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
Tagula White-eye
Zosterops meeki
A very little-known, small bird of foothill forest canopy and edge on Tagula Island where the only white-eye. Olive-green upperparts with yellow-green rump, blackish face and tail. White underparts from the throat to the belly and yellow under the base of the tail. Note the broad white eye-ring, broken at the front. Voice, gives a typical white-eye “peer” call. Apparently not seen in recent years.
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Stocky and dark overall with short tail and triangular wings. A close look reveals beautiful plumage: in breeding season, look for purple and green iridescence and a yellow bill. In winter, shows extensive white and buffy spots over the entire body. Juveniles are plain grayish-brown; note bill shape. Native to Eurasia; introduced extensively across the globe. Often abundant, gathering in large flocks in open agricultural areas and towns and cities. Makes a variety of squeaky vocalizations, and often mimics other species. Visits feeders, where it is often aggressive towards other birds.
Bannerman's Sunbird
Cyanomitra bannermani
A medium-sized sunbird with an olive back and gray belly. Male has a metallic bluish (may appear green in some light) hood and breast; female appears plain-headed with limited metallic plumage on crown. Immature like female, but darker and duller. Singles and pairs are uncommon residents of riparian forest, forest-edge, and broadleaved Miombo woodland. Sings a series of short jumbled high-pitched notes. Compared to similar Green-headed Sunbird, smaller Bannerman’s Sunbird has a shorter, straighter bill, and mostly blue head (duller on female), lacking an obvious green crown.
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