Vireos

A total of 12 species of vireos breed regularly in the United States or Canada. All of these are in the genus Vireo, and all are migratory, spending their nonbreeding season in Mexico or further south in Central America, or in the case of the red-eyed vireos, in Amazonia.

The red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) is a widespread species, occurring in deciduous forests over much of the continent, except for parts of the southwestern United States. The red-eyed vireo is an abundant species, and is one of the most commonly netted birds at mist-netting sites in eastern North America, where bird migration is studied.

The warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus) breeds in much of temperate North America and south into Mexico. The warbling vireo is a secretive bird, and males can be so A red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus). JLM Visuals. Reproduced by permission. confident in their camouflage that they will sing from the nest while incubating their clutch.

The solitary or blue-headed vireo (Vireo solitarius) breeds in mixed hardwood-conifer forests through much of north temperate North America. This is one of the only species of vireo whose wintering range commonly includes the southern United States.

The white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus) is an abundant species of moist deciduous forests and forest edges in the eastern United States. The yellow-throated vireo (Vireo flavifrons) has a bright yellow throat and breast, and is perhaps the most attractive of the North American species. This relatively uncommon species breeds in deciduous forests throughout the eastern United States.