Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Greg Gillson
Did you see a brightly colored red bird, orange bird, or yellow bird in Rhode Island and wonder what it was?
This page is for you!
This article shows you photos and identification of some of the most common birds in Rhode Island based on color.
The list of birds found in Rhode Island includes over 410 species. So, I can’t show you all of them. I’m going to assume that you saw a common bird of this color, but you certainly could have seen something less common, or even rare!
Shape (including the shape of the bill) and size are often more helpful in starting to identify a bird than the color. In fact, most birds in North American can be easily identified with a black-and-white photo!
Many birds are multi-colored, so that it may be hard to pick out a dominant color. Males and females may be colored quite differently. And some color patterns are similar among otherwise dissimilar species.
Nevertheless, I’m going to try to pick out some of the birds that you are most likely to see in backyards or towns. And I’ll show a few others that I get asked about a lot.
The birds with a noticeable amount of red on them in Rhode Island covered in this article are:
- American Robin
- Northern Cardinal
- House Finch
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Scarlet Tanager
The birds with a noticeable amount of orange on them in Rhode Island covered in this article are:
- Eastern Towhee
- Barn Swallow
- Baltimore Oriole
- Cooper’s Hawk
- American Redstart
- Wood Thrush
- Ruddy Duck
The birds with a noticeable amount of yellow on them, including lots of yellow and black birds, in Rhode Island covered in this article are:
- American Goldfinch
- Northern Flicker
- Yellow Warbler
- Common Yellowthroat
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Cedar Waxwing
- Pine Warbler
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Prairie Warbler
Red birds of Rhode Island
Birds get the red, orange, and yellow in their feathers from carotenoids in the fruit, seeds, and plants they eat (source).
These carotenoid colors combine with melanin to form an infinite range of red feathers–pink, rusty, scarlet, violet, red-orange.
The following are red birds that you are most likely to see in Rhode Island.
American Robin
These are familiar lawn birds with red breasts.
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| American Robin. Greg Gillson. |
Male American Robins are brownish-gray above with a brick red breast. Females are paler orange below and paler gray above.
They are widespread in open country with scattered deciduous trees, residential areas.
American Robins are year-round residents in Rhode Island.
Northern Cardinal
These are one of the most common backyard birds in the eastern United States. Their bright red color and unique head profile makes them instantly identifiable to most people–whether they are bird watchers or not!
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| Northern Cardinal. GeorgeB2 from Pixabay. |
Males of these large seed eaters are bright red with a black face and red crest.
Females replace most of the red with brown, The bill is large and orange.
These birds are found in woodlands, stream edges, residential areas.
Northern Cardinals are year-round residents throughout Rhode Island.
House Finch
When people ask about a bird with a red head at their feeder, it is usually this bird.
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| Male House Finch. Greg Gillson. |
Males of this dusty brown striped finch have red limited to the head (specifically the forehead and eyebrow), breast (chest), and rump. The red coloration tends toward orangish and may rarely be yellowish.
Females are streaked, similar to the males but without red. They lack any strong pattern on the face and head.
Note the small round head and curved upper ridge on the bill.
Some people call these red-headed sparrows. Sparrows and finches are similar, but in general, male finches are brighter than the females and tend to hang out more in trees. Sparrow genders are usually quite similar in coloration and tend to feed mostly on the ground.
These birds are common in residential areas, especially at bird feeders. In the West more widespread in arid regions near water.
House Finches are year-round residents throughout Rhode Island.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
These red-throated birds are the only hummingbird nesting in the eastern United States.
Males are dark green above and on the belly. They have a white upper chest. The throat is ruby-red.
Females are green above, white below, including white throat.
These birds are found in woodland edges, residential yards. Readily come to hummingbird feeders.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Scarlet Tanager
A brilliant red and black bird!
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| Male Scarlet Tanager. USF&WS. Public Domain. |
Males are unmistakable with brilliant red with black wings and tail.
Females are olive-green above, darker wings and tail, yellower under parts. Pale bill.
These birds live in deciduous woods.
Scarlet Tanagers are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Orange birds of Rhode Island
True orange-colored birds are not that common. Many birds that I have here are paler rusty.
The common pattern is an orange body and black or brown wings and tail. Another common pattern is for the orange to be restricted to the under parts.
The following are orange birds that you are most likely to see in Rhode Island.
Eastern Towhee
These birds with rusty-orange sides like to hide in dense bushes.
