List of birds of Rhode Island facts for kids

Rhode Island is a small state, but it's home to an amazing variety of birds! This list tells you about all the different bird species that have been seen and confirmed in Rhode Island.

Scientists keep track of these birds. As of July 2021, there are 446 different kinds of birds on the list. Out of these, 175 species have built nests and raised their young here. Some birds are just visiting: 123 are considered "vagrants" (meaning they are usually found somewhere else), and six species were "introduced" (brought here by people). Sadly, two species are "extinct" (meaning they no longer exist anywhere).

This list follows the scientific order from the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds. This list is published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). The common names and scientific names (like Dendrocygna autumnalis) also come from this list.

Most birds on this list live in Rhode Island regularly. They might live here all year, visit in summer or winter, or just pass through during migration. Here's what some of the special tags mean:

• (B) Breeding (nesting): These birds have been seen building nests and raising chicks in Rhode Island.
• (I) Introduced: These birds were brought to North America by humans, not by nature.
• (E) Extinct: These birds no longer exist anywhere in the world.
• (V) Vagrant: These birds are usually found far away. They are accidental visitors to Rhode Island, and there aren't many recent sightings.
• (R) Review list: If you see one of these birds, you need to provide more detailed proof than for common birds. They are rare or unusual in Rhode Island.

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

This family includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are experts at living in water. They have webbed feet for swimming and special feathers that shed water. Their bills are often flat. Forty-five different species from this family have been seen in Rhode Island.

New World Quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

New World quails are small, round birds that live on the ground. They are not closely related to Old World quails, but they look and act similar. Only one species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (B)

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants and their relatives. These birds live on the ground and vary in size. Many are hunted for food. Wild turkeys are very large birds with a fleshy flap under their beak called a wattle and a fleshy bump above their beak called a snood. Male turkeys are bigger and more colorful than females. Grouse live in cooler northern areas. Males often perform fancy dances to attract females. These birds have feathered legs and usually stay in Rhode Island all year. Four species have been seen here.

• Wild turkey, Meleagallopavo (B)
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (B)
• Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (extirpated)
  • Heath hen, T. c. cupido (E)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)(B)

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds that live in freshwater. They have special lobed toes that make them excellent swimmers and divers. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, so they are clumsy on land. Five species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (B)
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (R)
• Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (V)(R)

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are plump birds with short necks and thin bills. They have a soft, fleshy area at the base of their bill called a cere. Five species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)(B)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)(V)(R)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (V)(R)
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (B)

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

This family includes cuckoos and roadrunners. These birds have slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Some cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests, a behavior called "brood parasitism." Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (V)(R)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (B)
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (B)

Nightjars and Allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very small bills. Their soft feathers are colored to help them blend in with tree bark or leaves. Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (B)
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (V)(R)
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (B)

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and almost never land on the ground. Instead, they perch on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings that look like a crescent moon. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (B)

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds famous for hovering in mid-air. They flap their wings incredibly fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward! Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (B)
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (V)(R)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (V)(R)

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

This is a large family of small to medium-sized birds. It includes rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Most of these birds live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are often shy and hard to spot. They have strong legs and long toes, which help them walk on soft, uneven ground. They tend to have short, rounded wings and are not strong fliers. Ten species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. When they fly, they keep their necks stretched out, unlike herons, which pull their necks back. Most cranes have fancy and loud courtship dances. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (R)

Stilts and Avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

This family includes avocets and stilts. They are large wading birds. Avocets have long legs and long bills that curve upward. Stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (V)(R)
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

Oystercatchers are large, noticeable, and noisy birds. They have strong bills that they use to smash or pry open shellfish like mussels and clams. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (B)

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks, and long, pointed wings. They live in open areas around the world, especially near water. Ten species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Sandpipers and Allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large and varied family of small to medium-sized shorebirds. It includes sandpipers, curlews, godwits, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small bugs they find in mud or soil. Different bill and leg lengths allow many species to feed in the same places without competing for food. Thirty-nine species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Skuas and Jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

These are medium to large birds, usually gray or brown, with white marks on their wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large, dark gulls but have a fleshy area called a cere above their upper bill. They are strong, agile fliers. Five species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Great skua, Stercorarius skua (V)(R)
• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (R)
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (R)

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Alcids look a bit like penguins because they are black and white and stand upright. However, they are not closely related and can fly! Auks live on the open sea and only come to land to nest. Eight species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Dovekie, Alle alle
• Common murre, Uria aalge
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (R)
• Razorbill, Alca torda
• Great auk, Pinguinus impennis (E)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle
• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (V)(R)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica (V)(R)

