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

Warbling Vireo

Vireo gilvus L 5 ½" (14 cm)

Photo by Maslowski Wildlife Productions.

Listen to a warbling vireo.

The warbling vireo has the largest range of any member of the family in North America, being found from western and southern Canada through most of the United States. They are separated from other vireos by the plain face broken only by a white supercilium, the pale lores, a gray-green back, the lack of wing bars, and the mostly whitish underparts. Birds in the West average yellower underneath, especially in the fall. Warbling vireos are found in a variety of habitats with deciduous trees including woodlands, riparian areas, and even pastures with scattered sycamores. Even more than most vireos, adults sing from the nest, making them easy to find sometimes. The song of eastern birds is a jumbled series of fairly rapid whistled notes, reminiscent of the house finch to many ears. Western birds have a slightly buzzier version that is less melodic. Other vocalizations are more rarely heard and include a mew note similar to that given by red-eyed vireo, although it is slightly harsher.

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

Wading Birds

SECTION FEATURES - FESTIVAL

You Might Like

Timelapse PlantCam

Watch your plants grow in fast-forward with the new Timelapse PlantCam. The PlantCam is rugged and weatherproof, and automatically takes photos and videos at set time intervals. It then stitches the photos together to create a video showing in minutes or seconds what usually can't be seen with the naked eye. The result is a seamless movie of your plants growing! Only $79.95 in our store!

Buy now »

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 »

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 »