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| Female Eastern Towhee. Skeeze. Pixabay. |
Males are black above with white wing patch, white tail corners. The sides are rusty. The belly white. Eyes variable: brown, red, orange, white, tending toward whiter southward.
Females are similar, but upper parts brown.
These birds are found in forest understory, dense brush, backyard hedges. Come to feeders.
Eastern Towhees are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Barn Swallow
These orange-bellied birds are a familiar sight across North America in summer.
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| Barn Swallow. Greg Gillson. |
These birds are purple-blue above with orange under parts and long forked tails. The color of the underparts in winter or on females are often cinnamon or buff-colored, but breeding males can be brighter orange-red.
These birds swoop low over fields and wetlands at lower elevations. They may build their mud nests in rafters on porches, garages, or other out-buildings.
Barn Swallows are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Baltimore Oriole
These bright orange and black birds are fairly common breeders in wooded areas in the East.
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| Baltimore Oriole. Michael McGough. Pixabay. |
Males have a black hood and back. Wings black with white patches. Tail black with orange sides to the base. Bright orange under parts.
Females are similar to males, but more olive above, less black. Immature birds for their first year or more are olive above orangish-yellow on the breast, fading to yellow on the belly. Two white wing bars.
These birds are common in deciduous woods, shade trees.
Baltimore Orioles are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Cooper’s Hawk
These crow-sized hawks with reddish orange bars on the under parts may show up in fall or winter to hunt birds at your feeder. Oh no!
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| Cooper’s Hawk. Greg Gillson. |
Adults with long gray and black banded tail. Dark gray above and cap on head. Under parts barred with rusty orange.
Immatures similar, brownish, streaked with brown on under parts.
Found in forests and woodlands, residential shade trees.
Cooper’s Hawks are year-round residents throughout Rhode Island.
American Redstart
In flight these small warblers flash orange or yellow in the wing and base of the tail.
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| American Redstart. Dennis Jarvis. Flikr. CC BY-SA 2.0 |
Males are black above, white on the belly. They have bright orange patches on side of breast, wings, and base of the tail.
Females are grayer, especially on the head. The orange of males is replaced by yellow on the females.
These birds are found in regenerating woods after a clear cut, and willow tangles along streams.
American Redstarts are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Wood Thrush
These spotted birds with the orange-brown upper parts tend to hide in understory trees and on the forest floor.
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| Wood Thrush. Tony Castro. CC BY-SA 4.0 |
These birds are reddish brown on the upper parts, especially rusty orange on the crown and upper back. White eye ring. Large heavy black spots on the under parts.
They live in deciduous and mixed woods. Spend much time on the ground, shuffling through the leaf litter.
Wood Thrushes are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Ruddy Duck
These small ducks are dark rusty-orange in spring.
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| Ruddy Duck. Greg Gillson. |
Males in breeding plumage (late winter and spring) are rusty, with a white face, and a blue bill. The long tail is often held sticking up. In winter they are brown, with white face, and dark bill.
Females all year are like winter males. Brown body, dark cap, dark line through eye of pale face. Dark bill.
These birds prefer weedy ponds to breed, but in winter may be found in deeper ponds in city parks.
Ruddy Ducks are winter visitors in Rhode Island.
Yellow birds of Rhode Island
Yellow is a common bird color! Often it is mixed with black and white plumage in birds.
Many birds with darker upper parts have yellow breast or belly.
The following are yellow birds you are most likely to see in Rhode Island.
American Goldfinch
These small little birds are bright yellow and black.
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| American Goldfinch. Greg Gillson. |
Males are bright lemon yellow with black and white wings and tail, black cap. White under tail coverts. Pink bill.
Females are duller yellow below and brownish above. Lack black cap.
Winter birds are pale brown or gray, a touch of yellow on the throat of males.
These are birds of open country, fields with saplings, clear cuts, residential areas. They avoid dense forests, mountains, deserts. They visit feeders.
American Goldfinches are year-round residents throughout Rhode Island.
Northern Flicker
These woodpeckers spend much time eating ants on the ground.
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| Northern Flicker. Greg Gillson. |
These birds are larger than robins with brown and black barred upper parts. The underparts are pink with round black spots. There is a black crescent across the chest. When they fly away from you they reveal a large white rump.
Western birds have salmon-red under wings and under tail. Those in the East are colored yellow. The male face differs between the two populations–black whisker on the eastern birds, red whisker on western birds. Intergrades from overlap on Great Plains common. These may show male facial characteristics of both populations, or yellow-orange flight feathers.
