Bird Watcher's Digest: Home Bird Watcher's Digest Magazine The Backyard Birds Newsletter The Bird Watcher's Digest App Bird Watcher's Digest Nature Shop

Bird Identification

in

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus L 6" (15 cm)

Photo by Maslowski Wildlife Productions.

Listen to a red-eyed vireo.

One of the most abundant woodland birds in North America, red-eyed vireos can be found almost anywhere there are deciduous trees, including many woodlots and mixed forests. The gray cap, white supercilium, dark line through the eye, greenish upperparts, whitish underparts, and large bill are distinctive. The contrasting cap separates it from the warbling vireo and the whitish throat from the Philadelphia vireo. Red-eyeds spend most of their time in the mid and upper canopy of forested areas, moving slowly and deliberately as they feed. The males are among the most persistent singers of all birds and have been recorded singing more than 10,000 songs a day in spring. The song of the red-eyed vireo is one of the few woodland voices that is often heard in the middle of hot summer days. The song consists of quick two and three note whistled phrases delivered with measured breaks, so that each phrase seems to stand alone. The birds also have a soft catbird-like mew note that they give when they are agitated.

This sound file requires RealPlayer. Bird song courtesy of Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio.

Wading Birds

SECTION FEATURES - FESTIVAL

You Might Like

Hummingbirds of the Backyard DVD

Come along with Sheri Williamson, author of the Peterson Guide to Hummingbirds, on this fascinating video journey into the secret lives of North America's favorite birds. She'll introduce you to 13 species that nest in the U.S. and Canada and she'll show you how to attract them to your yard. Running time is approximately 50 minutes. Only $19.99 in our store!

Buy now »

Charley Harper Puzzle—Monteverde

This thoughtfully conceived and engagingly intricate 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle is sure to delight novice and veteran puzzle-workers and bird-watchers alike. An identification guide on the back of the box helps identify each of the species represented in this colorful and complex image. Only $17.95 in our store!

Buy now »

The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America

This lively guide is an invitation to kids to get outside and look at birds. Unlike field guides for adults, which can be overwhelming, this one provides just the right amount of information to be useful and fun. Loaded with color photographs, drawings, interesting facts, range maps and an easy-to-use species checklist, it's the perfect companion for hours of birdwatching fun. Only $14.95 in our store!

Buy now »