Vireo brevipennis
The Slaty Vireo (Vireo brevipennis) is a rather small and unobtrusive songbird, measuring approximately 11-12.5 cm in length and weighing 11-14 grams, endemic to the montane forests of southern Mexico. Its plumage is characterized by a dull slaty-gray back and head, contrasting with whitish underparts often washed with a subtle yellowish tint on the belly. Key identification marks include a distinctive blackish lore, a narrow whitish supraloral line above the eye, and two noticeable whitish w...
Humid montane evergreen, pine-oak, and cloud forests in Mexico, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters, occasionally higher.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming caterpillars, beetles, and spiders; supplements diet with small fruits, particularly berries. Forages by gleaning from foliage and small branches.
The Slaty Vireo is a diurnal species, spending its active hours meticulously gleaning insects from the foliage and small branches of the mid-story and canopy. It is a highly active forager, often observed as a prominent member of mixed-species foraging flocks, especially outside of the breeding s...
The Slaty Vireo is endemic to the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range, a major biogeographic region in southern Mexico. Its primary breeding range encompasses the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with a notably disjunct population also found in parts of Puebla. The distribution is fragmented, refle...
Least Concern
- Endemic to the rugged mountains of southern Mexico, making it a highly sought-after species for birders visiting the region. - Its scientific name "brevipennis" means "short-winged," referencing its relatively compact wing structure. - Often joins mixed-species foraging flocks, acting as a nucl...