insectivorous birds. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name. Two species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Ruby-crowned kinglet, ''Corthylio calendula'' * Golden-crowned kinglet, ''Regulus satrapa''


Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Cedar waxwing, ''Bombycilla cedrorum''


Nuthatches

Order: PasseriformesFamily:
Sittidae The nuthatches () constitute a genus, ''Sitta'', of small passerine birds belonging to the family Sittidae. Characterised by large heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet, nuthatches advertise their territory using loud, simple songs. Mo ...
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds, which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Red-breasted nuthatch, ''Sitta canadensis'' *
White-breasted nuthatch The white-breasted nuthatch (''Sitta carolinensis'') is a species of bird in the nuthatch family Sittidae. It is a medium-sized nuthatch, measuring approximately in length. Coloration varies somewhat along the species' range, but the are lig ...
, ''Sitta carolinensis'' *
Brown-headed nuthatch The brown-headed nuthatch (''Sitta pusilla'') is a small songbird endemic to pine forests throughout the Southeastern United States. Genetic analyses indicated low differentiation between northern and southern populations in Florida, but the stud ...
, ''Sitta pusilla''


Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae Treecreepers are small woodland birds with brown backs and white underparts. They have thin, pointed, down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Brown creeper, ''Certhia americana''


Gnatcatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Polioptilidae These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through foliage while seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly a soft bluish gray in color and have the long sharp bill typical of an insectivore. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. *
Blue-gray gnatcatcher The blue-gray gnatcatcher or blue-grey gnatcatcher (''Polioptila caerulea'') is a very small songbird native to North America. Description It is in length, 6.3 in (16 cm) in wingspan, and weighing only . Adult males are blue-gray on the upperp ...
, ''Polioptila caerulea''


Wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae
Wren Wrens are a family of brown passerine birds in the predominantly New World family Troglodytidae. The family includes 88 species divided into 19 genera. Only the Eurasian wren occurs in the Old World, where, in Anglophone regions, it is commonly ...
s are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Six species have been recorded in South Carolina. * House wren, ''Troglodytes aedon'' * Winter wren, ''Troglodytes hiemalis'' *
Sedge wren The sedge wren (''Cistothorus stellaris'') is a small and secretive passerine bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is widely distributed in North America. It is often found in wet grasslands and meadows where it nests in the tall grasses and sed ...
, ''Cistothorus platensis'' * Marsh wren, ''Cistothorus palustris'' * Carolina wren, ''Thryothorus ludovicianus'' * Bewick's wren, ''Thryomanes bewickii'' (R)


Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Mimidae The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds,
trembler Tremblers are a New World group of passerine birds related to mockingbirds and New World catbirds. Like these, they are in the family Mimidae. There are 2-4 species in one genus, ''Cinclocerthia'', which is endemic to the Lesser Antilles: * Gr ...
s, and the
New World catbird Several unrelated groups of songbirds are called catbirds because of their wailing calls, which resemble a cat's meowing. The genus name ''Ailuroedus'' likewise is from the Greek for "cat-singer" or "cat-voiced". Australasian catbirds are the ...
s. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species' appearance tends towards dull grays and browns. Four species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Gray catbird, ''Dumetella carolinensis'' * Brown thrasher, ''Toxostoma rufum'' *
Sage thrasher The sage thrasher (''Oreoscoptes montanus'') is a medium-sized passerine bird from the family Mimidae, which also includes mockingbirds, tremblers, and New World catbirds. It is the only member of the genus ''Oreoscoptes''. This seems less close ...
, ''Oreoscoptes montanus'' (R) * Northern mockingbird, ''Mimus polyglottos''


Starlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae Starlings are small- to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. The plumage of several species is dark with a metallic sheen. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * European starling, ''Sturnus vulgaris'' (I)


Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that are mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small- to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Ten species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Eastern bluebird, ''Sialia sialis'' *
Townsend's solitaire Townsend's solitaire (''Myadestes townsendi'') is a medium-sized thrush, the only solitaire native to America north of Mexico. Range and habitat This solitaire ranges from southern Alaska, British Columbia and Alberta to northern Zacatecas in Me ...
, ''Myadestes townsendi'' (P1) (R) *
Veery The veery (''Catharus fuscescens'') is a small North American Thrush (bird), thrush species, a member of a group of closely related and similar species in the genus ''Catharus'', also including the gray-cheeked thrush (''C. minimus''), Bicknell's ...
, ''Catharus fuscescens'' *
Gray-cheeked thrush The grey-cheeked thrush (''Catharus minimus'') is a medium-sized thrush. This species is in length, and has the white-dark-white underwing pattern characteristic of ''Catharus'' thrushes. It is a member of a close-knit group of migrant species ...
, ''Catharus minimus'' *
Bicknell's thrush Bicknell's thrush (''Catharus bicknelli'') is a medium-sized thrush, at and . One of North America's rarest and most localized breeders, it inhabits coniferous mountain tops and disturbed habitats of the Northeast. While very similar in appeara ...
, ''Catharus bicknelli'' (R) *
Swainson's thrush Swainson's thrush (''Catharus ustulatus''), also called olive-backed thrush and russet-backed thrush, is a medium-sized thrush. It is a member of genus ''Catharus'' and is typical of it in terms of its subdued coloration and beautiful, ascending ...
, ''Catharus ustulatus'' * Hermit thrush, ''Catharus guttatus'' * Wood thrush, ''Hylocichla mustelina'' *
American robin The American robin (''Turdus migratorius'') is a migratory bird of the true thrush genus and Turdidae, the wider thrush family. It is named after the European robin because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closel ...
, ''Turdus migratorius'' *
Varied thrush The varied thrush (''Ixoreus naevius'') is a member of the thrush family, Turdidae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus ''Ixoreus''. Taxonomy The varied thrush was formally described by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin ...
, ''Ixoreus naevius'' (R)


Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae The Old World flycatchers are a large family of small passerine birds. These are mainly arboreal
insectivore A robber fly eating a hoverfly An insectivore is a carnivorous animal or plant that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which can also refer to the human practice of eating insects. The first vertebrate insectivores wer ...
s, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Northern wheatear, ''Oenanthe oenanthe'' (H) (R)


Weavers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black. Some species show variation in color only in the breeding season. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. * Village weaver, ''Ploceus cucullatus'' (P2) (R)


Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns. *
Scaly-breasted munia The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (''Lonchura punctulata''), known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch native to tropical Asia. A species of the genus ''Lonchura'', it was formally desc ...
, ''Lonchura punctulata'' (P2) (R) *
Tricolored munia The tricoloured munia (''Lonchura malacca'') is an estrildid finch, native to Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and southern China. The species has also introduced to the Caribbean, in Trinidad, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Cub ...
, ''Lonchura malacca'' (P2) (R)


Old World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae
Old World sparrow Old World sparrows are a group of small passerine birds forming the family Passeridae. They are also known as true sparrows, a name also used for a particular genus of the family, ''Passer''. They are distinct from both the New World sparrows, i ...
s are small passerine birds. In general, these sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. *
House sparrow The house sparrow (''Passer domesticus'') is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of and a mass of . Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, a ...
, ''Passer domesticus'' (I)


Wagtails and pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily:
Motacillidae The wagtails, longclaws, and pipits are a family, Motacillidae, of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. Around 70 species occur in five genera. The longclaws are entirely restricted to the Afrotropics, and the wagtails are predominan ...
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the
wagtail Wagtails are a group of passerine birds that form the genus ''Motacilla'' in the family Motacillidae. The forest wagtail belongs to the monotypic genus ''Dendronanthus'' which is closely related to ''Motacilla'' and sometimes included therein. T ...
s,
longclaw The longclaws are a genus, ''Macronyx'', of small African passerine birds in the family Motacillidae. Longclaws are slender, often colorful, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. They are ground nesters, laying up to four speckled eggs. T ...
s, and pipits. They are slender, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * White wagtail, ''Motacilla alba'' (R) *
American pipit The buff-bellied pipit or American pipit (''Anthus rubescens'') is a small songbird found on both sides of the northern Pacific. It was first described by Marmaduke Tunstall in his 1771 ''Ornithologia Britannica''. It was formerly classified as a ...
, ''Anthus rubescens'' *
Sprague's pipit Sprague's pipit (''Anthus spragueii'') is a small songbird (passerine) in the family Motacillidae that breeds in the short- and mixed-grass prairies of North America. Migratory, it spends the winters in the southwestern United States and norther ...
, ''Anthus spragueii'' (R)


Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae Finches are seed-eating passerines that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Ten species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Evening grosbeak The evening grosbeak (''Hesperiphona vespertina'') is a passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae found in North America. Taxonomy The IOC checklist and the ''Handbook of the Birds of the World'' place the evening grosbeak and the closel ...
, ''Coccothraustes vespertinus'' * Pine grosbeak, ''Pinicola enucleator'' (P1) (R) *
House finch The house finch (''Haemorhous mexicanus'') is a bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is native to western North America and has been introduced to the eastern half of the continent and Hawaii. This species and the other two American rosef ...
, ''Haemorhous mexicanus'' (native to the southwestern U.S.; introduced in the east) *
Purple finch The purple finch (''Haemorhous purpureus'') is a bird in the finch family, Fringillidae. Taxonomy This species and the other "American rosefinches" were formerly included with the rosefinches of Eurasia in the genus ''Carpodacus''; however, the ...
, ''Haemorhous purpureus'' * Common redpoll, ''Acanthis flammea'' (R) *
Red crossbill The red crossbill or common crossbill (''Loxia curvirostra'') is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. Crossbills have distinctive mandibles, crossed at the tips, which enable them to extract seeds from conifer cones and other ...
, ''Loxia curvirostra'' *
White-winged crossbill The two-barred crossbill or white-winged crossbill (''Loxia leucoptera'') is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. Etymology The scientific name is from Ancient Greek. ''Loxia'' is from , "crosswise", and means "white-winged" ...
, ''Loxia leucoptera'' (R) * European goldfinch, ''Carduelis tristis'' (P2) (R) *
Pine siskin The pine siskin (''Spinus pinus'') is a North American bird in the finch family. It is a migratory bird with an extremely sporadic winter range. Taxonomy The pine siskin was formally described in 1810 by the American ornithologist Alexander ...
, ''Spinus carduelis'' * American goldfinch, ''Spinus tristis''


Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Calcariidae The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Three species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Lapland longspur, ''Calcarius lapponicus'' *
Smith's longspur Smith's longspur (''Calcarius pictus'') is a bird from the family Calcariidae, which also contains the other species of longspurs. A bird of open habitats, it breeds in northern Canada and Alaska, and winters in the southern United States. Primar ...
, ''Calcarius pictus'' (R) * Snow bunting, ''Plectrophenax nivalis''


