Birds to See in South Carolina in October
140 bird species on our list for South Carolina are recorded regularly in October
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Northern Mockingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker and American Crow. New this month: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and 16 more.
On the move in October
GBIF · OctArriving
At their peak
Northern FlickerBusiest month of the year · All year
Gray CatbirdBusiest month of the year · All year
Palm WarblerBusiest month of the year · Sep–Apr
Black-throated Blue WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
MerlinBusiest month of the year · Sep–Apr
Tennessee WarblerBusiest month of the year · Sep–Oct
From South Carolina’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 140 birds in October
140 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.73% in Oct
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 3.17% in Oct
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.94% in Oct
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.80% in Oct
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.77% in Oct
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Oct
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.24% in Oct
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Oct
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.90% in Oct
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Oct
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Oct
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Oct- Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Oct
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Oct- Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Oct
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 1.07% in Oct
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Oct- Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.98% in Oct
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.95% in Oct
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Oct
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.93% in Oct
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in Oct
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Oct
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Oct
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.75% in Oct
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Oct
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Oct
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Oct
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Oct
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.55% in Oct
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Oct
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Oct
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Oct
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.46% in Oct
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Oct
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaWinter visitorCommon12–17 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.44% in Oct
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Oct
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Oct
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.40% in Oct
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentCommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Oct
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Oct
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Oct- Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.33% in Oct
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Oct
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.30% in Oct
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.30% in Oct
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Oct
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Oct
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Oct
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Oct
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Oct
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Oct
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.26% in Oct
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in Oct
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Oct
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Oct
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Oct
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Oct
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Oct
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in Oct
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.18% in Oct- MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.18% in Oct
- Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.17% in Oct
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Oct
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesResidentUncommon23–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Oct
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.15% in Oct
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Oct
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.14% in Oct
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.14% in Oct
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.13% in Oct
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in Oct
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.12% in Oct
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Oct
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in Oct
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaPassage migrantUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Oct
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.11% in Oct
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusResidentUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Oct
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Oct
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaWinter visitorUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Oct
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in Oct
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.09% in Oct
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumWinter visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in Oct
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.08% in Oct
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentUncommon48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.07% in Oct
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.07% in Oct
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Oct
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Oct
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.04% in Oct
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentUncommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.03% in Oct
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Oct
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentRare16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Oct
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Oct
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Oct
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Oct
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Oct
Common RavenCorvus coraxSummer visitorRare54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Oct
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Oct
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.01% in Oct
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusWinter visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Oct
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantRare15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Oct
Mute SwanCygnus olorWinter visitorUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Oct
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Oct
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisWinter visitorRare20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusWinter visitorRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made