Birds to See in Estonia in May
195 bird species on our list for Estonia are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Chaffinch, Hooded Crow, Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff and Blackbird. New this month: Common Swift, Whitethroat, Cuckoo and Common Rosefinch and 24 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
From Estonia’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 195 birds in May
195 birds
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.55% in May
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 2.13% in May
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.10% in May
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.06% in May
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.01% in May
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.82% in May
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.65% in May
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusSummer visitorCommon28–31 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 1.61% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisSummer visitorCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in May
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in May
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 1.41% in May
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in May
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusSummer visitorCommon40–42 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.38% in May
Great TitParus majorWinter visitorCommonRecorded all year · 1.37% in May
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in May
Common CraneGrus grusSummer visitorCommon100–130 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.26% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in May
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisPassage migrantCommon58–70 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.12% in May
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in May
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentCommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in May
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly May–Aug · 1.03% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in May
GadwallMareca streperaSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.98% in May
FieldfareTurdus pilarisResidentCommon22–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.94% in May
RedshankTringa totanusSummer visitorCommon27–29 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.94% in May
European RobinErithacus rubeculaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.89% in May
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.88% in May
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.86% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorCommon33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.86% in May
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.84% in May
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusSummer visitorCommon40–45 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.83% in May
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserSummer visitorCommon75–90 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.82% in May
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.82% in May
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.80% in May
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.80% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxSummer visitorCommon20–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.77% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.76% in May
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.76% in May
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.76% in May
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosSummer visitorCommon20–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.76% in May
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.74% in May
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusWinter visitorCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in May
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.73% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in May
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.71% in May
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorCommon48–56 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.69% in May
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsPassage migrantCommon64–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.69% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.67% in May
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in May
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaSummer visitorCommon58–67 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.66% in May
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.66% in May
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.65% in May
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaSummer visitorCommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.64% in May
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.62% in May
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaSummer visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.61% in May
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.60% in May
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.60% in May
GreenshankTringa nebulariaSummer visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.58% in May
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in May
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.56% in May
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in May
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.53% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in May
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in May
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.51% in May
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.51% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in May
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesSummer visitorCommon9–10 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.50% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.48% in May
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorCommon37–60 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.45% in May
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoSummer visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.44% in May
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.43% in May
CootFulica atraSummer visitorCommon36–42 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.42% in May
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorCommon39–56 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.42% in May
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusSummer visitorCommon25–30 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.41% in May
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.41% in May
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaWinter visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.40% in May
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusSummer visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.40% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorCommon140–165 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeSummer visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.38% in May
CurlewNumenius arquataSummer visitorCommon50–60 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.37% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaSummer visitorCommon16–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.37% in May
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusWinter visitorCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusSummer visitorCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusSummer visitorCommon26–29 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.34% in May
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
GoldcrestRegulus regulusWinter visitorCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaSummer visitorCommon50–71 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.33% in May
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.33% in May
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.32% in May
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.31% in May
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.29% in May
WryneckJynx torquillaSummer visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.29% in May
Montagu's HarrierCircus pygargusSummer visitorUncommon43–47 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.28% in May
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.28% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.26% in May
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.26% in May
GarganeySpatula querquedulaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.25% in May
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.25% in May
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisSummer visitorUncommon69–81 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.25% in May
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaSummer visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.25% in May
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaSummer visitorCommon58–77 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.24% in May
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.23% in May
Savi's WarblerLocustella luscinioidesSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.23% in May
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaSummer visitorUncommon42–45 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.23% in May
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaSummer visitorCommon26–29 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.22% in May
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.22% in May
WoodlarkLullula arboreaSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.21% in May
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaWinter visitorCommon51–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaPassage migrantCommon59–76 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.19% in May
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.19% in May
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.19% in May
CorncrakeCrex crexSummer visitorUncommon22–30 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.19% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorCommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.19% in May
RedwingTurdus iliacusSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.19% in May
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusPassage migrantUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.18% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.18% in May
SmewMergellus albellusWinter visitorCommon38–44 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.17% in May
DunnockPrunella modularisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.17% in May
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in May
KestrelFalco tinnunculusSummer visitorCommon32–39 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.17% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.17% in May
PochardAythya ferinaSummer visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.17% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.16% in May
Tundra Bean GooseAnser serrirostrisPassage migrantCommon66–84 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.16% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.16% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.15% in May
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusSummer visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.15% in May
Black GrouseLyrurus tetrixPassage migrantUncommon40–55 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.15% in May
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusWinter visitorCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Golden OrioleOriolus oriolusSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.14% in May
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Stock DoveColumba oenasSummer visitorUncommon32–34 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.13% in May
Willow TitPoecile montanusWinter visitorCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.12% in May
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.12% in May
Temminck's StintCalidris temminckiiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.12% in May
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.10% in May
Marsh WarblerAcrocephalus palustrisSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.10% in May
European Honey-buzzardPernis apivorusSummer visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in May
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisWinter visitorCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in May
BramblingFringilla montifringillaPassage migrantCommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.09% in May
Water RailRallus aquaticusSummer visitorUncommon23–28 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in May
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusWinter visitorCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusPassage migrantUncommon46–59 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in May
SerinSerinus serinusSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in May
Coal TitPeriparus aterWinter visitorCommon10–12 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.06% in May
RazorbillAlca tordaPassage migrantCommon38–43 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.06% in May
Western CapercaillieTetrao urogallusPassage migrantUncommon60–87 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.06% in May
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorUncommon24–28 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaPassage migrantCommon55–66 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in May
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.05% in May
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusPassage migrantCommon41–52 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.05% in May
Black GuillemotCepphus gryllePassage migrantUncommon30–32 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.05% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusPassage migrantUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in May
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusWinter visitorCommon19–23 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in May
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
MoorhenGallinula chloropusPassage migrantUncommon30–38 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisWinter visitorCommon46–61 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Parrot CrossbillLoxia pytyopsittacusPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantUncommon21–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaPassage migrantUncommon9–10 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisSummer visitorUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.03% in May
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoSummer visitorUncommon30–32 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusPassage migrantRare15–16 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.02% in May
Long-eared OwlAsio otusSummer visitorUncommon35–40 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.02% in May
Tawny OwlStrix alucoSummer visitorUncommon37–43 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.02% in May
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosPassage migrantUncommon66–102 cmRegularly Mar–Jun · 0.02% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusSummer visitorRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.02% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisPassage migrantUncommon76–110 cmRegularly Mar–May · 0.02% in May
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
HoopoeUpupa epopsPassage migrantRare25–32 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.01% in May
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusPassage migrantRare34–43 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in May
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisPassage migrantUncommon23–29 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.01% in May
Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollisPassage migrantRare53–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% 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