Birds to See in Alberta in May
170 bird species on our list for Alberta are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Mallard, Canada Goose and American Crow. New this month: Cedar Waxwing, Northern Yellow Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow and 63 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
From Alberta’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 170 birds in May
170 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusSummer visitorCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.32% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 3.21% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 3.16% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 3.14% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosSummer visitorCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.48% in May
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorCommon32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.82% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxWinter visitorCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.75% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.45% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.40% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.39% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.36% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaSummer visitorCommon12–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.35% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.32% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisSummer visitorCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.26% in May
GadwallMareca streperaSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 1.21% in May
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaResidentCommon40–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 1.00% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisSummer visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.86% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.83% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.77% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.75% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon45–65 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.73% in May
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaSummer visitorCommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.72% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataWinter visitorCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaSummer visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.69% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorCommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.67% in May
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaSummer visitorCommon16–26 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.67% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaSummer visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.66% in May
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaWinter visitorCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.55% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraSummer visitorCommon23–34 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.49% in May
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.48% in May
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraSummer visitorUncommon36–43 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.47% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.46% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.46% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.45% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusWinter visitorCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.43% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.42% in May
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusSummer visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.41% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaSummer visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.39% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.39% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.37% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.35% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.33% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesSummer visitorCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.32% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentCommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.30% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.30% in May
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.29% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaSummer visitorCommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.29% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.28% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.28% in May
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorUncommon19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.27% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorCommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.25% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.22% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.21% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.21% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaSummer visitorCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.21% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.20% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorCommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.19% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.19% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.18% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.18% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.17% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.15% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorUncommon80–122 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.14% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaSummer visitorCommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.14% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.14% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorUncommon62–81 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.13% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorUncommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.13% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.12% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorCommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.11% in May
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorCommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.11% in May
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensPassage migrantCommon69–84 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.11% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in May
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.10% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusSummer visitorCommon53–65 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.10% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.10% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in May
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.08% in May
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.07% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsPassage migrantCommon64–81 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.07% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusSummer visitorUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataPassage migrantUncommon48–60 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.05% in May
Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalisSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorUncommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusSummer visitorUncommon20–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.04% in May
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorCommon120–150 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.04% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
American Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides dorsalisResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.04% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusSummer visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.03% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.03% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in May
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaSummer visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.03% in May
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisPassage migrantRare26–28 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.03% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantRare16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.02% in May
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusSummer visitorUncommon8–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorRare10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusPassage migrantRare40–46 cmRegularly May · 0.02% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantRare16–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantRare21–24 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusPassage migrantUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentRare43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaSummer visitorUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorUncommon17–21 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in May
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopePassage migrantUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Mar–May · 0.01% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorRare80–104 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiPassage migrantUncommon57–64 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Long-eared OwlAsio otusSummer visitorRare35–40 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.00% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantRare33–39 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.00% in May
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesPassage migrantRare52–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoWinter visitorRare100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorRare17–22 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusPassage migrantRare17–18 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.00% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
ChukarAlectoris chukarSummer visitorRare32–38 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 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