Vireo olivaceus
adult
This is North America’s most familiar vireo. The sexes are similar. Adults have a greenish-gray back and neck, and rather grubby white underparts with a dull yellow flush to the flanks and undertail. The striking head pattern comprises a dark gray crown and long white supercilium, defined above and below by black lines. The eye has a red iris, and the bill is stout and relatively long. Juveniles are similar to adults but the iris color is subtly duller.
The Red-eyed Vireo is present as a breeding species across much of northern and eastern North America, mainly from May to August. It spends the rest of the year in South America. It usually forages for insects in an unobtrusive manner, making it hard to spot in dappled foliage; its presence is often detected first by its distinctive song.
adult
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6 in (15 cm)
FOOD Insects and other invertebrates
HABITAT Deciduous woodland
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor
VOICE Song comprises a series of two- to four-syllable phrases, including tse-oo-wit, tse-oo-ee, and tsee-oo. Call is a nasal zzNrrr
