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Black-capped Vireo

Vireo atricapilla ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: VIREONIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The smallest vireo that occurs regularly in the United States, the Black-capped Vireo inhabits low scrublands of Oklahoma, Texas, and northern Mexico. Habitat changes and nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds have caused Black-capped Vireo populations to vanish across much of the northern part of its historic range and it now is listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Appearance

Warblerlike
Warblerlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small songbird.
  • Black or dark gray head.
  • Red eyes surrounded by white spectacles.
  • Back olive.
  • Underparts white.
  • Two pale wingbars.

Male Description

Forehead, crown, nape, auriculars, and cheek black. Underparts white, with greenish or yellow flanks. Back olive-green. Wings black with two pale yellowish wingbars.

Female Description

Similar to male, but slightly duller. Cap gray instead of black.

Immature Description

Immature similar to adult female, but with dark brown eyes instead of red. Yearling male with gray on nape and back of crown.

Range Map Help

Black-capped Vireo Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

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