Cardinals in Colorado in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see cardinals in Colorado. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 15 of the 68 sightings logged across the year (22.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for cardinals in Colorado
22.1%
of yearly sightings
15
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
68
verified records a year
April 11.8%, May 22.1%, June 4.4%. Busiest month is February at 26.5%.
68 verified observations of cardinals in Colorado, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When cardinals are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
February
18 records (26.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 4.4% |
| Februarypeak | 18 | 26.5% |
| Marchpeak | 8 | 11.8% |
| April | 8 | 11.8% |
| Maypeak | 15 | 22.1% |
| June | 3 | 4.4% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 3 | 4.4% |
| September | 1 | 1.5% |
| October | 1 | 1.5% |
| November | 3 | 4.4% |
| December | 5 | 7.4% |
Cardinals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | 53 |
| Pyrrhuloxia | 15 |
In Colorado, May carries 22.1% of the year's cardinals sightings, about 13.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (11.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (4.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The cardinals most often recorded in Colorado are Northern Cardinal and Pyrrhuloxia. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which cardinals you are most likely to see
- Northern Cardinal53 records
- Pyrrhuloxia15 records
Plan your cardinal trip in Colorado
Start with live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main cardinal viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best cardinal viewing area in Colorado.
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Broader backupBook a cardinal tour in Colorado
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see cardinals in Colorado in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 15 of the 68 verified cardinals sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 22.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see cardinals in Colorado?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of February, May and March.
What month is best for cardinals in Colorado?+
February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, May and March, based on 68 verified observations.
Which cardinals are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are Northern Cardinal and Pyrrhuloxia, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See cardinals in Colorado in other months
More places to see cardinals
More wildlife in Colorado