Birds to See in Kansas in May
153 bird species on our list for Kansas are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Blue Jay and Red-winged Blackbird. New this month: Dickcissel, American Redstart, Black Tern and Blackpoll Warbler and 19 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Baltimore OrioleBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Northern Yellow WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Common YellowthroatBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · Apr–Jun
Wilson's PhalaropeBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
White-rumped SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Apr–Jun
From Kansas’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 153 birds in May
153 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.77% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.70% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.38% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.08% in May- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.97% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.85% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.77% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 1.75% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.59% in May- Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.50% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.47% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.32% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in May
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.03% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.94% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.91% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.86% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.80% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.74% in May- Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.73% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.67% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.64% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.60% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.52% in May- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.47% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.46% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.44% in May
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentCommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.43% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaPassage migrantUncommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.42% in May
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.40% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.40% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.37% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentCommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May- Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.32% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.31% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.31% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorCommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in May
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorCommon32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.26% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.22% in May- White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.21% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May · 0.21% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.20% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.19% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.19% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.18% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.18% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosSummer visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.18% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.17% in May
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.17% in May
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.17% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.16% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.15% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.14% in May
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.13% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.12% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorCommon28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.12% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.12% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.10% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaWinter visitorCommon12–17 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in May
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantUncommon36–42 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.08% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataPassage migrantUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in May
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.06% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.05% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantRare16–17 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.05% in May
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.05% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusPassage migrantCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.04% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorRare16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusSummer visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantRare21–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorUncommon19–25 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.03% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorRare23–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraPassage migrantUncommon36–43 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.02% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusPassage migrantRare40–46 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.02% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusPassage migrantRare17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantRare14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.02% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantRare16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentRare23–26 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxPassage migrantRare54–67 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in May
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusResidentRare52–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoPassage migrantRare31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorWinter visitorRare140–160 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.00% in May
Ladder-backed WoodpeckerDryobates scalarisResidentRare16–19 cmRegularly May–Jan · 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