Birds in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is home to an abundance of bird species (over 127), both sea and land, common and uncommon. They are deft and magnificent in their songs and performances.

According to Wikipedia, this list of Rhode Island birds is a thorough listing of all confirmed bird species in the United States of America’s state of Rhode Island. Unless otherwise specified, the Rhode Island Avian Records Committee maintains this list (RIARC). As of July 2019, the list contains 431 species, 175 of which have nested. Additionally, 109 are vagrants, six were introduced to North America, and two are extinct. 127 species are on the state’s review list.

Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of area and the 45th most populous in the United States. It is most recognized for its white sand beaches and seaside communities. In 1954, the state of Rhode Island designated the Rhode Island Red chicken (gallus domesticus) as its official bird. The huge, red chicken or rooster is a sociable, laid-back working bird beloved by farmers and revered by state inhabitants.

Rhode Island birds of prey

Incredible birds of prey with long, sharp talons, hooked beaks, and highly developed vision and hearing. They are raptors, the bird world’s best hunters. Eagles, Owls, Hawks, and Falcons are fearsome and magnificent predators of the sky in Rhode Island, where they are largely prey for birds.

Did you know that Rhode Island is home to over 400 different bird species? Hawks are the most renowned of these. Hawks are always entertaining to observe. They combine beauty and strength with their magnificent plumage and impressive hunting abilities. In Rhode Island, hawks are extremely prevalent. Other bird prey such as Owls, Eagles, and Falcons visited Rhode Island as well.

Eagles Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Eagles were a defunct professional ice hockey team from 1972–73 that competed in the Eastern Hockey League. They were based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and played in the Mount St. Charles Arena. The team was affiliated with the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association.

Bald eagle populations have been increasing in number across Rhode Island, as the bird of prey has recovered across the majority of North America.

This suggests that more eagles are spending time in Rhode Island throughout the winter when they migrate to the Ocean State to fish.

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Owls Rhode Island

Numerous owl species call Rhode Island home. Some dwell here year-round; some migrate in and out. The majority of our owls are nocturnal, or active at night. Their large, forward-set eyes enable them to detect even the tiniest movement in extremely dim light but not in complete darkness.

Although owls’ eyes are specialized for dim light vision, they are perfectly capable of seeing well during the day. They cannot rotate their eyes, but their necks are extremely flexible, allowing their heads to spin up to 270 degrees.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Finches of Rhode Island

Finches are stunningly beautiful birds that are a joy to observe on your lawn. Fortunately, nearly all of them visit bird feeders, which increases your chances of attracting a variety of finches to your yard.

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Hummingbirds of Rhode Island

Hummingbirds are one of the most popular birds in Rhode Island and have captured the public’s interest and attention for an extended period of time. Hummingbirds are one of the most popular birds in Rhode Island and have captured the public’s interest and attention for an extended period of time.

In Rhode Island, three species have been identified. However, because of their incredible speed and diminutive size, hummingbirds can be difficult to tell apart.

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Backyard birds of Rhode Island

Rhode Island is home to numerous species of wild birds. While some of these species spend the entire year in Rhode Island, others are migratory and only visit on a seasonal basis. Obviously, this list does not include all of the state’s species, or even close to it, but it does include some of the most renowned and identifiable Rhode Island backyard birds, many of which you can see at your bird feeders

In this section, we’ll look at some of the most common and well-known birds found in Rhode Island, with an emphasis on those found near to home. It will focus on a few of our favorite backyard species found in Rhode Island.

Let us begin!

Best Birdwatching Spots in Rhode Island

Although Rhode Island is the smallest state in the Union, it features 384 miles of tidal beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay—enough coastline to earn the state the nickname the Ocean State. The majority of Little Rhody is flat and dotted with lakes. Its woodlands are classified as belonging to the Northeast coastal ecoregion.

Nothing beats attending a birding festival during the peak of bird migration. The birds are magnificent, and the people are wonderful.

Explore the most popular birding locations in Rhode Island with our hand-curated trail maps and driving directions featuring a variety of bird species.

