Birds to See in Italy in May
216 bird species on our list for Italy are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Blackbird, Hooded Crow, Common Swift, Woodpigeon and Barn Swallow. New this month: Marsh Warbler, Common Redpoll, Rock Ptarmigan and Corncrake and 1 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
From Italy’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 216 birds in May
216 birds
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.82% in May
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 3.17% in May
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 2.94% in May
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.76% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.55% in May
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.42% in May
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentCommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 2.36% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in May
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.13% in May
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.11% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 2.06% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.86% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.83% in May
SerinSerinus serinusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.78% in May
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.52% in May
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in May
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.33% in May
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.32% in May
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in May
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in May
European Bee-eaterMerops apiasterSummer visitorCommon27–29 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.16% in May
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in May
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in May
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 1.09% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in May
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in May
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in May
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in May
European RobinErithacus rubeculaWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in May
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in May
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in May
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.90% in May
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in May
Sardinian WarblerCurruca melanocephalaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturSummer visitorCommon26–28 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.82% in May
Golden OrioleOriolus oriolusSummer visitorCommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.78% in May
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in May
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in May
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.71% in May
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in May
HoopoeUpupa epopsSummer visitorCommon25–32 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.70% in May
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in May
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in May
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in May
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in May
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentCommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in May
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in May
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentCommon38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in May
Short-toed TreecreeperCerthia brachydactylaResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.46% in May
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in May
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in May
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.45% in May
Cirl BuntingEmberiza cirlusResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in May
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioSummer visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.43% in May
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.42% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in May
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
European Honey-buzzardPernis apivorusSummer visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.37% in May
Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseusResidentCommon120–145 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
Alpine SwiftTachymarptis melbaSummer visitorCommon20–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.37% in May
Squacco HeronArdeola ralloidesSummer visitorUncommon40–49 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.36% in May
Purple HeronArdea purpureaSummer visitorUncommon78–90 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.33% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentUncommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.32% in May
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in May
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.30% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosResidentCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in May
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
Crag MartinPtyonoprogne rupestrisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in May
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaWinter visitorCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Eurasian Scops-owlOtus scopsSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.23% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentUncommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentUncommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaSummer visitorCommon19–21 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.21% in May
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.21% in May
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Pallid SwiftApus pallidusSummer visitorUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.21% in May
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentUncommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.19% in May
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.19% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.19% in May
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.18% in May
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in May
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.17% in May
Little StintCalidris minutaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Subalpine WarblerCurruca cantillansSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.16% in May
GreenshankTringa nebulariaResidentCommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Common QuailCoturnix coturnixSummer visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.15% in May
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
PochardAythya ferinaResidentUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaResidentUncommon53–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.14% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisResidentUncommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Blue Rock-thrushMonticola solitariusSummer visitorUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Woodchat ShrikeLanius senatorSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in May
Little BitternIxobrychus minutusSummer visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in May
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentUncommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
RedshankTringa totanusResidentUncommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.11% in May
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in May
WryneckJynx torquillaSummer visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.11% in May
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentUncommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Marsh WarblerAcrocephalus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in May
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
GarganeySpatula querquedulaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.09% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in May
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusPassage migrantUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.08% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.08% in May
Eurasian Stone-curlewBurhinus oedicnemusSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Audouin's GullIchthyaetus audouiniiResidentUncommon48–52 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusPassage migrantUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.06% in May
Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Alpine ChoughPyrrhocorax graculusSummer visitorUncommon36–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactylaPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.06% in May
GoldcrestRegulus regulusWinter visitorCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Temminck's StintCalidris temminckiiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in May
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorCommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in May
CurlewNumenius arquataWinter visitorUncommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
FieldfareTurdus pilarisResidentUncommon22–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisResidentRare69–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in May
Willow TitPoecile montanusSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusResidentRare25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Griffon VultureGyps fulvusSummer visitorUncommon93–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Eleonora's FalconFalco eleonoraeSummer visitorUncommon36–42 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusSummer visitorUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxSummer visitorUncommon39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Long-eared OwlAsio otusResidentUncommon35–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusWinter visitorUncommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorUncommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Rufous-tailed Rock-thrushMonticola saxatilisSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in May
Dartford WarblerCurruca undataSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusResidentRare41–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisWinter visitorUncommon46–61 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in May
Booted EagleHieraaetus pennatusWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in May
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in May
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentRare28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Barn OwlTyto albaWinter visitorUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesResidentRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaResidentUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentRare76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaSummer visitorUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaPassage migrantRare12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Moustached WarblerAcrocephalus melanopogonWinter visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.01% in May
Purple SwamphenPorphyrio porphyrioResidentRare45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Savi's WarblerLocustella luscinioidesPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.01% in May
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Citril FinchCarduelis citrinellaSummer visitorRare12–13 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.01% in May
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.01% in May
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentRare110–142 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.01% in May
European Storm-petrelHydrobates pelagicusPassage migrantRare14–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusWinter visitorRare68–78 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.00% in May
Rock PtarmiganLagopus mutaSummer visitorRare34–36 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Boreal OwlAegolius funereusPassage migrantRare21–28 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.00% in May
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
CorncrakeCrex crexSummer visitorRare22–30 cmRegularly May–Jul · 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