Birds to See in Maine in May
154 bird species on our list for Maine are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Song Sparrow, American Crow, American Robin, Blue Jay and Red-winged Blackbird. New this month: Common Yellowthroat, Gray Catbird, Ovenbird and Black-throated Green Warbler and 55 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Chipping SparrowBusiest month of the year · Apr–Nov
Baltimore OrioleBusiest month of the year · May–Oct
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · May–Oct
Least FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
Scarlet TanagerBusiest month of the year · May–Oct
Northern WaterthrushBusiest month of the year · May–Oct
From Maine’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 154 birds in May
154 birds
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaSummer visitorCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.93% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.87% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.80% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.41% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 2.06% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.01% in May- Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.97% in May
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.94% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.80% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.62% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.61% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.55% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.53% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.47% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.38% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.18% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.94% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.93% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.85% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusSummer visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.83% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.82% in May- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.75% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in May
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.66% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.63% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.61% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.57% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.52% in May
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.52% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.50% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.49% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.46% in May- Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.46% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.42% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaSummer visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.42% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.39% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.35% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.35% in May
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May- Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.32% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.31% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May- Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.29% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.28% in May
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.27% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaSummer visitorCommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.26% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.20% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.19% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.18% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.16% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusSummer visitorCommon24–33 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.16% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaSummer visitorUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.16% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysPassage migrantUncommon15–16 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.16% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.15% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.15% in May
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.12% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaSummer visitorUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorCommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.12% in May
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorCommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.12% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.10% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.09% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.09% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusSummer visitorUncommon50–90 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.09% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.07% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.07% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.07% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.06% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorUncommon33–39 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.06% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.06% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.06% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.05% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in May
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.04% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.04% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.04% in May
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.03% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousSummer visitorUncommon18–21 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentRare46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorUncommon80–122 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.02% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.01% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusSummer visitorUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in May
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.01% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in May
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentRare27–30 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
King EiderSomateria spectabilisWinter visitorRare46–64 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.00% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorPassage migrantRare140–160 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.00% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusPassage migrantRare19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in May
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Little EgretEgretta garzettaScarceRare55–65 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisPassage migrantRare46–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaSummer visitorRare40–51 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
ChukarAlectoris chukarSummer visitorRare32–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantRare16–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaResidentRare58–74 cmRegularly May · 0.00% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRegularly Dec–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