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. They are medium to large seabirds, usually gray or white, often with black markings. They have strong, longish bills and webbed feet. Thirty-three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are thin, white birds of tropical oceans. They have very long central tail feathers. Their long wings and heads have black markings. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (V)(R)
• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (V)(R)

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds, about the size of a large duck, but they are not related to ducks. They are mostly gray or black and have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim and fly well, but they are very clumsy on land because their legs are placed far back on their bodies. Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (R)
• Common loon, Gavia immer

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

Albatrosses are among the largest flying birds. Some, like the great albatrosses, have the biggest wingspans of any living bird. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos (V)(R)

Southern Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

Storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds. They are related to petrels. They eat tiny crustaceans and small fish from the ocean surface, often while hovering. Their flight is fluttery, sometimes like a bat.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina (V)(R)

Northern Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

These birds are similar to southern storm-petrels in looks and habits. However, genetic differences show they belong in a separate family.

• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (R)
• Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (V)(R)

Shearwaters and Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

This group includes medium-sized "true petrels." They have nostrils that are joined together and a long outer primary feather used for flight. Seven species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (V)(R)
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri (V)(R)

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy wading birds with long legs, long necks, and strong bills. They have wide wings. Unlike herons, storks do not have "powder down" feathers to clean off fish slime. Storks cannot make sounds because they lack a voice box. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (V)(R)

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds found in tropical oceans. They are black or black and white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. Male frigatebirds have colorful throat pouches that they can inflate. They cannot swim or walk well and cannot take off from flat ground. They have the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, meaning they are excellent at staying in the air for a long time. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (V)(R)

Boobies and Gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

This family includes gannets and boobies. Both are medium-large coastal seabirds that dive headfirst into the water to catch fish. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (V)(R)
• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus

Anhingas

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are water birds that look like cormorants. They have very long necks and long, straight beaks. They eat fish and often swim with only their neck above the water. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (V)(R)

Cormorants and Shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large aquatic birds. They usually have dark feathers and colored skin on their faces. Their bills are long, thin, and sharply hooked. They have four webbed toes. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum (B)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a special pouch under their beak. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (V)(R)
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (V)(R)

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

This family includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns have shorter necks and are more secretive. When flying, these birds pull their necks back, unlike storks or ibises. Thirteen species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, wide wings and long bodies, necks, and legs. Ibises have bills that curve downward, while spoonbills have straight, flat bills that look like spoons. Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus (V)(R)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (B)
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (V)(R)

New World Vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but they look similar because they evolved in similar ways (this is called "convergent evolution"). Like Old World vultures, they eat dead animals (carrion). But unlike Old World vultures, New World vultures have a good sense of smell to find food. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura (B)

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey family has only one type of bird (it is "monotypic"). Ospreys are birds of prey that eat fish. They have a very large, strong, hooked beak for tearing meat, strong legs, powerful claws (talons), and excellent eyesight.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus (B)

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, and kites. These birds of prey have very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat, strong legs, powerful talons, and sharp eyesight. Fourteen species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Barn-Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with big heads and a unique heart-shaped face. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba (B)

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are birds of prey that hunt alone at night. They have large eyes that face forward and big ears. They have a hooked beak like a hawk and a clear circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eleven species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and short tails. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (B)

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks. They have short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues for catching insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks with their beaks. Ten species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Falcons and Caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons and caracaras. They are birds of prey that hunt during the day. Unlike hawks, eagles, and kites, falcons kill their prey with their beaks instead of their talons. Four species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• American kestrel, Falco sparverius (B)
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (V)(R)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (B)

New World and African Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are birds with a special curved beak. They can move their upper beak a little. All parrots have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward on each foot (this is called "zygodyactyl"). Most of the over 150 species in this family live in the New World. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus (I)(B)

Tyrant Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are "passerine" birds, meaning they are perching birds. They live throughout North and South America. They look a bit like Old World flycatchers but are stronger and have bigger bills. They don't have the complex songs of other songbirds. Most of them eat insects. Eighteen species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are usually greenish and look like wood warblers, but they have heavier bills. Eight species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (B)
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (V)(R)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (B)
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (B)
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus (B)
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus (B)
• Black-whiskered vireo, Vireo altiloquus (V)(R)

