Plumbeous Vireos
Vireos
Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) is a North American songbird, ranging from far southeastern Montana and western South Dakota south to the Pacific coast of Mexico, including Baja California Sur.
It is migratory, moving to the southern part of its range in winter, and its habitat generally encompasses open pine forests.
The Plumbeous Vireo builds a cup nest out of bark strips and down in the fork of a twig. The hen lays 3 to 5 white eggs with some brown spots.
This species was formerly considered to belong to the same species as Cassin's Vireo and Blue-headed Vireo. At that time, this complex of species was referred to as the Solitary Vireo.
Identification Tips:
- Length: 4.75 inches
- Gray head, back, and flanks, and whitish underparts.
- Solid white eye ring and white wing bars
- Dark eye
- White wing bars
- Thick bill with hooked upper beak
- Grayish flanks contrasting with whitish underparts
- Sexes similar
- Juveniles similar to adults
- Formerly conspecific with Cassin's and Blue-headed Vireo (of, or belonging to, the same species)
Similar species:
The bold white spectacles of the Plumbeous Vireo are also shared by the Blue-headed and Cassin's Vireos but they have more contrast between the gray head and the more olive back and olive or yellowish flanks. The Black-capped Vireo also has white spectacles but it has a black, not gray, head. Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireos have yellow spectacles. The Gray Vireo is similar but it lacks spectacles and has faint wing bars.
Song / Call:
The song, given persistently, consists of short, rough whistled phrases of several notes, spaced about 2 seconds apart. The phrases often alternate ending on a high note and a low note, giving an impression of question and answer.
Relevant Web Resources: USGS
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
