Start learning

Learn the birds of North Carolina

72 birds in 13 short units, from your backyard to the Outer Banks, longleaf pine, piedmont and the Blue Ridge. By sight, sound and story, with real photos and recordings.

Learn the birds of North CarolinaTry a question first
  • Free, no ads
  • No sign-up
  • Phone, tablet or computer

A few you’ll meet first

The course

Each unit is a small group of birds, easiest first, with look-alikes kept apart. Meet them, learn them by sight, sound and story, then finish with a Field test. The units get harder as you go.

North Carolina Essentials

  1. Unit 1: Gentle startNorthern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Mourning Dove and Great Blue Heron
  2. Unit 2: Gentle startDouble-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, American Robin, Mallard, Laughing Gull, Tufted Titmouse, Sanderling and White-throated Sparrow
  3. Unit 3: Gentle startCanada Goose, Carolina Chickadee, Willet, Red-bellied Woodpecker, House Finch and Chipping Sparrow
  4. Unit 4: Building upDowny Woodpecker, Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Turkey Vulture and Eastern Towhee
  5. Unit 5: Building upAmerican Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Red-tailed Hawk, Brown Thrasher, Wild Turkey and Dark-eyed Junco
  6. Unit 6: Building upOsprey, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Song Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warbler

Beyond the Basics

  1. Unit 7: SteadyHouse Sparrow, Brown Pelican, Gray Catbird, White Ibis and Boat-tailed Grackle
  2. Unit 8: SteadyWhite-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Green Heron, Wood Duck and American Crow
  3. Unit 9: SteadyBrown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Merganser, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Killdeer, Pileated Woodpecker and Ring-billed Gull
  4. Unit 10: SteadyRed-winged Blackbird, Ruddy Turnstone, Hermit Thrush and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
  5. Unit 11: HardestEuropean Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Royal Tern and Belted Kingfisher
  6. Unit 12: HardestBarn Swallow, Black Vulture, Summer Tanager, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Bald Eagle and Northern Flicker
  7. Unit 13: HardestIndigo Bunting, Common Grackle, Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Yellowthroat and Cooper’s Hawk
Start the North Carolina course

Nearby courses

All 50 state courses