Birds to See in Arkansas in May
138 bird species on our list for Arkansas are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse and Mourning Dove. New this month: Black Tern, Short-billed Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper and Red-necked Phalarope and 9 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Great Crested FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Common YellowthroatBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
DickcisselBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Baltimore OrioleBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Prothonotary WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Northern Yellow WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Jun
From Arkansas’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 138 birds in May
138 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.69% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.64% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.61% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 1.86% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.79% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in May- Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.52% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.35% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.30% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.28% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorCommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.06% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in May- Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.92% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in May- DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.82% in May
- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.74% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.68% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.61% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.56% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumWinter visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.53% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.50% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.49% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May- Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.48% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in May- Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaPassage migrantUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.39% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.36% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.36% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.27% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.26% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.20% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.19% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.18% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.18% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.18% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.16% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.15% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.13% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.13% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.12% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.12% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in May
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.10% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.10% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.10% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorUncommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.09% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.08% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.08% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.07% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriWinter visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaPassage migrantUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantRare16–19 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.03% in May
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusResidentUncommon52–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiPassage migrantRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.03% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorRare34–58 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in May
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorUncommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.02% in May
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantUncommon28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanPassage migrantUncommon32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.02% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataPassage migrantUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.02% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaSummer visitorUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusPassage migrantRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentRare21–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoPassage migrantRare31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentRare18–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentRare48–66 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusResidentRare40–46 cmRegularly May · 0.00% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly May · 0.00% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in May
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesSummer visitorRare81–94 cmRegularly Oct–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