Birds to See in Rhode Island in May
124 bird species on our list for Rhode Island are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow and Northern Yellow Warbler. New this month: Common Yellowthroat, Semipalmated Plover, Common Tern and Least Sandpiper and 29 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Northern Yellow WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Chipping SparrowBusiest month of the year · Apr–Nov
Baltimore OrioleBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
OvenbirdBusiest month of the year · Apr–Aug
Rose-breasted GrosbeakBusiest month of the year · Apr–Sep
Northern WaterthrushBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
From Rhode Island’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 124 birds in May
124 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.33% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 2.96% in May
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.74% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.71% in May- Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 2.63% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.54% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.15% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in May- Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.81% in May
- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.79% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.55% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.44% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.40% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in May- OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 1.22% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.09% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.06% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.77% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.74% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.69% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in May- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.62% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.59% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.57% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorCommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.37% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.36% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.36% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May- Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.25% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.25% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.24% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaSummer visitorCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.23% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.21% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.20% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.19% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.19% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.18% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.17% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.17% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.16% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorCommon17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.16% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.15% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.15% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.14% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.14% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.14% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorCommon27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.14% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.13% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.12% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.12% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.09% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.08% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorUncommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.08% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.07% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.07% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in May
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaSummer visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorCommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in May
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in May
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.05% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusWinter visitorUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.04% in May
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.04% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.03% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaResidentUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentRare45–50 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorRare16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.01% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserSummer visitorRare75–90 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.00% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.00% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentRare80–122 cmRegularly Apr–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