Discover 25 Water Birds in Rhode Island

Listen to Mallard

Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos

Length: 20–26 in

Wingspan: 32–39 in

Weight: 1.5–3.5 lb

The Mallard is a well-known species of duck they are particularly recognized for their adaptability and can thrive in both urban and wild environments.

Male Mallards are renowned for their striking plumage, with a glossy green head, a white collar, and a chestnut-colored chest, while females sport mottled brown feathers. They both have blue speculum feathers on their wings, which can be seen during flight. Both sexes also exhibit a distinct curl on the tail feathers, more noticeable in males.

Mallards are omnivorous in nature. Their diet is diverse and includes seeds, aquatic vegetation, insects, and small fish. They are frequently seen ‘dabbling’ in the water, where they dip their head and neck below the surface while upending their body to forage for food.

In terms of reproduction, Mallards usually nest on the ground near water bodies, camouflaged by vegetation. The female lays a clutch of 7 to 10 eggs, and she incubates them for about a month. After hatching, the ducklings are precocial – they are active and able to feed themselves, but they continue to stay with their mother for protection until they can fly, which usually takes about two months.

Mallards are an iconic species that have significantly contributed to the genetic makeup of many domestic duck breeds. They are beloved for their rich colors, distinctive quacks, and playful demeanor.

Canada Goose Sound

Scientific Name: Branta canadensis

Length: 30 to 43 in

Wingspan: 50–73 in

Weight: 5.7–14.3 lb

The Canada Goose is a large, well-known species of waterfowl noted for its distinctive appearance, familiar “honk,” and migratory behavior.

Appearance: Both male and female Canada Geese have a similar appearance, featuring a black head and neck with distinctive white patches on the cheeks and chin. The body is primarily brown with a lighter, often white, underbelly.

Diet: Canada Geese primarily feed on plant matter, including grasses, aquatic vegetation, and grains. They can often be seen grazing in parks, lawns, and fields, as well as dabbling in water bodies.

Reproduction: Canada Geese typically nest on the ground near water bodies, often on islands or other isolated areas to avoid predators. The female lays a clutch of about 4 to 6 eggs, which she incubates alone for around a month.

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Scientific Name: Anas rubripes

Length: 21–23 in

Wingspan: 35–37 in

Weight: 1.59–3.62 lb

The Black Duck is a relatively large species of waterfowl known for its dark plumage and distinctive, richly flavored meat.

Appearance: Both male and female Black Ducks sport a similar look. They are predominantly dark brown in color with a lighter, beige-colored underbelly. They feature a yellowish-green bill, and their wings, when spread, reveal a purple-blue speculum bordered by two black bands.

Diet: Black Ducks primarily subsist on plant matter. They feed on seeds, leaves, and roots of aquatic plants, as well as grasses and crops. In addition, they sometimes eat small fish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates. These ducks can often be spotted foraging in shallow water bodies and marshlands.

Reproduction: Black Ducks typically create their nests on the ground, preferably in secluded, well-hidden spots near water bodies. The female usually lays a clutch of about 6 to 12 eggs, which she incubates for about four weeks.

Listen to Hooded Merganser

Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus

Length: 15.8-19.3 in

Wingspan: 23.6-26.0 in

Weight: 16.0-31.0 oz

The Hooded Merganser is a distinctive species of diving duck known for its showy crest and its excellent diving skills.

Appearance: Male Hooded Mergansers are especially striking with a large, fan-shaped, black and white crest, which can be expanded or contracted. They have bright yellow eyes, a dark back, and a white chest. The females have a more understated appearance with a brownish body, a smaller, reddish-brown crest, and dark eyes.

Diet: Consists of small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Their eyes are specially adapted for underwater vision, allowing them to spot and catch prey while diving.

Reproduction: Similar to Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers often nest in tree cavities near water bodies. The female lays a clutch of about 10 to 12 eggs and incubates them alone for about a month.

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Scientific Name: Aythya collaris

Length: 15.3-18.1 in

Wingspan: 24.4-24.8 in

Weight: 17.3-32.1 oz

The Ring-Necked Duck is a small to medium-sized diving duck known for its distinctive markings and agile diving abilities.

Appearance: Male Ring-Necked Ducks are characterized by their bold black-and-white coloration, with a glossy black back, a striking white ring around the base of the bill, and two white “rings” on their flanks. Despite their name, the chestnut-colored ring around their neck is often hard to see. Females are more subtly colored with a gray-brown body and a white eye-ring.

Diet: These ducks have a varied diet that includes aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates, which they obtain by diving underwater in both shallow and deep water bodies.

