Capital Area Greenway Birding

Birding along the Capital Area Greenway in Raleigh is a delightful experience for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike. This vibrant city is blessed with a diverse range of habitats, from lush parks and greenways to pristine lakes and wetlands, making it a haven for avian diversity. Spring and fall migrations offer a spectacular opportunity to observe a wide array of species passing through the region. Raleigh's accessibility to various birding hotspots and its warm community of birdwatchers make it a prime destination for feathered exploration in North Carolina.

Waterfowl:

Ducks and geese are common on lakes and wetlands throughout Raleigh.  Please do not feed the birds or any wildlife as human food is unhealthy for wild animals and can cause aggressive behavior.  Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) are very common along the greenway.

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are also very common throughout the city.

A much less common species of duck in the area is the horned grebe (Podiceps auritus).

Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) are small ducks that can be found on lakes in the city.

Ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) are a species of diving duck seen in Raleigh. 

Herons:

Herons are common wading birds found along the greenway trails.  The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a common species of heron.  This one was hunting fish in Mine Creek.

Green herons (Butorides virescens) are another species of herons around Raleigh.  Despite their common name, they are not green in color, more of a greyish blue.

The great egret (Ardea alba) is a white heron with a yellow beak and black legs and feet.

Cormorants:

Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) are common around bodies of water.  They do not have waterproof feathers, so have to dry their wings in the sun.

Plovers:

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) are a large species of plover.  The names comes from their call that sounds like "kill-deer".

Birds of Prey:

Occasionally, birds of prey can be found along the greenway, such as the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus).

Barred owls (Strix varia) live in the forests around the greenways.  This young owl was just learning to fly along Mine Creek Trail.

In spring 2018, a pair of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) built a nest in the trees near Shelley Lake.  The nest was visible from Shelley Lake Loop and Mine Creek Trail.

Songbirds:

Song birds are common in the along the greenway.  The best time to spot them is in the winter when the leaves are down and views are less obstructed.  This male Northern Cardinal's (Cardinalis cardinalis) red color really pops against the winter background.

Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are one of the most common birds in North America.  The orange and yellow band on the shoulders of the males are very conspicuous.

Woodpeckers:

Woodpeckers can occasionally be seen around Raleigh.  Downy woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) are the smallest species of woodpecker in North America.

External Links:

Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources website: https://raleighnc.gov/find-a-trail