New World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passerellidae Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-seven species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Bachman's sparrow, ''Peucaea aestivalis'' *
Grasshopper sparrow The grasshopper sparrow (''Ammodramus savannarum'') is a small New World sparrow. It belongs to the genus ''Ammodramus,'' which contains three species that inhabit grasslands and prairies. Although sometimes found in crop fields and they will rea ...
, ''Ammodramus savannarum'' * Lark sparrow, ''Chondestes grammacus'' * Lark bunting, ''Calamospiza melanocorys'' (R) *
Chipping sparrow The chipping sparrow (''Spizella passerina'') is a species of New World sparrow, a passerine bird in the family Passerellidae. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range. There are two subspecies, the east ...
, ''Spizella passerina'' * Clay-colored sparrow, ''Spizella pallida'' * Field sparrow, ''Spizella pusilla'' *
Fox sparrow The fox sparrow (''Passerella iliaca'') is a large New World sparrow. It is the only member of the genus ''Passerella'', although some authors split the species into four (see below). Taxonomy More specific information regarding plumage is avai ...
, ''Passerella iliaca'' *
American tree sparrow The American tree sparrow (''Spizelloides arborea''), also known as the winter sparrow, is a medium-sized New World sparrow. It had been classified under the genus ''Spizella'', but multilocus molecular evidence suggested placement in its own ge ...
, ''Spizelloides arborea'' (R) * Dark-eyed junco, ''Junco hyemalis'' * White-crowned sparrow, ''Zonotrichia leucophrys'' *
Golden-crowned sparrow The golden-crowned sparrow (''Zonotrichia atricapilla'') is a large New World sparrow found in the western part of North America. Systematics The golden-crowned sparrow is one of five species in the genus ''Zonotrichia'', a group of large Americ ...
, ''Zonotrichia atricapilla'' (P1) (R) *
Harris's sparrow Harris's sparrow (''Zonotrichia querula'') is a large sparrow. Their breeding habitat is the north part of central Canada (primarily the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, ranging slightly into northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan), making it C ...
, ''Zonotrichia querula'' (R) * White-throated sparrow, ''Zonotrichia albicollis'' * Vesper sparrow, ''Pooecetes gramineus'' *
LeConte's sparrow LeConte's sparrow (''Ammospiza leconteii'') is one of the smallest New World sparrow species in North America.Terres, J.K. (1980). The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf It is a very secretive bird th ...
, ''Ammospiza leconteii'' * Seaside sparrow, ''Ammospiza maritima'' *
Nelson's sparrow Nelson's sparrow (''Ammospiza nelsoni'') is a small New World sparrow. This bird was named after Edward William Nelson, an American naturalist. Formerly, this bird and the saltmarsh sparrow were considered to be a single species, the sharp-tail ...
, ''Ammospiza nelsoni'' (RI) *
Saltmarsh sparrow The saltmarsh sparrow (''Ammospiza caudacuta'') is a small New World sparrow found in salt marshes along the Atlantic coast of the United States. At one time, this bird and the Nelson's sparrow were thought to be a single species, the sharp-taile ...
, ''Ammospiza caudacuta'' (RI) * Henslow's sparrow, ''Centronyx henslowii'' *
Savannah sparrow The Savannah sparrow (''Passerculus sandwichensis'') is a small New World sparrow. It was the only member of the genus '' Passerculus'' and is typically the only widely accepted member. Comparison of mtDNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and 3 sequ ...
, ''Passerculus sandwichensis'' * Song sparrow, ''Melospiza melodia'' *
Lincoln's sparrow Lincoln's sparrow (''Melospiza lincolnii'') is a small American sparrow, sparrow native to North America. It is a less common passerine bird that often stays hidden under thick ground cover, but can be distinguished by its sweet, wrenlike song. Li ...
, ''Melospiza lincolnii'' *
Swamp sparrow The swamp sparrow (''Melospiza georgiana'') is a medium-sized New World sparrow related to the song sparrow. Description Measurements: * Length: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm) * Weight: 0.5-0.8 oz (15-23 g) * Wingspan: 7.1-7.5 in (18-19 cm) ...
, ''Melospiza georgiana'' *
Green-tailed towhee The green-tailed towhee (''Pipilo chlorurus'') is the smallest towhee, but is still one of the larger members of the American sparrow family Passerellidae. Its breeding range covers most of the interior Western United States, with a winter range ...
, ''Pipilo chlorurus'' (R) * Spotted towhee, ''Pipilo maculatus'' (R) * Eastern towhee, ''Pipilo erythrophthalmus'' File:Saltmarsh sharp tailed sparrow.jpg, Saltmarsh sparrow File:Chipping Sparrow.jpg, Chipping sparrow File:Eastern Towhee-27527-3.jpg, Eastern towhee


Yellow-breasted chat

Order: PasseriformesFamily:
Icteriidae The yellow-breasted chat (''Icteria virens'') is a large songbird found in North America, and is the only member of the family Icteriidae. It was once a member of the New World warbler family, but in 2017, the American Ornithological Society move ...
This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017. * Yellow-breasted chat, ''Icteria virens''