Reproduction: The Ring-Necked Duck nests near water, often in densely vegetated areas. The female typically lays between 8 to 10 eggs, which she incubates alone, but both parents will care for the ducklings once they hatch.

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Scientific Name: Mergus serrator

Length: 20–24 in

Wingspan: 28–34 in

Weight: 28.2 to 47.6 oz

The Red-breasted Merganser is a fascinating diving duck species, recognized for its swift flight and exceptional diving capabilities. They inhabit freshwater and saltwater environments and are quite common in North America and Eurasia.

Appearance: The Red-breasted Merganser boasts an interesting appearance. Males display a dark green head, bright red eyes, and a distinctive, long reddish-brown breast. Their bodies are mainly grey, and they also have a white collar and a thin, serrated bill. Females are more subdued, featuring a rusty cinnamon head with a shaggy crest and grey body.

Diet: Predominantly includes small fish, which they catch by diving underwater. They can also feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally amphibians. Their serrated bill helps them grip slippery prey effectively.

Reproduction: The breeding ground for Red-breasted Mergansers is typically near freshwater lakes or rivers. Females build nests in tree cavities, on the ground hidden in vegetation, or use abandoned nests of other birds. The female lays a clutch of 6 to 12 eggs.

Listen to Bufflehead

Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola

Length: 13–16 in

Wingspan: 21.6 in -23.2 in

Weight: 9.5–19.4 oz

The Bufflehead is a small, compact species of diving duck known for its striking appearance and large heads and unique nesting habits.

Appearance: Male Buffleheads are easily recognized by their large, bulbous head with a green-purple iridescent sheen, a large white patch across the back of the head, and a predominantly black and white body. Females are more subtly colored, primarily in gray-brown tones with a smaller white cheek patch.

Diet: As diving ducks, Buffleheads feed by diving beneath the water’s surface. Their diet consists largely of aquatic invertebrates, such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, as well as some plant matter.

Reproduction: Uniquely among ducks, Buffleheads often nest in tree cavities, especially those made by Northern Flickers, a type of woodpecker. The female lays a clutch of about 6 to 11 eggs, which she incubates alone for roughly a month.

Listen to Great Blue Heron

Scientific Name: Ardea herodias

Length:36–54 in

Wingspan: 66–79 in

Weight: 4.0–7.9 lb

The Great Blue Heron is a large species of wading bird recognized for its majestic stature, stately flight, and impressive hunting prowess.

Appearance: Great Blue Herons are strikingly tall and slender, with a gray-blue body, a wide wingspan, and a long, pointed bill. They have a white head with a black stripe above the eye extending into feathery plumes, and long, reddish-brown legs.

Diet: Great Blue Herons are skilled hunters, primarily feeding on a variety of aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, and crustaceans. They can often be seen standing motionless in shallow water, waiting patiently for prey to come within striking distance.

Reproduction: Great Blue Herons nest in large colonies, often high in trees near bodies of water. The female lays a clutch of about 3 to 5 eggs, which both parents incubate for around a month. After hatching, the young herons are fed by both parents and start to explore outside the nest within a few weeks.

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Scientific Name: Butorides virescen

Length: 25 to 31 in

Wingspan: 53 to 65 in

Weight: 4.5 to 6.0

The Green Heron is a small yet captivating bird, famous for its tool-using abilities and its striking appearance. This species can often be found around the edges of freshwater and saltwater habitats across much of North America.

Appearance: Green Herons possess a dark greenish-blue back, a rich chestnut body, and a dark cap on their head. Their bill is long and sharp, allowing them to be proficient hunters, while their relatively short legs give them a stocky appearance compared to other heron species.

Diet: As opportunistic feeders, Green Herons feed mainly on small fish, but their diet also includes a variety of invertebrates, insects, amphibians, and occasionally even small mammals and birds. They’re known for a unique hunting technique – using baits such as insects, feathers, or twigs to attract fish.

Reproduction: Green Herons build their nests in trees or shrubs, usually over or near water. The female typically lays 3 to 5 eggs, with both parents sharing the responsibilities of incubation.

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Scientific Name: Egretta thula

Length: 22.1–26.0 in

Wingspan: 39.4 inches

Weight: 13.1 oz

The Snowy Egret is a small, graceful bird celebrated for its striking white plumage and contrasting black and yellow details. Found across the United States in a variety of water habitats, this bird is known for its animated hunting style.

