Vireos- ORDER: Passeriformes
- FAMILY: Vireonidae
Basic Description
The Blue-headed Vireo offers a pleasing palette of moss green, bluish gray, and greenish yellow, set off by bold white “spectacles” (the eyering plus a “loral” spot next to the bill), throat, and belly. The wings and tail are a sharp black and white. Like most larger vireos, Blue-headed forages for insects and their larvae in trees, moving deliberately along branches, where it can be challenging to spot. Males sing a slow, cheerful carol, often the first indication of the species’ presence in a forest.
More ID InfoFind This Bird
During summer, Blue-headed Vireos forage in the canopy of mature forests. They sing frequently, but it helps to learn how to distinguish their songs from Yellow-throated, Red-eyed, and Philadelphia Vireos. (Slower and sweeter than Red-eyed; less burry than Yellow-throated; less repetitive than Philadelphia.) Once a singing bird is located, a little patience in scanning through the foliage will usually be rewarded. During migration and winter, Blue-headed Vireos are readily attracted to pishing or similar sounds; also try imitating their mewling alarm call.
Other Names
- Vireo Solitario (Spanish)
- Viréo à tête bleue (French)
Backyard Tips
Blue-headed Vireos don’t come to feeders, but leaving thickets, hedgerows, and vegetation tangles along forest edges (if you have them) will improve chances to see many migrating birds.