Thick-billed Vireo
Vireo crassirostris
A small loquacious inhabitant of scrubland, thickets, and brushy forest edges where it typically feeds within dense cover. The similar White-eyed Vireo can be distinguished by its smaller bill, greener back, and bright yellow sides; furthermore, adults have white, not dusky, eyes. The Cuban Vireo lacks the Thick-billed Vireo’s bold wingbars. The song is a scratchy jumbled “chick, didderwid-weee-zhee, chip” or variations thereof. Calls include a “zhip” given singly or in short bursts, a drawn-out harsh “zzhhe,” and a variety of chattering sounds.
Identification
The thick-billed vireo is approximately 14 cm in length. Its head and back are a greyish olive, and the underparts are buffy white. The wings and tail are dark, and there are two white wing bars on each wing. The eyes have dark irises. Sexes are similar. It shows a yellow partial spectacle just above the bill.There are five subspeciesaccording to the University of Michigan Zoology Dept.: Vireo crassirostris crassirostrisVireo crassirostris stalagmiumVireo crassirostris crassirostrisVireo crassirostris alleni Vireo crassirostris tortugae
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Vireo crassirostris
- Authority
- (Bryant, H, 1859)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vireonidae
- Genus
- Vireo
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous Spinetail
Synallaxis unirufa
Plain rufous bird with dark lores and long spiky tail. Sexes alike. Uncommon in the upper subtropics and temperate zone, mostly from 2,000–3,200 m. Could be confused with Rufous Wren but smaller and shier with spiky tail and plain unbarred wings. Pairs or small family groups are found low to the ground, often around patches of bamboo, where they can be tricky to see well. Listen for the single “pweep!” call.
Arabian Green Bee-eater
Merops cyanophrys
A small, dainty bee-eater of arid, open terrain with scattered trees, including semideserts, palm groves, and gardens. Mainly green with a slender black face mask, throat band, and a stunning electric-blue face and throat. Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the short tail spike. In flight, note the rusty underwing with a black trailing edge. Flies gracefully as it catches insects and other prey. Calls are a series of gentle liquid trills or more staccato notes.
Shelley's Starling
Lamprotornis shelleyi
A small dark starling of dry country. The upperparts are iridescent, with a blue sheen on the head and green on most of the wing. Also note the chestnut underparts and the yellow-orange eye. Found in dry thorn savanna and thorn scrub, usually in small wandering flocks, often with other species of starlings. Similar to Hildebrandt’s Starling, but slightly smaller and darker overall, with a deeper rufous belly and a less contrasting green wing. Also reminiscent of Superb Starling, but doesn’t have a white chest band. Gives mewing calls, often in a long, continuous series.
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