Cardinals in Minnesota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see cardinals in Minnesota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 816 of the 5,113 sightings logged across the year (16%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for cardinals in Minnesota
16%
of yearly sightings
816
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
5,113
verified records a year
April 20.6%, May 16%, June 6.6%. Busiest month is April at 20.6%.
5,113 verified observations of cardinals in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When cardinals are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
April
1,052 records (20.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 349 | 6.8% |
| February | 332 | 6.5% |
| Marchpeak | 538 | 10.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,052 | 20.6% |
| Maypeak | 816 | 16% |
| June | 336 | 6.6% |
| July | 335 | 6.6% |
| August | 230 | 4.5% |
| September | 207 | 4% |
| October | 243 | 4.8% |
| November | 276 | 5.4% |
| December | 399 | 7.8% |
Cardinals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | 5,112 |
In Minnesota, May carries 16% of the year's cardinals sightings, about 7.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (20.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.6%) 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 Minnesota are Northern Cardinal. 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 Cardinal5,112 records
Plan your cardinal trip in Minnesota
Start with live tours near Grand Portage National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Grand Portage National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main cardinal viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Grand Portage National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best cardinal viewing area in Minnesota.
Viator
Broader backupBook a cardinal tour in Minnesota
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 Minnesota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 816 of the 5,113 verified cardinals sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 16% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see cardinals in Minnesota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for cardinals in Minnesota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 5,113 verified observations.
Which cardinals are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+
The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Northern Cardinal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See cardinals in Minnesota in other months
More places to see cardinals
More wildlife in Minnesota