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Norman Bird Sanctuary
Great Swamp Management Area
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Other Rhode Island birds

If you’re a birder, Rhode Island is a must-see destination. The Ocean State has been a sought-after destination for many birding enthusiasts due to its Coastal Lowlands, 393,000 acres of woodland, and seven state beaches.

Discover the other common birds found in the state of Rhode Island.

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Cardellina Canadensis – Canada Warbler

Setophaga Virens – Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga Discolor – Prairie Warbler

Setophaga Dominica – Yellow-Throated Warblers

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Pinus – Pine Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Fusca – Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga Castanea – Bay-Breasted Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

Setophaga Cerulea – Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga Tigrina – Cape May Warbler

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Setophaga Citrina – Hooded Warbler

Geothlypis Formosa – Kentucky Warblers

Geothlypis Philadelphia – Mourning Warbler

Oporornis Agilis – Connecticut Warbler

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Protonotaria Citrea – Prothonotary Warbler

Vermivora Cyanoptera – Blue-Winged Warblers

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Helmitheros Vermivorum – Worm-Eating Warbler

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Aythya Affinis – Lesser Scaup

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Americana – Redhead

Anas Crecca – Green-Winged Teal

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Rubripes – American Black Duck

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Penelope – Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Columbianus – Tundra Swan

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Semipalmata – Willet

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Scolopax Minor – American Woodcock

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Subruficollis – Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Calidris Fuscicollis – White-Rumped Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Maritima – Purple Sandpiper

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Alba – Sanderling

Arenaria Interpres – Ruddy Turnstone

Limosa Fedoa – Marbled Godwits

Limosa Limosa – Black- Tailed Godwit

Bartramia Longicauda – Upland Sandpipers

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Gelochelidon Nilotica – Gull-Billed Tern

Sternula Antillarum – Least Tern

Larus Hyperboreus – Glaucous Gull

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Glaucoides – Iceland Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Leucophaeus Atricilla – Laughing Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Sayornis Phoebe – Eastern Phoebe

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax Virescens – Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax Flavive – Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher

Contopus Virens – Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Tyrannus Savana – Fork-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Forficatus – Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Verticalis – Western Kingbird

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Myiarchus Crinitus – Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus Cinerascens – Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Egretta Tricolor – Tricolored Heron

Egretta Caerulea – Little Blue Heron

Egretta Thula – Snowy Egrets

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Ixobrychus Exilis – Least Bittern

Botaurus Lentiginosus – American Bittern

Porphyrio Martinicus – Purple Gallinule

Gallinula Galeata – Common Gallinule

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Rallus Elegans – King Rail

Charadrius Melodus – Piping Plover

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis Squatarola – Black-Bellied Plover

Corvus Corax- Common Raven

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Cyanocitta Cristata – Blue Jay

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Progne Subis – Purple Martin

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Hylocichla Mustelina – Wood Thrush

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Sialia Sialis – Eastern Bluebird

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Euphagus Cyanocephalus – Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus Carolinus – Rusty Blackbird

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole

Icterus Spurius – Orchard Oriole

Sturnella Magna – Eastern Meadowlark

Dolichonyx Oryzivorus – Bobolink

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Bonasa Umbellus – Ruffed Grouse

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Erythropthalmus – Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Colinus Virginianus – Northern Bobwhite

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Antrostomus Vociferus – Eastern Whip-Poor-Will

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Chaetura Pelagica – Chimney Swift

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Himantopus Mexicanus – Black-Necked Stilt

Gavia Immer – Common Loon

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Coragyps Atratus – Black Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Lanius Borealis – Northern Shrike

Baeolophus Bicolor – Tufted Titmouse

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Thryothorus Ludovicianus – Carolina Wren

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Melanerpes Carolinus – Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Zonotrichia Albicollis – White-Throated Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Melospiza Melodia – Song Sparrow

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Cistothorus Platensis – Sedge Wren

Troglodytes Hiemalis – Winter Wren

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Toxostoma crissale - Crissal thrasher photo capture in surprise

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Passerina Ciris – Painted Bunting

Passerina Cyanea – Indigo Bunting

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Pheucticus Ludovicianus – Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

Piranga Rubra – Summer Tanager

If you have encountered a bird in Rhode Island that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.