Blue-headed Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo

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Blue-headed Vireo nest

Blue-headed Vireo eggs

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The Blue-headed Vireo is a common and vocal bird of northeastern forests. Formerly lumped as a "Solitary Vireo" with the more western Plumbeous and Cassin's vireos, it is now considered a separate species.

Description

• Small songbird, medium-sized vireo.
• Bluish gray head with white spectacles.
• Two whitish wingbars.
• Belly white.
• Flanks yellowish.

• Size: 13-15 cm (5-6 in)
• Wingspan: 20-24 cm (8-9 in)
• Weight: 13-19 g (0.46-0.67 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, but female slightly duller.

Sound

Song a broken series of slurred notes, with each phrase ending in either a downslur or an upswing, as if the bird asks a question, then answers it, over and over. Includes a few burry notes.

Conservation Status

Populations increasing slightly.

Other Names

Viréo á tête bleue (French)
Vireo anteojillo (Spanish)
Solitary Vireo (eastern form) (English)

Cool Facts

• The Blue-headed Vireo is the easternmost form in the "Solitary Vireo" complex. Formerly considered one species, three species now are recognized. In appearance it is the most brightly colored of the three.
• The Blue-headed Vireo is the only vireo within its range that makes extensive use of coniferous forests, although it also occupies deciduous habitats.

Sources used to construct this page:

James, R. D. 1998. Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius). In The Birds of North America, No. 379 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.