Birds to See in Florida in May
145 bird species on our list for Florida are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird and Blue Jay. New this month: Sooty Shearwater and Horned Lark.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayAt their peak
From Florida’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 145 birds in May
145 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 4.06% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 3.39% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 3.25% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 3.03% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.62% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 2.53% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.95% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 1.94% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRecorded all year · 1.90% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.51% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.69% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentCommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jan–Sep · 0.58% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentCommon48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.50% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisResidentCommon7–9 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.34% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.33% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusResidentUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentUncommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.26% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.25% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.23% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentUncommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.19% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentUncommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.13% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.13% in May
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusResidentUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesResidentUncommon23–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriWinter visitorCommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.11% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in May
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in May
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentUncommon86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.08% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.08% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.06% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in May
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentUncommon42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaResidentUncommon19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.05% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaPassage migrantUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRegularly Jan–Sep · 0.04% in May
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.04% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in May
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorResidentUncommon45–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentRare13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.03% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.03% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentRare11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.02% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaResidentUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusWinter visitorUncommon34–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in May
DickcisselSpiza americanaWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensWinter visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentRare18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantRare33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.01% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusSummer visitorRare18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousPassage migrantRare18–21 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.01% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisWinter visitorRare20–24 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusResidentRare46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesResidentRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in May
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorRare39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.00% in May
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.00% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in May
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentRare110–142 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaWinter visitorRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in May
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantRare40–51 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusWinter visitorRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in May
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatusSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in May
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaWinter visitorRare58–70 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.00% in May
CockatielNymphicus hollandicusResidentRare30–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorRare16–20 cmRegularly Dec–May · 0.00% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusWinter visitorRare50–90 cmRegularly Oct–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