Birds to See in North Carolina in May
153 bird species on our list for North Carolina are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, American Crow, Mourning Dove and Red-bellied Woodpecker. New this month: Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Black Tern and 18 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Great Crested FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Common YellowthroatBusiest month of the year · Mar–Jan
OvenbirdBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Scarlet TanagerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Black-throated Blue WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Prothonotary WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
From North Carolina’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 · 3.68% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.70% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.55% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.42% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.06% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 2.02% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.01% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in May- Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.51% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.51% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in May- Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 1.18% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 1.11% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.90% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in May- OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.72% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.66% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in May- Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.60% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in May- Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.46% in May
- Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.44% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.43% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.29% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.28% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.15% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.14% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaResidentUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.09% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.09% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.09% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.08% in May
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantUncommon40–51 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.08% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.08% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.07% in May
American Black DuckAnas rubripesResidentUncommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in May
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.06% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.06% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in May
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorRare33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in May
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousPassage migrantRare18–21 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.03% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.03% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentRare16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisSummer visitorRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.03% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantRare33–39 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.02% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusWinter visitorRare41–46 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.02% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.02% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusWinter visitorRare30–38 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.01% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudusPassage migrantRare48–58 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaWinter visitorUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorRare58–68 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.01% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.01% in May
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Dec–May · 0.01% in May
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusPassage migrantRare28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.01% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusWinter visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in May
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentRare63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in May
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusResidentRare17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorRare80–122 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in May
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaSummer visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.00% in May
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in May
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 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