Birds to See in Belgium in May
209 bird species on our list for Belgium are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw. New this month: Marsh Warbler, European Honey-buzzard, Red-backed Shrike and Purple Sandpiper and 10 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
From Belgium’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 209 birds in May
209 birds
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.21% in May
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.99% in May
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.76% in May
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.56% in May
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.41% in May
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 2.35% in May
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.32% in May
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in May
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in May
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in May
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in May
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.80% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.61% in May
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in May
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.54% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.51% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.49% in May
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 1.43% in May
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 1.42% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in May
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.30% in May
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.28% in May
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in May
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in May
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in May
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in May
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in May
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in May
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in May
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in May
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in May
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in May
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentCommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in May
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in May
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in May
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosPassage migrantCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.82% in May
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in May
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.81% in May
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in May
Short-toed TreecreeperCerthia brachydactylaResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in May
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in May
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in May
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in May
GreenshankTringa nebulariaSummer visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.71% in May
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in May
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in May
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in May
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.65% in May
Marsh WarblerAcrocephalus palustrisSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.65% in May
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in May
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.62% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in May
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.58% in May
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.57% in May
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.55% in May
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in May
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in May
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.50% in May
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.49% in May
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in May
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorCommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
PochardAythya ferinaResidentCommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.39% in May
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.36% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in May
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.35% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentCommon38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaSummer visitorUncommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorCommon40–44 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.31% in May
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.31% in May
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.30% in May
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in May
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusSummer visitorUncommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
WheatearOenanthe oenanthePassage migrantCommon15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in May
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisWinter visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in May
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
GoldcrestRegulus regulusWinter visitorCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in May
GarganeySpatula querquedulaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.22% in May
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisResidentCommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxResidentUncommon20–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in May
Red KiteMilvus milvusSummer visitorUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in May
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaWinter visitorCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Golden OrioleOriolus oriolusSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.16% in May
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
European Honey-buzzardPernis apivorusSummer visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentUncommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Savi's WarblerLocustella luscinioidesSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.14% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioSummer visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.13% in May
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesResidentUncommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.10% in May
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.10% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in May
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.09% in May
WoodlarkLullula arboreaSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.09% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.09% in May
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusSummer visitorUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Temminck's StintCalidris temminckiiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in May
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.08% in May
Little StintCalidris minutaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.08% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.07% in May
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Purple HeronArdea purpureaPassage migrantUncommon78–90 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.07% in May
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in May
Common QuailCoturnix coturnixSummer visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.06% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisWinter visitorUncommon69–81 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.06% in May
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusSummer visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.06% in May
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusSummer visitorUncommon25–30 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.05% in May
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Dec–Jul · 0.05% in May
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusWinter visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in May
Long-eared OwlAsio otusResidentUncommon35–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusPassage migrantUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.05% in May
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisResidentUncommon46–61 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorUncommon41–52 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.04% in May
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusWinter visitorUncommon68–78 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in May
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.03% in May
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorUncommon24–28 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.03% in May
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Little BitternIxobrychus minutusSummer visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusPassage migrantUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
WryneckJynx torquillaPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Montagu's HarrierCircus pygargusSummer visitorRare43–47 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.03% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.02% in May
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaWinter visitorRare66–94 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.02% in May
Spotted CrakePorzana porzanaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaWinter visitorRare53–57 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in May
European Bee-eaterMerops apiasterPassage migrantRare27–29 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.02% in May
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentRare13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
CorncrakeCrex crexPassage migrantRare22–30 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.02% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusPassage migrantRare48–66 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.02% in May
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentRare29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaPassage migrantRare58–70 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.02% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.01% in May
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorWinter visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in May
Black SwanCygnus atratusWinter visitorRare110–142 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in May
Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
SerinSerinus serinusResidentRare11–12 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in May
White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusPassage migrantRare20–27 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
DotterelEudromias morinellusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorRare50–71 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataSummer visitorRare66–84 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.01% in May
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantRare33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Eurasian Stone-curlewBurhinus oedicnemusPassage migrantRare40–44 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in May
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in May
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in May
Woodchat ShrikeLanius senatorPassage migrantRare17–19 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Black GrouseLyrurus tetrixPassage migrantRare40–55 cmRegularly Mar–May · 0.00% in May
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.00% in May
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaPassage migrantRare33–42 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in May
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