Appearance: Snowy Egrets are particularly noticeable due to their pure white feathers, slender black legs, and bright yellow feet, which are often described as looking like they’ve been dipped in golden paint. They also sport a thin, black bill and expressive, yellow eyes.

Diet: Their diet mainly consists of fish, but they are known to consume a variety of aquatic animals such as crustaceans, insects, and small amphibians. Notably, their unique yellow feet are used to stir up prey from the bottom of shallow water.

Reproduction: Snowy Egrets typically nest in trees or shrubs in colonies with other water birds. The female lays 3 to 5 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating them.

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Scientific Name: Ardea alba

Length: 80 – 100 cm

Wingspan: 1.3 – 1.7 m

Weight: 0.7 – 1.5 kg

The Great Egret is a large, stunningly white bird commonly found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats across the United States. Known for its elegant flight and poised hunting stance, it is a symbol of conservation success.

Appearance: Great Egrets are recognized by their bright white plumage, long, black legs, and a yellow, dagger-like bill. Their slender, long necks and large wings are highlighted when they take flight, creating an elegant and captivating sight.

Diet: Primarily, the Great Egret feeds on fish, making use of its sharp bill to spear its prey in shallow water. However, its diet is diverse and can include other aquatic creatures like amphibians, reptiles, birds, small mammals, and invertebrates.

Reproduction: The Great Egret typically nests in trees or shrubs near water bodies, often in colonies with other water birds. A female lays 3 to 4 eggs, with both parents participating in the incubation process.

Osprey Sound

Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus

Length: 50–66 cm (19+1⁄2–26 in)

Wingspan: 127–180 cm (50–71 in)

Weight: 0.9–2.1 kg (2 lb 0 oz – 4 lb 10 oz)

The Osprey, a fascinating bird of prey, is universally known for its exceptional hunting prowess and striking physical characteristics. Osprey are dark brown hawks on the upperparts, contrasting beautifully with the predominantly white underparts, and a distinctive dark band that stretches across the eyes towards the sides of its head.

Equipped with specialized talons and a reversible outer toe, the Osprey’s hunting strategy involves a spectacular plunge-dive into bodies of water, often emerging with a fish securely gripped in its claws.

Found on every continent except Antarctica, the Osprey is a cosmopolitan species favoring habitats near water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, reflecting its piscivorous diet. This bird has a diet almost exclusively of fish, making it a unique member of the raptor family and often referred to as the sea hawk or fish hawk. They locate their prey from the air, often hovering before plunging feet-first to capture a fish. When it comes to breeding, Ospreys are monogamous, often mating for life.

They construct large, bulky nests made of sticks, lined with softer materials, and prefer elevated or isolated areas such as treetops or artificial structures like utility poles. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks.

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Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon

Length:11–14 in

Wingspan: 19–23 in

Weight: 4.0 to 6.3 oz

The Belted Kingfisher is a conspicuous water bird, known for its distinct rattling call and impressive diving abilities.

Appearance: The Belted Kingfisher is characterized by a large head with a shaggy crest and a long, thick bill. They have a blue-gray body with white underparts. A defining characteristic is the blue-gray band, or “belt,” across the chest. Males and females have similar coloration, but females have an additional chestnut-colored band on their bellies.

Diet: Belted Kingfishers are excellent fishermen, often seen perched above water bodies, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds, watching for their prey. They primarily feed on fish but will also eat amphibians, crustaceans, insects, small mammals, and reptiles. They hunt by diving headfirst into the water to catch their prey.

Reproduction: Belted Kingfishers nest in burrows that they excavate in sandy or earthy banks, usually near a body of water. These burrows can be up to 8 feet deep. The female lays a clutch of 5 to 8 eggs, and both parents participate in incubation and feeding of the young.

Listen to Double-crested Cormorant

Scientific Name: Nannopterum auritum

Length: 28 to 35 in

Wingspan: 45 – 48 in

Weight: 2.6 – 5.5 lb

The Double-crested Cormorant is a large waterbird recognized for its long neck, hooked bill, and notable diving abilities.

Appearance: Double-crested Cormorants have a dark body with a somewhat iridescent sheen. The bird’s name derives from the presence of two tufts or crests of feathers that appear on the sides of the head during the breeding season. They have striking greenish-yellow to bright orange skin around the throat and cheeks, and their eyes are an interesting, bright turquoise color.

Diet: Double-crested Cormorants are excellent divers and their diet primarily consists of fish. They dive beneath the water’s surface from the air or while swimming to catch their prey. After a successful dive, they can often be seen standing with their wings outstretched to dry.

Reproduction: These birds typically nest in trees, on cliffs, or on ground colonies on islands. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 4 eggs, which both parents incubate for about a month.

