Birds to See in Connecticut in May
130 bird species on our list for Connecticut are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Red-winged Blackbird and Song Sparrow. New this month: Baltimore Oriole, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Common Yellowthroat and American Redstart and 32 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Northern Yellow WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Black-throated Green WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Chestnut-sided WarblerBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
Black-throated Blue WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Northern WaterthrushBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
From Connecticut’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 130 birds in May
130 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.25% in May
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.77% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 2.76% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.54% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.46% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.43% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.17% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.17% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.12% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.03% in May- Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.94% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.82% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.64% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.53% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.51% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.22% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.19% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.06% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.06% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in May- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.98% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.97% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.79% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.73% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.71% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.68% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.55% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in May- Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.46% in May
- Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.40% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May- Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.38% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.36% in May
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusResidentCommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May- Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.32% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.32% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.30% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.28% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.27% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaSummer visitorCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.25% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.24% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.23% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.18% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.18% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.18% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaPassage migrantCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.17% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.16% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.16% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.15% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.14% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.14% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusResidentUncommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.11% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.10% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.10% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.09% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.08% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.07% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.07% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.06% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.05% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentRare16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantRare16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorUncommon58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusWinter visitorRare50–90 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.01% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisPassage migrantRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusWinter visitorRare19–23 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorRare80–122 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.00% in May
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Feb–Aug · records held back in May (protected)
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