Vireo masteri
The Chocó Vireo (Vireo masteri) is a diminutive yet distinctive passerine, characterized by its olive-green upperparts and clean, pale underparts. Measuring approximately 12-13 cm in length and weighing around 12-14 grams, its most defining field marks include a prominent pale eye-ring that contrasts sharply with dark lores, and two subtle whitish wing-bars. Taxonomically, it belongs to the Vireonidae family, specifically nested within the 'Red-eyed Vireo' complex, and is considered a close r...
This vireo primarily inhabits humid montane and foothill cloud forests, favoring the interior and edges of mature evergreen forests. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,800 meters above sea level.
The diet of the Chocó Vireo consists predominantly of insects and other small arthropods, including caterpillars and spiders, primarily gleaned from foliage and twigs.
The Chocó Vireo is a diurnal and active bird, primarily foraging in the mid-story and canopy of its forest habitat. It employs a meticulous gleaning strategy, picking insects and other arthropods from leaves and small branches, often hanging acrobatically to inspect undersides of foliage. While t...
The Chocó Vireo is an obligate resident of the highly endemic Chocó Biogeographic Region, found exclusively in western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. In Colombia, its distribution includes the western slopes of the Andes in the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and Nariño. Its ran...
Near Threatened
- The Chocó Vireo was only formally described to science in 2000, making it one of the most recently identified bird species in its family. - Its scientific name, *Vireo masteri*, honors the late Dr. Joel Master, an avid birder and conservationist whose contributions to ornithology were significa...