Western Warbling Vireo
Vireo swainsoni
Unusually for songbirds, male Western Warbling Vireos are known to sing while they are sitting directly on the nest to incubate eggs.
- Scientific name
- Vireo swainsoni
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Vireonidae › Vireo
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests, particularly riparian woodlands with cottonwood and aspen.
- Diet
- Primarily insectivorous, focusing on caterpillars, beetles, and spiders; also eats small berries in late summer.
- Range
- Western Canada, Western United States, Mexico, Central America
- Size
- 12-14 cm length, wingspan of approximately 22 cm.
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss in wintering grounds, window strikes, and brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Best observed from a distance with binoculars to avoid disturbing nesting sites. If you find an injured bird, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator; do not attempt to feed or keep it.
The warbling vireo ( Vireo gilvus ) is a small North American songbird.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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