Birds to See in Rhode Island in April
115 bird species on our list for Rhode Island are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird and Tufted Titmouse. New this month: Northern Yellow Warbler, Barn Swallow, Chipping Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole and 20 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Rhode Island’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 115 birds in April
115 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 4.12% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 3.64% in Apr
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.48% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.31% in Apr
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.88% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.54% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.32% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.32% in Apr
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.30% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.29% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.12% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.87% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.64% in Apr
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.52% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.51% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.50% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.45% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 1.12% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.91% in Apr
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.81% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Apr
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.54% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Apr
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.53% in Apr
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.45% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Apr
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaSummer visitorCommon29–40 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.40% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.38% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.38% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.38% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.31% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Apr
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Apr
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.25% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.21% in Apr
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.20% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.20% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.18% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorUncommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorCommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.18% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorCommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.18% in Apr
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorCommon17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.16% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.15% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.14% in Apr
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.14% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.14% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.13% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.13% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.13% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorCommon80–100 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.13% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.13% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.09% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.09% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusWinter visitorUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Apr
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.08% in Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorUncommon19–22 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.07% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaSummer visitorCommon27–30 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.07% in Apr
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.06% in Apr
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorCommon37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.06% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.06% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Apr
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisPassage migrantRare46–56 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorRare16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaResidentUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorUncommon38–44 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusPassage migrantRare13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in Apr
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusPassage migrantUncommon62–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Apr
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentRare80–122 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.01% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserSummer visitorRare75–90 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.01% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentRare45–50 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made