Bell's Vireo
Vireo bellii
A fairly drab vireo of dense, scrubby vegetation, often near water. Two populations: Eastern birds are brighter, with yellow flanks and olive-green back. Note vague spectacled pattern around eye and one bright white wingbar (sometimes with a fainter upper wingbar). Western birds vary from dull olive above to entirely plain gray, usually with one bright wingbar. Look for long tail, often cocked and flipped around. Very active, flitting around nervously in low bushes and thickets. Listen for fast, scratchy song and harsh scold notes. Compare with the brighter and more contrasty White-eyed Vireo, especially in the East, and with the larger and plainer Gray Vireo in the West.
Identification
Measurements:
Taxonomy
Genus: Vireo; Family: Vireonidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Vireo bellii
- Authority
- Audubon, 1844
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vireonidae
- Genus
- Vireo
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Dryocopus martius
Unmistakable large, crow-sized woodpecker, all black with a red crown, which is reduced in females. Powerful, straight, and rather flappy flight without the undulations of other woodpeckers. Very noisy, with a strident "ke-yaa" given when landing or perched and a "krry-krry-krry" call uttered in flight. Found in a range of forest types, especially older mixed forest.
Blue-winged Pitta
Pitta moluccensis
A beautiful, rainbow-colored inhabitant of tropical forests; often bolder than other pittas and occasionally seen in city parks, especially while on migration. Stunning, with green back, blue wings, orange belly, and black mask. Solitary outside of the breeding season; usually seen hopping around in leaf litter and turning over debris in search of invertebrates. Listen for its bouncy song, a series of loud “weuh-wheew!” phrases.
Little Bustard
Tetrax tetrax
A small brownish bustard with long legs and neck. May crouch if disturbed but when flushed, explodes noisily into a grouselike flight with whirring wings. Striking white wings with black tips are prominent in flight. Breeding-plumaged males are distinctive with black neck and double V-shaped white collar. Usually fairly quiet and unobtrusive. Found in open plains with shrubs and sufficient ground cover to hide in.
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