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Scientific Name: Fulica americana

Length: 13–17 in

Wingspan: 23 to 28 in

Weight: 1.270 to 1.870 lb

The American Coot is a ubiquitous water bird commonly seen in the wetlands, lakes, and ponds of North America, recognized for its adaptability and striking features.

Appearance: American Coots are easily identifiable by their slate-gray bodies, offset by a white, chicken-like bill and a red eye. Their legs are also distinctive, equipped with lobed toes, as opposed to the webbed feet seen in ducks, which assist them in navigating both land and water adeptly.

Diet: While aquatic plants form the bulk of an American Coot’s diet, they aren’t strictly herbivores. These versatile birds also consume small invertebrates and fish, demonstrating their ability to adapt and survive in a variety of habitats.

Reproduction: Nesting for the American Coot usually happens in shallow water bodies, where they construct a floating nest hidden among the vegetation. A clutch can contain between 8 to 12 eggs, all of which are incubated by both parents.

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Scientific Name: Larus argentatus

Length: 22.1-26.0 in

Wingspan: 53.9–57.5 in

Weight: 28.2-44.1 oz

The Herring Gull is a versatile bird often found near coastlines, known for its distinct call and adaptive lifestyle.

Appearance: Herring Gulls have a white body, gray back, and yellow bill with a red spot. Juvenile gulls are brown, becoming whiter as they age.

Diet: These gulls are opportunistic eaters. They consume a variety of food, including fish, insects, small birds, carrion, and human refuse.

Reproduction: Herring Gulls nest in colonies on islands or cliffs, laying two to three eggs per season. Both parents share incubation and chick-raising responsibilities.

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Scientific Name: Larus delawarensis

Length: 16.9-21.3 in

Wingspan: 41.3–46.1 in

Weight:10.6-24.7 oz

The Ring-billed Gull is a common North American gull species recognized for its distinctive bill markings and widespread presence, particularly around human habitats.

Appearance: Ring-billed Gulls have a light-gray back, white head and underparts, and yellow eyes. Their most notable feature is the black ring around their yellow bill, which gives the species its name.

Diet: They have a varied diet that includes fish, insects, earthworms, rodents, grain, and garbage. They’re known for their opportunistic and scavenging feeding behaviors, often found near human-populated areas.

Reproduction: Ring-billed Gulls typically nest in large colonies on the ground near bodies of water. The female usually lays two to three eggs per season.

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Scientific Name: Nycticorax nycticorax

Length: 22.8-26.0 in

Wingspan: 45.3-46.5 in

Weight: 25.6-35.8 oz

The Black-crowned Night-Heron is a medium-sized heron species that is known for its nocturnal habits, standing out among other, mostly diurnal herons.

Appearance: Black-crowned Night-Herons have a stocky appearance, with adults characterized by a black crown and back, contrasting sharply with a white or gray body. Their eyes are notably red. The legs are yellow to greenish yellow, but become pinkish or even red during the breeding season. Young birds are brown, speckled with white and gray.

Diet: As opportunistic feeders, Black-crowned Night-Herons eat a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals. They primarily consume fish, but their diet can also include crustaceans, insects, small mammals, reptiles, and even other birds. They usually feed at night, which gives them a unique niche among heron species.

Reproduction: Black-crowned Night-Herons are colonial nesters, often forming nesting colonies with other heron species. They build platform nests in trees or shrubs, usually over water. The female lays 3 to 5 eggs, and both parents share the responsibility of incubation.

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Scientific Name:Gavia stellata

Length: 21 to 27 in

Wingspan: 36–47 in

Weight:2.2–6.0 lb

The Red-throated Loon is a migratory bird known for its distinctive red throat patch during breeding season and its elegant diving skills.

Appearance: Red-throated Loons are sleek birds with pointed bills that tilt upward slightly. They have a gray-brown body, white underparts, and a distinctive red throat patch in summer, which is replaced by gray-white coloring in winter.

Diet: They primarily feed on fish but will also eat aquatic invertebrates. Noted for their diving skills, they catch their prey underwater, often diving from the surface and swimming powerfully using their feet for propulsion.

Reproduction: Red-throated Loons nest close to water, usually on bare ground or among vegetation. Typically, the female will lay two eggs per season.

Listen to American Wigeon

Scientific Name: Mareca americana

Length: 17–23 in

Wingspan: 30–36 in

Weight: 1 –3 lb

The American Wigeon is a medium-sized duck species that is a popular sight in wetlands, ponds, and lakes and is often seen in mixed flocks with other ducks.

