Wild NC

Wild NC Exploring North Carolina’s wonderfully diverse natural world.

Species Spotlight: Northern Parula The Northern Parula is a small, brightly colored warbler found in North Carolina from...
06/27/2025

Species Spotlight: Northern Parula

The Northern Parula is a small, brightly colored warbler found in North Carolina from spring through early fall. Males are especially striking, with bluish backs, yellow throats, and a dark chest band. They breed in mature forests—especially near swamps—where they nest in Spanish moss or hanging lichens.

You’re more likely to hear them before you see them—their buzzy, rising trill carries through the treetops.

Although still common, Northern Parulas are sensitive to habitat loss. Protecting mature, lichen-rich forests—especially in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont—helps ensure they remain a familiar sound in North Carolina.

Species Spotlight: American Oystercatchers With their bold black-and-white feathers and bright orange bills, American O...
06/24/2025

Species Spotlight: American Oystercatchers

With their bold black-and-white feathers and bright orange bills, American Oystercatchers are a standout along North Carolina’s coast. They nest on sandy beaches and islands, using those powerful bills to pry open oysters, clams, and other shellfish.

These coastal birds are sensitive to disturbance, especially during nesting season—so give them space if you see them on the beach!

Some oystercatchers are banded for research. If you spot one with leg bands, you can help scientists by reporting it to the American Oystercatcher Working group at https://amoywg.org.

Species Spotlight: Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)The summer tanager is the only entirely red songbird in North America. ...
06/22/2025

Species Spotlight: Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)

The summer tanager is the only entirely red songbird in North America. In North Carolina, it’s most commonly found in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont during the breeding season, favoring open pine and mixed hardwood forests. It’s generally absent from the Mountain region due to elevation and habitat differences.

A neotropical migrant, the summer tanager arrives in North Carolina around mid-April and typically departs by late September, wintering in Central and South America.

One of its most notable behaviors is its diet. Summer tanagers specialize in catching bees and wasps, often capturing them in flight. Before eating them, they rub the insects against a branch to remove the stinger—a unique feeding adaptation that sets them apart from other songbirds. As summer progresses, they also feed on soft fruits such as blackberries, pokeweed, and mulberries.

Their presence often indicates healthy, mature woodland habitat. While males are bright red, females are more muted in color—usually yellow or yellow-green—and both can be heard singing a clear, whistled song that’s often compared to a robin’s but more fluid and relaxed.

🐍 Cottonmouths in NC: Misidentified, Misunderstood, and Mistreated 🐍Often called water moccasins, Northern Cottonmouths ...
06/21/2025

🐍 Cottonmouths in NC: Misidentified, Misunderstood, and Mistreated 🐍

Often called water moccasins, Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are North Carolina’s only venomous water-dwelling snake. They’re found in the Coastal Plain, mostly in the southeastern part of the state—not in the Piedmont or Mountains, where many harmless snakes are wrongly identified as cottonmouths. Most “moccasin” sightings in other parts of the state turn out to be harmless water snakes. Learning the difference helps protect both people and native wildlife.

This individual was photographed near the Neuse River in Carteret County. It flashed its mouth—a classic defensive display—but never acted aggressive. No striking. No chasing. Just a warning to give it space.

Yes, cottonmouths are venomous. But they’re not out to get you. Most bites happen when people try to handle or harm them. Like most snakes, they prefer to avoid conflict and be left alone.

Meet the Eastern Willet (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata)—one of North Carolina’s most vocal shorebirds! These bold, long...
03/29/2025

Meet the Eastern Willet (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata)—one of North Carolina’s most vocal shorebirds! These bold, long-legged birds are a common sight along our coastal marshes, sandy beaches, and tidal flats.

During breeding season, willets fill the air with their distinctive “pill-will-willet” calls as they defend their territory. Unlike many shorebirds, they nest in salt marshes, hiding their eggs among the grass. In flight, their striking black-and-white wing pattern makes them easy to spot!

Keep an eye (and ear) out for these coastal sentinels next time you’re near the water. Have you seen a willet along the NC coast? Share your sightings below! 👇

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