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Rhode Island State Bird Watching and Feeding Information

American Robin

Rhode Island State Bird

Rhode Island is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species. Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.

The Nifty Fifty Birds of Rhode Island

The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Rhode Island. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Rhode Island.

Bird feeding

Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Rhode Island is available by following the link on the left.

According to registered bird sightings in Rhode Island on eBird, the following 35 species are the most commonly observed birds in Rhode Island. Keep in mind that the birds at the bottom of the list in this article are common birds too

  1. Song Sparrow
  2. American Robin
  3. Northern Cardinal
  4. Black-capped Chickadee
  5. Herring Gull
  6. Blue Jay
  7. American Crow
  8. Carolina Wren
  9. Mourning Dove
  10. Tufted Titmouse
  11. American Goldfinch
  12. Gray Catbird
  13. Canada Goose
  14. Double-crested Cormorant
  15. Downy Woodpecker
  16. Red-winged Blackbird
  17. Great Black-backed Gull
  18. Mallard
  19. House Sparrow
  20. White-breasted Nuthatch
  21. Ring-billed Gull
  22. House Finch
  23. Common Grackle
  24. European Starling
  25. Osprey
  26. White-throated Sparrow
  27. Red-bellied Woodpecker
  28. Great Blue Heron
  29. Northern Flicker
  30. Northern Mockingbird
  31. Eastern Towhee
  32. Great Egret
  33. Dark-eyed Junco
  34. Yellow Warbler
  35. Mute Swan

Bluebirds of Rhode Island

The Eastern Bluebird is the only one of the 3 bluebird species regularly found in Rhode Island.

The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.

eastern bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds

Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird’s special favorite is mealworms.

Nesting
The Eastern Bluebird begins nesting in Rhode Island in early spring. One, two and sometimes three broods may be produced.

Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.

Hummingbirds of Rhode Island

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Rhode Island. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. In a remarkable journey for such a tiny bird, it migrates across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.

ruby-throated hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.

Purple Martins of Rhode Island

Purple Martins arrive in Rhode Island each spring. They are found througout the state, returning south mid to late summer.  Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.

purple martin

Purple Martin – male

Rhode Island Resource Information

Rhode Island Audubon Society
Building 30, Fort Missoula Road
Missoula, MT 59804
800-542-2748
Fax 406-543-3672

About the Author

Sam Crowe

Sam is the founder of Birdzilla.com. He has been birding for over 30 years and has a world list of over 2000 species. He has served as treasurer of the Texas Ornithological Society, Sanctuary Chair of Dallas Audubon, Editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" web site and as a contributing editor for Birding Business magazine. Many of his photographs and videos can be found on the site.

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