Birds to See in Nebraska in May
155 bird species on our list for Nebraska are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle and Northern Cardinal. New this month: Dickcissel, Gray Catbird, Western Kingbird and Common Yellowthroat and 37 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
Chipping SparrowBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Swainson's ThrushBusiest month of the year · May
American RedstartBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
Tennessee WarblerBusiest month of the year · May
From Nebraska’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 155 birds in May
155 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.61% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 3.00% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.88% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 2.76% in May
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in May- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 2.02% in May
- Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.96% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.87% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.72% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.48% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.40% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in May- Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.24% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.21% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in May
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentCommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusSummer visitorCommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 1.12% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.95% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.80% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.73% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.71% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.71% in May- Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.71% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.65% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in May- American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.58% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.56% in May
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.51% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.48% in May
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.45% in May- Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.41% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.40% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.40% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.39% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusWinter visitorCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.30% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.30% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.28% in May
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorCommon32–36 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.28% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.28% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentCommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.24% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.24% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.24% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.23% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorCommon28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.22% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.21% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.21% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.21% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.20% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.18% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.18% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in May
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.17% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.16% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaPassage migrantCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.14% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.14% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.13% in May
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.13% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.12% in May
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.12% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.12% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.12% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.09% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.09% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in May
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantUncommon36–42 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.09% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.09% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.08% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.08% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.08% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusPassage migrantUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantRare16–17 cmRegularly May · 0.05% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosSummer visitorUncommon21–26 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.05% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorUncommon19–25 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaPassage migrantCommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.04% in May
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorUncommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorRare58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.04% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.04% in May
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesResidentUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.04% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresPassage migrantRare21–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.03% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaPassage migrantUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorRare28–38 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraSummer visitorUncommon36–43 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantRare23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosWinter visitorUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantRare16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoPassage migrantUncommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorRare48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.01% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorSummer visitorRare140–160 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.00% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusResidentRare40–46 cmRegularly May · 0.00% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in May
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentRare64–79 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · records held back in May (protected)
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentRare28–32 cmRegularly May–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