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
Genus: Vireo; Family: Vireonidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Vireo vicinior
- Authority
- Coues, 1866
- 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
Javan Oriole
Oriolus cruentus
Rare oriole endemic to the mossy montane forests of Java. Male is glossy black with a crimson breast and wing spot, while the female is dull black overall with a dirty-pink breast and belly; note pale bill on both. Forages quietly and inconspicuously in the canopy and midstorey. Calls include a rather grating descending “mew.”
Fawn-breasted Tanager
Pipraeidea melanonota
Small sleek tanager with distinctive color pattern: pale sandy underparts with peachy blush on breast, black mask, powdery-blue crown, and darker blue back and wings. Sexes alike. Uncommon in second growth, edges, and gardens, where it is most often seen singly or in pairs. Occasionally follows mixed-species flocks. Found from foothills to upper subtropical zone in Andes, sometimes straying even higher. Populations in southeastern South America occur at lower elevations.
Gray-mantled Wren
Odontorchilus branickii
A small, warbler-like wren of Andean cloud forest. Plumage is gray and white with a barred tail and vent, brownish crown, and faint streaking on the head. When seen from below in poor lighting conditions, the barred tail is usually the best feature to look for. Stays high in the canopy and is almost always encountered with mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations are very high-pitched and include gravelly trills and siren-like whistles.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.