Places › Cities › Raleigh › Birds

Birds of Raleigh, NC

The birds most often spotted near Raleigh, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

79,515
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 79,515 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near Raleigh. The most frequently seen is the Northern Cardinal, with 5,696 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds near Raleigh

Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
5,696 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
5,311 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
4,085 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
3,796 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
3,504 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
3,150 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
3,077 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
2,669 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
2,544 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
2,129 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
2,099 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
2,020 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
1,922 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
1,885 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
1,850 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
1,681 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,631 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
1,607 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
1,581 observations
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
1,520 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
1,476 observations
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
1,465 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
1,413 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
1,194 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
1,154 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
1,139 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
1,124 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
1,108 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
1,061 observations
Pine Warbler
Setophaga pinus
1,004 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
955 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
940 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
934 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
919 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
823 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
805 observations
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Corthylio calendula
741 observations
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Sitta pusilla
717 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
700 observations
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
660 observations
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
657 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
600 observations · iNaturalist
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
597 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
534 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
518 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
514 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
514 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
501 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
496 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
495 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Birds in nearby places

Out spotting birds near Raleigh?

Take Huck with you. Identify any bird you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.