These birds live in open woods with bare ground for foraging, residential yards.
Northern Flickers are year-round residents throughout Rhode Island.
Yellow Warbler
The golden yellow sun packed all into one little bird! Appears to be an all-yellow bird.
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| Yellow Warbler. Greg Gillson. |
Some populations are bright yellow, some tend toward greenish on upper parts, some more golden. Yellow internal tail corners in flight.
Males with red breast streaking, again, variable by population.
Females somewhat to much paler yellow, some greenish, some whitish. Lack red streaks.
These birds are found in willow thickets on the edge of wetlands and ditches, stream sides in arid regions.
Yellow Warblers are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Common Yellowthroat
These buttery yellow birds are abundant in the marsh vegetation.
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| Male Common Yellowthroat. Greg Gillson. |
These skulkers have bright yellow throats and yellow undertail coverts. Males have a black domino mask edged broadly in white, which females lack. Upperparts are dull olive-green.
Immature males in fall show a shadowed black mask.
Found in damp situations and heavy deciduous brambles following clear cuts.
Common Yellowthroats are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
These are abundant warblers across North America. Affectionately called “butter butts” by many birders, because of their bright yellow rumps that flash in flight.
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| Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warbler. Greg Gillson. |
Western form (Audubon’s) with bright yellow throat and yellow rump. Large white wing patch.
Northern and Eastern form (Myrtle) with white throat, yellow rump, and two white wing bars.
Winter birds are dull gray-brown, with bright yellow rump. Throat may be cream colored or white. Often difficult to tell the two forms apart in winter.
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| Winter Yellow-rumped Warbler. Greg Gillson. |
Breed in mountain or boreal conifers. Widespread in migration. Winter in low river bottoms, open weedy deciduous areas. Rarely come to feeders in winter.
Yellow-rumped Warblers are winter visitors throughout Rhode Island.
Cedar Waxwing
These crested birds with yellow band on the end of the tail are often found in flocks. They eat flying insects in summer, fruit and berries the rest of the year.
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| Cedar Waxwing. Greg Gillson. |
These birds are fawn-brown above, with dark gray wings and tail. They have a black mask and wispy crest. The belly is yellow. The wings have waxy red drops on the end of the tertials. The end of the tail has a brilliant yellow tail band.
They are found in open habitats with berries, including juniper woodlands and towns in winter.
Cedar Waxwings are year-round residents throughout Rhode Island.
Pine Warbler
This yellow and gray bird is one of the few warblers to visit feeders–and the only one to eat seeds!
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| Pine Warbler. Nikolaus Schultz. Pixabay. |
These birds are yellow-green on head, back, and breast. Wings blue-gray with wide white wing bars. Yellow split eye ring.
Strongly associated with pine forests. Usually high in treetops.
Pine Warblers are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Great Crested Flycatcher
These flycatchers have long tails and big heads with big bill and bright yellow belly.
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| Great Crested Flycatcher. Simard Francois. Pixabay. |
These birds are gray on the face and breast, brownish on rest of upper parts. Bright lemon-yellow belly. The under side of the tail and some feathers of the wing is cinnamon colored.
These birds stay in the canopy of open woods.
Great Crested Flycatchers are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Prairie Warbler
These birds with the yellow breasts and odd black line under the eyes are a resident of mangrove swamps.
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| Prairie Warbler. Public domain. |
Males are olive-green on the crown and back with chestnut streaks. Greenish-gray wings have pale wing bars. Yellow face and under parts. Yellow eyebrow, patch under eye. Black line through eye and below yellow under eye patch. Black streaks on sides.
Females are similar but facial pattern fainter, replaces black with green.
They are found in open scrubby woods, mangrove swamps.
Prairie Warblers are summer residents throughout Rhode Island.
Wrapping Up
As well as these stunning red, orange and yellow birds, Rhode Island boasts many other colorful species. Here are some of the most common vivid birds found in the state.
- Blue Jay: Bold and intelligent, these birds sport a stunning combination of cobalt blue bodies, crested heads, and white underparts. You can find them in mature trees, often visiting feeders and adding lively chatter to backyards.
- Black-throated Green Warbler: Small, active warblers with bright olive-green upperparts, black throats, and white underparts. Look for them flitting through branches in forests and wooded areas, especially during migration.
- Indigo Bunting: These vibrant blue birds with black wings and white underparts bring a touch of azure to open fields and meadows. Their sweet, melancholic songs are a delight to the ears.
