Gray Vireo

Vireo vicinior

One of North America's most nondescript birds: pale gray above, lighter whitish below, with a hint of pale spectacles and wingbars. Long-tailed for a vireo, but with a typically thick bill. Occurs on dry rocky slopes with patches of dense brush and trees, especially oaks and junipers. Usually seen singly or in pairs, often detected by voice. Most similar to drab Bell's Vireo but note habitat and size differences. Also compare with Plumbeous Vireo, which is shorter-tailed and more boldly marked.

Identification

The gray vireo is .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}14 cm (5+1⁄2 in) in length, gray above, and dull white below, with a single faint wing bar and an eye-ring. It has a short, thick bill. Sexes are similar. The sideways twitching of its tail is unique among vireos and is reminiscent of that of gnatcatchers. The song is hu-wee, chu-wee, che-weet, chee, ch-churr-weet, churr, schray.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Vireo vicinior
Authority
Coues, 1866
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Vireonidae
Genus
Vireo

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Behavior

The gray vireo has skulking habits and is difficult to observe in the dense vegetation it inhabits which is mostly pinyon-juniper woodland or scrub oak woodland. It feeds mainly on insects, and birds that overwinter in Mexico additionally consume fruit. Nests are built within 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) of the ground, often in a thorny tree and consist of dry grasses, plant remains, shreds of bark and spider's web, lined with grasses and fine fibres. A clutch of three or four white eggs is laid and incubated by both parents for about thirteen days. The young leave the nest a fortnight later. Attempted parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) often causes the nest to be abandoned.

Conservation

Population trend
rising

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Olive-faced Flatbill

Olive-faced Flatbill

Tolmomyias viridiceps

Small flycatcher found in secondary forest in lowlands and foothills east of the Andes. Good ID features include its wide bill, bright yellow throat and breast, and lack of strong wing markings. Similar to Ochre-lored Flatbill, which used to be considered the same species and called Yellow-breasted Flycatcher. Note their different ranges, since they mostly do not overlap. Olive-faced Flycatcher lacks orange in the face, has less distinct wingbars, and has a different voice. Typical song is a rising, well-spaced series of “peek” notes, and sometimes gives a shrill whinny.

Greater Striped Swallow

Greater Striped Swallow

Cecropis cucullata

Large, beautiful swallow with a long, forked tail. Note the rufous cap, cinnamon rump, and pale buffy underparts with fine streaking. Usually found in grassland and wetland, though can be seen in other habitats, especially when migrating. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other swallow species. Similar to Lesser Striped Swallow, but larger, with buffy underparts with finer streaks, and with less orange on the face.

Nicholson's Pipit

Nicholson's Pipit

Anthus nicholsoni

A large, slender pipit that is usually found in rocky areas. Note the pale eyebrow, long tail, and relatively long bill. Prefers dry, open areas with clumps of vegetation and scattered rocks and boulders, typically on slopes. Calls include squeaky sparrow-like chirps and sweet two-noted whistles. Song is a sequence of plaintive whistles, chirps, and other call-like vocalizations strung together with pauses in between. As with many other pipits, can be frustratingly difficult to identify in the field. Habitat and voice are important clues. Very similar to Mountain Pipit, but less streaky, especially on the breast. Larger than African Pipit, with buffy rather than white outer tail feathers.

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