Birds to See in Wisconsin in May
167 bird species on our list for Wisconsin are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay and Song Sparrow. New this month: Common Yellowthroat, Gray Catbird, Baltimore Oriole and Ruby-throated Hummingbird and 42 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
Nashville WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Least FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
Chestnut-sided WarblerBusiest month of the year · May–Sep
Black-throated Green WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Northern WaterthrushBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Blue-headed VireoBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
From Wisconsin’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 167 birds in May
167 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.22% in May
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 2.98% in May
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.35% in May
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in May
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaSummer visitorCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.07% in May
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in May
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in May
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.86% in May
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.85% in May
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.77% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in May
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 1.64% in May
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.62% in May
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in May
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.47% in May
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.43% in May
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in May
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.21% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.19% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in May
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorCommon80–122 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 1.13% in May
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 1.07% in May
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in May
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.04% in May
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusSummer visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in May
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.91% in May
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in May
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.80% in May
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.71% in May- Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.70% in May
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.69% in May
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.66% in May
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasSummer visitorCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in May
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.63% in May- Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.60% in May
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.59% in May- Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.58% in May
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in May
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.54% in May- Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.50% in May
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisSummer visitorCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in May
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantCommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.50% in May
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in May
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in May
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaPassage migrantCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.46% in May
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.44% in May
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in May- Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.42% in May
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.38% in May
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in May
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.37% in May
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.35% in May
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in May
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusSummer visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.27% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.26% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaWinter visitorCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.25% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in May
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.22% in May
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in May
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.21% in May- Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in May
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorResidentCommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.20% in May
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.20% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.18% in May
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.17% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.17% in May
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.17% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.16% in May
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in May
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in May
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in May
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.15% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.15% in May
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.14% in May
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.14% in May
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in May
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.13% in May
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in May
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.12% in May
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataPassage migrantUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.12% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.12% in May
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.12% in May
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.10% in May
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.10% in May
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaSummer visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.09% in May
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.09% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in May
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.08% in May
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorUncommon28–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.08% in May
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.08% in May
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in May
Virginia RailRallus limicolaSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in May
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.07% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in May
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.06% in May
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.06% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.05% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in May
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorRare22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.05% in May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in May
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.03% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.03% in May
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantRare15–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.03% in May
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in May
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in May
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusPassage migrantUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in May
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in May
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaSummer visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in May
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentRare16–26 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in May
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorWinter visitorUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in May
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in May
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosSummer visitorRare21–26 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in May
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusPassage migrantRare23–26 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in May
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.00% in May
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorRare53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentRare12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisPassage migrantRare20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in May
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in May
Great TitParus majorWinter visitorRareRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.00% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusPassage migrantRare48–66 cmRegularly May–Jun · 0.00% in May
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusSummer visitorRare25–30 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.00% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantRare20–32 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in May
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusPassage migrantRare28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.00% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserWinter visitorRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in May
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraPassage migrantRare36–43 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in May
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaResidentRare17–20 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in May
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusPassage migrantRare140–165 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in May
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentRare27–30 cmRegularly May–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