Males of the species are recognized by their distinctive appearance. They sport a unique white forehead and crown, coupled with a green band stretching from the eye to the back of the head. The body is mainly gray with a pinkish hue on the chest. Females are more subdued in color, with primarily gray and brown tones.

Diet: comprising mainly plant material like aquatic vegetation and grasses, but it also includes insects and other small invertebrates. They are known for a feeding behavior called “kleptoparasitism,” where they often snatch food from other ducks.

American Wigeons usually breed in the northernmost parts of North America. The females create their nests on the ground, often hidden in tall grass near water bodies. They lay a clutch of 6 to 11 eggs which they incubate for about three to four weeks and the ducklings feed on small aquatic invertebrates and aquatic insects.

Listen to American Wigeon

Scientific Name: Bucephala clangula

Length: 18-20 inches

Wingspan: 30.3-32.7 inches

Weight: 1.8-2.2 lbs

The Common Goldeneye is a medium-sized diving duck, recognized for its golden-yellow eye and distinct whistling sound made during flight.

Appearance: Male Common Goldeneyes have a glossy green-black head, a circular white patch between the eye and the bill, and a golden-yellow eye. They have a dark back and white underparts. Females have a chocolate-brown head and a similar golden-yellow eye but lack the white facial patch.

Diet: Common Goldeneyes feed on a variety of aquatic life including crustaceans, insects, and small fish. They are diving ducks and will often plunge below the surface to search for food.

Reproduction: The female nests in tree cavities near water, typically laying between six and fifteen eggs. After hatching, the young ducks will follow their mother, who guides them to feeding areas but does not feed them directly.

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Scientific Name: Aythya marila

Length: 15–22 in

Wingspan: 28–33 in

Weight: 1.601–2.998 lb

The Greater Scaup is a diving duck species found across North America, Europe, and Asia. This hardy bird is known for its preference for colder climates and ability to dive to impressive depths in search of food.

Appearance: The male Greater Scaup has a striking black head, neck, and chest, contrasted by a pale gray back and a white underbelly. Their heads have a greenish iridescence, and they have a blue-gray bill. Females, on the other hand, have a brown body with a white band at the base of the bill.

Diet: Greater Scaups are diving ducks and are capable of reaching depths of up to 6 meters to forage. Their diet primarily consists of aquatic invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, though they also consume plant matter including seeds and aquatic vegetation.

Reproduction: Greater Scaups breed in the northernmost parts of North America and Eurasia. They build nests on the ground near water, often on islands in lakes, shielded by vegetation. The female lays a clutch of around 9 eggs, and is solely responsible for incubation, which lasts about 24 to 28 days.

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Scientific Name: Aythya affinis

Length: 16.4–16.9 in

Wingspan: 27–31 in

Weight: 1–2.4 lb

The Lesser Scaup is a small diving duck species commonly found in North America, particularly in the lakes, ponds, and coastal bays of the United States.

Appearance: Male Lesser Scaups are characterized by their glossy black heads and necks, bright yellow eyes, and pale bluish-gray backs. They also feature a distinguished black chest and tail-end. Females, on the other hand, are primarily brown with white bands near the bill and a slightly lighter brown color on their heads and necks.

Diet: Lesser Scaups are divers, and their diet mainly consists of aquatic invertebrates, including insects, mollusks, and crustaceans. They are also known to eat aquatic plants and seeds, particularly during the non-breeding season.

Reproduction: Lesser Scaups nest on the ground, generally close to water bodies. The female lays a clutch of around 9 to 11 eggs and is solely responsible for their incubation, which lasts for about three to four weeks.

Listen to Northern Pintail

Scientific Name: Anas acuta

Length: 23–30 in

Wingspan: 31–37 in

Weight: 1 –3 lb

The Northern Pintail is a graceful species of duck recognized for their elegance in flight and their sleek bodies and long tails which is pin-shaped.

Male Northern Pintails are celebrated for their distinctive appearance, featuring a chocolate brown head, a white neck, and a grayish body. The most notable characteristic is the long, pointed tail feathers, which give this species its name. Females are more understated in color, sporting a mottled brown plumage.

Diet: Consists primarily of plant matter, including seeds and aquatic vegetation. They are also known to eat insects, especially during the breeding season. The Northern Pintail is often seen dabbling and upending in water bodies to forage for food.

Reproduction: Northern Pintails usually nest on the ground, near water bodies. The female lays a clutch of 7 to 9 eggs and is solely responsible for their incubation, which lasts for about three weeks.