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Blue-headed Vireo

Vireo solitarius ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: VIREONIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Blue-headed Vireo Photo

© Michael J.Hopiak / CLO

The Blue-headed Vireo is a common and vocal bird of northeastern forests. Formerly lumped as a "Solitary Vireo" with the more western Plumbeous and Cassin's vireos, it is now considered a separate species.

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Appearance

Warblerlike
Warblerlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small songbird, medium-sized vireo.
  • Bluish gray head with white spectacles.
  • Two whitish wingbars.
  • Belly white.
  • Flanks yellowish.

Immature Description

Similar to adult, but averages browner and drabber.

Range Map Help

Blue-headed Vireo Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Cassin's Vireo is very similar, but has brownish gray crown contrasting less sharply with throat and the back; very limited overlap in range.
  • Plumbeous Vireo is gray over all upperparts, with only the rump having any greenish, the edging of flight feathers are not yellow, and the flanks have little or no yellow.
  • Bell's Vireo lacks a full eyering so does not appear spectacled, has weaker wingbars, and has plumage with more subtle contrasts.