A recording media separating device that separates recording media fed by a feeding roller and a hopper into a top recording medium and next-to-top recording media is provided. The recording media have been held in a feeding tray before being fed. The recording media separating device includes a movable contact separator having a movable contact separation surface that contacts leading ends of the recording media. When the number of the recording media held in the feeding tray becomes less than a predetermined number, the movable contact separation surface of the movable contact separator is moved to a separation position in a transportation path for the recording media.