Troupials and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily:
Icteridae Icterids () or New World blackbirds make up a family, the Icteridae (), of small to medium-sized, often colorful, New World passerine birds. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. The ...
The icterids are a group of small-to-medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles,
New World blackbird Icterids () or New World blackbirds make up a family, the Icteridae (), of small to medium-sized, often colorful, New World passerine birds. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. The ...
s, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Seventeen species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Yellow-headed blackbird, ''Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus'' * Bobolink, ''Dolichonyx oryzivorus'' * Eastern meadowlark, ''Sturnella magna'' * Western meadowlark, ''Sturnella neglecta'' (R) *
Orchard oriole The orchard oriole (''Icterus spurius'') is the smallest species of icterid. The subspecies of the Caribbean coast of Mexico, ''I. s. fuertesi'', is sometimes considered a separate species, the ochre oriole or Fuertes's oriole. Description Mea ...
, ''Icterus spurius'' * Venezuelan troupial, ''Icterus icterus'' (P2) (R) (not on the AOS ''Check-list''; name and placement are per Clements) * Bullock's oriole, ''Icterus bullockii'' (R) *
Baltimore oriole The Baltimore oriole (''Icterus galbula'') is a small icterid blackbird common in eastern North America as a migratory breeding bird. It received its name from the resemblance of the male's colors to those on the coat-of-arms of 17th century L ...
, ''Icterus galbula'' *
Scott's oriole The Scott's oriole (''Icterus parisorum'') is a medium-sized icterid (the same family as many blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles, and others, including the New World orioles). It is primarily found in the Southwestern United States an ...
, ''Icterus parisorum'' (R) * Red-winged blackbird, ''Agelaius phoeniceus'' * Shiny cowbird, ''Molothrus bonariensis'' (R) * Bronzed cowbird, ''Molothrus aeneus'' (R) * Brown-headed cowbird, ''Molothrus ater'' *
Rusty blackbird The rusty blackbird (''Euphagus carolinus'') is a medium-sized New World blackbird, closely related to grackles ("rusty grackle" is an older name for the species). It is a bird that prefers wet forested areas, breeding in the boreal forest and mu ...
, ''Euphagus carolinus'' *
Brewer's blackbird Brewer's blackbird (''Euphagus cyanocephalus'') is a medium-sized New World blackbird. It is named after the ornithologist Thomas Mayo Brewer. Description Adult males have black Feather, plumage with an iridescent purple head and neck and glo ...
, ''Euphagus cyanocephalus'' * Common grackle, ''Quiscalus quiscula'' * Boat-tailed grackle, ''Quiscalus major'' (RI)


