Birds to See in New Brunswick in May
145 bird species on our list for New Brunswick are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are American Crow, Song Sparrow, American Robin, Common Grackle and Canada Goose. New this month: American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Cedar Waxwing and Northern Yellow Warbler and 47 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Yellow-rumped WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Chipping SparrowBusiest month of the year · Apr–Jan
Swamp SparrowBusiest month of the year · All year
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
Black-throated Blue WarblerBusiest month of the year · May–Oct
From New Brunswick’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 145 birds in May
145 birds
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.61% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaSummer visitorCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 3.58% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.34% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 2.55% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisSummer visitorCommon76–110 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 2.17% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 2.11% in May- Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.09% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.06% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.75% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.61% in May- Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 1.45% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.43% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.42% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusSummer visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.26% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.18% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.00% in May- Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.91% in May
American Black DuckAnas rubripesResidentCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.87% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusWinter visitorCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.80% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.80% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.75% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaSummer visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.72% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.68% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in May
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisWinter visitorCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.62% in May- Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.57% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.53% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.52% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaSummer visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in May
GadwallMareca streperaSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.49% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.49% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.48% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.45% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.44% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in May
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.39% in May- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.37% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.37% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.36% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.36% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.36% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May- Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.33% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.32% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.28% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusSummer visitorCommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.28% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysPassage migrantUncommon15–16 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.28% in May
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorCommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.25% in May
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaSummer visitorUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.21% in May
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.21% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.20% in May
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaSummer visitorUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.18% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusSummer visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.17% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.16% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisSummer visitorUncommon16–21 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.14% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.12% in May
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorCommon52–60 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.11% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorUncommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.09% in May
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.09% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorCommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.07% in May
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorCommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.07% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.07% in May
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.06% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorCommon28–38 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.06% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiResidentUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.06% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.05% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.05% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorRare16–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in May
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisSummer visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.04% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentUncommon21–26 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.04% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in May
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopePassage migrantUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.04% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorUncommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusPassage migrantUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.03% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.02% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Dec–May · 0.02% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorUncommon80–122 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousSummer visitorUncommon18–21 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusPassage migrantUncommon17–21 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.01% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensPassage migrantUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorUncommon62–68 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in May
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaPassage migrantRare40–47 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.00% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantRare16–17 cmRegularly 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