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Eastern Bluebird: These charming songbirds have striking bright blue upperparts, chestnut bellies, and white throats. They readily utilize nest boxes and favor open areas with scattered trees and perches.
- Grasshopper Sparrow: Their streaked brown plumage camouflages them well in grassy areas, where they nest on the ground. During breeding season, males sing a unique, insect-like buzzing sound.
- Northern Cardinal: Males boast a stunning crimson plumage, especially vibrant in winter. Both sexes have sharp black masks and crests, making them easily recognizable backyard visitors.
- Blue Grosbeak: Chunky songbirds with vibrant blue bodies, dark wings, and chestnut bellies. They prefer shrubby areas and open woodlands, readily visiting feeders for sunflower seeds and suet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What northeast bird has a red chest?
The most common northeast bird with a red chest is undoubtedly the Northern Cardinal.
Male Northern Cardinals have a vibrant crimson-red body, accentuated by a sharp black mask and crest. This unmistakable plumage makes them easily recognizable, even for casual birdwatchers. Females sport a more subdued appearance with brown plumage but still have reddish highlights on their wings and crest.
These birds are year-round residents throughout the northeastern United States, from Maine down to Pennsylvania and New York. You can easily find them in:
- Backyards: They readily visit feeders, especially in winter when natural food sources are scarce.
- Forests and woodlands: They prefer deciduous and mixed forests with plenty of undergrowth and shrubbery.
- Gardens and parks: They favor areas with trees and shrubs for nesting and foraging.
What is a small black bird with a little orange?
American Redstarts are indeed present in Rhode Island. They are common summer residents in the state, arriving in late April or early May and staying until September or October.
Here’s what you need to know about American Redstarts in Rhode Island:
- Habitat: They favor open deciduous or mixed woodlands, forest edges, roadside trees, orchards, shrubby edges of streams and ponds, and brushy edges of pastures. Look for them flitting actively through the branches, especially in the middle and upper portions of trees.
- Appearance: Males are easily recognizable with their bright orange-red sides of the breast, wing and tail patches, contrasting with their black upperparts and white belly. Females have yellow sides of the breast, wing and tail patches and olive upperparts with a grayer head.
- Behavior: They are active and acrobatic birds, constantly in motion as they catch insects in the air or glean them from leaves and branches. Their tail flashing, where they spread and quickly close their tail feathers, is a distinctive behavior often used in courtship displays.
- Vocalizations: Their song is a high-pitched, buzzy trill, often described as “see-see-see-see-seet”.
Where to find them:
- Wooded areas: Look for them in state parks, wildlife refuges, and nature reserves with suitable habitat.
- Backyards: If you have mature trees with plenty of insects, you might be lucky enough to attract them to your backyard, especially if you offer feeders with mealworms or suet.
- Migratory hotspots: Block Island National Wildlife Refuge is a popular spot to see them during fall migration, as they gather before their long journey south.
What is a bright yellow New England bird?
There are several bright yellow birds found in New England, so narrowing it down depends on specific details like size, shape, and where you saw it. Here are some possibilities:
Large and Stocky:
- American Goldfinch: These cheerful birds boast bright yellow bodies with black wings and white wing bars. They are common year-round residents, frequenting backyards, fields, and open areas. They have a cheerful, warbling song.
Smaller and Slender:
- Yellow Warbler: With bright yellow bodies and olive streaking on the wings and back, these active birds favor forests and thickets near water. They have a sweet, high-pitched song.
- Pine Warbler: Smaller than Yellow Warblers, they have bright yellow bodies with black streaking on the back and wings. They prefer pine forests and woodlands, actively foraging for insects in the treetops.
Other Possibilities:
- Prothonotary Warbler: Found near swamps and bottomland forests, they have a distinctive bright yellow head and chest with blue-grey wings and black markings. Their loud, piercing songs add a lively presence to their habitat.
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: This medium-sized woodpecker has a distinctive yellow belly and white underparts. Look for them drilling holes in tree trunks to extract sap and insects.
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo: Larger than the other options, these long-tailed birds have yellow underparts and olive-brown upperparts. They prefer deciduous forests and edges, often perching on branches and calling with a loud, mournful “cow-cow” sound.
Related Articles:
See photos and learn about the most common backyard birds in Rhode Island, regardless of color.
Here’s a quick tutorial of how I would teach you to identify birds: 7 Steps to Identify Birds!
Birds with red heads in North America.
Yellow-and-black birds in North America.
Little Brown Birds at your Feeder.
