Birds to See in China in May
198 bird species on our list for China are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Little Egret, Pied Wagtail and Black-crowned Night-heron. New this month: Cuckoo, Hobby, Great Tit and Nightingale and 39 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Sharp-tailed SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Curlew SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Mar–Oct
Red KnotBusiest month of the year · Jan
Eurasian OystercatcherBusiest month of the year · All year
Golden PheasantBusiest month of the year · All year
Little StintBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
From China’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 198 birds in May
198 birds
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.25% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in May
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in May
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentCommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in May
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in May
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in May
Crested MynaAcridotheres cristatellusResidentCommon24–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in May
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatusWinter visitorCommon10–11 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.84% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in May
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.75% in May
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
HoopoeUpupa epopsResidentCommon25–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.49% in May
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.48% in May
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in May
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosResidentCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May
GreenshankTringa nebulariaResidentCommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in May
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Plumbeous Water-redstartPhoenicurus fuliginosusResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentUncommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.24% in May
RedshankTringa totanusSummer visitorUncommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May- Sharp-tailed SandpiperCalidris acuminataSummer visitorUncommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May
White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May- Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.21% in May
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentUncommon41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Black-tailed GullLarus crassirostrisSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaResidentCommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Oriental Honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchusSummer visitorUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentUncommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May- Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.18% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.17% in May
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorCommon28–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.16% in May
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentUncommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusResidentUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorUncommon25–27 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.14% in May
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxSummer visitorUncommon39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusWinter visitorCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentUncommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.12% in May
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentUncommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Blue Rock-thrushMonticola solitariusResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaWinter visitorUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Oriental Scops-owlOtus suniaSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Purple HeronArdea purpureaSummer visitorUncommon78–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May- Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusSummer visitorUncommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.10% in May
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaResidentUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.09% in May
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in May
Lady Amherst's PheasantChrysolophus amherstiaeSummer visitorUncommon100–120 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.07% in May
GarganeySpatula querquedulaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.07% in May- Golden PheasantChrysolophus pictusSummer visitorUncommon90–105 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.06% in May
Black EagleIctinaetus malaiensisResidentUncommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaResidentUncommon53–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorUncommon81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Crag MartinPtyonoprogne rupestrisSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.06% in May
White-tailed RobinMyiomela leucuraResidentUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Temminck's StintCalidris temminckiiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in May
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisResidentUncommon69–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in May
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
GoldcrestRegulus regulusWinter visitorUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May- Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusWinter visitorUncommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Dusky ThrushTurdus eunomusWinter visitorUncommon23–25 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
WryneckJynx torquillaWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxSummer visitorUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusWinter visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in May
Alpine ChoughPyrrhocorax graculusSummer visitorUncommon36–39 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.03% in May
DipperCinclus cinclusSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.03% in May
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusResidentUncommon68–78 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentUncommon110–142 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Great TitParus majorSummer visitorUncommonRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.03% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.03% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusWinter visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.03% in May
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
BlackbirdTurdus merulaSummer visitorUncommon24–25 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.02% in May
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in May
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentUncommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorUncommon41–52 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisWinter visitorUncommon46–61 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.02% in May
Orange-headed ThrushGeokichla citrinaResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Japanese WaxwingBombycilla japonicaWinter visitorUncommon18–21 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.02% in May
MagpiePica picaSummer visitorUncommon44–46 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.02% in May
Booted EagleHieraaetus pennatusSummer visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in May
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusSummer visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.01% in May
GreenfinchChloris chlorisSummer visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in May
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Cinereous VultureAegypius monachusResidentUncommon98–120 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in May
European Bee-eaterMerops apiasterSummer visitorUncommon27–29 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in May
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Stock DoveColumba oenasSummer visitorRare32–34 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.01% in May
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
White-crested LaughingthrushGarrulax leucolophusWinter visitorUncommon27–31 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Rufous-tailed Rock-thrushMonticola saxatilisSummer visitorRare16–19 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Reeves's PheasantSyrmaticus reevesiiSummer visitorRare100–210 cmRegularly Dec–Jul · 0.01% in May
Little BitternIxobrychus minutusSummer visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Chestnut MuniaLonchura atricapillaPassage migrantRare10–11 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
JackdawColoeus monedulaSummer visitorRare34–39 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorRare10–12 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in May
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Desert FinchRhodospiza obsoletaSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly Jan–Aug · 0.01% in May
Eurasian Scops-owlOtus scopsSummer visitorRare19–21 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Long-eared OwlAsio otusWinter visitorUncommon35–40 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in May
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusWinter visitorUncommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorRare24–28 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Savi's WarblerLocustella luscinioidesSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusResidentRare31–38 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in May
Golden OrioleOriolus oriolusSummer visitorRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in May
Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactylaSummer visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Bonelli's EagleAquila fasciataResidentRare65–72 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorResidentRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantRare19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in May
Sulphur-bellied WarblerPhylloscopus griseolusSummer visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
Blue-eared BarbetPsilopogon cyanotisResidentRare20–23 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.00% in May
FieldfareTurdus pilarisSummer visitorRare22–27 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in May
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorRare48–56 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusSummer visitorRare40–42 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentRare48–66 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.00% in May
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaSummer visitorRare16–17 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in May
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorSummer visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly Dec–Jul · 0.00% in May
Eurasian Stone-curlewBurhinus oedicnemusSummer visitorRare40–44 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
Black GrouseLyrurus tetrixPassage migrantRare40–55 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.00% in May
BuzzardButeo buteoSummer visitorRare51–57 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.00% in May
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturSummer visitorRare26–28 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
Black LarkMelanocorypha yeltoniensisSummer visitorRare17–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantRare25–30 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.00% in May
Montagu's HarrierCircus pygargusPassage migrantRare43–47 cmRegularly May–Jun · 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