Vireo olivaceus
The Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) is a widespread and common Neotropical migratory songbird, often heard more frequently than seen. It measures approximately 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 inches) in length, with a wingspan of about 24 cm (9.4 inches) and a weight ranging from 14-19 grams. Adults display a distinctive olive-green back and cap, with a clean white belly and flanks, and a grayish-blue crown contrasting with a prominent white supercilium bordered by a dark eye-line. Its most recognizable f...
Found primarily in deciduous and mixed forests, particularly those with dense understory. It prefers mature woodlands, suburban parks, and riparian zones from low to mid-elevation.
Mainly insectivorous, feeding on caterpillars, beetles, flies, and other arthropods gleaned from foliage. They supplement their diet with berries, especially in late summer and during migration.
Red-eyed Vireos are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging in the forest canopy and understory, often remaining obscured by foliage. Their primary foraging strategy involves gleaning insects from leaves and twigs, meticulously searching for prey. Males are fiercely territorial during the ...
The Red-eyed Vireo boasts an expansive breeding range across North America, extending from southeastern Alaska and much of Canada south through the eastern and central United States, reaching the Gulf Coast and parts of Mexico. Its western breeding limit typically follows the Rocky Mountains. As ...
Least Concern
- The Red-eyed Vireo is considered one of the most persistent singers in North America, with a single individual recorded singing over 22,197 songs in a single day. - Despite its name, young Red-eyed Vireos have dark brown eyes, which gradually turn red as they mature, typically by their first wi...