New World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Parulidae The New World warblers are a group of small, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal but some, such as the ovenbird, are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Forty-two species have been recorded in South Carolina. * Ovenbird, ''Seiurus aurocapilla'' *
Worm-eating warbler The worm-eating warbler (''Helmitheros vermivorum'') is a small New World warbler that breeds in the Eastern United States and migrates to southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America for the winter. Taxonomy The worm-eating warbler is ...
, ''Helmitheros vermivorum'' *
Louisiana waterthrush The Louisiana waterthrush (''Parkesia motacilla'') is a New World warbler, that breeds in eastern North America and winters in the West Indies and Central America. Plain brown above, it is white below, with black streaks and with buff flanks and u ...
, ''Parkesia motacilla'' *
Northern waterthrush The northern waterthrush (''Parkesia noveboracensis'') is a species of ground-feeding migratory New World warbler of the genus ''Parkesia''. It breeds in the northern part of North America in Canada and the northern United States including Alaska ...
, ''Parkesia noveboracensis'' * Bachman's warbler, ''Vermivora bachmanii'' (E) * Golden-winged warbler, ''Vermivora chrysoptera'' *
Blue-winged warbler The blue-winged warbler (''Vermivora cyanoptera'') is a fairly common New World warbler, long and weighing . It breeds in eastern North America in southern Ontario and the eastern United States. Its range is extending northwards, where it is rep ...
, ''Vermivora cyanoptera'' * Black-and-white warbler, ''Mniotilta varia'' * Prothonotary warbler, ''Protonotaria citrea'' * Swainson's warbler, ''Limnothlypis swainsonii'' *
Tennessee warbler The Tennessee warbler (''Leiothlypis peregrina'') is a New World warbler that breeds in eastern North America and winters in southern Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. The specific name ''peregrina'' is from Latin '' pe ...
, ''leiothlypis peregrina'' *
Orange-crowned warbler The orange-crowned warbler (''Leiothlypis celata'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Taxonomy The orange-crowned warbler was formally described in 1822 by the American zoologist Thomas Say under the binomial name ''Sylvia c ...
, ''leiothlypis celata'' * Nashville warbler, ''leiothlypis ruficapilla'' *
Connecticut warbler The Connecticut warbler (''Oporornis agilis'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Description These medium-sized warblers measure in length, with a wingspan. Connecticut warblers weigh when they fledge, attaining an average ...
, ''Oporornis agilis'' * MacGillivray's warbler, ''Geothlypis tolmiei'' *
Mourning warbler The mourning warbler (''Geothlypis philadelphia'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Mourning warblers are native to eastern and central North America as well as some countries in Central America.Gough, G.A., Sauer, J.R. ''Patu ...
, ''Geothlypis philadelphia'' (R) * Kentucky warbler, ''Geothlypis formosa'' *
Common yellowthroat The common yellowthroat (''Geothlypis trichas'') is a New World warbler. In the U.S. Midwest, it is also known as the yellow bandit. It is an abundant breeder in North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico. The genus name ''Geot ...
, ''Geothlypis trichas'' *
Hooded warbler The hooded warbler (''Setophaga citrina'') is a New World warbler. It breeds in eastern North America and across the eastern United States and into southernmost Canada (Ontario). It is migratory, wintering in Central America and the West Indies. ...
, ''Setophaga citrina'' * American redstart, ''Setophaga ruticilla'' *
Kirtland's warbler Kirtland's warbler (''Setophaga kirtlandii''), also known in Michigan by the common name jack pine bird, or the jack pine warbler, is a small songbird of the New World warbler family (Parulidae), named after Jared Potter Kirtland, an Ohio doctor ...
, ''Setophaga kirtlandii'' (R) *
Cape May warbler The Cape May warbler (''Setophaga tigrina'') is a species of New World warbler. It breeds in northern North America. Its breeding range spans all but the westernmost parts of southern Canada, the Great Lakes region, and New England. It is migrat ...
, ''Setophaga tigrina'' * Cerulean warbler, ''Setophaga cerulea'' * Northern parula, ''Setophaga americana'' *
Magnolia warbler The magnolia warbler (''Setophaga magnolia'') is a member of the wood warbler family Parulidae. Etymology The genus name ''Setophaga'' is from Ancient Greek ''ses'', "moth", and ', "eating", and the specific ''magnolia'' refers to the type lo ...
, ''Setophaga magnolia'' * Bay-breasted warbler, ''Setophaga castanea'' * Blackburnian warbler, ''Setophaga fusca'' *
Yellow warbler The yellow warbler (''Setophaga petechia'') is a New World warbler species. Yellow warblers are the most widespread species in the diverse genus ''Setophaga'', breeding in almost the whole of North America, the Caribbean, and down to northern S ...
, ''Setophaga petechia'' * Chestnut-sided warbler, ''Setophaga pensylvanica'' * Blackpoll warbler, ''Setophaga striata'' *
Black-throated blue warbler The black-throated blue warbler (''Setophaga caerulescens'') is a small passerine bird of the New World warbler family. Its breeding ranges are located in the interior of deciduous and mixed coniferous forests in eastern North America. Over the ...
, ''Setophaga caerulescens'' *
Palm warbler The palm warbler (''Setophaga palmarum'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Description Measurements: * Length: * Weight: * Wingspan: Taxonomy The species comprises two distinct subspecies that may merit specific stat ...
, ''Setophaga palmarum'' *
Pine warbler The pine warbler (''Setophaga pinus'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Description These birds have white bellies, two white wing bars, dark legs and thin, relatively long pointed bills; they have yellowish 'spectacles' ar ...
, ''Setophaga pinus'' *
Yellow-rumped warbler The yellow-rumped warbler (''Setophaga coronata'') is a regular North American bird species that can be commonly observed all across the continent. Its extensive distribution range connects both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the U.S. as well ...
, ''Setophaga coronata'' * Yellow-throated warbler, ''Setophaga dominica'' *
Prairie warbler The prairie warbler (''Setophaga discolor'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Description These birds have yellow underparts with dark streaks on the flanks, and olive overparts with rusty streaks on the back; they have a ye ...
, ''Setophaga discolor'' * Black-throated gray warbler, ''Setophaga nigrescens'' (R) *
Townsend's warbler Townsend's warbler (''Setophaga townsendi'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Taxonomy Townsend's warbler was species description, formally described in 1837 by the American naturalist John Kirk Townsend under the binomial nam ...
, ''Setophaga townsendi'' (R) * Black-throated green warbler, ''Setophaga virens'' * Canada warbler, ''Cardellina canadensis'' *
Wilson's warbler Wilson's warbler (''Cardellina pusilla'') is a small New World warbler. It is greenish above and yellow below, with rounded wings and a long, slim tail. The male has a black crown patch; depending on the subspecies, that mark is reduced or absent ...
, ''Cardellina pusilla'' File:Dendroica-pensylvanica-003.jpg, Chestnut-sided warbler File:Black-Throated Blue Warbler.jpg, Black-throated blue warbler File:Myrtle Warbler - Port Aransas, TX.jpg, Yellow-rumped warbler File:Dendroica-fusca-001.jpg, Blackburnian warbler