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for catching small animals and even other birds. They sometimes impale their uneaten prey on thorns or barbed wire. A shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus (V)(R) (no longer found here)
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, and jays. Corvids are larger than average passerine birds. Some of the bigger species are very intelligent. Five species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata (B)
• Eurasian jackdaw, Coloeus monedula (V)(R)
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos (B)
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus (B)
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mostly small, stocky woodland birds with short, strong bills. Some have crests on their heads. They are adaptable birds that eat both seeds and insects. Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla (B)
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica (V)(R)
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor (V)(B)

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small birds that live on the ground. They often have very showy songs and display flights. Most larks are plain-looking. They eat insects and seeds. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris (B)

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

This family of birds is built for catching food while flying. They have slender, streamlined bodies, long, pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking. Seven species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia (B)
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (B)
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis (B)
• Purple martin, Progne subis (B)
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica (B)
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (B)
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (R)

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of birds that look like titmice. They are very small birds that eat insects. Adult kinglets have colorful crowns on their heads, which is how they got their name. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa (B)

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds that are brown on top and white underneath. They have a special ability to climb down trees headfirst, unlike most other birds that only climb up. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis (B)
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis (B)

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings are passerine birds with soft, silky feathers. They have unique red tips on some of their wing feathers that look like sealing wax, giving them their name. These birds live in northern forests. They eat insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus (V)(R)
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (B)

Silky-Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ptiliogonatidae

Silky-flycatchers are a small family of passerine birds mostly found in Central America. They are related to waxwings, and most species have small crests. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens (V)(R)

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed bills that curve downward, which they use to pull insects out of tree bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, that help them support themselves on tree trunks. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana (B)

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look like Old World warblers in how they are built and how they act. They move around restlessly through leaves, looking for insects. Gnatcatchers are mostly soft bluish-gray and have the long, sharp bill typical of insect-eating birds. Many species have distinct black patterns on their heads (especially males) and long, black-and-white tails that they often hold upright. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea (B)

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and often hard to see, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and a thin bill that points downward. Several species often hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects. Seven species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus (V)(R)
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon (B)
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis (B)
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (R)(B)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris (B)
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus (B)
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (V)(R)

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

This family of passerine birds includes thrashers, mockingbirds, and catbirds. These birds are famous for their singing. They can copy many different bird calls and other sounds they hear outside. They usually have dull gray and brown feathers. Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis (B)
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum (B)
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos (B)

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. They fly strongly and directly. Most starlings like to be in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Many species have dark feathers with a shiny, metallic look. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)(B)

Thrushes and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of passerine birds, mostly found in the Old World. They are plump, soft-feathered, small to medium-sized birds. They eat insects or sometimes both insects and fruits, often finding food on the ground. Many thrushes have beautiful songs. Twelve species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Old World Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large family of small passerine birds, mostly found in the Old World. These are mainly small birds that live in trees and eat insects. Many of them catch their prey while flying. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (V)(R)

Old World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. They are generally small, plump, brownish or grayish birds with short tails and strong, short beaks. Sparrows eat seeds, but they also eat small insects. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)(B)

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They are slender birds that eat insects from the ground in open areas. One species has been seen in Rhode Island.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are passerine birds that eat seeds. They are small to medium-sized and have strong, often cone-shaped beaks. All finches have twelve tail feathers and nine primary flight feathers. These birds have a bouncy flight pattern, alternating between flapping and gliding with closed wings. Most finches sing well. Ten species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

This group of passerine birds used to be grouped with New World sparrows. However, they are different in several ways and usually live in open grassy areas. Three species have been seen in Rhode Island.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (V)(R)
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

These birds were once part of the Emberizidae family. Most are called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many of these birds have unique patterns on their heads. Twenty-five species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Yellow-breasted Chat

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This bird was once thought to be a wood-warbler, but scientists were unsure. In 2017, it was placed in its own family.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens (B)

Troupials and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds found only in the New World. This family includes grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as their main feather color, often brightened with yellow, orange, or red. Thirteen species have been seen in Rhode Island.

New World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

Wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful passerine birds found only in the New World. Most live in trees, but some spend more time on the ground. Most members of this family eat insects. Thirty-nine species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Cardinals and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

Cardinals are a family of strong, seed-eating birds with powerful bills. They usually live in open woodlands. Males and females often have different feather colors. Ten species have been seen in Rhode Island.

Images for kids

• 

  The Rhode Island red is the state bird of Rhode Island.

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of North American birds