Birds to See in Missouri in May
151 bird species on our list for Missouri are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay and Red-bellied Woodpecker. New this month: Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler and Alder Flycatcher and 11 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Great Crested FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Baltimore OrioleBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Northern Yellow WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
OvenbirdBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Scarlet TanagerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
From Missouri’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 151 birds in May
151 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.32% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.42% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.32% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.09% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in May- Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.48% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.25% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.23% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.19% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in May- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.07% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.06% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.94% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.90% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.82% in May- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.78% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.76% in May- Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.72% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in May
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.66% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.57% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.48% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.47% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.42% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.42% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.40% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.39% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.35% in May- OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.35% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.35% in May
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.31% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May- Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.27% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.24% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.21% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.21% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.18% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.17% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.15% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.15% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.14% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.12% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.12% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in May
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.10% in May
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.10% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.08% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorUncommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.08% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.07% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.07% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.05% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorCommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.04% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.04% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in May
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.03% in May
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanPassage migrantUncommon32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentRare80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataPassage migrantRare33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.02% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorWinter visitorUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusPassage migrantRare58–85 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantRare21–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorUncommon57–64 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaPassage migrantRare20–27 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusSummer visitorRare50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentRare27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusPassage migrantRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.01% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaWinter visitorUncommon16–26 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusResidentRare40–46 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorRare81–94 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoPassage migrantRare31–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in May
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraPassage migrantRare36–43 cmRegularly Mar–May · 0.00% in May
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusResidentRare52–54 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.00% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.00% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusPassage migrantRare17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 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