Birds to See in Nova Scotia in May
141 bird species on our list for Nova Scotia are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Song Sparrow, American Robin, American Crow, Common Starling and Common Grackle. New this month: Northern Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart and Alder Flycatcher and 39 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Yellow-rumped WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Dec
Ruby-crowned KingletBusiest month of the year · Apr–Feb
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Chipping SparrowBusiest month of the year · All year
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Northern WaterthrushBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
From Nova Scotia’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 141 birds in May
141 birds
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 4.34% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusSummer visitorCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 4.17% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.99% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.78% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 2.74% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.74% in May- Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 2.45% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.41% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 2.28% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.86% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.61% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.35% in May
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.33% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.32% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.30% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.15% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.13% in May
American Black DuckAnas rubripesResidentCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.08% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.99% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.90% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.86% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.72% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.71% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.66% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.64% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.63% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorCommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.59% in May- Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaSummer visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.56% in May
- Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.56% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.53% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.53% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.51% in May
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May- Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentCommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.38% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.36% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.34% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.30% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May- Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.28% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.28% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentUncommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.24% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.21% in May
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.20% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.20% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaResidentUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.19% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.15% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.14% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.14% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorCommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorCommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.12% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in May
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorCommon52–60 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.10% in May
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.08% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaSummer visitorUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.06% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaPassage migrantUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.06% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.06% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentUncommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorUncommon33–39 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaSummer visitorUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorUncommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantUncommon21–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.03% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.03% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorRare16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentUncommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.02% in May
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusPassage migrantRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorRare17–22 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.02% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in May
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorUncommon17–21 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.02% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentRare13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.01% in May
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% 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
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in May
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorRare80–122 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisPassage migrantUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorRare69–84 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorRare45–50 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentRare10–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaSummer visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusSummer visitorRare41–46 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in May
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisSummer visitorRare53–63 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.00% in May
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRegularly May · 0.00% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorRare58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 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