Birds to See in Virginia in May
148 bird species on our list for Virginia are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Mourning Dove, American Crow and Tufted Titmouse. New this month: Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Semipalmated Plover and Swainson's Thrush 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 · Apr–Oct
Scarlet TanagerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
OvenbirdBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Baltimore OrioleBusiest month of the year · All year
Northern Yellow WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
From Virginia’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 148 birds in May
148 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.42% in May
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.55% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.35% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.33% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.19% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.16% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.88% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.80% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.71% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.60% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in May- Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.55% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in May- Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.11% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.10% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.96% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in May- Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.92% in May
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in May- OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.91% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.73% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.62% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.57% in May- Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.48% in May- Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.46% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.45% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.33% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.29% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.29% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.28% in May
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in May
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.26% in May
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.20% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.13% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.13% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.11% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.11% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.10% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.09% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.07% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.07% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.06% in May
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.04% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.03% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in May
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorRare17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.02% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisSummer visitorRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorRare33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.01% in May
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.01% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in May
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantRare40–51 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.01% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerPassage migrantRare22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantRare18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in May
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorRare16–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in May
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.00% in May
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorRare80–122 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.00% in May
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaScarceRare33–39 cmRegularly May · 0.00% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in May
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantRare20–32 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusPassage migrantRare28–38 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.00% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRegularly Sep–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