Birds to See in Alabama in May
134 bird species on our list for Alabama are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Northern Mockingbird, Blue Jay and Tufted Titmouse. New this month: Black Tern, Ruddy Duck, Willow Flycatcher and Mourning Warbler.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Great Crested FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Semipalmated SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
DickcisselBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
BobolinkBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
White-rumped SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Apr–Jun
Lark SparrowBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
From Alabama’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 134 birds in May
134 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 4.10% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 3.02% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 3.00% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.72% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.58% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.39% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.09% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in May- Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.97% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.79% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.30% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.90% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.71% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumWinter visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.42% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.40% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.33% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.33% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.32% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaWinter visitorCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.23% in May- Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in May
- DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.20% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.19% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.16% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.16% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.14% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.13% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.13% in May- BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.12% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.11% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.11% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in May- White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.08% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.07% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.06% in May- Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.05% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.03% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.02% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in May
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentRare23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaWinter visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in May
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.01% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorRare48–66 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorRare87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiPassage migrantRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisPassage migrantRare20–24 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorRare52–64 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorRare64–79 cmRegularly Jul–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