Cardinals and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cardinalidae The cardinals are a family of robust seed-eating passerines with strong bills. They typically live in open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumage. Eleven species have been recorded in South Carolina. *
Summer tanager The summer tanager (''Piranga rubra'') is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae), it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species's plumage and ...
, ''Piranga olivacea'' * Scarlet tanager, ''Piranga olivacea'' *
Western tanager The western tanager (''Piranga ludoviciana''), is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae), other members of its genus and it are classified in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species's plumag ...
, ''Piranga ludoviciana'' *
Northern cardinal The northern cardinal (''Cardinalis cardinalis'') is a bird in the genus ''Cardinalis''; it is also known colloquially as the redbird, common cardinal, red cardinal, or just cardinal (which was its name prior to 1985). It can be found in southea ...
, ''Cardinalis cardinalis'' * Rose-breasted grosbeak, ''Pheucticus ludovicianus'' * Black-headed grosbeak, ''Pheucticus melanocephalus'' (R) *
Blue grosbeak The blue grosbeak (''Passerina caerulea''), is a medium-sized North American passerine bird in the cardinal family Cardinalidae. It is mainly migratory, wintering in Central America and breeding in northern Mexico and the southern United States. ...
, ''Passerina caerulea'' *
Lazuli bunting The lazuli bunting (''Passerina amoena'') is a North American songbird named for the gemstone lapis lazuli. Description Measurements: * Length: 5.1-5.9 in (13-15 cm) * Weight: 0.5-0.6 oz (13-18 g) * Wingspan: 8.7 in (22 cm) The male i ...
, ''Passerina amoena'' (R) * Indigo bunting, ''Passerina cyanea'' *
Painted bunting The painted bunting (''Passerina ciris'') is a species of bird in the cardinal family, Cardinalidae. It is native to North America. The bright plumage of the male only comes in the second year of life; in the first year they can only be distingu ...
, ''Passerina ciris'' * Dickcissel, ''Spiza americana''


Tanagers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Thraupidae The tanagers are a large group of small- to medium-sized passerine birds that inhabit the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly colored. As a family they are omnivorous, but individual species specialize in eating fruits, seeds, insects, or other types of food. Most have short, rounded wings. One species has been recorded in South Carolina. *
Red-crested cardinal The red-crested cardinal (''Paroaria coronata'') is a songbird, the species belonging to the family of tanagers (Thraupidae). Notwithstanding its similar name, this bird is not closely related to the true cardinal family (Cardinalidae). It is so ...
, ''Paroaria coronata'' (P2) (R) (on the AOS ''Check-list'', but not noted as present in the U.S.)


See also

*
List of birds This article lists living orders and families of birds. The links below should then lead to family accounts and hence to individual species. The passerines (perching birds) alone account for well over 5,000 species. In total there are about 1 ...
* Lists of birds by region *
List of North American birds The lists of birds in the light blue box below are divided by biological family. The lists are based on ''The AOS Check-list of North American Birds'' of the American Ornithological Society and ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World'' su ...
* List of mammals of South Carolina *
List of snakes of South Carolina This is a list of the known varieties of snakes in South Carolina Nonvenomous Florida Water Snake Venomous

{{SnakesByState Lists of snakes of the United States, South Carolina Lists of fauna of South Carolina, Snakes ...


References


External links


Carolina Bird Club website

Recent bird sightings in the Carolinas
{{featured list South Carolina
Birds Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweigh ...